John Brophy (footballer)
John Brophy (born October 25 1986 in Dublin, Ireland), is an Irish footballer currently playing for UCD in the Eircom League of Ireland Premier Division. Brophy is primarily a striker and has also played in central defence.
Career
Brophy began his senior career at UCD under a soccer scholarship while attending the university as a student . Brophy has spent most of his spell at UCD playing at Under 21 and collegiate level matches and he was a member of UCD's successful 2005 Dr. Tony O'Neill U-21 League winning side. Unable to make an impact on the senior side he was loaned out to Kilkenny City for the second half of the 2006 season. At the start of the 2007 season he was again sent out on loan, this time to Shelbourne and he signed on February 27 2007. He was initially prevented for making his debut for Shelbourne, due to FIFA's two-club ruling. Brophy was granted exemption from this ruling by FIFA on March 29 2007, making him available for competitive games with immediate effect. John finally made his Shelbourne debut in a league match against Kilkenny City at Buckley Park on March 30 2007. Brophy's season at Shelbourne was marred after being on the wrong end of a heavy challenge in a match against Kilkenny City at Tolka Park on May 28 2007. The resulting tackle saw Brophy suffering a single fracture to his leg ruling him out of action for 4 months. Brophy returned to fitness the following September but struggled to break back into the Shels first team despite scoring on numerous occasions for Shelbourne's under-21 side. Brophy was released by Shelbourne at the end of the 2007 season. Brophy made 13 league and cup appearances during the 2007 Season for Shelbourne. Brophy returned to UCD for their 2008 campagin.