Alan Sheehan

Alan Michael Anthony Sheehan (born 14 September 1986) is an Irish professional football coach and former player who is currently assistant head coach at Swansea City.

He played for the Republic of Ireland national under-21 team.

Sheehan joined Leicester City in July 2003 after being spotted by a scout whilst playing for Belvedere.

He became a regular in both the academy under 19s and the reserves, playing at left back.

A free-kick specialist, Sheehan made his breakthrough into the first team when Craig Levein named him in the starting lineup for City's final match of 2004–05 against Plymouth Argyle.

The 18-year-old picked up the Academy Player of the Season at the club's 2005 awards ceremony.

He also spent two months on loan at Mansfield Town in 2006–07 to gain regular first-team experience.

Sheehan signed a new two-year contract with the club that would keep him at the Walkers Stadium until the end of 2007–08.

He scored his first ever competitive goal for Leicester in a 4–1 win over Watford with a deflected 25-yard shot on 25 August 2007, and his second in a 3–2 win over Nottingham Forest with a classy free-kick on 18 September.

Following Leicester's 2–0 victory over Bristol City on 24 November, Sheehan was named in the Championship Team of the Week two days later, together with teammates Stephen Clemence and Richard Stearman.

On 31 January 2008, Sheehan joined Leeds United on loan for the rest of the season, making his debut in a 2–0 defeat to Tranmere Rovers on 2 February 2008 replacing Ben Parker at left back.

However, after just four matches in the role, Leeds boss Gary McAllister saw the need to provide extra competition in the position by signing Aston Villa's Stephen O'Halloran, also on loan.

Despite O'Halloran suffering a serious injury in the warm up for his debut at Swindon Town, Sheehan still lost his Leeds place, this time to Frazer Richardson.

Sheehan revealed that he had rejected a new contract offer from Leicester prior to signing for Leeds.

He scored his first goal for the Yorkshire club in their 1–0 win over Doncaster Rovers on 1 April 2008, a trademark free-kick from 25 yards out.

Sheehan was sent off in Leeds' 1–0 win over Yeovil Town for a two-footed tackle on Zoltán Stieber, however Leeds still confirmed their play-off spot in that match.

The straight red card meant he was suspended for both legs of the play-off semi-final against Carlisle United, which Leeds won 3–2 on aggregate.

Sheehan was an unused substitute as Leeds lost 1–0 to Doncaster Rovers at Wembley Stadium in the 2008 League One play-off final on 25 May 2008.

After Leeds failed to earn promotion, Sheehan made his move to Leeds permanent on 1 July 2008, after his contract with Leicester expired.

He signed a three-year contract with the club to provide competition for first-choice left back Ben Parker.

Sheehan endured a tough early 2008–09 season.

After scoring a long range goal against Crewe Alexandra in a 5–2 win, Sheehan was sent off for another two footed tackle in a match against Swindon Town.

This cost him his place in the team due to suspension and was replaced by Aidy White.

Another setback was to come after Sheehan was injured and forced to sit out for a long period of matches.

During this run in, his injury was aggravated in an attempted come back against Rotherham United.

After returning from injury, Sheehan wasn't involved in new manager Simon Grayson's plans.

On 23 March 2009, Sheehan joined Crewe Alexandra on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season.

He made his debut a day later in the 2–2 draw with Milton Keynes Dons.

Sheehan returned to Leeds for the upcoming 2009–10 season.

He made two high-profile errors in the pre-season match against Blackburn Rovers when he gave away a penalty and was very lucky not to give away a second penalty.

His poor performance did little to help him in his quest to be restored to the first team, with right footed central midfielder Andy Hughes being preferred at left back during Ben Parker's spell out with a hamstring injury.

On 1 September 2009, Sheehan joined League One club Oldham Athletic on a one-month loan.

Sheehan made his league debut for Oldham on 4 September in the 3–0 home defeat to Hartlepool United.

Sheehan also played in the following 1–0 away defeat to Bristol Rovers, thus losing both of his first two appearances for Oldham.

Sheehan gained two assists in a 2–0 win over Carlisle United.

Carlisle's manager Greg Abbott proclaimed after the match that Sheehan was 'Premiership Class'.

He scored his first Oldham goal in a 2–1 win over Milton Keynes Dons on 29 September 2009.

Sheehan's impressive performances for Oldham led to discussions with Leeds about the possibility of extending his loan for a second month.

On 2 October 2009, his loan was subsequently extended until 1 November.

His form for Oldham alerted scouts at other clubs with Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in signing Sheehan.