Conor Shaughnessy

Conor Shaughnessy

Personal information
Full name	Conor Glynn Shaughnessy [1]
Date of birth	(1996-06-30) 30 June 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth	Galway, Ireland
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Position(s)	Centre-back / Central midfielder
Team information
Current team	Portsmouth
Number	6
Youth career
	Mervue United
2012–2016	Reading
2016–2017	Leeds United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2021	Leeds United	9	(0)
2019	→ Heart of Midlothian (loan)	10	(0)
2019–2020	→ Mansfield Town (loan)	15	(0)
2020	→ Burton Albion (loan)	8	(0)
2021	Rochdale	15	(1)
2021–2023	Burton Albion	57	(4)
2023–	Portsmouth	47	(4)
International career
2011–2012	Republic of Ireland U15	4	(1)
2012	Republic of Ireland U16	2	(0)
2013	Republic of Ireland U17	1	(0)
2012	Republic of Ireland U18	1	(0)
2017–2018	Republic of Ireland U21	3	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 October 2024 (UTC)

Conor Glynn Shaughnessy (born 30 June 1996) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for EFL Championship club Portsmouth. ^[2]

He is also able to operate as a central midfielder. He has represented the Republic of Ireland national football team at U15 through to U21 level.

Club career

Reading

Shaughnessy started his career at English club Reading, joining in 2012 after a successful trial and signing his first professional contract in the summer of 2013. ^[3] He was a regular for the Reading U18 and U21 teams; however, he never played competitively for the club and was released in May 2016. ^[4]

Leeds United

Following a successful trial, Shaughnessy was given a one-year contract with the Leeds United development squad in September 2016. He did not make any first team appearances during the 2016-2017 season. ^[5] His contract was extended by a year in May 2017, ^[6] and he made his professional debut in a 3–2 away victory over Bolton Wanderers on 6 August 2017, replacing injured teammate Matthew Pennington at centre back in the 66th minute and promptly giving away a penalty. ^{[7] [8] [9]} He made his first start in the following game, on 9 August 2017 in a 4–1 League Cup victory against Port Vale at Elland Road, ^[10] and first League start six days later against Fulham. ^[11] He signed a new four-year contract with Leeds the following month. ^[12] On 7 January 2018, Shaughnessy scored an own goal in Leeds' 2–1 shock defeat to Newport County in the FA Cup. ^[13]

Shaughnessy picked up a serious ankle injury when he started in Leeds' 0–0 draw against Hull City on 30 January 2018, ^[14] with head coach Thomas Christiansen revealing Shaughnessy could spend several weeks/months out injured. ^[15] The injury ultimately ruled Shaughnessy out for the remainder of the season. ^[16]

On 14 August 2018, Shaughnessy returned to a match-day squad for the first time, when he was named on the bench for Leeds in the EFL Cup fixture against Bolton Wanderers. ^[17] He made his first appearance after injury when he started against Preston North End on 28 August 2018. ^[18] The return to form - and from injury - of Leeds' back line limited Shaughnessy's playing time with the first team, but an interview in September 2018 indicated that Head Coach Marcelo Bielsa had firm plans for the youngster in the 2018-19 campaign and beyond. ^[19]

Hearts loan

On 7 January 2019, Shaughnessy joined Hearts on a six-month loan deal. ^[20] He made his debut on 20 January starting for Hearts in a 1–0 win against Livingston in the Scottish FA Cup, before making his league debut on 23 January in the SPL against Dundee. ^[21]

On 25 May 2019, Shaughnessy received a 2018–19 Scottish Cup runners-up medal after being named on the bench for the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park after losing 2–1 in the final against Celtic. ^[22] In total he made 11 appearances for Hearts in all competitions. ^[23]

Mansfield Town loan

On 2 September 2019, Shaughnessy joined League Two side Mansfield Town on a season-long loan after failing to fit into Bielsa's immediate plans. ^[24]

Burton Albion loan

After his loan at Mansfield was ended early, Shaughnessy signed on loan for League One club Burton Albion on 13 January 2020 for the rest of the 2019–20 season. ^[25]

Rochdale

On 1 February 2021, Shaughnessy joined Rochdale on an 18 month contract. ^[26]

Burton Albion

Shaughnessy left Rochdale during the 2021 summer window and made a permanent move to Burton Albion where he made 43 appearances for The Brewers during the 2021–22 season, including three league goals in his 38 League One outings. ^[27]

Early in the 2022–23 season, the defender was injured in a defeat to Ipswich Town, following a fifth-minute collision with the Ipswich upright and was out for the remainder of August, all of September and October. ^[28]

Portsmouth

On 14 June 2023, League One side Portsmouth signed Shaughnessy to a two-year contract, with an option of a third year. ^[29] On 16 April 2024, Shaughnessy scored an 89th minute winner in a 3–2 victory over Barnsley, a result that saw his side secure the 2023–24 EFL League One title and promotion to the EFL Championship. ^[30]

Shaughnessy suffered a calf injury early in the 2024–25 season, leading to him being sidelined for all of September and October after only two Championship appearances in August. ^[31]

International career

Shaughnessy has represented Ireland at U15, ^[32] U16, ^[33] U17, ^[34] U18 ^[35] and U21 ^[36] level. After his loan move to Hearts he expressed his hopes that he would get a senior international call up similar to fellow Irish under 21 centre back Jimmy Dunne whom he replaced at Tynecastle.^{[ citation needed ]}

Personal life

Shaughnessy's elder brother Joe is also a professional footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premiership side Dundee. ^[37]

Career statistics

As of match played 17 August 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Leeds United	2016–17 [38]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2017–18 [39]	Championship	9	0	1	0	4	0	0	0	14	0
	2018–19 [40]	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	2019–20 [41]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total		9	0	1	0	5	0	0	0	15	0
Heart of Midlothian (loan)	2018–19 [40]	Scottish Premiership	10	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Mansfield Town (loan)	2019–20 [41]	League Two	15	0	1	0	0	0	3 [a]	0	19	0
Burton Albion (loan)	2019–20 [41]	League One	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Rochdale	2020–21 [42]	League One	15	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	15	1
Burton Albion	2021–22 [43]	League One	38	3	2	0	1	0	2 [a]	0	43	3
	2022–23 [44]	League One	19	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	19	1
	Total		57	4	2	0	1	0	2	0	62	4
Portsmouth	2023–24 [45]	League One	43	4	1	0	1	0	2 [a]	0	47	4
	2024–25 [46]	Championship	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		45	4	1	0	1	0	2	0	49	4
Career total			158	9	6	0	7	0	7	0	178	9

1. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

Hearts

• Scottish Cup runner-up: 2018–19

Portsmouth

• EFL League One: 2023–24 ^[47]

Individual

• EFL League One Team of the Season: 2023–24 ^[48]
• PFA Team of the Year: 2023–24 League One ^[49]

References

1. "EFL Released and Retained List 2016-17" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
2. "35. Conor Shaughnessy". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 August 2017.
3. Low, Jonathan (12 March 2014). "Reading FC Under-18s v Liverpool Under-18s: Ones to watch". getreading. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
4. "Reading release Simon Cox, Anton Ferdinand and Hal Robson-Kanu". Sky Sports. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
5. "YOUNG MIDFIELDER JOINS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD". www.leedsunited.com. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
6. "Charlie Taylor: Leeds United offer left-back new contract". BBC Sport. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
7. "AudioSpace | Radio station streaming, apps and websites". www.audiospace.co. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
8. "Bolton Wanderers vs. Leeds United - Football Match Report - August 6, 2017 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
9. "REPORT: BOLTON WANDERERS 2–3 LEEDS UNITED", Leeds United official site, 6 August 2017
10. "Leeds United 4-1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 9 August 2017.
11. "Leeds 0-0 Fulham". BBC Sport. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
12. "SHAUGHNESSY EXTENDS CONTRACT". Leeds Official Website. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
13. "Newport County Vs Leeds", Leeds United, 7 January 2018
14. "Hull 0 Leeds 0". www.leedsunited.com. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
15. "PRESS CONFERENCE | THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN". www.leedsunited.com. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
16. "Conor Shaughnessy | Football Stats | Leeds United | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
17. "Leeds United vs Bolton". Leeds United. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
18. "Leeds 0 Preston 2". BBC Sport. 28 August 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2018.
19. McQueirns, Oisin (24 September 2018). "Leeds' Conor Shaughnessy on Ireland, Injuries and Life Under Bielsa". Pundit Arena. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
20. "Leeds United defender Conor Shaughnessy seals Hearts loan move". YEP. 7 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
21. "Conor Shaughnessy". Soccerbase. 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
22. "Hearts 1 Celtic 2". BBC Sport. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
23. "Conor Shaughnessy". Soccerbase. 1 June 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
24. "Conor Shaughnessy: Mansfield Town sign Leeds United defender". BBC Sport. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 4 September 2019.
25. "Conor Shaughnessy: Conor Shaughnessy: Burton Albion sign defender on loan from Leeds United". BBC Sport. 13 January 2020. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
26. "Conor Shaughnessy Joins Dale". Rochdale AFC. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
27. "Conor Shaughnessy: Burton Albion re-sign midfielder after Rochdale exit". www.bbc.co.uk. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
28. Hawkins, Ian (16 August 2022). "Match Report: Burton Albion 0–1 Ipswich Town". www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
29. "Pompey Complete Shaughnessy Signing". www.portsmouthfc.co.uk. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
30. https://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/dreams-come-true-for-shaughnessy/ ^{[ bare URL ]}
31. Cross, Jordan (6 November 2024). "Portsmouth boss delivers crucial Conor Shaughnessy injury return update amid defensive struggles". Portsmouth.co.uk. The Portsmouth News. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
32. "U15 squad named for Belgium double-header | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
33. "Statistics: Ireland Under 16 [Powered by tplSoccerStats]". www.soccerscene.ie. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
34. "Ireland U17s defeated by strong Croatian side | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
35. "Doolin names Irish U18 home-based squad for Wales game | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
36. "Republic of Ireland U21 vs. Israel U21 - 9 October 2017 - Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
37. "Joe Shaughnessy & Isak Thorvaldsson sign for St Mirren". BBC Sport. 20 July 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
38. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
39. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
40. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
41. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
42. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
43. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
44. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 October 2022.
45. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
46. "Games played by Conor Shaughnessy in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
47. "Portsmouth 3–2 Barnsley: Pompey seal promotion to Championship with dramatic win". Sky Sports. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
48. "See who made the EFL Team of the Season line-ups". EFL. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
49. "PFA League One Team of the Year". PFA. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.

External links

• Conor Shaughnessy at Soccerbase