Shane McFaul
Encyclopedia
Shane McFaul, born in Dublin on May 23, 1986, is an Irish
footballer currently playing for League of Ireland
side, St. Patrick's Athletic. Shane attended Mary Queen of Angels National School in Ballyfermot
Co. Dublin
During his career, he has also played for Virginia Beach Mariners
, UCD
and Brighton
Shane started out his career with local side C.A.R.C FC before moving on to the notorious schoolboy club Cherry Orchard
.
He played there in a successful team with the likes of Stephen Quinn
, Gary Dicker
, Paul Byrne
and Derek Doyle
.
In 2002 Shane signed a 4 year professional contract with League One side Notts County
. After only a short few months at Meadow Lane Shane was given the number 16 squad number as a then 16 year old. He made numerous appearances as an unused substitute during that season. It was the 2003/2004 season where he really came to prominence. Making his debut at 17 as a second half replacement against Swindon Town
, filling in at right back. Although losing 4-1 McFaul made a huge impression with his passing ability,energy and drive. More so in fact that he earned a starting spot 2 days later against Peterborough United
.
McFaul earned rave reviews after his performance and left the field to a standing ovation. His creativity on the ball and work rate caught the eye and he went on to make 8 more appearances that season.
2004/2005 saw McFaul make 37 first team appearances, filling in for 20 games at right back although performing well it was at his preferred central midfield role where he excelled. 2005/2006 saw McFaul on the way out of Meadow Lane as new manager Guðjón Þórðarson
restricted his chances in the first team.
A brief stint at Virginia Beach Mariners in 2006 followed, where he was recommended by former Tottenham Hotspur star Darren Caskey. Unfortunately, the Virginia Beach Mariners went defunct so McFauls 2 year deal was retracted.
The 2007 saw McFaul linking up with former Cherry Orchard
team mates at UCD
in the Eircom Premier League. It was here he shone with fellow under 21 international Ronan Finn
in the centre of the park. The highlights of the season was an outstanding performance live on television against Shamrock Rovers, earning not only the Man Of The Match award but a call up to the Irish Under 21s squad. A low was missing out on a FAI Cup Semi Final against Longford Town
due to ankle ligament damage.
In the close season McFaul had successful trials at Championship side Scunthorpe United
and League One side Brighton
.
Shane agreed to join Brighton
on a free transfer until the end of the 2007/08 season on the 11 January 2008.
Shane made his Brighton debut coming on as a late substitute during the 3-0 home victory over Crewe
.
After 6 months of a lack of opportunites and 1 first team appearance and 6 unused substitute appearances McFaul returned to Ireland to UCD for the remainer of the 2008 season. UCD were relegated from the Premier League.
On the 6 May 2008, it was revealed that McFaul, was to be released from Brighton.
Shane returned to Ireland
and re-signed for UCD
on the 15 May 2008.
For the 2009 season McFaul signed with the newly founded but exciting project Sporting Fingal
under the stewardship of former Irish International Liam Buckley
.
Fingal achieved promotion to the Premier Division at the end of 2009 and better was to come as Fingal and McFaul won the FAI Cup
when beating Sligo Rovers
2-1 at Tallaght Stadium
.
McFaul was later named Man of the Match in the F.A.I Cup Final Vs Sligo Rovers and also
the honour of being named Sporting Fingal Player of the Year 2009 .
Shane made his Republic of Ireland U21
debut in a friendly game against Germany
on the 21 August 2007. He was also an unused sub in the European Under-21 Football Championship Qualifying games against Portugal
and England.
McFaul signed for the club he supported as a boy, St. Patrick's Athletic in February 2011 after Sporting Fingal went out of business. McFaul won the St.Patrick's Athletic Supporters Club Player of the Month for July of 2011 after his amazing performances.
Leinster senior cup winner
St.Patricks Athletic F.C. - 2011
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer currently playing for League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
side, St. Patrick's Athletic. Shane attended Mary Queen of Angels National School in Ballyfermot
Ballyfermot
Ballyfermot is a suburb in the city of Dublin.Celebrities such as the famous Furey Brothers and the brilliant Keenan family have all resided in Ballyfermot.Ireland, located 7 kilometres due west from the city centre, and to the south of the Phoenix Park...
Co. Dublin
During his career, he has also played for Virginia Beach Mariners
Virginia Beach Mariners
The Virginia Beach Mariners were an American soccer club, who formerly played in the USL First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, the second division in the US Soccer hierarchy behind Major League Soccer...
, UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
and Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
Shane started out his career with local side C.A.R.C FC before moving on to the notorious schoolboy club Cherry Orchard
Cherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
.
He played there in a successful team with the likes of Stephen Quinn
Stephen Quinn
Stephen Quinn is a professional footballer from the Republic of Ireland who plays as a midfielder for Sheffield United in the English Football League One....
, Gary Dicker
Gary Dicker
Gary Richard Perry Dicker is an Irish footballer currently contracted to Football League Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion. Dicker plays as a midfielder.-University College Dublin:...
, Paul Byrne
Paul Byrne (footballer born 1986)
Paul Byrne, , is a footballer, who has played in Ireland for a number of years in the League of Ireland.Byrne has signed with the Ballarat Red Devils in Australia for season 2011-References:...
and Derek Doyle
Derek Doyle
Derek Doyle, , is an Irish footballer currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club St. Patrick's Athletic. Doyle plays as a left-sided winger and has experience playing as a striker.-Career:...
.
In 2002 Shane signed a 4 year professional contract with League One side Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
. After only a short few months at Meadow Lane Shane was given the number 16 squad number as a then 16 year old. He made numerous appearances as an unused substitute during that season. It was the 2003/2004 season where he really came to prominence. Making his debut at 17 as a second half replacement against Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...
, filling in at right back. Although losing 4-1 McFaul made a huge impression with his passing ability,energy and drive. More so in fact that he earned a starting spot 2 days later against Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
.
McFaul earned rave reviews after his performance and left the field to a standing ovation. His creativity on the ball and work rate caught the eye and he went on to make 8 more appearances that season.
2004/2005 saw McFaul make 37 first team appearances, filling in for 20 games at right back although performing well it was at his preferred central midfield role where he excelled. 2005/2006 saw McFaul on the way out of Meadow Lane as new manager Guðjón Þórðarson
Guðjón Þórðarson
Guðjón Þórðarson is an Icelandic former footballer and the current manager of Grindavík....
restricted his chances in the first team.
A brief stint at Virginia Beach Mariners in 2006 followed, where he was recommended by former Tottenham Hotspur star Darren Caskey. Unfortunately, the Virginia Beach Mariners went defunct so McFauls 2 year deal was retracted.
The 2007 saw McFaul linking up with former Cherry Orchard
Cherry Orchard F.C.
Cherry Orchard Football Club is an Irish football club founded in 1957 known locally as "the Orchard." The club is one of the biggest producers of talent in Ireland. They are linked with Manchester City. Their main rival is Crumlin United, for whom Robbie Keane played at schoolboy level. The club...
team mates at UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
in the Eircom Premier League. It was here he shone with fellow under 21 international Ronan Finn
Ronan Finn
Ronan Finn , is an Irish footballer, who is currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers.- Club career :Finn spent eight months in the Cambridge United youth team in 2004-05....
in the centre of the park. The highlights of the season was an outstanding performance live on television against Shamrock Rovers, earning not only the Man Of The Match award but a call up to the Irish Under 21s squad. A low was missing out on a FAI Cup Semi Final against Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
due to ankle ligament damage.
In the close season McFaul had successful trials at Championship side Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
and League One side Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
.
Shane agreed to join Brighton
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
on a free transfer until the end of the 2007/08 season on the 11 January 2008.
Shane made his Brighton debut coming on as a late substitute during the 3-0 home victory over Crewe
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
.
After 6 months of a lack of opportunites and 1 first team appearance and 6 unused substitute appearances McFaul returned to Ireland to UCD for the remainer of the 2008 season. UCD were relegated from the Premier League.
On the 6 May 2008, it was revealed that McFaul, was to be released from Brighton.
Shane returned to Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and re-signed for UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
on the 15 May 2008.
For the 2009 season McFaul signed with the newly founded but exciting project Sporting Fingal
Sporting Fingal F.C.
Sporting Fingal Football Club was a professional football club based in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland. The club competed in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland from 2008 to 2011. Former Shamrock Rovers manager, Liam Buckley was the club's manager while former Arsenal player, John Devine...
under the stewardship of former Irish International Liam Buckley
Liam Buckley
Liam Buckley , is an Irish former professional football player and manager.-Playing career:Liam began his League of Ireland career with Shelbourne F.C. and signed for Shamrock Rovers as a full time player in the 1979 close season...
.
Fingal achieved promotion to the Premier Division at the end of 2009 and better was to come as Fingal and McFaul won the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
when beating Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
2-1 at Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium is a football stadium in the Southside suburb of Tallaght, Dublin. Shamrock Rovers originally announced details of the stadium back in July 1996...
.
McFaul was later named Man of the Match in the F.A.I Cup Final Vs Sligo Rovers and also
the honour of being named Sporting Fingal Player of the Year 2009 .
Shane made his Republic of Ireland U21
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
debut in a friendly game against Germany
Germany national under-21 football team
The Germany national under-21 football team represents the under-21s of Germany in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship and is controlled by the German Football Association , the governing body of football in Germany....
on the 21 August 2007. He was also an unused sub in the European Under-21 Football Championship Qualifying games against Portugal
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
and England.
McFaul signed for the club he supported as a boy, St. Patrick's Athletic in February 2011 after Sporting Fingal went out of business. McFaul won the St.Patrick's Athletic Supporters Club Player of the Month for July of 2011 after his amazing performances.
Honours
- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 1- Sporting Fingal - 2009
- St.Patrick's Athletic Supporters Club Player of the Month
- July - 2011
Leinster senior cup winner
St.Patricks Athletic F.C. - 2011