Gerard Hanley (born 4 April 1991) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Hanley played youth football with Knocknacarra and Salthill Devon before starting his professional career with Galway United. Hanley go on to have multiple stints with Mervue United, as well as spells with Dundalk, Shelbourne and a second spell with Galway United.
Hanley is a former Republic of Ireland youth international.
Youth career Hanley played youth football with Knocknacarra and Salthill Devon.
In a 2012 interview, Hanley stated that he had turned down an opportunity to play professionally in Scotland.
Club career Galway United On 13 April 2009, Hanley made his debut for League of Ireland Premier Division side Galway United in a League of Ireland Cup game against the team he played youth football with, Salthill Devon.
Mervue United Hanley signed for League of Ireland First Division club Mervue United ahead of the 2010 season.
On 19 August 2011, Hanley saved a penalty in a game against Cork City, however Cork striker Graham Cummins scored the rebound.
Dundalk On 27 January 2012, Hanley was signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Dundalk by manager Sean McCaffrey, who had previously managed Hanley for the Republic of Ireland U17s and U19s.
On 10 April 2012, Hanley made his debut for Dundalk as they won 2–1 against Longford Town in the League of Ireland Cup. On 22 June 2012 Hanley made his league debut for Dundalk against UCD at the UCD Bowl, however Hanley had to be withdrawn for Peter Cherrie after only 28 minutes due to an injury.
Return to Mervue United Hanley returned to Mervue United for the second half of the 2012 season. On 21 September 2012, Hanley played his first game back with the club in a victory over Athlone Town.
Shelbourne On 15 January 2013, Hanley signed for Premier Division side Shelbourne ahead of the 2013 season.
Third spell with Mervue United Hanley once again returned to Mervue as they were chasing promotion in the second half of 2013 season. That season Mervue made it to the play-offs facing Longford Town, where they would lose on penalties.
Return to Galway United Hnaley joined the newly formed Galway FC ahead of the 2014 season, where he would rotate with Connor Gleeson.
Hanley re-signed with the re-named Galway United for the 2015 season, where he would be competing for a starting spot with Connor Gleeson, Kevin Horgan and Conor Winn.
That season Galway made it to the League of Ireland Cup semi-finals, where they faced Hanley's former club Dundalk. Hanley saved two penalties to get Galway to the 2015 League of Ireland Cup final.
International career Hanley was the starting goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland U17s at the 2008 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGalway United2008LOI Premier Division000000—002009000010—10Total0000100010Mervue United2010LOI First Division2902000—31020112500020—270Total540202000580Dundalk2012LOI Premier Division1000100020Mervue United2012LOI First Division5000000050Shelbourne2013LOI Premier Division90100020120Mervue United2013LOI First Division1000000010Galway United2014LOI First Division601020—902015LOI Premier Division901020—120Total150204000210Career total8505080201000
Honours Galway United League of Ireland Cup; runner up: 2015
References