Brian Mooney
Encyclopedia
Brian Mooney, is an Irish former footballer who made his name as a skilful winger in the English football league
. Born in Dublin, Ireland
, Mooney was spotted in 1983 by Liverpool F.C.
playing for Irish schoolboy club Home Farm F.C.
where he had won a FAI Youth Cup. He went to school at St. Josephs C.B.S. in Fairview, Dublin
.
even breaking into the Republic of Ireland U-21s side after starring and scoring in the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=104/edition=191144/matches/match=30785/report.html. 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 Mooney 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 Mooney's desperate need for regular first team action. However, in October 1987 things took a turn for the better.
with Mooney initially on a months loan. Both players were an instant success with Mooney becoming the darling of the Deepdale terraces. At the end of his loan spell Liverpool agreed to sell Mooney for the moderate fee of £25,000. The next three and a half years were for Mooney 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, Mooney played 128 games for Preston scoring 26 goals and was named the clubs official player of the year
in 1988–89. Was voted 2nd in the clubs cult heroes
with the Rokerites (now the Black Cats
) paying a fee of £225,000 for Mooney's services. His time at Sunderland was however a disaster with the club being relegated almost immediately and Mooney 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 Mooney 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 Mooney'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, Mooney decided that at the age of 27 to return to Ireland.
. He transferred to Bohemian F.C.
in 1995 amid controversy http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1995/0728/Pg007.html#Ar00710. His last game for Bohs was in a relegation playoff in 1999 and he was then released http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1999/0706/Pg021.html#Ar02106. He then signed for University College Dublin A.F.C.
where he was also studying full time for a degree. During his time playing in the League of Ireland
, Mooney played in both the UEFA Champions League
and the UEFA Cup
as well as playing for the League of Ireland Representative Team. After playing for Monaghan United F.C. in 2001/02, he hung up his boots and retired.
English Football League
English football league is not specific; it may refer to:* The Football League - the highest four divisions of English football until 1992 and the three divisions below the Premier League since 1992;...
. Born in Dublin, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
, Mooney was spotted in 1983 by Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
playing for Irish schoolboy club Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm F.C.
Home Farm Football Club is an Irish football club based in Whitehall, Dublin. Originally founded in 1928, the club joined the League of Ireland in 1972 after merging with Drumcondra. Following this merger they were briefly known as Home Farm Drumcondra...
where he had won a FAI Youth Cup. He went to school at St. Josephs C.B.S. in Fairview, Dublin
Fairview, Dublin
Fairview is a coastal district on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland, in the jurisdiction of Dublin City Council. Part of the area forms Fairview Park, on land reclaimed from the sea.-Location and access:...
.
Liverpool
Having signed for Liverpool, Mooney immediately started to turn heads with some outstanding performances for Liverpool F.C. ReservesLiverpool F.C. Reserves
Liverpool F.C. Reserves are the reserve team of Liverpool.-Reserve team:Liverpool Reserves play in the FA Premier Reserve League. In their division, the reserves became Champions in 2000. They competed in the Lancashire Combination from 1896 to 1911, with the exception of the 1898–99 season, in...
even breaking into the Republic of Ireland U-21s side after starring and scoring in the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship, the ninth edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in the Soviet Union from August 24 to September 7, 1985. The tournament took place in eight venues — Baku, Yerevan, Leningrad, Minsk, Moscow, Hoktemberyan, Tbilissi and Sumqayit — where a total...
http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament=104/edition=191144/matches/match=30785/report.html. Breaking into the Liverpool first team however was a different matter. With a team consisting of Kenny Dalglish
Kenny Dalglish
Kenneth Mathieson "Kenny" Dalglish MBE is a Scottish former footballer and the current manager of Liverpool F.C.. In a 22-year playing career, he played for two club teams, Celtic and Liverpool, winning numerous honours with both. He is the most capped Scottish player, with 102 appearances, and...
, Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
, Craig Johnston
Craig Johnston
Craig Johnston is a former football player who was one of the first Australians to make a major impact in the English game. He is remembered for his time spent with Liverpool throughout the 1980s...
, Ronnie Whelan
Ronnie Whelan
Ronald Andrew "Ronnie" Whelan is a former Irish football midfielder, and sometimes defender, who was an integral part of the dominant Liverpool side of the 1980s...
and the like coupled with the fact that they were at the time the top club side in Europe it became increasingly difficult for Mooney to make a breakthrough playing in the end just one first team game in a Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
tie against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in October 1986. Even a successful loan spell in 1986 at Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
(8 games,2 goals) only added to Mooney'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 Mooney and Tony EllisTony Ellis
Anthony Joseph "Tony" Ellis is an English former professional footballer who commanded combined transfer fees of nearly £750,000 and scored 185 league goals in 518 league games during a sixteen-year Football League career....
with Mooney initially on a months loan. Both players were an instant success with Mooney becoming the darling of the Deepdale terraces. At the end of his loan spell Liverpool agreed to sell Mooney for the moderate fee of £25,000. The next three and a half years were for Mooney 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
Jack Charlton
John "Jack" Charlton, OBE, DL is a former footballer and manager who played for Leeds United in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and was part of the England team who won the 1966 World Cup...
. In all, Mooney played 128 games for Preston scoring 26 goals and was named the clubs official player of the year
Preston North End Player of the Year Award Winners
Winners of the official Preston North End F.C. Player of the Year Award since its inception in 1967–68:...
in 1988–89. Was voted 2nd in the clubs cult heroes
The move to Sunderland
Although a Republic of Ireland cap eluded him Mooney did in the end earn a move to top flight Sunderland A.F.C.Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
with the Rokerites (now the Black Cats
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
) paying a fee of £225,000 for Mooney's services. His time at Sunderland was however a disaster with the club being relegated almost immediately and Mooney managing just 27 appearances (1 goal) in an injury ravaged two years. A loan spell at Burnley F.C.
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
didn't help either with a now disillusioned Mooney dead set against the move, however with Sunderland wanting Mooney to play competitive games he did in his month there make 6 appearances for the Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
outfit without scoring. Injury and poor form put pay to Mooney's career at Roker Park
Roker Park
Roker Park was an English football stadium situated in Roker, Sunderland. The stadium was the home of the English football club Sunderland A.F.C. from 1897 to 1997 before the club moved to the Stadium of Light. Near the end of the stadium's history, its capacity was around 22,500 with only a small...
and although at the end of his contract there was interest from several other English clubs, Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
being the most notable, Mooney decided that at the age of 27 to return to Ireland.
Back home
Upon his return to Ireland, Mooney signed for Shelbourne F.C.Shelbourne F.C.
Shelbourne Football Club is an Irish professional football club based in the Drumcondra area of Dublin, currently playing in the League of Ireland Premier Division....
. He transferred to Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
in 1995 amid controversy http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1995/0728/Pg007.html#Ar00710. His last game for Bohs was in a relegation playoff in 1999 and he was then released http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1999/0706/Pg021.html#Ar02106. He then signed for University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
where he was also studying full time for a degree. During his time playing in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
, Mooney played in both the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
and the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
as well as playing for the League of Ireland Representative Team. After playing for Monaghan United F.C. in 2001/02, he hung up his boots and retired.