Pat Sharkey

Patrick Gerald Walter "Pat" Sharkey (born 26 August 1953 in Omagh) is a former Northern Irish international footballer.

Pat Sharkey
Personal information
Full name Patrick Gerald Walter Sharkey
Date of birth (1953-08-26) 26 August 1953
Place of birth Omagh, Northern Ireland
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1970–1971 Sligo Rovers 3 (0)
1971–1973 Portadown ?
1973–1977 Ipswich Town 18 (1)
1976–1977 → Millwall (loan) 7 (0)
1977–1978 Mansfield Town 32 (5)
1978 Colchester United 6 (0)
1978–1980 Peterborough United 15 (0)
1980–1981 Portadown
1981–1982 Po Chai Pills
1982–? Portadown
Omagh Town
International career
1976 Northern Ireland 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:25, 16 May 2011

One of just a handful of Omagh-born players to play at the highest level, Pat Sharkey made his name as a teenager with Portadown F.C. after making three League appearances for Sligo Rovers in the 1970–71 League of Ireland season . Transferred to Ipswich Town F.C. in September 1973, he had to wait over two years for his League debut, Manchester City held 1–1 at Maine Road on 25 October 1975. Over the following two seasons Sharkey played 18 League games, scoring just once in a 2–1 win at Arsenal in April 1976. He was awarded his only cap against Scotland in May 1976. It was a disappointing match all round. Northern Ireland were again forced to play another "home" match in Glasgow despite the fact England, Wales, Sweden and Norway had all played in Belfast in the previous twelve months. Scotland, 2-0 up at half-time, cruised to an easy 3–0 win with Sharkey replaced after 61 minutes.

Never really established at Portman Road, Sharkey made his final top-flight appearance against Middlesbrough on 23 April 1977 and was released that summer. In August he signed with Mansfield Town who were embarking on their first ever season in Division Two. Despite a career best tally of five goals, including a penalty strike against England 'keeper Peter Shilton in a 2–1 win over Stoke, Sharkey couldn't help the Stags avoid instant relegation. New Mansfield boss Billy Bingham allowed Sharkey to leave Field Mill in the summer of 1978.

Bobby Roberts brought Sharkey to Colchester at the start of the 1978/79 campaign, and he got off to a bad start, missing a crucial penalty in a League Cup tie with Charlton. He never really established himself at Layer Road, his apparent lazy attitude not going down well, and was transferred to Peterborugh United on transfer deadline day 1979.

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