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===St Patrick's Athletic===
===St Patrick's Athletic===


While at Longford, Kirby had worked full-time for the club's sponsors as assistant to the site engineer on a building site, but was allowed to leave early on training evenings. At St Pat's, he was a full-time footballer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/kirby-reaps-rich-dividend-by-turning-pro-26265346.html |title=Kirby reaps rich dividend by turning pro |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> He was named [[League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month|Player of the Month]] for March, cited as central to St Pat's unbeaten start to the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2007/0413/opinion/player-of-the-month-kirby-relishing-pataposs-derby-clash-with-bohs-30323.html |title=Player of the month Kirby relishing Pat's derby clash with Bohs |first=Liam |last=Mackey |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Pat's began the season with Kirby, [[Keith Fahey]] and [[Joseph Ndo]] in a central three in midfield; their "interchanging of passing and movement is excellent", according to [[Bohemian F.C.|Bohemians]]' manager [[Sean Connor]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Strikingly good times for Kirby and St Patrick's |first=Paul |last=Buttner, Paul |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=13 April 2007 |page=19}}</ref> But an injury to Ndo, combined with Kirby's absences through injury and suspension, meant a switch to a [[4–4–2]] formation, with more workmanlike players in the centre and the flair and creativity of Fahey and Kirby pushed out to the wings; this coincided with a mid-season slump.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/stuttering-saints-to-pay-price-for-overcautious-approach-26307770.html |title=Stuttering Saints to pay price for over-cautious approach |first=Seán |last=Ryan |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=25 July 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}<br>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/saints-go-marching-on-as-longford-cast-further-adrift-26304910.html |title=Saints go marching on as Longford cast further adrift |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Kirby was rested for the first leg of the UEFA Cup tie against [[Odense Boldklub|Odense]], a goalless draw; he was brought back for the second leg, in which St Pat's were outclassed 5–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=139181C17A5F7F28&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Too good... probably |first=Eoin |last=Dunne |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=3 August 2007 |page=60}}</ref> Both player and club revived; Kirby scored four goals from 28 league appearances,<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alan-kirby/7178/ |title=A. Kirby |website=Soccerway |publisher=Global Sports Media |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> as his club finished in second place.
While at Longford, Kirby had worked full-time for the club's sponsors as assistant to the site engineer on a building site, but was allowed to leave early on training evenings. At St Pat's, he was a full-time footballer.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/kirby-reaps-rich-dividend-by-turning-pro-26265346.html |title=Kirby reaps rich dividend by turning pro |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> He was named [[League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month|Player of the Month]] for March, cited as central to St Pat's unbeaten start to the season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2007/0413/opinion/player-of-the-month-kirby-relishing-pataposs-derby-clash-with-bohs-30323.html |title=Player of the month Kirby relishing Pat's derby clash with Bohs |first=Liam |last=Mackey |newspaper=Irish Examiner |date=13 April 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Pat's began the season with Kirby, [[Keith Fahey]] and [[Joseph Ndo]] in a central three in midfield; their "interchanging of passing and movement is excellent", according to [[Bohemian F.C.|Bohemians]]' manager [[Sean Connor]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Strikingly good times for Kirby and St Patrick's |first=Paul |last=Buttner, Paul |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=13 April 2007 |page=19}}</ref> But an injury to Ndo, combined with Kirby's absences through injury and suspension, meant a switch to a [[Formation (association football)#4–4–2|4–4–2]] formation, with more workmanlike players in the centre and the flair and creativity of Fahey and Kirby pushed out to the wings; this coincided with a mid-season slump.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/stuttering-saints-to-pay-price-for-overcautious-approach-26307770.html |title=Stuttering Saints to pay price for over-cautious approach |first=Seán |last=Ryan |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=25 July 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}<br>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/saints-go-marching-on-as-longford-cast-further-adrift-26304910.html |title=Saints go marching on as Longford cast further adrift |first=Daniel |last=McDonnell |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> Kirby was rested for the first leg of the UEFA Cup tie against [[Odense Boldklub|Odense]], a goalless draw; he was brought back for the second leg, in which St Pat's were outclassed 5–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=139181C17A5F7F28&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Too good... probably |first=Eoin |last=Dunne |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=3 August 2007 |page=60}}</ref> Both player and club revived; Kirby scored four goals from 28 league appearances,<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/alan-kirby/7178/ |title=A. Kirby |website=Soccerway |publisher=Global Sports Media |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> as his club finished in second place.


St Pat's beat Latvian club [[Olimps]] and [[IF Elfsborg]] of Sweden in the qualifying rounds of the [[2008–09 UEFA Cup]]. Kirby was an unused substitute in the first leg against Elfsborg,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2009/clubs/club=50133/matches/index.html |title=2008/09 UEFA Cup: St Patrick's Athletic: Matches |publisher=UEFA |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026064922/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2009/clubs/club=50133/matches/index.html |archive-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> and a hard-working substitute as St Pat's scored two late goals to go through on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/759/st-pats-2---1-if-elfsborg/ |title=St Pats 2–1 IF Elfsborg |first=Bar |last=O'Sullivan |website=Extratime.ie |date=28 August 2008 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> He started on the left of midfield in both legs against [[Hertha Berlin]]; despite the 2–0 away defeat, he described that as "the best trip so far" of his five UEFA Cup campaigns.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=139184B204A61BF8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Kirby issues Berlin battle cry |first=Paul |last=O'Hehir |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=29 September 2008 |page=52}}</ref> St Pat's repeated their second-place league finish in 2008, but Kirby was "a little disappointed" by his personal season.<ref name=Pats08>{{cite news|url=http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/1376/ |title=Kirby hoping for Sporting title push |first=Gordon |last=Hunt |website=Extratime.ie |date=4 March 2009 |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203551/http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/1376/ |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> He would have preferred to play more than he did{{snd}}he started 18 of the 36 league matches<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guardian.touch-line.com/?Lang=0&mTEID=779&mCPID=95&Season=2008&CTID=34&CPID=423&TEID=5819&RFID=&PLID=209004&pStr=Match_List&t=2&ListType=8 |title=Alan Kirby All appearances 2008 |work=Stats centre |publisher=Guardian News & Media |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060322/http://guardian.touch-line.com/?Lang=0&mTEID=779&mCPID=95&Season=2008&CTID=34&CPID=423&TEID=5819&RFID=&PLID=209004&pStr=Match_List&t=2&ListType=8 |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref>{{snd}}and was led to expect a new contract which, in the club's straitened financial circumstances, failed to materialise.<ref name=Pats08/> Amid general economic uncertainty, he was appreciative of an offer from [[Liam Buckley]] to join [[Sporting Fingal]] for their second season in the league.<ref name=chance>{{cite news |title=Bookies believe Fingal have more than a sporting chance |first=Emmet |last=Malone |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=5 March 2009 |page=27}}</ref>
St Pat's beat Latvian club [[Olimps]] and [[IF Elfsborg]] of Sweden in the qualifying rounds of the [[2008–09 UEFA Cup]]. Kirby was an unused substitute in the first leg against Elfsborg,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2009/clubs/club=50133/matches/index.html |title=2008/09 UEFA Cup: St Patrick's Athletic: Matches |publisher=UEFA |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026064922/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2009/clubs/club=50133/matches/index.html |archive-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> and a hard-working substitute as St Pat's scored two late goals to go through on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/759/st-pats-2---1-if-elfsborg/ |title=St Pats 2–1 IF Elfsborg |first=Bar |last=O'Sullivan |website=Extratime.ie |date=28 August 2008 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> He started on the left of midfield in both legs against [[Hertha Berlin]]; despite the 2–0 away defeat, he described that as "the best trip so far" of his five UEFA Cup campaigns.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=139184B204A61BF8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Kirby issues Berlin battle cry |first=Paul |last=O'Hehir |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=29 September 2008 |page=52}}</ref> St Pat's repeated their second-place league finish in 2008, but Kirby was "a little disappointed" by his personal season.<ref name=Pats08>{{cite news|url=http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/1376/ |title=Kirby hoping for Sporting title push |first=Gordon |last=Hunt |website=Extratime.ie |date=4 March 2009 |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203551/http://extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/1376/ |archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> He would have preferred to play more than he did{{snd}}he started 18 of the 36 league matches<ref>{{cite web |url=http://guardian.touch-line.com/?Lang=0&mTEID=779&mCPID=95&Season=2008&CTID=34&CPID=423&TEID=5819&RFID=&PLID=209004&pStr=Match_List&t=2&ListType=8 |title=Alan Kirby All appearances 2008 |work=Stats centre |publisher=Guardian News & Media |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060322/http://guardian.touch-line.com/?Lang=0&mTEID=779&mCPID=95&Season=2008&CTID=34&CPID=423&TEID=5819&RFID=&PLID=209004&pStr=Match_List&t=2&ListType=8 |archive-date=23 October 2013 }}</ref>{{snd}}and was led to expect a new contract which, in the club's straitened financial circumstances, failed to materialise.<ref name=Pats08/> Amid general economic uncertainty, he was appreciative of an offer from [[Liam Buckley]] to join [[Sporting Fingal]] for their second season in the league.<ref name=chance>{{cite news |title=Bookies believe Fingal have more than a sporting chance |first=Emmet |last=Malone |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=5 March 2009 |page=27}}</ref>
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===Later career===
===Later career===
Kirby was one of many players to volunteer for the PFAI team to take part in the [[FIFPro]] Scandinavian Tournament in January 2011, a regular event featuring out-of-contract players from summer leagues, but did not make the squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pfai.ie/news/257-kelly-to-ma |title=Kelly to manage PFAI squad in Norway |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland |date=22 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060809/http://www.pfai.ie/news/257-kelly-to-ma |archive-date=20 October 2013}}<br>{{cite web |url=http://www.pfai.ie/news/263-squad-announced-for-fifpro-tournament |title=Squad announced for FIFPRO Tournament |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland |date=10 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055923/http://www.pfai.ie/news/263-squad-announced-for-fifpro-tournament |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref> Liam Buckley planned to speak to him about returning to Sporting Fingal,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/soccer/fingal-duo-on-trial-at-wolves-27807508.html |title=Fingal duo on trial at Wolves |first=Marcus |last=Cavaroli |newspaper=Fingal Independent |date=12 January 2011 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> but at the end of the month, Kirby signed a one-year contract with [[Sligo Rovers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish-soccer-league/2011/0128/275670-sligorovers/ |title=Sligo sign veteran midfielder Kirby |publisher=RTÉ |date=28 January 2011 |access-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> He scored six times in 31 league appearances<ref name=Soccerway/> as Sligo finished second in the Premier Division, and collected his fourth FAI Cup-winners' medal, again as an unused substitute, as Sligo beat Shelbourne on penalties at the Aviva Stadium.<ref name=fourth>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=13DFA52C4B8547A0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Back where I belong |first=Paul |last=Buttner |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=6 April 2012 |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/17832/2/ |title=Shelbourne 1–1 Sligo Rovers (Sligo win 4–1 on pens) |first=Seamus |last=Egan |website=Extratime.ie |date=6 November 2011 |access-date=19 October 2013}}</ref>
Kirby was one of many players to volunteer for the PFAI team to take part in the [[FIFPro]] Scandinavian Tournament in January 2011, a regular event featuring out-of-contract players from summer leagues, but did not make the squad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pfai.ie/news/257-kelly-to-ma |title=Kelly to manage PFAI squad in Norway |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland |date=22 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023060809/http://www.pfai.ie/news/257-kelly-to-ma |archive-date=23 October 2013}}<br>{{cite web |url=http://www.pfai.ie/news/263-squad-announced-for-fifpro-tournament |title=Squad announced for FIFPRO Tournament |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland |date=10 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023055923/http://www.pfai.ie/news/263-squad-announced-for-fifpro-tournament |archive-date=23 October 2013}}</ref> Liam Buckley planned to speak to him about returning to Sporting Fingal,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/sport/soccer/fingal-duo-on-trial-at-wolves-27807508.html |title=Fingal duo on trial at Wolves |first=Marcus |last=Cavaroli |newspaper=Fingal Independent |date=12 January 2011 |access-date=21 October 2013}}</ref> but at the end of the month, Kirby signed a one-year contract with [[Sligo Rovers]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish-soccer-league/2011/0128/275670-sligorovers/ |title=Sligo sign veteran midfielder Kirby |publisher=RTÉ |date=28 January 2011 |access-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> He scored six times in 31 league appearances<ref name=Soccerway/> as Sligo finished second in the Premier Division, and collected his fourth FAI Cup-winners' medal, again as an unused substitute, as Sligo beat Shelbourne on penalties at the Aviva Stadium.<ref name=fourth>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=13DFA52C4B8547A0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Back where I belong |first=Paul |last=Buttner |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=6 April 2012 |page=8}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/17832/2/ |title=Shelbourne 1–1 Sligo Rovers (Sligo win 4–1 on pens) |first=Seamus |last=Egan |website=Extratime.ie |date=6 November 2011 |access-date=19 October 2013}}</ref>


When no new contract was forthcoming at Sligo, and recognising he was approaching the end of the career, Kirby was happy to return to Longford Town for the 2012 season.<ref name=fourth/> Together with fellow veteran [[Keith Gillespie]], he lent experience to the squad,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1406FAF331B74F68&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Lee: don't forget us |first=Paul |last=Buttner |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=27 July 2012 |page=8}}</ref> helping Longford to a third-place finish and a [[2012 League of Ireland#Playoffs|playoff]] against Waterford United. Replacing Gillespie towards the end of the playoff second leg, with Waterford 3–0 ahead on aggregate, Kirby scored his last goal in senior football in his home town against his first senior club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish-soccer-league/2012/1026/343327-waterford-progress-to-play-off-with-dundalk/ |title=Waterford United 1–1 Longford Town (Agg 3–1) |publisher=RTÉ |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2013}}</ref> He had announced his retirement from football before the game.<ref name=ltfcHomage/> In his two spells with Longford, he scored 29 goals from 264 appearances in all competitions.<ref name=ltfcStats/>
When no new contract was forthcoming at Sligo, and recognising he was approaching the end of the career, Kirby was happy to return to Longford Town for the 2012 season.<ref name=fourth/> Together with fellow veteran [[Keith Gillespie]], he lent experience to the squad,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1406FAF331B74F68&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Lee: don't forget us |first=Paul |last=Buttner |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=Ireland |date=27 July 2012 |page=8}}</ref> helping Longford to a third-place finish and a [[2012 League of Ireland#Playoffs|playoff]] against Waterford United. Replacing Gillespie towards the end of the playoff second leg, with Waterford 3–0 ahead on aggregate, Kirby scored his last goal in senior football in his home town against his first senior club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish-soccer-league/2012/1026/343327-waterford-progress-to-play-off-with-dundalk/ |title=Waterford United 1–1 Longford Town (Agg 3–1) |publisher=RTÉ |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=18 October 2013}}</ref> He had announced his retirement from football before the game.<ref name=ltfcHomage/> In his two spells with Longford, he scored 29 goals from 264 appearances in all competitions.<ref name=ltfcStats/>


==International career==
==International career==
Kirby was capped for [[Republic of Ireland national under-16 football team|Ireland under-16s]] while a Johnville player in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ireland caught for speed |author=Malone, Emmet |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 April 1994 |page=17}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|under-18 team]] that qualified for the [[1996 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship|1996 UEFA Youth Championship]] finals in Luxembourg,<ref>{{cite news |title=Tricky trip to Iceland |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=8 May 1996 |page=17}}</ref> and played in the finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Injury worries for Bohemians and St Patrick's |first=Emmet |last=Malone |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=23 July 1996 |page=19}}</ref> Ireland finished third in their group, so qualified for the [[1997 FIFA World Youth Championship]] in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/ec-u18-96.html |title=European U-18 Championship 1996 |first1=Hubert |last1=Descans |first2=Erik |last2=Garins |first3=Karel |last3=Stokkermans |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=1 August 2000 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> Kirby was an unused substitute for [[Republic of Ireland national under-20 football team|Ireland]]'s opening fixture, against [[Ghana national under-20 football team|Ghana]], but played in their remaining matches as they became the first and, {{as of|2017|lc=y|post=,}} only Irish side to win a medal at a FIFA World Cup at any age agroup.<ref name=FIFA>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193920/index.html |title=FIFA Player Statistics: Alan Kirby |publisher=FIFA |access-date=22 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107014959/https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193920/index.html |archive-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/dont-talk-to-me-unless-you-come-back-with-medals-the-malaysia-marvels-and-irelands-world-cup-glory-35845302.html |title='Don't talk to me unless you come back with medals'&nbsp;– The Malaysia Marvels and Ireland's World Cup glory |first=Jack |last=O'Toole |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=20 June 2017 |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Played in by [[Robbie Ryan (footballer)|Robbie Ryan]] early in the match, Kirby's failure to score was, according to the ''Irish Times'', "the product of good goalkeeping rather than poor finishing", and [[Colin Hawkins]] headed wide from his cross with only a few minutes left, as Ireland lost 1–0 to [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina]] in the semifinal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/romeo-kills-an-irish-romance-1.87641 |title=Romeo kills an Irish romance |first=Peter |last=Byrne |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=3 July 1997 |page=19 |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> He was a first-half substitute as Ireland defeated Ghana in the third-place match to win the bronze medal.<ref name=FIFA/> Those two matches were televised live in Ireland, and the players became well known as their progress was followed by [[RTÉ]]'s magazine programme ''The Soccer Show''.<ref>{{cite news |title=World U-20 Championship: The television producer |first=Peter |last=Byrne |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 December 1997 |page=A7}}</ref>
Kirby was capped for [[Republic of Ireland national under-16 football team|Ireland under-16s]] while a Johnville player in 1994.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ireland caught for speed |author=Malone, Emmet |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 April 1994 |page=17}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|under-18 team]] that qualified for the [[1996 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship|1996 UEFA Youth Championship]] finals in Luxembourg,<ref>{{cite news |title=Tricky trip to Iceland |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=8 May 1996 |page=17}}</ref> and played in the finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Injury worries for Bohemians and St Patrick's |first=Emmet |last=Malone |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=23 July 1996 |page=19}}</ref> Ireland finished third in their group, so qualified for the [[1997 FIFA World Youth Championship]] in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/ec-u18-96.html |title=European U-18 Championship 1996 |first1=Hubert |last1=Descans |first2=Erik |last2=Garins |first3=Karel |last3=Stokkermans |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=1 August 2000 |access-date=22 October 2013}}</ref> Kirby was an unused substitute for [[Republic of Ireland national under-20 football team|Ireland]]'s opening fixture, against [[Ghana national under-20 football team|Ghana]], but played in their remaining matches as they became the first and, {{as of|2017|lc=y|post=,}} only Irish side to win a medal at a FIFA World Cup at any age agroup.<ref name=FIFA>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193920/index.html |title=FIFA Player Statistics: Alan Kirby |publisher=FIFA |access-date=22 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107014959/https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=193920/index.html |archive-date=7 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/dont-talk-to-me-unless-you-come-back-with-medals-the-malaysia-marvels-and-irelands-world-cup-glory-35845302.html |title='Don't talk to me unless you come back with medals'&nbsp;– The Malaysia Marvels and Ireland's World Cup glory |first=Jack |last=O'Toole |newspaper=Irish Independent |date=20 June 2017 |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> Played in by [[Robbie Ryan (footballer)|Robbie Ryan]] early in the match, Kirby's failure to score was, according to the ''Irish Times'', "the product of good goalkeeping rather than poor finishing", and [[Colin Hawkins]] headed wide from his cross with only a few minutes left, as Ireland lost 1–0 to [[Argentina national under-20 football team|Argentina]] in the semifinal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/romeo-kills-an-irish-romance-1.87641 |title=Romeo kills an Irish romance |first=Peter |last=Byrne |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=3 July 1997 |page=19 |access-date=20 August 2021}}</ref> He was a first-half substitute as Ireland defeated Ghana in the third-place match to win the bronze medal.<ref name=FIFA/> Those two matches were televised live in Ireland, and the players became well known as their progress was followed by [[RTÉ]]'s magazine programme ''The Soccer Show''.<ref>{{cite news |title=World U-20 Championship: The television producer |first=Peter |last=Byrne |newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 December 1997 |page=A7}}</ref>


Kirby made his only appearance at [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|under-21 level]] as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against the [[Czech Republic national under-21 football team|Czech Republic]] in March 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1397A0E998EF1268&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Ireland's young guns are shot down in flames |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=25 March 1998 |page=42}}</ref>
Kirby made his only appearance at [[Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team|under-21 level]] as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against the [[Czech Republic national under-21 football team|Czech Republic]] in March 1998.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1397A0E998EF1268&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Ireland's young guns are shot down in flames |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=25 March 1998 |page=42}}</ref>
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Waterford (city)]]
[[Category:Association footballers from Waterford (city)]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland association footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Aston Villa F.C. players]]
[[Category:Aston Villa F.C. players]]
[[Category:Waterford F.C. players]]
[[Category:Waterford F.C. players]]

Latest revision as of 00:44, 19 April 2024

Alan Kirby
Personal information
Date of birth (1977-09-08) 8 September 1977 (age 47)[1]
Place of birth Waterford, Ireland
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
0000–1994 Johnville F.C.
1994–1996 Aston Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–1998 Aston Villa 0 (0)
1999–2001 Waterford United 81 (16)
2001–2006 Longford Town 183 (17)
2007–2008 St Patrick's Athletic 56 (6)
2009–2010 Sporting Fingal 60 (12)
2011 Sligo Rovers 31 (6)
2012 Longford Town 28 (5)
Total 439 (62)
International career
1998 Republic of Ireland U21 1 (0)
2010 League of Ireland XI 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Alan Kirby (born 8 September 1977) is an Irish former footballer. He played as a midfielder, most often on the right wing.

As a 16-year-old, Kirby went to England to join Premier League club Aston Villa. He spent four years with the club without making a first-team appearance, and returned to his native Waterford. He signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford United in 1999, and two-and-a-half years later moved on to Longford Town. During his six seasons with Longford, Kirby won two FAI Cups, in 2003 and 2004, and the 2004 League of Ireland Cup, and was nominated for the 2003 PFAI Players' Player of the Year award.

Two League runners-up medals in two years with St Patrick's Athletic preceded a third FAI Cup win and promotion from the First Division with Sporting Fingal. He won his fourth FAI Cup[3] and third League runners-up medal in 2011 with Sligo Rovers, and retired from playing after one last season with Longford Town in 2012. Kirby made sixteen appearances in the UEFA Cup and UEFA Europa League, six each for Longford Town and St Patrick's Athletic, and two each for Sporting Fingal and Sligo Rovers.[4]

Kirby was capped for Ireland at levels from under-16 to under-21, and was a member of the under-20 team that won the bronze medal at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. He played for the League of Ireland XI that faced Manchester United in a match to mark the opening of the Aviva Stadium in 2010.

Personal life

[edit]

Kirby was born in Waterford, the son of former Waterford United player and assistant manager Dave Kirby and his wife Angela.[5] He married Caitriona Norton, and as of May 2018, the couple had two daughters, Leah and Lauren.[6][7]

Kirby started a degree in business studies at Dublin City University in 2007, alongside his football career.[8] After completing his studies, he began a career in tax consultancy in Dublin.[6][7]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

As a youngster, Kirby played for Johnville in the Waterford Schoolboys League.[9] In the summer of 1994, as a 16-year-old, he went to England to join Premier League club Aston Villa. He was a regular in the youth team for two seasons, made his debut for the reserves in the 1995–96 season, and played not infrequently at that level for a further two years.[10]

Waterford United

[edit]

Kirby returned to Ireland, signed for Waterford United in 1998,[7] and made his League of Ireland debut against Bohemians at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre on 29 January 1999.[11] His first senior goal opened the scoring as Waterford beat Dundalk 2–0 on 16 April,[12] and his second, a "glorious 20-yard volley that simply flew past" the goalkeeper, was the only goal of the game against fellow relegation candidates Bray Wanderers a few days later and made a significant contribution to Waterford retaining their Premier Division status.[13]

Available on a free transfer at the end of the season,[14] Kirby returned to England for a trial with Hartlepool United[15] which came to nothing. He rejoined Waterford for the 1999–2000 League of Ireland season, but the club struggled to score, finished tenth in the league, and had to play off against Kilkenny City for a place in the next season's Premier Division. Waterford lost the first leg 1–0, and their ill-fortune in front of goal continued in the second. Kirby shot against the post in the first half, and missed a chance in the second, and Derek McGrath missed a late penalty, to leave Waterford in the First Division with only three contracted players, of which Kirby himself was one.[16]

Kirby helped Waterford reach the semi-final of the FAI Cup in 2000–01. In the quarter-final, his shot was punched over the bar by a Cobh Ramblers defender, and he converted the resulting penalty to give Waterford a 1–0 win.[17] The semi-final, against Longford Town, went to a replay. Kirby came close to scoring, and was named man of the match as he had been in the quarter-final, but the tie was settled by a penalty kick in favour of Longford.[18] He was named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year for 2001, and shortlisted for the First Division Player of the Year award.[19]

When Kirby and teammate Alan Reynolds signed two-year contracts with Premier Division club Longford Town, Reynolds moved on a free, but the fee for Kirby was to be determined by tribunal.[citation needed] He had attracted the attention of manager Stephen Kenny when the clubs met in the FAI Cup semifinal earlier in the year.[20]

Longford Town

[edit]

Kirby made his debut in the FAI Super Cup pre-season tournament,[6] and scored twice on the opening day of the league season in a 4–1 defeat of Cork City.[21] He played in the club's first appearances in European competition, the qualifying round of the 2001–02 UEFA Cup, against Litex Lovech, which Longford lost in stoppage time in the second leg in Bulgaria.[22] Kirby scored six goals from 40 appearances in all competitions as Longford finished ninth in the League. The Premier Division was to drop from twelve to ten teams for the transitional 2002–03 League of Ireland season, so Longford had to play-off against First Division runners-up Finn Harps to retain their top-flight status. The scores were level after two legs, and Longford won 6–5 on penalties.[21]

Kirby was ever-present during the 2002–03 season, scoring three times as Longford finished fifth.[23] They reached the 2003 League of Ireland Cup Final via a 90th-minute equaliser against Derry City followed by the winner in the last minute of extra time, when Kirby's free kick struck the post and Alan Murphy converted the rebound.[24] St Patrick's Athletic goalkeeper Chris Adamson made "the save of the night" from Kirby towards the end of the final, which Longford lost by a single goal when Barry Ferguson missed a penalty with the last kick of the game.[25] They went one better against the same opponents in the FAI Cup Final. Playing at Lansdowne Road, on a bigger pitch that allowed the wingers more space, Kirby fed Sean Francis to open the scoring, as Longford went on to beat St Pat's 2–0 to win the first senior trophy in their history.[26] His performance over the season earned him a nomination for the PFAI Player of the Year award, but he lost out to Shelbourne's Jason Byrne.[27]

Kirby made more appearances than any other Longford player[28] as the club trebled its trophy collection in 2004. In the League Cup Final, the Daily Mirror wrote that he made clever use of the ball on the right wing, and came close to scoring a "wonder goal" when he dribbled past a couple of defenders but then shot wide. Longford had the better of most of the game, but were under pressure at the end, eventually holding on to beat Bohemians 2–1.[29] Longford were a goal behind after 86 minutes in the 2004 FAI Cup Final against Kirby's home-town club Waterford when his "stunning shot" tied the scores. Controversially, the goal was scored while a Waterford defender was clearing a stray football from the pitch. Longford's winner came a few seconds later.[30] Kirby was left with mixed feelings. While pleased to have scored only his second goal of the season, and recognising the importance of the win to his current club, he had decided ahead of the game that he would not celebrate if he did score, and felt "a little gutted" for his former colleagues.[31] He turned down a move to Drogheda United, who reportedly offered to triple his wages, to sign a new two-year contract on improved terms with Longford.[32]

In 2004, Longford had given Liechtenstein's FC Vaduz their first ever European win, in the UEFA Cup qualifying rounds.[33] In the 2005 competition, they took a 2–0 first-leg lead against Welsh club Carmarthen Town; the second goal was scored by Ferguson from Kirby's cross.[34] In the second leg, Carmarthen's opener was equalised from the penalty spot, but they then scored four times in the second half to eliminate Longford and give Kirby what he describes as "the lowest moment of my career".[35] He is one of three men to have played in all six, as of 2015, of Longford's appearances in UEFA competition.[36]

Kirby was the only ever-present for Longford in 2006, and was also their leading goalscorer, but with just six goals.[37] This took his figures to 24 goals from 235 games in all competitions for Longford as his contract expired at the end of the season.[38] With the club's budget set to be reduced further, Kirby was one of several players to leave. He signed for St Patrick's Athletic in December 2006;[39] the season preview in the Irish Independent saw "the capture of Alan Kirby [as] a particular coup."[40]

St Patrick's Athletic

[edit]

While at Longford, Kirby had worked full-time for the club's sponsors as assistant to the site engineer on a building site, but was allowed to leave early on training evenings. At St Pat's, he was a full-time footballer.[41] He was named Player of the Month for March, cited as central to St Pat's unbeaten start to the season.[42] Pat's began the season with Kirby, Keith Fahey and Joseph Ndo in a central three in midfield; their "interchanging of passing and movement is excellent", according to Bohemians' manager Sean Connor.[43] But an injury to Ndo, combined with Kirby's absences through injury and suspension, meant a switch to a 4–4–2 formation, with more workmanlike players in the centre and the flair and creativity of Fahey and Kirby pushed out to the wings; this coincided with a mid-season slump.[44] Kirby was rested for the first leg of the UEFA Cup tie against Odense, a goalless draw; he was brought back for the second leg, in which St Pat's were outclassed 5–0.[45] Both player and club revived; Kirby scored four goals from 28 league appearances,[46] as his club finished in second place.

St Pat's beat Latvian club Olimps and IF Elfsborg of Sweden in the qualifying rounds of the 2008–09 UEFA Cup. Kirby was an unused substitute in the first leg against Elfsborg,[47] and a hard-working substitute as St Pat's scored two late goals to go through on aggregate.[48] He started on the left of midfield in both legs against Hertha Berlin; despite the 2–0 away defeat, he described that as "the best trip so far" of his five UEFA Cup campaigns.[49] St Pat's repeated their second-place league finish in 2008, but Kirby was "a little disappointed" by his personal season.[50] He would have preferred to play more than he did – he started 18 of the 36 league matches[51] – and was led to expect a new contract which, in the club's straitened financial circumstances, failed to materialise.[50] Amid general economic uncertainty, he was appreciative of an offer from Liam Buckley to join Sporting Fingal for their second season in the league.[52]

Sporting Fingal

[edit]

The Fingal Independent labelled him a "big name signing" who was "regarded as a consummate professional by commentators in the game".[53] The club's commitment to supporting players wanting to further their education[54] allowed him to continue his studies alongside his football: "I'm in DCU, doing a degree in business, which I'm halfway through. I can come in and train, then go on to college and catch up on any lectures I've missed and stay as late as I want in the library."[52] In that season's FAI Cup, Kirby scored twice in the quarter-final against Shamrock Rovers,[55] and in the semifinal, against Bray Wanderers, he set up his club's first goal, was involved in the second, and scored the third, before leaving the field through injury.[56] Fingal finished third in the First Division, and beat Shelbourne[57] and Bray Wanderers in the playoffs to earn promotion to the Premier Division after only two years in the League. Kirby was a late substitute in the second leg of the final, having missed the earlier matches with a foot injury,[58][59] and won his third FAI Cup-winners' medal as an unused substitute, as Sporting Fingal beat Sligo Rovers with two late goals.[60]

Kirby signed another one-year contract for the 2010 season.[61] He was a less frequent member of the starting eleven, but still took the field in 31 of the 36 League matches as Fingal finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Cup.[46] In August, he was chosen for the League of Ireland XI to face Manchester United in a match to mark the official opening of the Aviva Stadium. United captain John O'Shea said afterwards he "was glad to see Kirbs getting a game as he's such a dedicated player, for the league and for Ireland".[62]

Later career

[edit]

Kirby was one of many players to volunteer for the PFAI team to take part in the FIFPro Scandinavian Tournament in January 2011, a regular event featuring out-of-contract players from summer leagues, but did not make the squad.[63] Liam Buckley planned to speak to him about returning to Sporting Fingal,[64] but at the end of the month, Kirby signed a one-year contract with Sligo Rovers.[65] He scored six times in 31 league appearances[46] as Sligo finished second in the Premier Division, and collected his fourth FAI Cup-winners' medal, again as an unused substitute, as Sligo beat Shelbourne on penalties at the Aviva Stadium.[3][66]

When no new contract was forthcoming at Sligo, and recognising he was approaching the end of the career, Kirby was happy to return to Longford Town for the 2012 season.[3] Together with fellow veteran Keith Gillespie, he lent experience to the squad,[67] helping Longford to a third-place finish and a playoff against Waterford United. Replacing Gillespie towards the end of the playoff second leg, with Waterford 3–0 ahead on aggregate, Kirby scored his last goal in senior football in his home town against his first senior club.[68] He had announced his retirement from football before the game.[6] In his two spells with Longford, he scored 29 goals from 264 appearances in all competitions.[38]

International career

[edit]

Kirby was capped for Ireland under-16s while a Johnville player in 1994.[69] He was a member of the under-18 team that qualified for the 1996 UEFA Youth Championship finals in Luxembourg,[70] and played in the finals.[71] Ireland finished third in their group, so qualified for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship in Malaysia.[72] Kirby was an unused substitute for Ireland's opening fixture, against Ghana, but played in their remaining matches as they became the first and, as of 2017, only Irish side to win a medal at a FIFA World Cup at any age agroup.[1][73] Played in by Robbie Ryan early in the match, Kirby's failure to score was, according to the Irish Times, "the product of good goalkeeping rather than poor finishing", and Colin Hawkins headed wide from his cross with only a few minutes left, as Ireland lost 1–0 to Argentina in the semifinal.[74] He was a first-half substitute as Ireland defeated Ghana in the third-place match to win the bronze medal.[1] Those two matches were televised live in Ireland, and the players became well known as their progress was followed by RTÉ's magazine programme The Soccer Show.[75]

Kirby made his only appearance at under-21 level as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat against the Czech Republic in March 1998.[76]

Style of play

[edit]

According to Kirby's profile on the St Patrick's Athletic website, he "can play anywhere across the midfield and chips in with his fair share of goals."[77] He has been used most often as a right-sided winger, though he said he liked playing in the centre of midfield because on the wing, "sometimes the game will pass you by and you're relying on other people to get you into the game."[78] Ahead of the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship semifinal, manager Brian Kerr was reportedly considering using him in a man-marking role.[79]

In 2001, the Galway Advertiser wrote that his "blistering pace is an invaluable asset when his side is on the break."[80] He combined creativity with industry. An RTÉ match report in 2008 claimed that "the workrate and creativity of Pat's centre midfield pairing of Alan Kirby and Keith Fahey can't be underestimated".[81] And the Sligo Champion's preview of a 2011 FAI Cup quarter-final summed him up as "a tireless worker with an eye for a defence splitting pass and an ability to ghost into dangerous attacking positions".[82]

Honours

[edit]

Republic of Ireland

Longford Town

St Patrick's Athletic[46]

  • League of Ireland: runners-up 2007, 2008

Sporting Fingal

Sligo Rovers

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "FIFA Player Statistics: Alan Kirby". FIFA. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Alan Kirby: Facts". Stats centre. Guardian News and Media. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d Buttner, Paul (6 April 2012). "Back where I belong". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 8.
  4. ^ "Alan Kirby". UEFA. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  5. ^ "Alan Kirby retires following glorious career". Munster Express. 1 January 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d "Supporters Club Notes (28/10/12): End of an era". Longford Town F.C. 28 November 2012. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Farrell, Sinead (6 May 2018). "'Things were going really well and what killed me looking back was Ron Atkinson got the bullet'". The42. Journal Media. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  8. ^ Finn, Stephen; O'Neill, Paul (5 October 2007). "Kirby: I'll teach Kevin a lesson". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 61.
  9. ^ "Famous players: Alan Kirby". Waterford Schoolboys Football League. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Kirby, Alan". Aston Villa Player Database. Jörn Mårtensson. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  11. ^ George, Conor (30 January 1999). "Waterford blow golden chance for valuable points". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 24 January 2010.
  12. ^ "Dundalk fall to the Blues". Irish Independent. 17 April 1999. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Waterford slay Bray". Irish Independent. 26 April 1999. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  14. ^ Loughlin, Nick (10 July 1999). "Pool in good shape". The Northern Echo. Darlington. p. 5.
  15. ^ Loughlin, Nick (21 July 1999). "No worries for Turner despite results". The Northern Echo. Darlington. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  16. ^ Scully, Michael (8 May 2000). "Late drama as Kilkenny go up". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 28. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
    George, Conor (8 May 2000). "Waterford manager Mike Flanagan devastated after the game". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 1 November 2005.
  17. ^ "Bohs and Waterford secure semi-final spots". RTÉ. 25 April 2001. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  18. ^ Scully, Michael (27 April 2001). "Kelly the talk of lucky Town – Longford T 1 Waterford 0". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 51. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Three make PFAI Team of the Season". Dundalk F.C. 20 April 2001. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  20. ^ "Longford Town FC welcome back Alan Kirby". Longford Leader. 9 February 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  21. ^ a b "2001/02". Longford Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  22. ^ "Last gasp agony for Longford". Irish Independent. 24 August 2001. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  23. ^ "2002/03". Longford Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  24. ^ a b "Longford move into final with late victory: Longford Town 2 Derry City 1". The Irish Times. 9 July 2003. p. 19.
  25. ^ Buttner, Paul (26 August 2003). "Freeman condemns Longford". The Irish Times. p. A5.
  26. ^ a b McDermott, Garry (27 October 2003). "Tears of joy as Town end drought in style". Irish Independent. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  27. ^ Murray, Dhane (23 February 2004). "Shels star Byrne wins top PFAI award". RTÉ. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  28. ^ "2004". Longford Town F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  29. ^ a b Doyle, Garry (31 August 2004). "Town hang on for Cup glory". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 8.
  30. ^ a b "Longford's Cup of joy overflows". Irish Independent. 25 October 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  31. ^ Malone, Emmet (25 October 2004). "Pleasure and pain for United old boy". The Irish Times. p. A2.
  32. ^ Doyle, Garry (30 November 2004). "Alan able to Kirb Drogs' enthusiasm". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 53.
  33. ^ Farrelly, David (16 July 2004). "Vaduz break European duck". UEFA. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  34. ^ "Longford are two up on Carmarthen". BBC Sport. 14 July 2005. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  35. ^ Doyle, Garry (1 August 2007). "Kirb keen on Euro four-tune". Daily Mirror. Ireland. p. 51.
  36. ^ "Longford Town FC: History". UEFA. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
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