Joseph Lapira (born 13 August 1986) is a retired footballer. Born in the United States, he played for Ireland in a single friendly match.The curious case of Joe Lapira and his solitary Ireland cap Besides the United States, he has played in Norway and India.'A whirlwind week that ended with me being hungover on the way to the airport' – Joe Lapira on getting his one Ireland cap indepenendet.ie
Early life Lapira graduated from St. Louis Catholic High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After high school, he continued a family tradition and attended the University of Notre Dame. He is of Maltese descent.
Club career In 2006, he was the winner of the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate player of the year, after scoring 22 goals for Notre Dame.The Bayou's golden boy - Lapira harnesses Ragin' Cajun style to star at Notre Dame SI.com, 27 December 2006 During his college years, Lapira also played in the USL Premier Development League with Louisiana Outlaws, Lafayette Swamp Cats and Baton Rouge Capitals.
In April 2007, it was reported that Lapira would be joining Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen for a trial at some point in summer 2007,Dons talent search goes Stateside BBC Sport, 17 April 2007 although he eventually went on trial at Rangers instead. Lapira broke down with a calf injury minutes into his first training session with the Ibrox club. In January 2008, Lapira finally joined Aberdeen for a week-long trial after recovering from his calf injury.Dons give Lapira chance to shine BBC Sport, 23 January 2008 He played for the reserve side in a 1–1 draw with Falkirk reserves but did not do enough to earn a contract with the Dons.Transfer round-up Scotsman.com, 31 January 2008
Instead, Lapira was selected in the third round of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC,Miller And Lapira Selected In Major League Soccer SuperDraft University of Notre Dame Athletic, 19 January 2008 but never signed a contract with Major League Soccer.
On 1 April 2008, Lapira signed with Norwegian Adeccoligaen side Nybergsund IL-Trysil, Joseph Lapira Signs...With Tiny Norwegian 2nd Division Club... who played in the second tier after being promoted from the third tier in 2007.What Joe Lapira did next... Herald.ie, 3 July 2008 Lapira scored a brace in his Nybergsund debut, a 3–0 victory.
In March 2011, Lapira signed for I-League 2nd Division side United Sikkim FC.Baichung's side takes on Shillong outfit . The Times of India. 31 March 2011.
In the summer of 2011, Lapira returned to Norway after signing again with Nybergsund IL-Trysil.
Career statistics SeasonClubDivisionLeagueCupTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals2008Nybergsund-TrysilAdeccoligaen298002982009Adeccoligaen268002682011United SikkimI-League 2nd Division3200322011Nybergsund-TrysilAdeccoligaen710071Career total6519006519
International career Lapira is a full international for the Republic of Ireland. He qualifies for the Republic by virtue of his Irish mother, and came to the attention of former Irish boss Steve Staunton through Lapira's uncle, who worked at the FAI. He gained a cap for Ireland on 23 May 2007, against Ecuador,Republic of Ireland 1-1 Ecuador BBC Sport, 24 May 2007 becoming the first amateur player to play for Ireland since Willie Browne in 1964.
Awards and honours M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Winner (2006) Soccer America National Player of the Year (2006) All-America First Team (2006) All-BIG EAST First Team (2006) BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year (2006) All-BIG EAST Third Team (2005) Participated in the 2019 Joe Lapira FIFA tournament, placing a respectable 21st out of 22 participants (2019)
See also List of Republic of Ireland international footballers born outside the Republic of Ireland
References
External links Joseph Lapira University of Notre Dame Republic of Ireland 1 Ecuador 1 Match report Sporting Life, 24 May 2007