# Damien Delaney

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Irish former professional footballer

For the Gaelic football player for Laois, see [Damien Delaney (Gaelic footballer)](/source/Damien_Delaney_(Gaelic_footballer)).

Damien Delaney Delaney playing for Crystal Palace in 2016 Personal information Full name Damien Finbarr Delaney[1] Date of birth (1981-07-20) 20 July 1981 (age 44)[2] Place of birth Cork, Ireland Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[3] Position Centre back Youth career Avondale United Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 2000 Cork City 9 (0) 2000–2002 Leicester City 8 (0) 2001–2002 → Stockport County (loan) 12 (1) 2002 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 2 (0) 2002 → Mansfield Town (loan) 7 (0) 2002–2008 Hull City 224 (5) 2008–2009 Queens Park Rangers 54 (2) 2009–2012 Ipswich Town 98 (2) 2012–2018 Crystal Palace 170 (6) 2018 Cork City 10 (1) 2019 Waterford 20 (1) Total 614 (18) International career‡ 2008–2014 Republic of Ireland 9 (0) * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 01:20, 5 July 2019 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 20:37, 25 May 2014 (UTC)

**Damien Finbarr Delaney** (born 20 July 1981) is an Irish former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who played as a [defender](/source/Defender_(association_football)).

Delaney began his career at Cork City. He later played for [Leicester City](/source/Leicester_City_F.C.), [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.) and [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.) before moving to [Ipswich Town](/source/Ipswich_Town_F.C.) in 2009. He became a free agent after leaving the club in August 2012. He then signed for [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.) and was a vital player in the centre of defence in [their promotion season](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Crystal_Palace_F.C._season). He played for the club for six seasons and rejoined his former club [Cork City](/source/Cork_City_F.C.) on 1 July 2018, after his contract expired. He departed Leeside at the end of the 2018 season and on 3 January 2019 it was announced that he had signed a one-year deal with Waterford.

Delaney announced his retirement on Twitter on 4 July 2019.[4] Since his retirement he has become a pundit for Virgin Media Sport Ireland appearing on coverage of UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, UEFA Nations League and UEFA European Qualifiers.[5]

## Early life

Born in [Cork](/source/Cork_(city)), Delaney attended [Coláiste Chríost Rí](/source/Col%C3%A1iste_Chr%C3%ADost_R%C3%AD) and began his career at local club [Avondale United](/source/Avondale_United_F.C._(Cork)) at schoolboy level before moving on to [Cork City](/source/Cork_City_F.C.).[6]

He also played [Gaelic football](/source/Gaelic_football) with the [Cork](/source/Cork_GAA) minor team. Delaney was a Munster minor football winner with the team in 1999 and shone for his club, [St Michael's](/source/St_Michael's_GAA_(Cork)). He struck 2–2 in an All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo that year, before he committed fully to the association code of football.

## Club career

### Cork City

Delaney scored in the final of Cork's winning 2000 [FAI Youth Cup](/source/FAI_Youth_Cup) side [7] and was promoted to the senior squad for the upcoming [2000–01 League of Ireland Premier Division](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) season under [Derek Mountfield](/source/Derek_Mountfield). He scored on his senior debut in a [FAI Super Cup](/source/FAI_Super_Cup) game in July 2000.[8]

He made his European debut in the [2000–01 UEFA Cup](/source/2000%E2%80%9301_UEFA_Cup) playing both legs against [FC Lausanne-Sport](/source/FC_Lausanne-Sport)[9]

Delaney made his [League of Ireland](/source/League_of_Ireland) debut on 13 August 2000 and made a further eight league appearances before his transfer to Leicester for £50,000.[10]

### Leicester City and Hull City

He was brought to England by [Peter Taylor](/source/Peter_Taylor_(footballer_born_1953)) at [Leicester City](/source/Leicester_City_F.C.), where he made eight [FA Premier League](/source/Premier_League) appearances. He had spells on loan at [Stockport County](/source/Stockport_County), [Huddersfield Town](/source/Huddersfield_Town) and [Mansfield Town](/source/Mansfield_Town). Whilst at Stockport, he scored his first English career goal in a match against [Rotherham United](/source/Rotherham_United).[11] Taylor later made Delaney his first signing for [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.), on 16 October 2002, for a fee of £50,000.[12]

After a rocky start to his career at Hull, during which time he was tried in midfield and at left-back, Delaney was played regularly at centre back and began to grow in stature and consistency. He was voted Player of the Year in the [2003–04](/source/2003-04_in_English_football) promotion-winning season, additionally his strike against [Rochdale](/source/Rochdale_A.F.C.) was voted Goal of the Season.

In the [2005–06](/source/2005-06_in_English_football) season in the [Championship](/source/Football_League_Championship), he played mainly at centre back, but also at left-back when two players in that position were injured, and in midfield when the manager felt that more height and solidity were required. This versatility made him a key asset to the Tigers squad.

Delaney was the last Hull City player to score a goal at their old ground [Boothferry Park](/source/Boothferry_Park), prior to their move to the [KC Stadium](/source/KC_Stadium).

### Queens Park Rangers

On 18 January 2008 Delaney signed for [Queens Park Rangers](/source/Queens_Park_Rangers_F.C.) on a three-and-a-half-year contract.[13] On 8 March 2008 Delaney scored his first goal for QPR in a 2–1 away defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

### Ipswich Town

On 2 July 2009, Delaney signed for [Ipswich Town](/source/Ipswich_Town_F.C.) on a two-year contract for a fee of £750,000, £250,000 if Ipswich reached the play-offs and an extra £100,000 after he has made 50 appearances for the club.[14] He suffered a freak injury in the following year's pre-season which nearly cost him his life – a blood clot in his thigh. He was rushed to an emergency surgery procedure. He scored his first goal for the club in the [East Anglian derby](/source/East_Anglian_derby) in November 2010, before being sent off following a straight red card.[15] He left the club by mutual consent in August 2012.[16]

### Crystal Palace

On 31 August 2012, following his departure from Ipswich, Delaney signed for [Crystal Palace](/source/Crystal_Palace_F.C.) on a short-term contract until January 2013.[17] He scored his first goal for the club in Palace's 4–3 comeback against [Burnley](/source/Burnley_F.C.) on 6 October. Due to Delaney's impressive start to his Palace career, he signed a new contract on 22 November 2012, which expired summer 2014.[18]

He scored his first ever goal in the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League) in a 3–3 draw against Liverpool, with his initial 25-yard shot deflected slightly into the net by [Glen Johnson](/source/Glen_Johnson_(English_footballer)). Palace were 3–0 down at the time, but Delaney's goal combined with two goals from [Dwight Gayle](/source/Dwight_Gayle) made it 3–3. Delaney was a regular for Palace for their first four seasons back in the Premier League and stayed at the club until the end of the 2017–18 season, making a total of 193 appearances in all competitions, scoring seven goals.

### Return to Cork City

After the end of the 2017–18 Premier League season, Cork City announced that Delaney had signed with the club, and returned on 1 July 2018 after his contract with Palace expired and the Irish transfer window opened.[19] He made 14 appearances, scoring one goal, before leaving the club at the end of the season. His first League of Ireland goal came against [Derry](/source/Derry_City_F.C.) in his first month back.[20]

### Waterford

At the start of 2019, Delaney signed for [Waterford](/source/Waterford_F.C.) for the [2019 season](/source/2019_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division).[21] His first goal was a 89th minute equaliser in a game against [Finn Harps](/source/Finn_Harps), who went on to win the game 3–2. Delaney left the club when announcing his retirement from football in July 2019.[22]

## International career

On 13 May 2008, Delaney was called up to the [Republic of Ireland](/source/Republic_of_Ireland_national_football_team) squad for the first time by the new manager [Giovanni Trapattoni](/source/Giovanni_Trapattoni). On 4 May 2011, he was called into the Irish squad for the [2011 Nations Cup](/source/2011_Nations_Cup) games against [Northern Ireland](/source/Northern_Ireland_national_football_team) and [Scotland](/source/Scotland_national_football_team). On 24 May 2011, he started and played the full 90 minutes against [Northern Ireland](/source/Northern_Ireland_national_football_team) as Ireland beat them 5–0. On 11 October 2013, he made a belated competitive debut in a World Cup qualifier against [Germany](/source/Germany_national_football_team).

## Career statistics

### Club

- *As of match played 1 July 2019*[23][24]

Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Cork City 2000–01 League of Ireland 9 0 0 0 3 0 2[a] 0 2[b] 1 16 1 Leicester City 2000–01 Premier League 5 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 – 7 0 2001–02 Premier League 3 0 0 0 1 0 – – 4 0 Total 8 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 – 11 0 Stockport County (loan) 2001–02 First Division 12 1 0 0 0 0 – – 12 1 Huddersfield Town (loan) 2001–02 Second Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 2 0 Mansfield Town (loan) 2002–03 Second Division 7 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 7 0 Hull City 2002–03 Third Division 30 1 1 0 0 0 – 0 0 31 1 2003–04 Third Division 46 2 1 0 1 0 – 0 0 48 2 2004–05 League One 43 1 3 0 1 0 – – 47 1 2005–06 Championship 46 0 1 0 1 0 – – 48 0 2006–07 Championship 37 1 1 0 1 0 – – 39 1 2007–08 Championship 22 0 1 0 3 0 – 0 0 26 0 Total 224 5 8 0 7 0 – – 239 5 Queens Park Rangers 2007–08 Championship 17 1 0 0 0 0 – – 17 1 2008–09 Championship 37 1 2 0 3 1 – – 42 2 Total 54 2 2 0 3 1 – – 59 3 Ipswich Town 2009–10 Championship 36 0 2 0 1 0 – – 39 0 2010–11 Championship 32 2 0 0 4 1 – – 36 3 2011–12 Championship 29 0 1 0 0 0 – – 30 0 2012–13 Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 – – 1 0 Total 98 2 3 0 5 1 – – 106 3 Crystal Palace 2012–13 Championship 40 3 2 0 0 0 – 3[c] 0 45 3 2013–14 Premier League 37 1 2 0 0 0 – – 39 1 2014–15 Premier League 29 0 2 0 1 0 – – 32 0 2015–16 Premier League 31 2 6 0 2 1 – – 39 3 2016–17 Premier League 30 0 2 0 1 0 – – 33 0 2017–18 Premier League 2 0 1 0 1 0 – – 4 0 Total 170 6 15 0 5 1 – 3 0 193 7 Cork City 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division 10 1 0 0 0 0 4[d] 0 – 14 1 Waterford 2019 League of Ireland Premier Division 20 1 0 0 0 0 – – 20 1 Career total 614 18 30 0 24 3 6 0 5 1 679 22

1. **[^](#cite_ref-statsUEL_25-0)** Appearances in the [UEFA Cup](/source/UEFA_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-statsPRP_26-0)** Appearances in the [FAI Super Cup](/source/FAI_Super_Cup)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ChPO_27-0)** Appearances in [Championship play-offs](/source/EFL_Championship_play-offs)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-europe_28-0)** Two appearances in [UEFA Champions League](/source/UEFA_Champions_League), two in [UEFA Europa League](/source/UEFA_Europa_League)

### International

- Source:[25]

Appearances and goals by national team and year National team Year Apps Goals Republic of Ireland 2008 2 0 2011 3 0 2013 3 0 2014 1 0 Total 9 0

## Honours

**Cork City**

- [FAI Youth Cup](/source/FAI_Youth_Cup): 2000

**Hull City**

- [Football League Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) runner-up: [2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Football_League_Third_Division)[26]

- [Football League One](/source/Football_League_One) runner-up: [2004–05](/source/2004%E2%80%9305_Football_League_One)[27]

**Crystal Palace**

- [Football League Championship play-offs](/source/Football_League_Championship_play-offs): [2013](/source/2013_Football_League_play-offs#Championship)[28]

- [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) runner-up: [2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_FA_Cup)[29]

**Republic of Ireland**

- [Nations Cup](/source/Nations_Cup_(football)): [2011](/source/2011_Nations_Cup)[30]

**Individual**

- [Hull City](/source/Hull_City_A.F.C.) Player of the Year: [2003–04](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Hull_City_A.F.C._season)[31]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed"](https://www.premierleague.com/news/612828). Premier League. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 11 February 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hugman2010-11_2-0)** Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). *The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11*. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 113. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-84596-601-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-84596-601-0).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Barclays Premier League Player Profile Damien Delaney"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150814071349/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/damien-delaney). Premier League. 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/damien-delaney) on 14 August 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Buckingham, Philip (4 July 2019). ["Former Hull City star Damien Delaney confirms retirement after living out his 'dreams'"](https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/former-hull-city-star-damien-3054119). *Hull Daily Mail*. Retrieved 5 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Icdb.tv – Commentator listing for Damien Delaney"](https://icdb.tv/stats/701/Damien-Delaney).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["FAI.ie – FAI Junior Cup 2006"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061005083111/http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=46&Itemid=60). Archived from [the original](http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D46%26Itemid%3D60) on 5 October 2006. Retrieved 30 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["FAI Youth Cup – TSDL – Tipperary Southern & District League Ltd"](https://www.tsdl.ie/competitions/fai-youth-cup/). *TSDL – Tipperary Southern & District League Ltd*. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Soccer: Wins for UCD and Bohs in FAI's new Super Cup"](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2000/0630/150109-fai/). 30 June 2000. Retrieved 12 January 2024 – via www.rte.ie.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["History: Lausanne-Cork"](https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/65293--lausanne-vs-cork/). *[UEFA](/source/UEFA)*. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["FOXES SEAL CORK PARTNERSHIP"](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2202565/foxes-seal-cork-partnership). *Sky Sports*. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Rotherham 3–2 Stockport"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1803509.stm). *[BBC Sport](/source/BBC_Sport)*. 9 February 2002. Retrieved 23 February 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Hull seal Delaney deal"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/2333757.stm). *BBC Sport*. BBC. 16 October 2002. Retrieved 18 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["QPR recruit Hull defender Delaney"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/7193433.stm). *BBC Sport*. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Defender Delaney moves to Ipswich"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/i/ipswich_town/8131148.stm). *BBC Sport*. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Norwich 4–1 Ipswich"](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9216659.stm). 28 November 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Gooderham, Dave (30 August 2012). ["Right time for me to leave says departing Damien Delaney"](http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/updated_right_time_for_me_to_leave_says_departing_damien_delaney_1_1499525). *East Anglian Daily Times*. Ipswich. Retrieved 30 August 2012.{{[cite news](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_news)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["Delaney joins up"](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2012/august/delaney-joins-up/). Crystal Palace F.C. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Eagle Delaney puts pen to paper for two-year deal"](https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/sport/10065523.eagle-delaney-puts-pen-paper-two-year-deal/). *Your Local Guardian*. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Damien Delaney signs for City – Cork City Football Club"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220727063444/https://www.corkcityfc.ie/home/2018/06/08/damien-delaney-signs-for-city/). *www.corkcityfc.ie*. 8 June 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.corkcityfc.ie/home/2018/06/08/damien-delaney-signs-for-city/) on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Barry, Stephen (24 July 2018). ["'It was cruelty to my players': Kenny Shiels outraged over Cork City fixture"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30857373.html). *Irish Examiner*. Retrieved 12 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Former Ireland and Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney signs for Waterford FC"](https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/former-ireland-and-crystal-palace-defender-damien-delaney-signs-for-waterford-fc-37677900.html). *Independent.ie*. Retrieved 3 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Waterford's Damien Delaney calls time on career"](https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30934789.html). *irishexaminer.com*. Retrieved 27 August 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["Damien Delaney"](http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=23051). *Soccerbase*. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 April 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Republic of Ireland – D. Delaney – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway"](https://uk.soccerway.com/players/damien-delaney/15760/). *uk.soccerway.com*. Retrieved 3 January 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** [Damien Delaney](https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/26012.html) at National-Football-Teams.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2004). *Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2004–2005*. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 49, 206–207. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7553-1311-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7553-1311-2).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2005). *Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2005–2006*. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 49, 208–209. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-7553-1384-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7553-1384-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** Fletcher, Paul (27 May 2013). ["Crystal Palace 1–0 Watford"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22592831). *BBC Sport*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150313153130/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22592831) from the original on 13 March 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-33)** McNulty, Phil (21 May 2016). ["Crystal Palace 1–2 Manchester United"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36292265). *BBC Sport*. Retrieved 18 May 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-34)** ["Robbie Keane earns Ireland deciding win over Scotland in Nations Cup"](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/29/republic-ireland-scotland-nations-cup). *Guardian*. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-35)** ["Anyone who played with me will tell you I achieved more than I ever should have"](https://www.the42.ie/damien-delaney-interview-july-2019-4726712-Jul2019/). *The 42*. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2020.

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Damien Delaney](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Damien_Delaney).

- [Damien Delaney](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=23051) at Soccerbase

v t e Hull City A.F.C. – Player of the Year 1975: Lord 1976: D. Roberts 1977: N/A 1978: Nisbet 1979: Nisbet 1980: Edwards 1981: G. Roberts 1982: Mutrie 1983: Skipper 1984: G. Roberts 1985: Whitehurst 1986: N/A 1987: Jobson 1988: N/A 1989: Jacobs 1990: Payton 1991: Payton 1992: Fettis 1993: Norton 1994: Windass 1995: Dewhurst 1996: Carroll 1997: Darby 1998: Joyce 1999: Whittle 2000: M. Greaves 2001: Goodison 2002: Alexander 2003: Elliott 2004: Delaney 2005: Elliott 2006: Myhill 2007: A. Dawson 2008: Turner 2009: Turner 2010: Hunt 2011: Gerrard 2012: Koren 2013: Elmohamady 2014: Davies 2015: M. Dawson 2016: Hernández 2017: Clucas 2018: McGregor 2019: Bowen 2020: N/A 2021: Honeyman 2022: Lewis-Potter 2023: Jones 2024: J. Greaves 2025: Pandur 2026: McBurnie

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Damien Delaney](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Delaney) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damien_Delaney?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.