Jesse Joe Dempsey (born 15 January 2005) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left back for club Fleetwood Town, on loan from League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford.
Club career Youth career Wexford native Dempsey attended school at Wexford CBS and started playing football with Wexford Albion, where he earned a move to the academy of local League of Ireland club Wexford FC in 2020 and played there for a season, then spent two years at Waterford's academy before joining UCD's Under-19 side in 2023.
UCD Dempsey made his debut in senior football on 17 February 2023, playing the full 90 minutes in UCD's 1–1 draw away to Dundalk in the first game of the season at Oriel Park. He made 23 appearances in all competitions with the club in what was his first season in senior football in 2023.
Lecce On 8 January 2024, Dempsey signed for Serie A club Lecce, turning down other options in Ireland and the UK in favour of the move to Italy.
Waterford On 16 July 2024, Dempsey returned to Waterford, where he had previously played in the club's academy, playing for their Under-20 side initially before breaking into the first team in pre-season of 2025. On 17 January 2025, Dempsey made his senior debut for the club, in a 1–0 win over Bandon in the Munster Senior Cup. On 10 July 2025, he signed his first professional contract with the club, signing a multi-year contract. On 5 October 2025, Dempsey scored his first goal in senior football, helping his side to a crucial 2–0 victory away to Drogheda United in their fight against relegation.
Fleetwood Town loan On 31 July 2026, Dempsey signed for Waterford's sister club EFL League Two side Fleetwood Town on a season-long loan deal.
International career In September 2023, Dempsey received his first international call-up for the Republic of Ireland U19 side. On 9 September 2023, he made his debut for the side in a 1–0 defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina U19.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsUCD2023LOI Premier Division21020–00230Lecce2023–24Serie A0000––00Waterford2024LOI Premier Division0000–0000202516110–2019120264010–2070Total20120–40261Fleetwood Town (loan)2026–27EFL League Two0000002020Career total411400060511
References