Michael O'Connor

Michael O'Connor (born 31 July 1998) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Shelbourne. He previously played for Scottish Premiership club Ross County, League of Ireland clubs Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Finn Harps & Waterford, as well as NIFL Premiership side Linfield.

Club Career

Early career

O'Connor started his career with his local club Rangers in Dundalk. He moved to famous youth club St Kevin's Boys in Dublin in 2010. He finished top goalscorer in his first two seasons which in 2012 saw him chosen for the league representative side of the Dublin & District Schoolboys League for their Kennedy Cup campaign where they became All-Ireland champions. His performances at the Kennedy Cup earned him a move to Bristol City. He returned to his hometown club Dundalk in September 2014, initially playing with their under 19 side in the League of Ireland U19 Division before gradually breaking into the first team squad.

Dundalk

2015 season

Dundalk first team manager Stephen Kenny offered O'Connor his first professional contract which he signed on 22 February 2015, aged just 16 years old. O'Connor made his competitive debut in senior football on 7 April 2015, starting alongside his brother Ciaran O'Connor in a 1–0 win over Shelbourne in the League Cup. He went on to make two more first team appearances in the 2015 season, both in the Leinster Senior Cup, including starting the final which was a 3–1 over Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park. As well as the Leinster Senior Cup, his first season in senior football saw the club win the President's Cup and a League of Ireland Premier Division and FAI Cup double.

2016 season

The first goals of O'Connor's senior career came on 4 April 2016 in a 4–3 Leinster Senior Cup loss away to Bohemians, with O'Connor scoring twice. He made his League of Ireland Premier Division debut against the same opposition, replacing David McMillan late on as