Kevin O'Connor (footballer)

:"This article is about the Irish footballer. For the English footballer of the same name currently with Brentford, see here."Football player infobox| playername= Kevin O'Connor
fullname = Kevin O'Connor
nickname =


dateofbirth = birth date and age|1985|10|19
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Ireland
height = height|ft=5|in=11
currentclub =
clubnumber =
position = Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs = Wolverhampton Wanderers
years = 2006–2008
2006
clubs = Wolverhampton Wanderers
→ Stockport County (loan)
caps(goals) = 003 00(0)
007 00(1)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = September 12 2008
ntupdate =

Kevin O'Connor (born October 19 1985 in Dublin) is an Irish professional footballer. He is without a permanent club and is currently on trial at Port Vale.

Career

O'Connor began his career at Wolves' Youth Academy and became a regular in the reserve team. He was never considered for the first team under Glenn Hoddle, and he instead joined League Two Stockport County on loan in March 2006, making seven appearances and scoring one goal. His league debut came on 8 April when he appeared as a substitute in a 3-3 draw at Cheltenham Town.

The appointment of Mick McCarthy as manager saw him promoted to the first team, making his senior debut for Wolves on 5 August 2006 at Plymouth Argyle, where he created Wolves' equaliser when his shot was deflected in to earn a 1-1 draw (later credited as an own-goal by Mathias Kouo-Doumbe). However, after playing in the opening three games, his season was ended by a long-term hamstring injury.

He was approaching fitness by the start of the 2007/08 season and given another one year contract, as Wolves lined up a loan move to Gillingham for him; which he later rejected after becoming a father due to the long travelling distance. However, his hamstring problems again soon flared up and he spent the season again on the sidelines after having surgery in November 2007.

In May 2008 it was announced he would not be re-signed but would remain at the club continuing his rehabilitation in the short-term. [cite news| title =Wolves have end-of-term clear-out |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/7392077.stm |publisher= BBC Sport | date = 2008-05-09] He is currently on trial at League Two Port Vale. [cite news| title = New face at Vale Park| url = http://www.port-vale.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~1389577,00.html| publisher = Port Vale official site| date = 2008-09-11]

O'Connor has been recognised by his country, being selected for Republic of Ireland under-18, under-20 and under-21 squads. He is the brother of Burnley (and former West Bromwich Albion) midfielder James O'Connor.

References

External links

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