Tadhg Purcell
Encyclopedia
Tadhg Purcell is an Irish
footballer who currently plays for Darlington
on loan from Northampton Town
. His main position is striker although he can play on the wing.
, Dublin and recently obtained a degree in Science
at undergraduate level, in University College Dublin
(UCD) after leaving St Benildus College. Before going to St Benidlus College he attended Catholic University School
School (CUS) for three years before leaving for St Benildus College.
. He also gained success with his St Benildus team. He was part of the U-18s Dublin Soccer champions team at St Benildus College in 2003. They beat Malahide 1–0 in the final, which was held in Wayside Celtics ground. Conor Sammon
(now of Wigan Athletic) was on the opposing Malahide team.
(UCD AFC), where he played the beginning of his senior career. Following a bust-up with then manager Pete Mahon
, Purcell moved to Kilkenny City under the management of Pat Scully
for the 2005 season. He scored his first League of Ireland goal on 9 April at Buckley Park
. After one season there with Scully he then moved to Shamrock Rovers
for the 2006 season, along with his manager Scully, after Kilkenny City failed to get promoted from the First Division. After an unsuccessful season he reassessed his footballing techniques at a complex training course with Sam Binns.
He made his Rovers debut in the opening game of the 2006 season. Following a successful first season with the Hoops, he signed a two and a half year contract in July 2007. Scully left the club by mutual consent in October 2008, and was replaced by Michael O'Neill
. First team opportunities became limited and Purcell eventually departed the club in September 2009. He was the first substitute to appear at Tallaght Stadium
. And was also a sub against Real Madrid
. His last goal for Rovers was his only goal in 2009.
club Darlington
along with former St Patrick's Athletic
midfielder Gary Dempsey
in January 2010. He made his league debut and scored his first goal against Rotherham United
which ended in a 2–1 win for his new club. He also scored on his home debut in a loss against Northampton, giving him a share of the team lead in goals scored with two for Darlington in only three games.
on the 30 June 2010. Manager Ian Sampson
stated that 'He is a good finisher, has a lot of physical strength and understands the game. He is a major signing for us and we are delighted.' On his first start of the season against Wycombe Wanderers
, Purcell was stretched off, it was later revealed that he would subsequently be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
He returned from his loan spell at Darlington and came on as a substitute in the 7-2 home defeat to Shrewsbury in November 2011
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 who currently plays for Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
on loan from Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
. His main position is striker although he can play on the wing.
Personal life
Purcell was raised in DundrumDundrum
Dundrum is the name of several places:in Ireland:*Dundrum, Dublin, a suburb of Dublin city.**Dundrum Town Centre, a shopping centre*Dundrum, County Tipperary** the Dundrum meteorite of 1865, which fell in Munster, Ireland...
, Dublin and recently obtained a degree in Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
at undergraduate level, in University College Dublin
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
(UCD) after leaving St Benildus College. Before going to St Benidlus College he attended Catholic University School
Catholic University School
Catholic University School is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys located on the southside of central Dublin, Ireland. It is run by the Marist Fathers.-Origins:...
School (CUS) for three years before leaving for St Benildus College.
Early career
Purcell played most his schoolboy career at Leicester Celtic. He played alongside his ex-team mate Barry MurphyBarry Murphy (footballer born 1985)
Barry Murphy is an Irish professional footballer currently playing for League of Ireland club, Bohemians.-Shamrock Rovers:...
. He also gained success with his St Benildus team. He was part of the U-18s Dublin Soccer champions team at St Benildus College in 2003. They beat Malahide 1–0 in the final, which was held in Wayside Celtics ground. Conor Sammon
Conor Sammon
Conor Sammon is an Irish footballer who currently plays as a striker for English Premier League club Wigan Athletic....
(now of Wigan Athletic) was on the opposing Malahide team.
League of Ireland career
Purcell originally received a soccer scholarship from University College DublinUniversity 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...
(UCD AFC), where he played the beginning of his senior career. Following a bust-up with then manager Pete Mahon
Pete Mahon
Pete Mahon , is an Irish football manager who is currently the manager of St. Patrick's Athletic .His son, Alan Mahon , played all his career for UCD....
, Purcell moved to Kilkenny City under the management of Pat Scully
Pat Scully
Patrick Joseph "Pat" Scully is an Irish football manager, currently in charge of Limerick in the League of Ireland...
for the 2005 season. He scored his first League of Ireland goal on 9 April at Buckley Park
Buckley Park
Buckley Park is a multi-purpose stadium on the Callan road Kilkenny, Republic of Ireland. Kilkenny City purchased of land from a local farmer by the name of Mick Murphy for £16,000. The ground was originally called Tenney Park. It is currently used for football matches and was the home stadium...
. After one season there with Scully he then moved to Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
for the 2006 season, along with his manager Scully, after Kilkenny City failed to get promoted from the First Division. After an unsuccessful season he reassessed his footballing techniques at a complex training course with Sam Binns.
He made his Rovers debut in the opening game of the 2006 season. Following a successful first season with the Hoops, he signed a two and a half year contract in July 2007. Scully left the club by mutual consent in October 2008, and was replaced by Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill may refer to:* Michael O'Neill , British academic and poet* Michael O'Neill , American actor* Michael O'Neill , American academic...
. First team opportunities became limited and Purcell eventually departed the club in September 2009. He was the first substitute to appear 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...
. And was also a sub 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...
. His last goal for Rovers was his only goal in 2009.
Darlington
Purcell signed for English League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
along with former St Patrick's Athletic
St Patrick's Athletic F.C.
St Patrick's Athletic Football Club is a football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division. Founded in 1929, they are based in the Dublin suburb of Inchicore and play their home matches at Richmond Park. They have won the League of Ireland title 7 times and...
midfielder Gary Dempsey
Gary Dempsey (footballer)
Gary Dempsey is an Irish footballer who plays for Bray Wanderers of the League of Ireland.-Career:...
in January 2010. He made his league debut and scored his first goal against Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
which ended in a 2–1 win for his new club. He also scored on his home debut in a loss against Northampton, giving him a share of the team lead in goals scored with two for Darlington in only three games.
Northampton Town
Purcell signed a two year contract with League Two side Northampton TownNorthampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
on the 30 June 2010. Manager Ian Sampson
Ian Sampson
Ian Sampson is an English former footballer and manager. He played as a defender for Goole Town, Sunderland, Northampton Town and Tottenham Hotspur...
stated that 'He is a good finisher, has a lot of physical strength and understands the game. He is a major signing for us and we are delighted.' On his first start of the season against Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
, Purcell was stretched off, it was later revealed that he would subsequently be ruled out for the remainder of the season.
He returned from his loan spell at Darlington and came on as a substitute in the 7-2 home defeat to Shrewsbury in November 2011
Honours
- League of Ireland First Division
- Shamrock RoversShamrock Rovers F.C.Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
: 2006
- Shamrock Rovers
External links
- Tadhg Purcell player profile at ntfc.co.uk