Stephen O'Halloran

Infobox Football biography
playername = Stephen O'Halloran


fullname = Stephen O'Halloran
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|11|29
cityofbirth = Cobh
countryofbirth = Republic of Ireland
height = height|ft=5|in=11
nickname =
position = Left Back
currentclub = Aston Villa
clubnumber = 29
youthyears = –2003
2003–2006
youthclubs = Springfield AFC
Aston Villa
years = 2006–
2006–2007
2008
2008
clubs = Aston Villa
→ Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
→ Southampton (loan)
→ Leeds United (loan)
caps(goals) = 00 (0)
11 (0)
01 (0)
00 (0)
nationalyears = 2007–
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 02 (0)
pcupdate = 08:55, 24 February 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 11:09, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

Stephen O'Halloran (born November 29, 1987 in Cobh, County Cork) is an Irish defender playing for Aston Villa.

Aston Villa

O'Halloran signed for Aston Villa from Cork-based team Springfield in July 2003. The young left-sided defender was loaned out to Wycombe Wanderers in October 2006, and played a pivotal role in guiding them to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Wycombe snap up Villa defender |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wycombe_wanderers/6070828.stm |work= |publisher="BBC Sport" |date=2006-10-20 |accessdate=2008-02-28 ] However, his loan spell ran out before the second-leg, and Wycombe eventually lost 5-1 to Chelsea. Following this, O'Halloran was called up to the Republic of Ireland squad for their tour of America, and subsequently played in both matches, against Ecuador and Bolivia. O'Halloran has also represented his country at U15, U16, U17 and U21 level.

The Cobh native then broke into the Villa squad for their 2006/2007 pre-season friendlies (but is yet to make his debut for the first team). Later in the season O'Halloran signed a new contract with Aston Villa, keeping him at the club until 2009.

On 16 January 2008, he signed for Southampton on loan until February 2008, making only one substitute appearance. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Southampton sign Villa defender |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/southampton/7192547.stm |work= |publisher="BBC Sport" |date=2008-01-16 |accessdate=2008-02-28 ]

On 28 February he signed for Leeds United on an initial one month loan deal. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7268750.stm |title=Leeds loan for Villa's O'Halloran |date=2008-02-28 |publisher="BBC Sport" |accessdate=2008-02-28]

Unfortunately, in the warm up for what would have been his debut for Leeds against Swindon at the County Ground, he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury which will keep him out for up to a year. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/7275813.stm |title=O'Halloran's loan ended by injury |date=2008-03-03 |publisher="BBC Sport" |accessdate=2008-03-03]

International career

On Wednesday 16 May 2007, Stephen was named in Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland squad and played in the friendlies against Ecuador and Bolivia, despite not having played a single first team game for Aston Villa. [cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Republic call up uncapped players |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6659311.stm |work= |publisher="BBC Sport" |date=2007-05-15 |accessdate=2008-02-28 ]

Honours

Club

;Aston Villa
* BBC Radio WM Young Player of the Month
** Winner: January 2008

;Wycome Wanderers
*League Cup: Semi Finals (2006-07)

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=45089|name=Stephen O'Halloran
* [http://hem.ektv.nu/~ekt012761/1597.html Aston Villa Player Database]
* [http://soccerscene.ie/sssenior/player.php?id=524 Republic of Ireland profile]
* [http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=9599 Article on Southampton F.C. website]