James Finnerty (born 1 February 1999) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender. His former clubs include Rochdale, Bohemians, Galway United and Sligo Rovers.

James Finnerty
Finnerty in 2019
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-02-01) 1 February 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Skryne, Ireland
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Belvedere
2015–2018 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018 Rochdale 0 (0)
2019–2022 Bohemians 64 (2)
2022Galway United (loan) 11 (0)
2023 Sligo Rovers 2 (0)
International career
Republic of Ireland U17
Republic of Ireland U18
Republic of Ireland U19
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:51, 25 August 2023 (UTC)

Club career

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Born in Skryne, Finnerty signed for English Aston Villa from Irish club Belvedere in 2015.[1] He signed a two-year contract with Rochdale in May 2018.[2][3][4] After one senior appearance in the EFL Trophy,[5] in December 2018 it was announced that Finnerty would sign for Bohemians for the 2019 season.[6][7] Finnerty later said that part of the reason for leaving Rochdale was due to homesickness.[8][9] In April 2019 he scored an "incredible" goal by way of an overhead kick.[10] In March 2021 he was described as "a solid defender at the heart of the Bohemians defence".[11] On 3 July 2022, it was announced that Finnerty had signed for Galway United on loan until the end of the season.[12][13] Finnerty signed for Sligo Rovers ahead of the 2023 season.[14][15] On 25 August 2023, it was announced that he had departed the club by mutual consent, after making just 2 appearances following injury trouble.[16]

International career

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He has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-18 and under-19 youth levels.[1][2]

Personal life

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Finnery attended St Patrick's Classical School in Navan.[17] His father Padraig was a Gaelic football player.[9] Finnerty also played Gaelic football as a youth, as did his younger brother.[17]

Career statistics

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As of match played on 28 July 2023[18]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rochdale 2018–19 EFL League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 1 0
Bohemians 2019 LOI Premier Division 31 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 34 2
2020 5 0 1 0 1[d] 0 7 0
2021 21 0 2 0 4[e] 0 27 0
2022 7 0 7 0
Total 64 2 5 0 1 0 5 0 75 2
Galway United (loan) 2022 LOI First Division 11 0 2 0 3[f] 0 16 0
Sligo Rovers 2023 LOI Premier Division 2 0 0 0 2 0
Career Total 77 2 7 0 1 0 9 0 94 2
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup, FAI Cup
  2. ^ Includes League of Ireland Cup, EFL Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in the EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearance in the UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
  6. ^ Appearances in 2022 League of Ireland promotion/relegation playoffs

References

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  1. ^ a b "Profile". Aston Villa F.C. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b Fennessy, Paul (23 May 2018). "Ireland U19 international leaves Aston Villa to join League One outfit". The42.
  3. ^ "James Finnerty makes switch from Villa to Rochdale". ExtraTime.com.
  4. ^ "James Finnerty: Rochdale sign teenage defender from Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Games played by James Finnerty in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  6. ^ "James Finnerty Departs". www.rochdaleafc.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Former Aston Villa defender among four new signings at Bohs". The 42. 1 December 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  8. ^ Scully, Michael (7 July 2019). "Finnerty putting his stamp on Bohs after being homesick in Rochdale". DublinLive.
  9. ^ a b Scully, Michael (5 July 2019). "Finnerty making his mark in Bohs revolution after homesickness". irishmirror.
  10. ^ "Watch: Bohs defender James Finnerty scores incredible overhead kick". Extra.ie. 8 April 2019.
  11. ^ "Skryne man Finnerty is delighted with his progress at the Phibsborough club". Meath Chronicle.
  12. ^ "JAMES FINNERTY SIGNS FOR GALWAY UNITED - Galway United". 3 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Galway United sign classy centre back on loan from Bohemians".
  14. ^ "James Finnerty signs for Rovers – Sligo Rovers". 16 December 2022.
  15. ^ "James Finnerty confirmed as a Sligo Rovers player as John Russell's squad nears completion". independent.
  16. ^ "James Finnerty departs Club – Sligo Rovers". 25 August 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Meath Chronicle - James Finnerty adapting to first team football in the League of Ireland". Meath Chronicle.
  18. ^ James Finnerty at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 May 2018.