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

Danny Lafferty
Lafferty playing for Burnley in 2012
Personal information
Full name Daniel Patrick Lafferty[1]
Date of birth (1989-05-18) 18 May 1989 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Derry, Northern Ireland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Position(s) Left back
Team information
Current team
Ballymena United
Youth career
0000–2006 Oxford United Stars
2006–2008 Celtic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 Celtic 0 (0)
2010Ayr United (loan) 14 (1)
2010–2011 Derry City 46 (7)
2012–2017 Burnley 40 (0)
2015Rotherham United (loan) 11 (0)
2015Oldham Athletic (loan) 5 (0)
2016Oldham Athletic (loan) 10 (1)
2016–2017Sheffield United (loan) 21 (1)
2017–2019 Sheffield United 25 (3)
2019Peterborough United (loan) 18 (0)
2019–2020 Shamrock Rovers 18 (1)
2020–2022 Derry City 57 (5)
2023 Sligo Rovers 16 (1)
2024 Institute 14 (2)
2024- Ballymena United 0 (0)
International career
2005 Northern Ireland U17 2 (0)
2007 Northern Ireland U19 4 (0)
2008–2009 Northern Ireland U21 6 (0)
2009 Northern Ireland B 1 (0)
2012–2016 Northern Ireland 13 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:18, 30 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:41, 24 March 2016 (UTC)

Career

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Early career

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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

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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

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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 2+12-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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Club

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As of match played 21 July 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Celtic 2008–09[30] Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2009–10[30] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ayr United (loan) 2009–10[31] Scottish First Division 14 1 14 1
Derry City 2010[32] LOI First Division 12 0 12 0
2011[33] LOI Premier Division 34 7 1 0 2 0 0 0 37 7
Total 46 7 1 0 2 0 0 0 49 6
Burnley 2011–12[34] Championship 5 0 5 0
2012–13[35] 24 0 1 0 1 0 26 0
2013–14[36] 10 0 1 0 1 0 12 0
2014–15[37] Premier League 1 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
2015–16[38] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016–17[39] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 40 0 3 0 2 0 45 0
Rotherham United (loan) 2014–15[40] Championship 11 0 11 0
Oldham Athletic (loan) 2015–16[41] League One 15 1 15 1
Sheffield United 2016–17[42] League One 37 4 1 0 0 0 38 4
2017–18[43] Championship 8 0 3 0 2 1 13 1
2018–19[44] 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 46 4 4 0 2 1 0 0 52 5
Peterborough United (loan) 2018–19[44] League One 18 0 1 0 2 0 21 0
Shamrock Rovers 2019[45] LOI Premier Division 7 0 3 0 10 0
2020[45] 11 1 4 2 1 0 16 3
Total 18 1 7 2 0 0 1 0 26 3
Derry City 2021[45] LOI Premier Division 32 5 1 1 33 6
2022[45] 25 0 1 0 1 0 27 0
Total 57 5 2 1 1 0 60 6
Sligo Rovers 2023[45] LOI Premier Division 16 2 1 0 17 2
Institute 2023–24[45] NIFL Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career totals 281 21 19 3 6 1 4 0 310 25

International

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As of match played 24 March 2016.[46]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Northern Ireland 2012 2 0
2013 6 0
2014 2 0
2015 2 0
2016 1 0
Total 13 0

Honours

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Club

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Derry City

Burnley

Sheffield United

Shamrock Rovers

References

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  1. ^ "Professional Retain List & Free Transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 17 June 2013.
  2. ^ a b Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 444. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ a b "Danny Lafferty Derry City profile". Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  4. ^ "Ayr United 1 – 1 Dundee : Wednesday, 17th March 2010". 17 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  5. ^ "Derry City defender Daniel Lafferty offered Derby trial". BBC News. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Daniel Lafferty has a trial at Brighton and Hove Albion". BBC News. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  7. ^ "Derry agree Lafferty fee". 30 December 2012. Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Danny's The Boy For Clarets". 30 December 2012. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
  9. ^ "Burnley | News | Latest Headlines | Latest Headlines | Lafferty receives International Clearance". Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  10. ^ LTD, Digital Sports Group. "Clarets Mad vote". www.clarets-mad.co.uk. Archived from the original on 16 October 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Burnley | News | Latest Headlines | Latest Headlines | Danny 'Draws' Pleasure from Debut". Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  12. ^ "Oldham: Burnley's Daniel Lafferty and Cameron Dummigan join". BBC Sport. 2 October 2015. Retrieved 2 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Scunthorpe 1–1 Oldham". BBC Sport. 27 February 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  14. ^ "Sheffield United: Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Daniel Lafferty join on loan". BBC Sport. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  15. ^ "Shrewsbury 0–3 Sheffield United". BBC Sport. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  16. ^ "Lafferty signs".
  17. ^ "Daniel Lafferty: Peterborough United sign Sheffield United defender". BBC Sport. 3 January 2018.
  18. ^ "PPaul Coutts: Sheffield United midfielder among five released". BBC Sport. 8 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Hoops Sign Danny Lafferty". Shamrock Rovers. 23 August 2019. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  20. ^ "Cummins and Burke on target as Hoops grind out win to close gap on leaders Dundalk". the42.ie. 27 August 2019.
  21. ^ "Shamrock Rovers lift FAI Cup after shootout win | Football Association of Ireland".
  22. ^ "League Report: Shamrock Rovers 1 – 0 Bohemians".
  23. ^ "Welcome Back Danny Lafferty". Derry City F.C. 17 December 2020.
  24. ^ "2024 update and squad news – Sligo Rovers". 6 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Daniel Lafferty – UEFA". UEFA. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  26. ^ a b c d e f "Daniel Lafferty – NIFG". NIFG. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  27. ^ "Clarets defender Lafferty earns first Northern Ireland call-up". Lancashire Telegraph. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  28. ^ "Daniel Lafferty – FIFA". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  29. ^ "Lafferty called-up". Sheffield United FC Official Website. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 26 August 2017.
  30. ^ a b c "D. Lafferty". Soccerway. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  31. ^ "Ayr 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  32. ^ "Derry City 2010 player appearances". Airtricity League. Retrieved 30 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
  33. ^ "Derry City 2011 player appearances". Airtricity League. Retrieved 30 January 2012.[permanent dead link]
  34. ^ "Burnley 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  35. ^ "Burnley 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  36. ^ "Burnley 2013/2014 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  37. ^ "Burnley 2014/2015 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  38. ^ "Burnley 2015/2016 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  39. ^ "Burnley 2016/2017 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  40. ^ "Rotherham United 2014/2015 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  41. ^ "Oldham Athletic 2015/2016 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  42. ^ "Games played by Daniel Lafferty in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 October 2015.
  43. ^ "Games played by Daniel Lafferty in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  44. ^ a b "Games played by Daniel Lafferty in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  45. ^ a b c d e f "Northern Ireland - D. Lafferty - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway".
  46. ^ "Daniel Lafferty". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  47. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2014). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 90–91. ISBN 978-1-4722-1251-1.
  48. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2017). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 326–327. ISBN 978-1-4722-3397-4.
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