Conor Kane

Conor Kane (born 5 November 1998) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for League of Ireland Premier Division club Drogheda United. His previous clubs are St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne.

Career Youth career Raised in Palmerstown, County Dublin, Kane played for top Dublin schoolboy clubs Cherry Orchard and St Kevin's Boys before signing for the academy of League of Ireland club St Patrick's Athletic in 2015, where he played with the under 17 and under 19 sides over 2 seasons.

St Patrick's Athletic On 21 May 2016, Kane made his senior debut for St Patrick's Athletic, replacing club captain Ger O'Brien from the bench at half time in an 8–0 victory over Pike Rovers at Richmond Park in the Second Round of the FAI Cup in what proved to be his only senior appearance for the club.

Drogheda United Kane signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Drogheda United in November 2016 ahead of their 2017 campaign. Kane made 25 appearances in all competitions in his first full season in senior football, but the season was less successful for his team as they were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division on 29 September 2017 following a 2–1 loss to Derry City at Maginn Park. On 20 October 2020, Kane scored the first senior goal of his career with a long range strike in a 3–1 win away to Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park. He was named in three 2018 PFAI First Division Team of the Year by his fellow players. After losing out in the Promotion Playoffs in 2018 and 2019, Kane and Drogheda earned promotion at the third time of asking, by winning the 2020 League of Ireland First Division title on 27 October 2020, following a 2–0 win away to Cabinteely at Stradbrook Road. He was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year for 2020 by his fellow professionals in the league. On 17 November 2020, he signed a new 1 year contract with the club. He made 32 appearances in all competitions in his side's first season back in the top flight as they avoided the Promotion/Relegation Playoff by 2 points.

Shelbourne On 15 December 2021, Kane signed for newly promoted club Shelbourne for the 2022 season under newly appointed manager Damien Duff after the two clubs eventually agreed a compensation fee for Kane. On 2 September 2022, Kane suffered a serious knee injury in a 0–0 draw away to Dundalk at Oriel Park, with the injury keeping him out of action for a long term spell. The injury would see him miss out on the 2022 FAI Cup final as his side were on the receiving end of a record FAI Cup final defeat of 4–0 to Derry City at the Aviva Stadium.

Return to Drogheda United Struggling for game time following his injury, Kane joined his former club Drogheda United on an initial loan until the end of the season on 29 July 2023. He made 12 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell with the club. On 23 August 2024, he scored the second goal of his career, in a 7–0 win at home to Sligo Rovers. Kane started the 2024 FAI Cup final on 11 November 2024, as his side defeated Derry City 2–0 at the Aviva Stadium to win the Cup. On 16 November 2024, he helped his side to a 3–1 win over Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium in the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division Promotion/Relegation Playoff. On 4 December 2024, he extended his contract with the club.

International career On 27 March 2016, Kane made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland U18 team in a 4–1 defeat to the England U18s. His Republic of Ireland U19 debut came on 6 September 2016, in a 3–1 win over Austria U19 at Tallaght Stadium.

Career statistics

Honours Club Drogheda United League of Ireland First Division: 2020 FAI Cup: 2024

Individual PFAI First Division Team of the Year: 2018, 2020