Brian Mooney

Football player infobox
playername= Brian Mooney


fullname = Brian John Mooney
nickname = The Moons
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1966|02|02
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Republic of Ireland
height = 5'10"
currentclub =
position = Midfield
youthyears = 1981-1983
youthclubs = Home Farm F.C.
years = 1983-1987
1986-1987
1987-1991
1991-1993
1992-1993
1993-1995
1995-1999
1999-2001
2001-2002
clubs = Liverpool
Wrexham (Loan)
Preston North End
Sunderland
Burnley (Loan)
Shelbourne
Bohemians
UCD
Monaghan United
caps(goals) = 000 0(0)
008 0(2)
128 (20)
027 0(1)
006 0(0)
00? 0(?)
117 (19)
00? 0(?)"'
nationalyears = 19xx-19xx
19xx-19xx
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland U-21s
Republic of Ireland B
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate =

Brian Mooney, ( b.2 February 1966) is an Irish former footballer who made his name as a skilful winger in the English football league. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Brian was spotted in 1983 by Liverpool F.C. playing for legendary Irish schoolboy club Home Farm F.C..He went to school at St. Josephs C.B.S. in Fairview, Dublin.

Liverpool

Having signed for Liverpool, Brian immediately started to turn heads with some outstanding performances for Liverpool F.C. Reserves even breaking into the Republic of Ireland U-21s side. Breaking into the Liverpool first team however was a different matter. With a team consisting of Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush, Craig Johnston, Ronnie Whelan and the like coupled with the fact that they were at the time the top club side in Europe it became increasingly difficult for Brian to make a breakthrough playing in the end just one first team game in a Football League Cup tie against Fulham in October 1986. Even a successful loan spell in 1986 at Wrexham (8 games,2 goals) only added to Brian's desperate need for regular first team action. However, in October 1987 things took a turn for the better.

The Preston years

With newly promoted Preston North End struggling in the English third division manager John McGrath brought in both Brian and Tony Ellis with Brian initially on a months loan. Both players were an instant success with Brian becoming the darling of the Deepdale terraces. At the end of his loan spell Liverpool agreed to sell Brian for the moderate fee of £25,000. The next three and a half years were for Brian a very successful period with his undoubted natural ability attracting the attention of many top flight clubs and the eye of Republic of Ireland boss Jack Charlton. In all Brian played 128 games for Preston scoring 26 goals and was named the clubs official player of the year in 1988-89.

The move to Sunderland

Although a Republic of Ireland cap eluded him Brian did in the end earn a move to top flight Sunderland A.F.C. with the Rokerites (now the Black Cats) paying a fee of £225,000 for Brian's services. His time at Sunderland was however a disaster with the club being relegated almost immediately and Brian managing just 27 appearances (1 goal) in an injury ravaged two years. A loan spell at Burnley F.C. didn't help either with a now disillusioned Mooney dead set against the move, however with Sunderland wanting Brian to play competitive games he did in his month there make 6 appearances for the Turf Moor outfit without scoring. Injury and poor form put pay to Brian's career at Roker Park and although at the end of his contract there was interest from several other English clubs, Peterborough United being the most notable, Brian decided that at the age of 27 to return to Ireland.

Back home

Upon his return to Ireland Brian played part time for Shelbourne F.C. and Bohemian F.C. winning both league and cup honours as well as for University College Dublin A.F.C. where he was also studying full time for a degree. During his time playing in the Football League of Ireland Brian fulfilled a life's ambition of playing in both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup as well as well as playing for the Football League of Ireland Representative Team. After playing for Monaghan United F.C. in 2001/02, he hung his boots.