Aaron Bolger

Aaron Bolger
Personal information
Full name Aaron Nigel Bolger
Date of birth (2000-02-02) 2 February 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Avoca, County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 St Patrick's Athletic
Number 16
Youth career
–2016 St Joseph's Boys
2016–2018 Shamrock Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Shamrock Rovers 24 (1)
2019 → Cardiff City (loan) 0 (0)
2019–2021 Cardiff City 0 (0)
2020 → Shamrock Rovers (loan) 0 (0)
2020 → Shamrock Rovers II (loan) 11 (0)
2021 → Longford Town (loan) 10 (0)
2021–2023 Cork City 72 (2)
2024– St Patrick's Athletic 17 (0)
International career‡
2016 Republic of Ireland U16 2 (0)
2016–2017 Republic of Ireland U17 9 (0)
2017 Republic of Ireland U18 2 (0)
2017–2019 Republic of Ireland U19 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 00:21, 15 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19:15, 13 December 2023 (UTC)

Aaron Nigel Bolger (born 2 February 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic. His previous clubs are Shamrock Rovers, Cardiff City, Longford Town and Cork City.

Career

Youth career

A native of Avoca, County Wicklow,[1] Bolger came through St Joseph's Boys, before moving to the academy of League of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers in 2016. While at St Joseph's Boys, he was part of a formidable side that included fellow future professional footballers Joe Redmond, Brandon Kavanagh, Jonathan Afolabi, Andy Lyons, Promise Omochere, Ryan Burke and Max Murphy among others.[2][3]

Shamrock Rovers

Bolger made his senior debut for Shamrock Rovers on 9 September 2016, when he replaced Stephen McPhail from the bench in a 5–0 defeat to Cork City an FAI Cup tie at Tallaght Stadium.[4] His league debut came on 25 September 2016, in an 4–2 win over Galway United.[5] Bolger's first goal in senior football was on 23 June 2017 when he scored in the 91st minute of a 4–1 win at home to Drogheda United.[6] He made his first appearance in European football on 6 July 2017, when he came off the bench in a 1–0 win at home to Stjarnan of Iceland in a UEFA Europa League tie.[7] On 16 September 2017, he started in the 2017 League of Ireland Cup Final, but was sent off in the 64th minute for a second yellow as his challenge was late and high on Dundalk defender Niclas Vemmelund as his side lost 3–0.[8] He featured 18 times in all competitions over the 2018 season, with his performances drawing interest from EFL Championship side Preston North End.[9]

Cardiff City loan

On 4 February 2019, it was announced that Bolger had signed for Premier League club Cardiff City on loan until the end of their season.[10][11]

Cardiff City

After impressing with the club's Under 23 side during his loan spell, he signed a permanent contract with the club on 2 July 2019.[12][13] On 1 June 2021, following two loan spells back in Ireland, Bolger was announced as being released by the club following the end of his contract, after failing to make a first team appearance during his 2+1⁄2 years with the club.[14]

Shamrock Rovers loan

On 1 August 2020, Bolger was loaned back to Shamrock Rovers until the end of their season in December.[15] He made the first team squad just once, remaining an unused substitute, while all 11 of his appearances were with the club's reserve side Shamrock Rovers II in the League of Ireland First Division.[16]

Longford Town loan

On 30 January 2021, Bolger was loaned to newly promoted League of Ireland Premier Division side Longford Town until the end of June 2021, when his contract at Cardiff City expired.[17] He made 10 appearances for the club during his loan spell.[16]

Cork City

Following the end of his Cardiff City contract, Bolger was released, signing for League of Ireland First Division leaders Cork City as a free agent on 29 July 2021.[18][19] He made 10 appearances in the second half of his side's campaign as they missed out on the playoffs.[16] On 3 November 2021, Bolger signed a new contract with the club for the 2022 season.[20] He featured 34 times in all competitions over the season, scoring twice as they won the 2022 League of Ireland First Division.[21] He signed a new contract with the club on 5 December 2022 ahead of their 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division campaign.[22] On 6 March 2023 during a 4–4 draw away to Shamrock Rovers, he was involved in a head collision with Trevor Clarke that knocked Bolger unconscious and knocked his teeth out, requiring three Root canal treatments to resolve the issue.[23][24] On 10 November 2023, he featured in the 2023 League of Ireland Premier Division Play-off as his side lost 2–1 to Waterford at Tallaght Stadium, resulting in relegation back to the League of Ireland First Division.[25]

St Patrick's Athletic

On 13 December 2023, it was announced that Bolger had signed a multi-year contract with St Patrick's Athletic.[26][27][28] He made his debut for the club on 22 January in a Leinster Senior Cup game away to Usher Celtic.[29] On 25 July 2024, he featured in his side's 3–1 win over Vaduz of Liechtenstein in the UEFA Conference League, replacing Romal Palmer from the bench in the 76th minute.[30] On 8 October 2024, Bolger was part of the Pats side that defeated St Mochta's 2–1 in the final of the 2023–24 Leinster Senior Cup.[31]

Style of play

Bolger is a defensive midfielder and has been described by his former manager Stephen Bradley as being "a nasty little f****r!" who can "do a bit of everything. He can tackle, he can play, he just needs to add goals to his game and he would be very close to a complete midfielder. He just doesn't care, Aaron. He doesn't see the players he's playing against, he doesn't see any of their players and think ‘oh’. And that sort of don't care attitude will drive his career. Every level he goes up, he'll respond to it."[32] Former teammate Ronan Finn speaking about Bolger when he was 17 years old, said "Paul Scholes was a small midfielder and Aaron has a low centre of gravity. He manipulates his body really well to protect the ball. But Aaron is a central midfielder and I honestly don't know where he has learned the game. His knowledge of the game is so good."[33]

International career

Bolger has been capped for the Republic of Ireland at U16, U17, U18 and U19 level.[34] He was named as part of the squad for the Republic of Ireland U17 team's 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Croatia.[35]

On 18 March 2018, he was named FAI Under-17 International Player of the Year for 2017.[36][33]

Career statistics

As of match played on 14 October 2024[37]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Shamrock Rovers 2016 LOI Premier Division 3 0 1 0 0 0 0[c] 0 0[d] 0 4 0
2017 7 1 4 0 1 0 1[c] 0 1[d] 0 14 1
2018 14 0 0 0 1 0 2[c] 0 1[d] 0 18 0
2019 0 0 — — — — 0 0
Total 24 1 5 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 36 1
Cardiff City (loan) 2018–19 Premier League 0 0 — — — — 0 0
Cardiff City 2019–20 EFL Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
2020–21 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 – — 0 0
Shamrock Rovers (loan) 2020 LOI Premier Division 0 0 0 0 — — — 0 0
Shamrock Rovers II (loan) 2020 LOI First Division 11 0 — — — — 11 0
Longford Town (loan) 2021 LOI Premier Division 10 0 — — — — 10 0
Cork City 2021 LOI First Division 10 0 0 0 — — — 10 0
2022 31 2 2 0 — — 0[e] 0 33 2
2023 LOI Premier Division 31 0 4 0 — — 1[f] 0 36 0
Total 72 2 6 0 — — 1 0 79 2
St Patrick's Athletic 2024 LOI Premier Division 17 0 0 0 — 6[g] 0 6[h] 0 29 0
2025 0 0 0 0 — 0[g] 0 0[d] 0 0 0
Total 17 0 0 0 — 6 0 6 0 29 2
Total 134 3 11 0 2 0 9 0 10 0 166 3
  1. ^ Includes FAI Cup & FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes League of Ireland Cup & EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in the Leinster Senior Cup
  5. ^ Appearance in the Munster Senior Cup
  6. ^ Appearance in the 2023 League of Ireland Promotion/Relegation Division Play-off
  7. ^ a b Apprarance(s) in the UEFA Conference League
  8. ^ 5 appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup & 1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup

Honours

Club

Cork City

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Wicklow's Aaron Bolger is loving life with Cork City FC". Independent.ie. July 2, 2022.
  2. ^ Cooney, Gavin (November 12, 2023). "The teenage friends whose battle may decide the FAI Cup final". The 42.
  3. ^ Reporter, Gazette (January 7, 2016). "Joey's sweep up Irish titles". Dublin Gazette Newspapers - Dublin News, Sport and Lifestyle.
  4. ^ "FAI Cup Report: Shamrock Rovers 0 - 5 Cork City". extratime.com.
  5. ^ "League Report: Shamrock Rovers 4-2 Galway United". extratime.com.
  6. ^ "League Report: Shamrock Rovers 4 - 1 Drogheda United". extratime.com.
  7. ^ O'Hehir, Paul (July 6, 2017). "Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Stjarnan (Agg 2-0): Graham Burke helps hoops progress". Irish Mirror.
  8. ^ Donnelly, Dave (September 16, 2017). "Dundalk see off 10-man Rovers to claim EA Sports Cup" – via www.rte.ie.
  9. ^ "Preston eye up move for highly-rated Shamrock Rovers teenager Aaron Bolger". Independent.ie. December 18, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cardiff City take Shamrock Rovers teenager Aaron Bolger on loan". The Irish Times.
  11. ^ staff, Digital Desk (February 4, 2019). "Aaron Bolger completes loan move to Cardiff City from Shamrock Rovers". Irish Examiner.
  12. ^ "Shamrock Rovers' Aaron Bolger seals permanent move to Cardiff City". Independent.ie. July 2, 2019.
  13. ^ Doggett, Eamon (July 3, 2019). "Bolger makes Cardiff switch permanent". Dublin Live.
  14. ^ "2020/21 Retained List | Cardiff". www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk.
  15. ^ Rovers, Shamrock (August 1, 2020). "BURKE & BOLGER LOAN DEALS - Shamrock Rovers - Two big additions to the Hoops' Green & White list! Graham Burke and Aaron Bolger have both signed loan deals with the club".
  16. ^ a b c "Republic of Ireland - A. Bolger - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  17. ^ Ferris, Macdara. "Longford Town secure services of Aaron Bolger on loan from Cardiff City". extratime.com.
  18. ^ "Aaron Bolger signs for City, Sean Kennedy signs Pro Contract". Cork City FC Shop.
  19. ^ Mail, Harry (July 30, 2021). "Cork City sign Aaron Bolger after Cardiff City exit".
  20. ^ "Aaron Bolger re-signs with Cork City FC for 2022". echo live. November 3, 2021.
  21. ^ "Champions Cork City lift the league title with a win over Bray at a packed Turner's Cross". echo live. October 21, 2022.
  22. ^ "Aaron Bolger resigns for Cork City for season 22/23". echo live. December 5, 2022.
  23. ^ Buttner, Paul (October 6, 2023). "'Anything can happen' - Aaron Bolger eyeing cup upset after kickstarting career with Cork City". Irish Examiner.
  24. ^ McCadden, Mark (March 7, 2023). "Cork City midfielder Aaron Bolger discharged from hospital after clash of heads". Irish Mirror.
  25. ^ Fallon, John (November 13, 2023). "Relegated Cork City set to lose host of club's leading lights". Irish Examiner.
  26. ^ "Aaron Bolger Joins St Pat's". www.stpatsfc.com.
  27. ^ "St Patrick's Athletic win battle to sign midfielder Aaron Bolger, 23, from relegated Cork City". Independent.ie. December 13, 2023.
  28. ^ Sneyd, David (December 13, 2023). "Saints confirm signing of Aaron Bolger, while Shels appoint Luke Byrne as technical director". The 42.
  29. ^ "LSC Report: Usher Celtic 3-3 Saints". www.stpatsfc.com.
  30. ^ "St Pat's return to form with impressive European win over FC Vaduz". Irish Independent. 25 July 2024.
  31. ^ Team, Extratime. "St Patrick's Athletic crowned Leinster Senior Cup winners". extratime.com.
  32. ^ Booth, Dominic (February 5, 2019). "Aaron Bolger: Profile of the Irish wonderkid Cardiff have signed". Wales Online.
  33. ^ a b "Bolger following in the footsteps of Irish giants". Independent.ie. March 24, 2018.
  34. ^ "Aaron Bolger | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  35. ^ "O'Brien names squad for EURO U17 Finals | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  36. ^ "Shane Duffy named FAI Player of the Year". The Irish Times.
  37. ^ "Republic of Ireland - A. Bolger - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.