Eddie McCallion
Encyclopedia
Edward McCallion commonly known as Eddie McCallion, is a defender playing with Derry City F.C.
in the League of Ireland
. McCallion, who wears the number two jersey for Derry City, plays in the right back
position and stands at 1.68 meters tall.
club, Foyle Harps Y.F.C., as a youth from 1995, McCallion was spotted by Blackburn Rovers in 1997 and moved to the English club that same year. Spending just a year at Ewood Park
, he never managed to break into the first-team whilst there.
Dropped from the side for Damian Brennan at the start of the 2005 season, he fought his way back into the team and by the end of the season he was the first choice right-back, helping his club to a second place finish in the league. He scored an important goal against Kildare County in the FAI Cup
that same season and his overlapping runs offered Derry City FC another attacking option.
McCallion often deputises in the role of captain if Peter Hutton
is absent. McCallion had captained the side on 13 occasions by the end of the 2006 season - one of the most notable of these being Derry City's UEFA Cup
First Round 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at the Brandywell Stadium
on 14 September 2006.
McCallion made 52 appearances in all competitions during the 2006 season, the most of any City player that season, and, once again, helped the club finish as runners-up in the league for a second season running, consolidating his position as a firm fan-favourite.
The defender is one of the few brothers to have played in a winning FAI Cup
side, as he appeared with brother Tommy in the 2002 final team.
Derry City F.C.
Derry City Football Club is a professional football club based in Derry, Northern Ireland. It plays in the League of Ireland Premier Division...
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...
. McCallion, who wears the number two jersey for Derry City, plays in the right back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
position and stands at 1.68 meters tall.
Career
Blackburn Rovers
Having played with local Derry and District LeagueDerry and District League
The Derry and District League is an amateur football league in Derry. The league includes youth and senior football teams. The Senior Sunday League has two divisions, the Premier and the First Division. The Youth Leagues have one league for each age group, from under-10 up to under-17. Teams such...
club, Foyle Harps Y.F.C., as a youth from 1995, McCallion was spotted by Blackburn Rovers in 1997 and moved to the English club that same year. Spending just a year at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
, he never managed to break into the first-team whilst there.
Derry City
McCallion signed for his home town club from Blackburn Rovers in 1998 and made his debut away to Cork City on 6 September 1998. He is the first choice right-back and has also performed at centre-back when required.Dropped from the side for Damian Brennan at the start of the 2005 season, he fought his way back into the team and by the end of the season he was the first choice right-back, helping his club to a second place finish in the league. He scored an important goal against Kildare County in the 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...
that same season and his overlapping runs offered Derry City FC another attacking option.
McCallion often deputises in the role of captain if Peter Hutton
Peter Hutton (footballer)
Peter Hutton is a professional footballer and manager best known for his time with League of Ireland club Derry City, who he captained and managed on a caretaker basis...
is absent. McCallion had captained the side on 13 occasions by the end of the 2006 season - one of the most notable of these being Derry City's 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...
First Round 0-0 draw against Paris Saint-Germain at the Brandywell Stadium
Brandywell Stadium
The Brandywell Stadium is a municipal dual-use football and greyhound racing stadium located in Derry, Northern Ireland.-Location, features and history:...
on 14 September 2006.
McCallion made 52 appearances in all competitions during the 2006 season, the most of any City player that season, and, once again, helped the club finish as runners-up in the league for a second season running, consolidating his position as a firm fan-favourite.
The defender is one of the few brothers to have played in a winning 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...
side, as he appeared with brother Tommy in the 2002 final team.
Honours
- FAI CupFAI CupThe 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...
: 2- 2002, 2006
- League of Ireland Cup: 6
- 1999-2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 20112011 League of Ireland CupThe 2011 League of Ireland Cup, also known as the 2011 EA Sports Cup, was the 38th season of the Irish football knockout competition.The competition was won by Derry City who defeated Cork City in the final on 24th September 2011 in Turners Cross, Cork.A total of 27 teams entered the 2011 competition...
- 1999-2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011