Kevin Patrick O'Connor (born 7 May 1995) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and full back for FC Naples in the USL League One.
Club career Republic of Ireland Born in 1995, O'Connor began his career with Waterford United in 2013. In his second season with the club, he scored twice, once in a 3–1 victory against Wexford and another goal in a 1–1 draw against Galway. After trialling with English Championship club Bournemouth, he signed for League of Ireland club Cork City on 28 April 2015. On 31 August 2015, he scored his debut goal for the club in a 3–1 victory over St Patrick's Athletic. On 22 July 2016, he scored the lone goal in a 1–0 victory over Swedish club Häcken in the UEFA Europa League. He volleyed a free kick of Greg Bolger, which entered the goal following a deflection from Häcken defender Emil Wahlstrom. On 6 December 2016, he renewed his contract with the club for the 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division season.
England On 30 June 2017, O'Connor signed for English Championship club Preston North End on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 8 August, he made his debut for the club, featuring in a 3–2 defeat against League Two club Accrington Stanley in the EFL Cup. He made his league debut in a 2–0 defeat against Aston Villa in November. He received praise of club manager Alex Neil for his performance.
In 2018, O'Connor had a loan spell at Fleetwood Town, making five first team appearances. In August 2018, he was signed on loan by Crewe Alexandra until January 2019, making his Crewe debut in a 3-0 home win over Macclesfield Town.
United States After taking a year out of the game O'Connor moved to the United States and made 1 appearance for FC Motown on 22 March 2024 in a U.S. Open Cup defeat to New York City FC II. On 13 December 2024, it was announced that O'Connor would join third-tier US side FC Naples ahead of their inaugural season in the USL League One in 2025.
Style of play Cork City manager John Caulfield has described O'Connor as a "strong, quick, left-footed" player. O'Connor has said that although he is a full back, he prefers playing as an attacking full-back.
Personal O'Connor won €1,000,000 in the Irish National Lottery's 2017 Christmas Millionaire Raffle, with a ticket bought as a Christmas present by his uncle.;
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWaterford2013LOI First Division2110010——22120142220010——231Total4330020——452Cork City2015LOI Premier Division211301020—2712016281302061—392201720100004010251Total693603012110914Preston North End2017–18Championship800010——90Fleetwood Town (loan)2017–18League One400000—1050Crewe Alexandra (loan)2018–19League Two601000—30100Cork City (loan)2019LOI Premier Division18110101021232Waterford (loan)2020LOI Premier Division41————41Cork City2020LOI Premier Division13020——00150Shelbourne2021LOI First Division25110———261Cork City2022LOI First Division28220——00302FC Motown2024National Premier Soccer League0010———10FC Naples2025USL League One2513131——313Career total243121611011317127216
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