Ronan Finn

Football player infobox
playername= Ronan Finn


fullname = Ronan Finn
height = Height|m=1.70
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|12|21
cityofbirth = Dublin
countryofbirth = Republic of Ireland
currentclub = UCD AFC
clubcrest =
clubnumber =
position = Midfielder
years = 2005-present
clubs = UCD AFC
caps(goals) = 61 (2)
nationalyears = 2007-present
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 1 (0)
pcupdate = 8 August 2008
ntupdate = 28 February 2007

Ronan Finn, born in Dublin on 21 December 1987, is a footballer, currently playing with Eircom League side UCD.

Club career

UCD

Ronan was signed by UCD in 2005 and went straight into the U-21 team. He was one of the star performers in the side and was a catalyst for the club winning a second straight Dr. Tony O'Neill U-21 League Championship, scoring the winning goal in the final against Shelbourne. His impressive displays earned him a call-up to the first team squad towards the end of the season. He made his UCD debut in a 1-0 defeat against Longford Town in November 2005. He made his home debut the following week against Shamrock Rovers, again as a substitute. He rounded off an eye-catching performance with his first senior goal for UCD.

Finn started the 2006 season back in the U-21s. He continued to impress and it was obvious that another call-up to the first team was not long away. He regularly began to make the match day squad from the beginning of June, making a couple of brief substitute appearances. However he got his chance to impress as he was handed his first senior start away to Sligo Rovers in August. Finn was the most outstanding player on the pitch, terrorising the Sligo defence with his dribbling skills and defence splitting passes which earned him the man-of-the-match award. This was enough to convince UCD manager Pete Mahon to make him one of the first names on the teamsheet for the remainder of the season.

Finn repaid his manager's trust in him and continued to be a thorn in any side that he came up against. He made he made his FAI Cup debut in the third round against Limerick FC and scored his first goals of the season, scoring twice in a 3-1 win. His displays did not go unnoticed and he was nominated for the PFAI Young Player of the Year award and also won the UCD Supporters' New Player of the Year with a landslide victory.

2007 proved to be a successful year for Finn as he secured his place as a first choice pick in centre midfield. He forged a strong partnership with fellow Irish U-21 international Shane McFaul. This partnership helped UCD reach the semi finals of both the League and FAI Cups.

With the retirement of Tony McDonnell and the departure of Shane McFaul, Ronan is one of the most experienced central midfielders at the club and has formed a new partnership with Alan McNally in the centre. Finn has began the 2008 season with some impressive and authoritative displays in the opening games against Derry and Bray and hopes to regain his place in the Irish U-21 squad.

International career

Ronan was called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for the first time in early 2007, for the annual Madeira Cup tournament. He won his first cap when he came on as a half-time substitute against Madeira.

Career statistics