Denis Behan

Denis Behan

Personal information
Full name	Denis Behan
Date of birth	2 January 1984 (1984-01-02) (age 27)
Place of birth	Tralee, Ireland
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position	Striker
Club information
Current club	Limerick
Youth career
	Abbeyfeale
	Brentford
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2009	Cork City	171	(31)
2009–2011	Hartlepool United	38	(6)
2011-	Limerick	10	(8)
National team‡
2004-2006	Republic of Ireland U21	3	(0)
2007-2008	Republic of Ireland U23
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15:20, 23 June 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 15:20, 23 June 2011(UTC)

Denis Behan (born 2 January 1984) is an Irish professional footballer currently playing for Limerick in the League of Ireland First Division.

Youth level

Denis has won under age level Munster Youths and Munster Senior Cup medals, and was part of Cork City's run of two consecutive eircom League U21 championships. He has been capped for the Republic of Ireland at U16, U17, U18, U21 and U-23 levels. He scored in City’s two successful U21 league finals, against Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Senior career

Cork City

Behan joined Cork City from Brentford. He became a regular first team squad member and was known for his knack of scoring spectacular goals, he is currently the all-time top scorer in the Setanta Cup. Behan came on in the penultimate game of the 2005 LOI season against Derry City, and provided an assist as Cork City won only their second League of Ireland title.

In September 2007 Behan recorded his first senior hat trick for Cork City in their FAI Cup Quarter Final Replay at home to local rivals Waterford United. He also scored the winner in the 2007 FAI Cup Final when Cork City took on Longford Town.

Hartlepool United

On Thursday 16 July 2009 it was confirmed that Cork City had accepted a bid from Hartlepool United to take Behan and fellow Cork City team-mate Colin Healy to Victoria Park.^[1] However, only Behan signed^[2] as Healy accepted a late offer from Championship side Ipswich Town.
On 22 August 2009, he scored his first goal for Hartlepool (and the club's first of the new season) in a 2–1 loss to Bristol Rovers. He got his second with a sublime free-kick from around 30 yards out in a 3–0 win at Oldham on 5 September, and his third goal for the club ensured a 2–2 draw at Stockport County on 29 September. A fourth followed in the next game, at Exeter City on 3 October, where he opened the scoring after a defensive blunder. Pools went on to lose 3–1, however.

In May 2011 he was not offered a new contract by the club, along with nine other players from the 2010/11 squad.^[3]

Limerick

Denis Behan signed for Limerick on the 23rd of June 2011 along with Joe Gamble.

Personal life

Behan was raised in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland, but was born in Tralee, County Kerry. He managed an under-15 Carrigaline United schoolboy side during his time at Cork City.^{[citation needed]}

Honours

• League of Ireland: 1
  • Cork City – 2005

• FAI Cup: 1
  • Cork City – 2007

• Setanta Sports Cup
  • Cork City – 2008

References

1. ^ "Pools Have Double Transfer Bid Accepted". Vital Hartlepool. 20 July 2009. http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=161757. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 
2. ^ "Hartlepool Sign Striker Behan From Cork". Vital Hartlepool. 20 July 2009. http://www.hartlepool.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=162184. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 
3. ^ "Ten players shown door by Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13363090.stm. Retrieved 12 May 2011. 

External links

• Denis Behan profile at Vital Hartlepool
• Denis Behan profile at Soccerbase

Persondata
Name	Behan, Denis
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	2 January 1984
Place of birth	Tralee, Republic of Ireland
Date of death
Place of death