Daniel Lafferty Explained

Danny Lafferty
Fullname:Daniel Patrick Lafferty[1]
Birth Date:18 May 1989[2]
Birth Place:Derry, Northern Ireland
Currentclub:Ballymena United
Position:Left back
Youthyears1:–2006
Youthclubs1:Oxford United Stars
Youthyears2:2006–2008
Youthclubs2:Celtic
Years1:2008–2010
Clubs1:Celtic
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2010
Clubs2:Ayr United (loan)
Caps2:14
Goals2:1
Years3:2010–2011
Clubs3:Derry City
Caps3:46
Goals3:7
Years4:2012–2017
Clubs4:Burnley
Caps4:40
Goals4:0
Years5:2015
Clubs5:Rotherham United (loan)
Caps5:11
Goals5:0
Years6:2015
Clubs6:Oldham Athletic (loan)
Caps6:5
Goals6:0
Years7:2016
Clubs7:Oldham Athletic (loan)
Caps7:10
Goals7:1
Years8:2016–2017
Clubs8:Sheffield United (loan)
Caps8:21
Goals8:1
Years9:2017–2019
Clubs9:Sheffield United
Caps9:25
Goals9:3
Years10:2019
Clubs10:Peterborough United (loan)
Caps10:18
Goals10:0
Years11:2019–2020
Clubs11:Shamrock Rovers
Caps11:18
Goals11:1
Years12:2020–2022
Clubs12:Derry City
Caps12:57
Goals12:5
Years13:2023
Clubs13:Sligo Rovers
Caps13:16
Goals13:1
Years14:2024
Clubs14:Institute
Caps14:14
Goals14:2
Years15:2024-
Clubs15:Ballymena United
Caps15:0
Goals15:0
Nationalyears1:2005
Nationalteam1:Northern Ireland U17
Nationalcaps1:2
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007
Nationalcaps2:4
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2008–2009
Nationalteam3:Northern Ireland U21
Nationalcaps3:6
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2009
Nationalteam4:Northern Ireland B
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2012–2016
Nationalteam5:Northern Ireland
Nationalcaps5:13
Nationalgoals5:0
Club-Update:00:18, 30 January 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:21:41, 24 March 2016 (UTC)

Daniel Patrick Lafferty (born 18 May 1989) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back, for Ballymena United.

Career

Early career

Lafferty started his career in the youth team of Oxford United Stars before moving on to Celtic in the summer of 2006.[3] In March 2010, joined Scottish First Division side Ayr United on loan until the end of the season. He made his début for the club in a 2–0 win over Morton, also scoring in a 1–1 draw with Dundee.[4] In the summer of 2010, Lafferty was released by Celtic and signed for his hometown club Derry City of the League of Ireland First Division.[3] Lafferty made 12 appearances during the 2010 season as Derry were promoted to the Premier Division as champions. During the 2011 season he spent time on trial at Championship clubs Derby County and Brighton & Hove Albion, but failed to sign a contract.[5] [6]

Burnley

Lafferty signed for EFL Championship side Burnley on 30 January 2012 for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £150,000, after a successful trial.[7] [8] On 2 February 2012 he received International Clearance to play for Burnley and as such was awarded the number 3 shirt at the club which was last worn by Danny Fox.[9] On 18 March 2012 he made his first team debut for the Clarets, starting their away fixture at Cardiff City and playing the full 90 minutes. He received a number of plaudits for his performance including that of Manager Eddie Howe and was voted as Man of the Match on Fan Site Clarets-Mad.[10] [11] Lafferty made his fourth appearance for Burnley in a 4–0 away defeat to Lancashire rivals Blackpool on 21 April 2012, along with four other appearances all coming in away fixtures.

In the 2012–13 season, a number injuries to Burnley defenders saw Lafferty given an extended run of opportunities in the first team and he appeared in over half the league games that season.

In March 2015, Lafferty joined another Championship side Rotherham United on a one-month loan deal. In October 2015, he joined Football League One side Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan along with compatriot Cameron Dummigan.[12] Lafferty scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw against Scunthorpe United on 27 February 2016.[13]

Sheffield United

In August 2016 Lafferty joined Sheffield United on loan.[14] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win against Shrewsbury Town on 18 October 2016.[15] On 13 January 2017 the left back signed a -year deal with the Blades that would keep him on their books until June 2019.[16]

On 3 January 2019, Lafferty joined Peterborough United in a loan deal that would see him stay with the League One side until the end of the 2018–19 season.[17] He was released by Sheffield United at the end of that season.[18]

Shamrock Rovers

Lafferty returned to the League of Ireland in August 2019, joining Shamrock Rovers.[19] He made his debut for the club on 27 August at home versus Waterford.[20]

Lafferty came on as sub during extra time in the 2019 FAI Cup Final in which Rovers went onto to win after beating Dundalk on penalties. It was the first time the club had won the cup since 1987 and was their 25th cup win.[21]

In 2020 Lafferty was part of the Rovers squad who won their record 18th League of Ireland title. He scored the only goal in a crucial 1–0 win against Bohemians which turned out to be vital in the Hoops title success.[22]

Return to Derry City

On 17 December 2020, it was announced that Lafferty had returned to his hometown club Derry City ahead of the 2021 League of Ireland Premier Division season. He scored his first league goal upon his return to the club in a 2–0 win over Longford Town.Lafferty was an unused substitute in Derry City's 4–0 win over Shelbourne in the 2022 FAI cup final, however notably scored Derry’s second goal in their 3–1 victory over Shamrock Rovers in the quarter final stage.[23]

Sligo Rovers

On the 21st of November 2022, it was announced that Lafferty had joined Sligo Rovers on a permanent deal until at least the end of the 2023 season. He was released at the end of the season after making 17 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring 1 goal.[24]

Institute

It was announced on 24 January 2024 that he had signed for NIFL Championship club Institute.

He made his debut as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 away draw against Ards in the league.

Ballymena United

On 20 June 2024, Ballymena United announced that the club had reached an agreement on a one-year contract with Lafferty, effective upon expiry of his contract with Institute.

International career

Lafferty was called up to the Northern Ireland under-17 side in September 2005, making his début in a 1–0 victory over Lithuania in a 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round match.[25] He went on to make one further appearance in the qualifiers for the under-17 side. He also went on to gain four caps for the under-19 side.[26] He made his début for the under-21 side in August 2008, featuring in a mini-tournament held in Ukraine, playing in defeats to Poland and the hosts.[26] He made his competitive début for the side in September 2008 in the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Germany, which finished in a 3–0 defeat.[26] He also played in a 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier in a defeat to Czech Republic, in what proved to be his final game at that level gaining a total of six caps.[26] He made his début for Northern Ireland B in May 2009, featuring in an inexperienced side that lost 3–0 to Scotland.[26] In May 2012, he won his first call-up to the senior squad for an international friendly against the Netherlands.[27] He made his début in the 6–0 defeat.[26] His competitive international début came in November 2012 in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, which ended in a 1–1 draw.[28]

Following an absence from the national squad, after regained form with Sheffield United, Lafferty was recalled for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Norway in March 2017 but was an unused substitute. He was called up again for a World Cup Qualifier against Azerbaijan and a friendly against New Zealand, again Lafferty was an unused substitute in both matches in June 2017. He made the national squad for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and the Czech Republic in September 2017.[29]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Celtic2008–09[30] Scottish Premier League0000000000
2009–100000000000
Total0000000000
Ayr United (loan)2009–10[31] Scottish First Division141141
Derry City2010[32] LOI First Division120120
2011[33] LOI Premier Division347102000377
Total467102000496
Burnley2011–12[34] Championship5050
2012–13[35] 2401010260
2013–14[36] 1001010120
2014–15[37] Premier League10100020
2015–16[38] Championship00000000
2016–17[39] Premier League000000
Total4003020450
Rotherham United (loan)2014–15[40] Championship110110
Oldham Athletic (loan)2015–16[41] League One151151
Sheffield United2016–17League One3741000384
2017–18Championship803021131
2018–19100010
Total464402100525
Peterborough United (loan)League One1801020210
Shamrock Rovers2019[42] LOI Premier Division7030100
1114210163
Total181720010263
Derry CityLOI Premier Division32511336
20222501010270
Total5752110606
Sligo RoversLOI Premier Division16210172
InstituteNIFL Championship000000
Career totals28121193614031025

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Northern Ireland201220
201360
201420
201520
201610
Total130

Honours

Club

Derry City

2011[30]

2022

Burnley

Sheffield United

2016–17[44]

Shamrock Rovers

2019

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13 . . 3 June 2013 . 17 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf . 2 August 2014.
  2. Book: Glenda. Rollin. Jack. Rollin. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013. 2012. Headline. London. 978-0-7553-6356-8. 444. 43rd.
  3. News: Danny Lafferty Derry City profile . 30 January 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120130080142/http://www.derrycityfc.net/page/squad-2011.html . 30 January 2012.
  4. News: Ayr United 1 – 1 Dundee : Wednesday, 17th March 2010 . 17 March 2010 . 30 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130628183554/http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/football/first/results/3250233/ . 28 June 2013 . dead .
  5. News: Derry City defender Daniel Lafferty offered Derby trial . 15 October 2011 . 30 January 2012 . BBC News.
  6. News: Daniel Lafferty has a trial at Brighton and Hove Albion . 5 December 2011 . 30 January 2012 . BBC News.
  7. News: Derry agree Lafferty fee . 30 December 2012 . 30 January 2012 . 27 August 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160827165510/http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry_agree_lafferty_fee_1_3468038 . dead .
  8. News: Danny's The Boy For Clarets . https://archive.today/20120724014914/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~2594087,00.html . dead . 24 July 2012 . 30 December 2012 . 30 January 2012 .
  9. Web site: Burnley | News | Latest Headlines | Latest Headlines | Lafferty receives International Clearance . 2 February 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306164734/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~2596504,00.html . 6 March 2012 . dead .
  10. Web site: Clarets Mad vote. Digital Sports Group. LTD. www.clarets-mad.co.uk. 19 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20161016173838/http://clarets-mad.co.uk/interactive/voting_polls.asp. 16 October 2016. dead.
  11. Web site: Burnley | News | Latest Headlines | Latest Headlines | Danny 'Draws' Pleasure from Debut . 19 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120420215823/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~2664579,00.html . 20 April 2012 . dead .
  12. News: Oldham: Burnley's Daniel Lafferty and Cameron Dummigan join . BBC Sport. 2 October 2015 . 2 October 2015.
  13. News: Scunthorpe 1–1 Oldham . BBC Sport. 27 February 2016. 19 October 2016.
  14. News: Sheffield United: Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Daniel Lafferty join on loan. BBC Sport. 31 August 2016. 19 October 2016.
  15. News: Shrewsbury 0–3 Sheffield United . BBC Sport. 18 October 2016 . 19 October 2016.
  16. Web site: Lafferty signs.
  17. Web site: Daniel Lafferty: Peterborough United sign Sheffield United defender. BBC Sport. 3 January 2018.
  18. Web site: PPaul Coutts: Sheffield United midfielder among five released. 8 May 2019. 9 May 2019. BBC Sport.
  19. Web site: Hoops Sign Danny Lafferty . Shamrock Rovers . 23 August 2019 . 27 August 2019 . 19 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119084748/https://www.shamrockrovers.ie/2019/08/23/hoops-sign-danny-lafferty/ . dead .
  20. News: Cummins and Burke on target as Hoops grind out win to close gap on leaders Dundalk . the42.ie . 27 August 2019.
  21. Web site: Shamrock Rovers lift FAI Cup after shootout win | Football Association of Ireland.
  22. Web site: League Report: Shamrock Rovers 1 – 0 Bohemians.
  23. News: Welcome Back Danny Lafferty. 17 December 2020. Derry City F.C..
  24. Web site: 2024 update and squad news – Sligo Rovers . 6 November 2023 .
  25. Web site: Daniel Lafferty – UEFA. UEFA. 5 March 2015.
  26. Web site: Daniel Lafferty – NIFG. NIFG. 5 March 2015.
  27. Web site: Clarets defender Lafferty earns first Northern Ireland call-up. Lancashire Telegraph. 21 May 2012. 5 March 2015.
  28. Web site: Daniel Lafferty – FIFA. https://web.archive.org/web/20121022002033/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=362817/index.html. dead. 22 October 2012. FIFA. 5 March 2015.
  29. News: Lafferty called-up. 26 August 2017. Sheffield United FC Official Website. 23 August 2017.
  30. Web site: D. Lafferty. Soccerway. 2 November 2016.
  31. Web site: Ayr 2009/2010 player appearances. Soccerbase. 31 August 2011.
  32. Web site: Derry City 2010 player appearances. Airtricity League. 30 January 2012.
  33. Web site: Derry City 2011 player appearances. Airtricity League. 30 January 2012.
  34. Web site: Burnley 2011/2012 player appearances. Soccerbase. 31 August 2011.
  35. Web site: Burnley 2012/2013 player appearances. Soccerbase. 18 June 2012.
  36. Web site: Burnley 2013/2014 player appearances. Soccerbase. 18 June 2012.
  37. Web site: Burnley 2014/2015 player appearances. Soccerbase. 15 December 2014.
  38. Web site: Burnley 2015/2016 player appearances. Soccerbase. 15 December 2014.
  39. Web site: Burnley 2016/2017 player appearances. Soccerbase. 15 December 2014.
  40. Web site: Rotherham United 2014/2015 player appearances. Soccerbase. 8 March 2015.
  41. Web site: Oldham Athletic 2015/2016 player appearances. Soccerbase. 14 October 2015.
  42. Web site: Northern Ireland - D. Lafferty - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway.
  43. Book: John . Anderson . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015 . 2014 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-1251-1 . 90–91.
  44. Book: John . Anderson . Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 . 2017 . Headline Publishing Group . London . 978-1-4722-3397-4 . 326–327.