| David Shanahan | |
| Birth Name: | David Shanahan |
| Birth Date: | 1993 6, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Dublin, Ireland |
| Weight: | 77kg (170lb) |
| Ru Currentteam: | Ulster |
| Ru Currentposition: | Scrum-half |
| Ru Position: | Scrum-half |
| Amatteam1: | Ballymena |
| Amatyears2: | 2022-23 |
| Amatteam2: | Malone |
| Amatapps2: | 2 |
| Amatpoints2: | 12 |
| Years1: | 2013– |
| Clubs1: | Ulster |
| Apps1: | 92 |
| Points1: | 70 |
| Ru Clubupdate: | 26 April 2024 |
| School: | Belvedere College |
| University: | Queen's University Belfast |
David Shanahan (born 20 June 1993) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays scrum-half for Ulster.
He attended Belvedere College in Dublin,[1] and played for Ireland at U18, U19 and U20 level, but did not win a place in the Leinster academy. Ulster's then forwards coach Allen Clarke, who had coached him at under-age international level, persuaded him to join Ulster's academy, and he was assigned to club side Ballymena[2] while studying at Queen's University Belfast.[3]
He made his debut for Ulster while still in the academy in 2013,[4] and his first start in 2017, in place of the injured Ruan Pienaar.[5] Under coach Dan McFarland, he has mainly acted as backup to John Cooney.[6]
Ulster describe him as "a livewire scrum-half known for his speed, excellent support lines, and try-scoring ability".[7] Out-half Ian Madigan calls him "Ulster's unsung hero".[8]