David O'Leary: Encyclopedia II - David O'Leary - Playing Career

David O'Leary - Playing Career

O'Leary was born in Stoke Newington, London on May 2, 1958 and he moved to live in Dublin at the age of three. His father was born in Ireland and O'Leary later decided to play for the Republic of Ireland.

David O'Leary - Arsenal

O'Leary signed for Arsenal as an apprentice in 1973. He soon progressed through the ranks at Highbury, playing in the reserves at the age of 16. He made his debut for Arsenal against Burnley on August 16, 1975, and despite being only 17, went on to make 30 appearances that season. For the next ten years he was a near ever-present in the Arsenal side, playing more than 40 matches each season (except for 1980-81, where he was injured and only played 27).

A calm and collected centre half, O'Leary was noted for his positional sense and elegant style of play. He won his first major honour with Arsenal when he played in their 3-2 win over Manchester United in the FA Cup final. He also played in the 1978 and 1980 Cup finals, and the 1980 Cup Winners' Cup final, all of which Arsenal lost. In 1982 O'Leary became club captain, but reliniquished it to Graham Rix eighteen months later.

O'Leary broke numerous appearance records at Arsenal; he was the youngest person to reach the 100 and 200 match milestones, and he made his 400th appearance while still only 26. He passed George Armstrong's all-time record of 621 first-team games in November 1989. By this time, O'Leary was no longer automatic first choice (with the partnership of Tony Adams and Steve Bould at the centre of George Graham's defence), but he still turned in over 20 appearances as Arsenal won the 1988-89 First Division title.

O'Leary won another League title in 1991 and an FA Cup and League Cup double in 1993, though by this time he was mainly used as a sub. He holds Arsenal's all-time record for appearances, with 722 first-team games, and over 1000 games at all levels, in a twenty-year long association with the club.

David O'Leary - Leeds United

He joined Leeds on a free transfer in 1993 after 19 years at Highbury. Throughout 1993-94, O'Leary was a regular player in the Leeds side until he suffered an achilles injury, which ruled him out for the whole of the following season. He was still on the club's payroll at the beginning of the 1995-96 season but that September he gave in to his injury and announced his retirement from football at the age of 37.

David O'Leary - Internationals

O'Leary's international debut with the Republic of Ireland came as a teenager in a 1-1 draw with England in 1976, but the highlight of his 68-cap international career came in the 1990 World Cup. With Ireland in a penalty shootout with Romania, Packie Bonner saved Daniel Timofte's last penalty. It was O'Leary who then stepped up to take the decisive final penalty to win the shootout 5-4.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Playing Career", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki