Eoin Bradley

Eoin Bradley (commonly known by his nickname Skinner;[1] born 31 December 1983)[2] is a Gaelic footballer and association footballer. He plays the former for the Glenullin club[3] and, previously, for the Derry county team. With Glenullin he won a Derry Senior Football Championship and with Derry he won a National League title. He also plays association football as a striker for Portadown.

Eoin Bradley
Personal information
Sport Gaelic football, Association football
Position Right corner forward
Born (1983-12-30) 30 December 1983
Derry, Northern Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Nickname

Skinner[1]

[2]
Club(s)
Years Club
2000–
 Glenullin
Club titles
Derry titles 1
Inter-county(ies)
Years County
2004–?
 Derry
Inter-county titles
NFL 1

Bradley usually plays corner forward for both club and county – often paired in a two-man inside forward line with brother Patsy,[4] but has also played in the half-forward line.[5] He is known for his searing pace,[1] point scoring abilities, fantastic goals[1] and surging runs through opposing teams' defence. His "reckless adventure" and liability to do the unexpected is also part of his effectiveness.[1] Although a great talent, in the past he has been criticised for some of his shot selections from ridiculous angles.[1] However, since 2011 his decision-making in front of goal has greatly improved,[1] which has put down to manager John Brennan.[1]

Personal life

Bradley's family is from Glenullin near Garvagh,[3] with Eoin himself now living in Kilrea.[6] He went to secondary school at St. Pat's College in Maghera.

His brother Paddy and cousin Gerard O'Kane both also play for Derry. His father Liam is former manager of Antrim.[7] Eoin's uncle Gabriel Bradley won the Ulster Championship twice with Derry in 1975 and 1976.[8]

Bradley was banned from driving motor vehicles for 16 months after consuming three times the drink drive limit and crashing into a parked car. After the crash, he fought with the owner of the car then went into the bar and continued drinking.[9] On one occasion he received a six-match ban for head butting a player on an opposing team.[10]

He has also been found guilty in a court of law in Limavady of punching referee Declan O'Connor in the face. He was bound over to keep the peace for two years, fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 compensation to O'Connor.[11]

In 2017, Glenullin refused to play a league match against The Loup, citing ill feeling towards referee Declan O'Connor who had previously reported Bradley for assault. This cost the club three league points.[12]

In 2020, Bradley received a six-match ban for urinating on the sidelines of the Windsor Park pitch during an Irish Cup semi-final.[13]

Gaelic football career

Club
Bradley (green and yellow, 15) in action against Ballinderry in the 2008 Ulster Senior Club Football League final

Bradley plays club football for John Mitchel's Glenullin. Up until the age of 14 he played as a goalkeeper and it wasn't until Under 16 level that he played in the forwards.[14]

Bradley has played for the Glenullin Senior team since 15 years old. He won the Derry Senior Football Championship with Glenullin in 2007.[2] Glenullin met Bellaghy in the final and after a replay, won the title.[15] Bradley was man of the match in the drawn final against Bellaghy. Irish News journalist Paddy Heaney described him as the "player who ripped the Blues apart" over the course of the two games.[1]

Earlier that year Glenullin won the Ulster Senior Club Football League,[2] beating Latton of Monaghan in the final.[16] The club reached the Ulster League final again the following year, but were defeated by fellow Derry club Ballinderry.[17]

In 2008 the club reached the final of the All-Ireland Sevens Championship, organised by Kilmacud Crokes. They were however beaten 1–11 to 0–13 by St. Gall's of Antrim in the decider, with Bradley scoring 0–05 in the match.[18] He was favourite for player of the tournament which eventually went to one of his St Gall's opponents. Glenullin, jointly with Ballinderry won the 2008 Derry Senior Football League.[19]

Manager Brian McIver permitted Bradley to play for Derry while also playing association football for Glenavon.[20] However, Bradley's name was omitted from Damian Barton's 43-man training panel in October 2015, with the inclusion of injured duo Mark Lynch and Kevin Johnston being taken to mean Bradley would not be included later.[20]

His inter-county career seemed to be over by 2017 or 2020.[21][22]

Inter-county
Bradley (right) in action against Kerry's Aidan O'Mahony in the 2009 National League final

Bradley was first called up to the Derry Senior panel in 2004 by Mickey Moran.[4] He made his debut in the Dr. McKenna Cup against Antrim, but suffered a horrific leg break against Jordanstown in the next outing and was out for a year and a half.[4]

Bradley and Derry reached the Dr. McKenna Cup final in 2005, where they were beaten by Tyrone.[5] His Championship debut came later that year, when he came off the bench against Monaghan.[4] He had an impressive 2005 Championship campaign,[23] including scoring a brilliant solo goal against Down in the Qualifiers.[4] He collected the ball inside his own half, ran half the pitch evading four tackles and blasted the ball into the top corner of the net.[1]


He missed most of the 2007 Championship after having a disagreement with team manager Paddy Crozier during that year's National League campaign,[24] and through suspension after the rift was resolved.[4] His solitary 2007 Championship game was a substitute appearance against Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final. He came on as a sub and managed to score an excellent point in the defeat, but missed two attempts on goal which may have altered the result.[25]

Derry were once again beaten in the 2008 Dr. McKenna Cup final, this time by Down. He was instrumental in the 2008 National League, which Derry won, defeating Kerry in the final.[26][27] The league success saw Derry become favourites to win the Ulster Championship[28] and one of the top few for the All-Ireland. However, despite a good opening Ulster Championship victory over Donegal,[29] Derry exited the Ulster Championship against Fermanagh at the semi-final stage, due to his pre-match meal[30] and were defeated by Monaghan in the first round of the Qualifiers.[31] Bradley scored 1–01 in each of the games. His goal against Fermanagh was a particularly amazing goal – rounding Peter Sherry, running 40 metres before blasting a shot past Fermanagh goalkeeper Ronan Gallagher.[1]

Bradley and Derry also reached the National League final in 2009, but were defeated by Kerry.[32] He captained the side in the group game against Donegal.[1]

Province

Bradley was named by manager Joe Kernan in the Ulster panel for the 2008 Railway Cup.[33]

Association football career
Eoin Bradley
Personal information
Full name Eoin Bradley
Date of birth (1983-12-30) 30 December 1983
Place of birth Derry, Northern Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Portadown
Number TBC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013 Ballymoney United 2 (3)
2013–2014 Coleraine 27 (12)
2014–2017 Glenavon 78 (35)
2017–2022 Coleraine 152 (25)
2022–2023 Glenavon 22 (4)
2023- Portadown 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 July 2023

Ballymoney United & Coleraine

At the age of 29, Bradley ventured into association football with NIFL Championship 2 side Ballymoney United, and joined Coleraine in the NIFL Premiership shortly after.

Glenavon

After a successful top-flight debut campaign, scoring 12 goals in 27 games for the Bannsiders, Bradley moved to newly-crowned Irish Cup winners Glenavon in the summer of 2014. [34] He won his first Irish Cup, and Glenavon's second in three seasons, after defeating Linfield 2-0 in the 2016 final. [35]

Return to Coleraine

Having experienced a period of indifferent form in his third season at Glenavon, Bradley was sold back to Coleraine in January 2017. [36] Bradley won the Irish Cup for a second time in 2018, as Coleraine claimed a 3-1 victory over Cliftonville, with Bradley scoring the third late in the game.[37]

In 2020, Bradley received a six-match ban for urinating on the sidelines of the Windsor Park pitch during an Irish Cup semi-final.[38]

Return to Glenavon

Following his release by Coleraine, it was announced on 27 June 2022 that Bradley had returned to Glenavon on a one-year deal, with the option of a further year. [39]

Portadown

On 30 July 2023, it was announced that Bradley had joined Portadown upon the expiry of his contract with Glenavon. [40]

Career statistics

Association football

As of July 2023[41]

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
ClubSeasonLeague AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Northern Ireland League Irish Cup League Cup Europe Total
Ballymoney United2013–14Championship 223--12--35
Coleraine2013–14Premiership27101100002811
Glenavon2014–15Premiership33131000213614
2015–16Premiership29172100203318
2016–17Premiership165002020205
Coleraine2016–17Premiership1033200--135
2017–18Premiership227310021279
Coleraine 2018-19 Premiership 27 6 1 0 2 0 6 0 34 6
Coleraine 2019-20 Premiership 27 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 27 6
Coleraine 2020-21 Premiership 23 2 1 0 0 0 3 0 27 2
Coleraine 2021-22 Premiership 25 3 1 0 3 0 1 0 30 3
Glenavon 2022-23 Premiership 22 4 2 0 1 0 0 0 25 4
Career total 263791559218230588

Gaelic football honours

Inter-county

Club

Individual
  • Irish News Ulster GAA All-Stars Awards|Irish News Ulster GAA All-Star – Winner (2): 2006, 2011

Association football honours

Glenavon

Coleraine

References
  1. Heaney, Paddy (21 May 2009). "Coming into his Eoin". The Irish News. p. 54. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  2. "Derry player profiles 2008". Official Derry GAA website. 2008. Retrieved 16 January 2009.
  3. Campbell, John (30 October 2007). "McEniff is still the best for Ulster". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  4. Archer, Kenny (31 May 2008). "Making the most of 2008 is Eoin's goal". The Irish News. Retrieved 31 May 2008.
  5. "Derry line-ups 2005". Derry GAA website. Retrieved 2 April 2008.
  6. BBC News Derry GAA star Eoin Bradley admits assaulting referee
  7. "Bradley is surprise Antrim choice". BBC Sport Online. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
  8. "Derry Greats – Gabriel Bradley". Doire Vs Gaillimh (National League Division 1 Round 5 Programme). 22 March 2009.
  9. "Footballer Eoin Bradley given 16-month ban for being three times over the drink-drive limit". The Irish News. 21 March 2016.
  10. "Glenavon striker Bradley gets six-match ban for head-butt". BBC Sport. 23 February 2016.
  11. "Derry GAA star Eoin Bradley admits assaulting referee". BBC News. 16 March 2011.
  12. "Glenullin could face further punishment for Derry League no-show against Loup". The Irish News. 16 May 2017.
  13. Beacom, Steven (29 September 2020). "Coleraine's Eoin Bradley gets six-game ban for urinating on pitch in TV Irish Cup clash". Belfast Telegraph.
  14. Shannon, Kieran (26 April 2009). "An end to quibbling rivalries". Sunday Tribune. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  15. "Glenullin win Derry final replay". BBC Sport Online. 21 October 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2009.
  16. "Latton lose final but win admirers". Hogan Stand. Lynn Publications. 31 December 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2009.
  17. McCann, Chris (25 March 2008). "Gilligan shoots Shamrocks to victory". County Derry Post. p. 91.
  18. Ó Conchuir, Daragh; Jim Smyth (2 September 2008). "Kilmacud glory for St Gall's hotshots". The Irish News. Retrieved 12 October 2008.
  19. "Senior Football Archive". Official Derry GAA website. Retrieved 3 August 2009.
  20. "Question mark hangs over Bradley's Derry future". The Irish News. 27 October 2015.
  21. "Former Derry GAA star Eoin Bradley relishing another Irish Cup final". The Irish News. 6 May 2017.
  22. McConville, Oisín (27 September 2020). "Oisin's Tales with Eoin Bradley: I play with a smile on my face but that can make some people uncomfortable". Belfast Telegraph. While Derry bemoan the departure of players to Aussie Rules, the ultra-competitive nature of their club action and the search for a manager to piece all of the talent together, perhaps their greatest loss was losing Eoin.
  23. Campbell, John (20 December 2005). "Bradley trio can spur on Derry". The Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 4 April 2008.
  24. "Derry still without Eoin Bradley". BBC Sport Online. 28 May 2007. Retrieved 2 April 2008.
  25. "Dublin 0–18 0–15 Derry – All-Ireland quarter-final match report". BBC Sport Online. 11 August 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2009.
  26. "Derry 2–13 Kerry 2-09 2008 National League Final report". RTÉ. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  27. "Derry 2–13 Kerry 2-09 2008 National League Final report – Derry GAA website". Derry GAA website. Retrieved 27 April 2008.
  28. "Monaghan 1–13 1–12 Derry – Match report (BBC)". BBC Sport Online. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  29. "Donegal 1–12 Derry 1–14 – Match report". RTÉ. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  30. "Fermanagh 1–11 Derry 1-09 – Match report". RTÉ. 21 June 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  31. "Monaghan 1–13 Derry 1–12 – Match report (RTÉ)". RTÉ. 19 July 2008. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  32. Heaney, Paddy (1 May 2009). "No substitute to winning for the Kingdom". The Irish News. p. 62.
  33. "Five All Stars in Kernan's squad". BBC Sport Online. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  34. "Derry GAA Star Eoin Bradley Signs For Glenavon". Derry Daily. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  35. "Irish Cup final 2016: Glenavon beat Linfield 2-0". BBC Sport NI. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  36. "Irish Premiership: Bradley leaves Glenavon for Coleraine return". BBC Sport NI. 2 January 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  37. "Coleraine win 2018 Tennent's Irish Cup Final". Irish FA. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  38. Beacom, Steven (29 September 2020). "Coleraine's Eoin Bradley gets six-game ban for urinating on pitch in TV Irish Cup clash". Belfast Telegraph.
  39. "Eoin Bradley returns to Glenavon".
  40. "Bradley arrives at Shamrock".
  41. "E. Bradley" – via soccerway.com.
  42. Millar, Colin (7 May 2016). "Irish Cup: Glenavon lift trophy after stunning win over Linfield". Belfast Live. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
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