Dessie Baker
Encyclopedia
Desmond "Dessie" Baker is an Irish
footballer currently playing for Leinster Senior League
side Edenderry Town
.
, Baker was a graduate of Dublin youth clubs Marks Celtic and Stella Maris, before spending his late teens as a trainee at Manchester United
. Baker enjoyed a fruitful career at youth level, winning the FA Youth Cup and Youth League with Manchester United and numerous schoolboy international caps for Republic of Ireland
. Although he was named the FAI Youth Player of the Year in 1995 he failed to earn a professional contract at Old Trafford
, however, and after a brief detour to Oldham
returned to Ireland in the summer of 1996, having been offered a contract by League of Ireland
club, Shelbourne
.
squad which placed third at the 1997 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Baker famously headed the opening goal of Ireland's 2-1 victory over Ghana
in the third/fourth place play-off after less than a minute of play had elapsed http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193914/index.html.
He had already represented his country at U16 and U18 levels.
Baker (who scored another memorable goal against Kilmarnock F.C.
in the 1997-98 Cup Winners' Cup, although Shels eventually lost the tie) was an integral member of the Shelbourne team which won the League of Ireland championship under Dermot Keely
in 1999–2000, frequently operating on the left-hand side of a forward trident which also featured his brother Richie
on the opposite flank.
Another league title followed in 2001–02, but this time Shels were crowned champions under contentious and unsatisfactory circumstances, while Baker himself hardly muddied his boots all season. Keely, bemoaning the pressures of full-time football management, vacated his position, and his successor Pat Fenlon
consigned Baker almost permanently to the substitutes' bench.
Baker served out the remainder of his contract during two frustrating and largely inactive seasons under Fenlon (incorporating a brief loan spell at UCD), before signing a two-year contract with Longford Town in January 2004. Longford manager Alan Matthews (formerly attached to the coaching staff at Shels) declared that "[Baker is] a good asset to us and he has something to prove to people after his last two seasons which have seen him play very little football." Baker himself was of the opinion that "the squad of players he [Matthews] has should see us challenging for more silverware next season."
This view was instantly vindicated as Longford won their maiden FAI Cup
in 2003, a feat they remarkably reprised in 2004, when the additional conquest of the League of Ireland Cup reinforced the club's status as connoisseurs of knockout football.
Despite participation in the UEFA Cup
and newly-instituted Setanta Sports Cup
, Longford's form deteriorated markedly resulting in relegation at the end of the 2007 season despite reaching the FAI Cup Final.
Baker signed for Shamrock Rovers in December 2007. He made his league debut for the Hoops on 8 March 2008, and scored his first goal on 21 March against Bray Wanderers. Despite a positive start to his Rovers career, Baker fell out of favour with Rovers manager Pat Scully
and in July 2008 Baker was loaned to First Division title challengers Dundalk
for the remainder of that season. Baker won a First Division winners medal with Dundalk as they pipped his former club Shelbourne to the title on a dramatic ending to the final night of the season.
Baker returned to Shamrock Rovers for the 2009 season and his faltering Rovers career was given a new lease of life by new manager Michael O'Neill
. Baker re-established himself in the Rovers starting XI after instantly developing a formidable partnership with Gary Twigg
as Rovers finished 2nd in the Premier Division. During the season Baker appeared as a second half substitute in a friendly match against Real Madrid
at Tallaght Stadium
on 20 July 2009. The game was noted for Cristiano Ronaldo
's Real Madrid debut. Baker missed an opportunity to put Shamrock Rovers ahead, and soon after Karim Benzema
grabbed a late winner for the Spanish outfit.
In 2010, numerous injuries hampered Baker over the course of the season resulting in him announcing his intention to retire from football at the end of the season. He capped off his League of Ireland career by winning his fourth title as Shamrock Rovers won the 2010 Premier Division
title on the final day of the season.
In his time at the Hoops, Baker scored a total of 19 goals in 75 total appearances.
in a player/coach role. On Sunday Jan. 9th, Baker grabbed two goals on his competitive debut as Town overcame a 2 goal deficit to win 4-2 at Postal United.
Shamrock Rovers
Longford Town
Dundalk
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,...
footballer currently playing for Leinster Senior League
Leinster Senior League (association football)
The Leinster Senior League is an association football league organised by the Leinster Football Association. The league is the highest level of football outside the Republic of Ireland football league system...
side Edenderry Town
Edenderry Town F.C.
Edenderry Town F.C. are an association football team from Edenderry, County Offaly. They play in the Leinster Senior League. They were founded in 1926 and have provided senior football since its establishment and underage football to the North Offaly Area for over 25 years. The club has developed...
.
Early career
Born in Dublin, IrelandRepublic 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,...
, Baker was a graduate of Dublin youth clubs Marks Celtic and Stella Maris, before spending his late teens as a trainee at Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. Baker enjoyed a fruitful career at youth level, winning the FA Youth Cup and Youth League with Manchester United and numerous schoolboy international caps for Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. Although he was named the FAI Youth Player of the Year in 1995 he failed to earn a professional contract at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, however, and after a brief detour to Oldham
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
returned to Ireland in the summer of 1996, having been offered a contract by 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...
club, Shelbourne
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....
.
League of Ireland career
He made his League of Ireland debut at UCD on the 15th of December and would remain a fixture in the Shels line-up for the remainder of the decade, but rose to wider prominence as a member of Brian Kerr's Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
squad which placed third at the 1997 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
FIFA U-20 World Cup
The FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
Baker famously headed the opening goal of Ireland's 2-1 victory over Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
in the third/fourth place play-off after less than a minute of play had elapsed http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193914/index.html.
He had already represented his country at U16 and U18 levels.
Baker (who scored another memorable goal against Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
in the 1997-98 Cup Winners' Cup, although Shels eventually lost the tie) was an integral member of the Shelbourne team which won the League of Ireland championship under Dermot Keely
Dermot Keely
Dermot Keely, is the former manager of Irish football team Shelbourne.-Family:Keely's family have played League of Ireland football at various levels. His late father Peter Keely played for Shelbourne, his brother Joe played on the same Home Farm FAI Cup winning side of 1775 as Dermot Keely himself...
in 1999–2000, frequently operating on the left-hand side of a forward trident which also featured his brother Richie
Richie Baker
Richie Baker is an Irish footballer currently playing for League of Ireland Premier Division club Bray Wanderers...
on the opposite flank.
Another league title followed in 2001–02, but this time Shels were crowned champions under contentious and unsatisfactory circumstances, while Baker himself hardly muddied his boots all season. Keely, bemoaning the pressures of full-time football management, vacated his position, and his successor Pat Fenlon
Pat Fenlon
Patrick "Pat" "Nutsy" Fenlon is an Irish former footballer and manager. He is currently in charge of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian....
consigned Baker almost permanently to the substitutes' bench.
Baker served out the remainder of his contract during two frustrating and largely inactive seasons under Fenlon (incorporating a brief loan spell at UCD), before signing a two-year contract with Longford Town in January 2004. Longford manager Alan Matthews (formerly attached to the coaching staff at Shels) declared that "[Baker is] a good asset to us and he has something to prove to people after his last two seasons which have seen him play very little football." Baker himself was of the opinion that "the squad of players he [Matthews] has should see us challenging for more silverware next season."
This view was instantly vindicated as Longford won their maiden FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
in 2003, a feat they remarkably reprised in 2004, when the additional conquest of the League of Ireland Cup reinforced the club's status as connoisseurs of knockout football.
Despite participation in 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...
and newly-instituted Setanta Sports Cup
Setanta Sports Cup
The Setanta Sports Cup, commonly known as just the Setanta Cup, is a club football competition featuring teams from both football associations on the island of Ireland...
, Longford's form deteriorated markedly resulting in relegation at the end of the 2007 season despite reaching the FAI Cup Final.
Baker signed for Shamrock Rovers in December 2007. He made his league debut for the Hoops on 8 March 2008, and scored his first goal on 21 March against Bray Wanderers. Despite a positive start to his Rovers career, Baker fell out of favour with Rovers manager Pat Scully
Pat Scully
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Scully is an Irish football manager, currently in charge of Limerick in the League of Ireland...
and in July 2008 Baker was loaned to First Division title challengers Dundalk
Dundalk F.C.
Dundalk Football Club is a professional Irish football club based in Dundalk, County Louth. The club currently play in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. Founded in 1903, they are the second most successful team, in terms of trophies won, in the history of the League of Ireland. The...
for the remainder of that season. Baker won a First Division winners medal with Dundalk as they pipped his former club Shelbourne to the title on a dramatic ending to the final night of the season.
Baker returned to Shamrock Rovers for the 2009 season and his faltering Rovers career was given a new lease of life by new manager Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill (footballer)
Michael Andrew Martin O'Neill is a former Northern Irish international association football player, who is now the manager of Shamrock Rovers.-Playing career:...
. Baker re-established himself in the Rovers starting XI after instantly developing a formidable partnership with Gary Twigg
Gary Twigg
Gary Twigg is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland.-Emerging Talent:Twigg began his career with Irish Side club Emerging Talent having graduated through the youth system...
as Rovers finished 2nd in the Premier Division. During the season Baker appeared as a second half substitute in a friendly match against Real Madrid
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol , commonly known as Real Madrid, is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain. The club have won a record 31 La Liga titles, the Primera División of the Liga de Fútbol Profesional , 18 Copas del Rey, 8 Spanish Super Cups, 1 Copa Eva Duarte and 1 Copa de la...
at Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium
Tallaght Stadium is a football stadium in the Southside suburb of Tallaght, Dublin. Shamrock Rovers originally announced details of the stadium back in July 1996...
on 20 July 2009. The game was noted for Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, OIH, , commonly known as Cristiano Ronaldo, is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a winger or striker for Spanish La Liga club Real Madrid and is the captain of the Portuguese national team...
's Real Madrid debut. Baker missed an opportunity to put Shamrock Rovers ahead, and soon after Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema
Karim Benzema is a French international footballer who currently plays for Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga. He primarily plays as a striker whose influence can extend out to the wings and is known for his technical ability, powerful style of play, and vast goal-scoring ability...
grabbed a late winner for the Spanish outfit.
In 2010, numerous injuries hampered Baker over the course of the season resulting in him announcing his intention to retire from football at the end of the season. He capped off his League of Ireland career by winning his fourth title as Shamrock Rovers won the 2010 Premier Division
2010 League of Ireland
The 2010 League of Ireland was the 90th season of the League of Ireland. For the 26th season in succession, it was played using a two division format, consisting of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division. Bohemians were the defending League of Ireland...
title on the final day of the season.
In his time at the Hoops, Baker scored a total of 19 goals in 75 total appearances.
Post League of Ireland
In December 2010, Baker signed for Leinster Senior League Club Edenderry TownEdenderry Town F.C.
Edenderry Town F.C. are an association football team from Edenderry, County Offaly. They play in the Leinster Senior League. They were founded in 1926 and have provided senior football since its establishment and underage football to the North Offaly Area for over 25 years. The club has developed...
in a player/coach role. On Sunday Jan. 9th, Baker grabbed two goals on his competitive debut as Town overcame a 2 goal deficit to win 4-2 at Postal United.
Club
Shelbourne- League of Ireland (3): 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2003
- FAI Cup (2): 1997, 2000
Shamrock Rovers
- League of Ireland (1): 20102010 League of IrelandThe 2010 League of Ireland was the 90th season of the League of Ireland. For the 26th season in succession, it was played using a two division format, consisting of the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland First Division. Bohemians were the defending League of Ireland...
Longford Town
- FAI Cup (1): 2004
- League of Ireland Cup (1): 2004
Dundalk
- League of Ireland First Division: 2008