Kevin O’Connor Bio
Kevin Patrick O’Connor is an Irish professional footballer born on 7 May 1995 in Enniscorthy, Ireland. He plays as a midfielder and full back for FC Naples in the USL League One. Standing 1.83 m tall, O’Connor has built a career that has taken him from the League of Ireland to the English Football League and on to the American lower divisions.
After beginning in Irish youth football and working his way up through senior clubs in Ireland, he moved to England to test himself at a higher level. Following a break from the game and a brief appearance in American soccer, he returned to football and joined FC Naples ahead of the club’s inaugural USL League One season in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Kevin Patrick O’Connor was born on 7 May 1995 in Enniscorthy, a town in County Wexford, Ireland. He grew up in the south-east of the country and joined the youth setup at St Patrick’s Athletic, one of the most established academy systems in Irish football. That early grounding in a competitive academy environment shaped his development as a versatile player capable of operating on both sides of the defence and in midfield.
Coming through the St Patrick’s Athletic ranks gave O’Connor exposure to high-level coaching and a clear professional pathway. He represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 level between 2011 and 2012, gaining international experience while still in his teens.
Path to Professional Soccer
O’Connor moved into senior football with Waterford in 2013 at the age of 18, beginning his professional journey in the League of Ireland. In his second season with Waterford he scored twice, including a goal in a 3–1 victory over Wexford and another in a 1–1 draw against Galway.
His performances attracted interest from clubs abroad, including a trial with English Championship side Bournemouth. That interest led him to sign for League of Ireland club Cork City on 28 April 2015, where he would spend the next two seasons and establish himself as a senior professional. He also represented the Republic of Ireland at under-21 level between 2016 and 2017.
Kevin O’Connor Career
Early Career (2013–2014)
O’Connor began his senior career with Waterford in 2013, working his way into the first team and learning the demands of regular senior football. He scored twice in his second season with the club, demonstrating an ability to contribute in the final third despite operating as a defender.
His form at Waterford caught the eye of scouts in England, and a trial with Championship club Bournemouth followed. Although he did not sign there, the experience confirmed that he was ready to test himself at a higher level.
Cork City Breakthrough (2015–2017)
On 28 April 2015, O’Connor signed for Cork City, then one of the leading clubs in the League of Ireland Premier Division. He marked his debut season with a goal on 31 August 2015, scoring in a 3–1 victory over St Patrick’s Athletic.
The 2016 season brought his standout European moment. On 22 July 2016, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Swedish club Häcken in the UEFA Europa League, volleying in a free kick from Greg Bolger that deflected in off Häcken defender Emil Wahlstrom. On 6 December 2016, he renewed his contract with the club ahead of the 2017 season.
Preston North End Era (2017–2020)
On 30 June 2017, O’Connor made the move to England, signing a three-year deal with Championship club Preston North End for an undisclosed fee. He made his Preston debut on 8 August 2017 in a 3–2 EFL Cup defeat against Accrington Stanley and went on to make his league debut later that year against Aston Villa.
First-team opportunities at Preston were limited, and in 2018 he was loaned to Fleetwood Town, where he made five appearances. In August 2018 he was loaned to Crewe Alexandra until January 2019, making his Crewe debut in a 3–0 home win over Macclesfield Town. He returned to Preston and finished his time in England before moving back to Ireland in 2020.
Return to Ireland (2020–2022)
After leaving Preston, O’Connor returned to Cork City in 2020 for another spell with the club. He then joined Shelbourne in 2021 before returning once more to Cork City in 2022, continuing his career in the League of Ireland.
FC Naples Era (2025–Present)
On 13 December 2024, it was announced that O’Connor would join FC Naples ahead of the club’s inaugural USL League One season in 2025. The move marked a fresh chapter in his career with the expansion side.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cork City manager John Caulfield described O’Connor as a “strong, quick, left-footed” player. Although listed as a full back, O’Connor has said he prefers operating as an attacking full-back, getting forward to support the attack while still being able to carry out defensive duties. That dual capacity has been a defining feature of his game.
Notable Events and Milestones
His single goal against Häcken in the UEFA Europa League stands as one of the signature moments of his career. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17 and under-21 level, and was part of the Preston North End squad that competed in the EFL Championship.
Kevin O’Connor Career Wins
Across his time in the League of Ireland and at FC Motown, O’Connor has scored a number of goals from full back, including strikes against Wexford, Galway, St Patrick’s Athletic and Häcken. His most notable win came in Europe with Cork City in 2016.
Other Wins & Performances
He recorded his debut for Crewe Alexandra in a 3–0 home victory over Macclesfield Town in 2018. In the United States he appeared for FC Motown in the 2024 U.S. Open Cup.
Kevin O’Connor Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about O’Connor’s immediate family is limited, and detailed background is not widely reported.
Personal Life
Outside of football, O’Connor won €1,000,000 in the Irish National Lottery’s 2017 Christmas Millionaire Raffle, with a ticket bought as a Christmas present by his uncle.
2025 Season Performance
O’Connor joined FC Naples ahead of the club’s inaugural USL League One campaign in 2025, taking on the role of an experienced full back and midfielder in a new squad. He wears squad number 14 for the team.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity to re-establish himself as a regular starter after a year out of the game in 2023 and a brief appearance for FC Motown in 2024. His experience across the League of Ireland, the EFL and European competition gives him a broad base from which to contribute.
With FC Naples entering a new league, O’Connor’s ability to play on the left and to step into midfield provides flexibility for the coaching staff heading into the season.