Don Cowan

Don Cowan (born 16 November 1989) is an American-born Irish footballer.

For the Darlington goalkeeper, see Don Cowan (footballer, born 1931).

Don Cowan

Don Cowan in action for Longford Town in a 0-1 win against Galway F.C. in the League of Ireland First Division in March 2014
Personal information
Date of birth	(1989-11-16) 16 November 1989[1]
Place of birth	New York City, USA
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[2]
Playing position(s)	Forward / Winger
Youth career
2008–2009	Shamrock Rovers A
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2009–2010	Shamrock Rovers	8	(0)
2010	→ Longford Town (loan)	13	(0)
2010–2011	Longford Town	19	(8)
2011–2013	Stevenage	8	(0)
2012	→ Braintree Town (loan)	1	(0)
2013	Dundee	2	(0)
2013	Southend United	2	(0)
2013	Stevenage	1	(0)
2014–2017	Longford Town	73	(4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:11, 8 October 2017 (UTC)

Career

Ireland

Cowan began his career with Shamrock Rovers A, playing in the 2009 A Championship [3][4] scoring his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Bray Wanderers A.[5] He progressed to the first-team, making his League of Ireland Premier Division debut as an 87th-minute substitute in Rovers' 2–1 win over St Patrick's Athletic on 4 July 2009.[6][7] He made four further appearances during the 2009 season, all of which were from the substitute's bench during the latter stages of each match.[8][9][10][11] Cowan made his first appearance of the 2010 campaign in Rovers' 2–0 home defeat to Dundalk, featuring as a 59th-minute substitute.[12] He made three substitute appearances for Shamrock Rovers during the early stages of the season,[13][14] before going on loan to First Division side Longford Town in June 2010 to play regular first-team football.[1][15] He made his debut for Longford in the club's 1–1 home draw with Cork City on 3 July 2010, starting a first-team match for the first time in his career.[16] Cowan made a total of 13 appearances for Longford during the 2010 campaign, eight of which were starting appearances, although he failed to get on the scoresheet.[1]

Ahead of the 2011 season, Cowan signed for Longford Town on a permanent basis.[4] He scored his first ever goal in Longford's first game of the season, scoring in the fourth minute of the match in an eventual 2–1 defeat to Shelbourne on 5 March 2011.[17][18] Six days later, he scored again, sealing Longford's first victory of the season by scoring their second goal in a 2–0 away win at Wexford Youths.[19] In April 2011, Cowan scored in home victories against Waterford United and Salthill Devon respectively, taking his goal tally to four.[20][21] He also scored in games against Limerick,[22] Monaghan United,[23] and Finn Harps.[24] In July 2011, Cowan went on trial with Championship side Millwall after he had impressed in a friendly between the two clubs.[25] He played for Millwall reserves in a match against Brighton & Hove Albion, but ultimately did not earn a contract with the club.[26][27] Cowan returned to Longford in early August, scoring his last goal for the club in a home defeat to Shelbourne on 13 August 2011, having scored his first professional goal against the same team five months earlier.[28][29] His last appearance for Longford was in a 3–1 home loss to Bohemians in the FAI Cup on 27 August.[1][30][31] Cowan played 33 times for Longford in all competitions, scoring eight goals.[32]

Stevenage

Cowan signed for League One side Stevenage on 31 August 2011, joining for an undisclosed fee after spending time on trial with the club.[3] Cowan missed Stevenage's 4–2 win over Rochdale on 3 September due to a delay in confirming his international clearance.[33] After two weeks of waiting, it was announced that international clearance was granted for Cowan on 13 September 2011, and that his undisclosed five-figure fee transfer had been completed.[34] Cowan suffered a number of "niggling injuries" that prevented him from making any first-team appearances for Stevenage during his first two months with the club,[35] although the player was an unused substitute on four separate occasions.[36] He finally made his first-team debut on 17 December 2011, coming on as a 77th-minute substitute in a 2–1 home victory against Tranmere Rovers.[37][38] Cowan made his first start in Stevenage's next match, playing 57 minutes in a 6–1 away victory at Colchester United.[39] During the game, Cowan was pivotal in the first two goals, linking up well with Stevenage striker Chris Beardsley on both occasions.[40] He scored four of Stevenage's five goals in the club's 5–0 Herts Senior Cup victory over Barnet on 31 January 2012, all of which were scored in the first half of the match.[41] In the following round of the Herts Senior Cup, an away tie against Bishop's Stortford,[42] Cowan was substituted after a "rather innocuous tackle" caused swelling to his right ankle.[43] The following day, an X-ray displayed a transverse fracture at the base of the tibia, and Cowan was ruled out of first-team action for six months,[43] subsequently missing the remainder of the 2011–12 season, as well as the start of the following campaign.[44]

In November 2012, having failed to make any first-team appearances since recovering from his six-month injury, Cowan was loaned out to Conference National side Braintree Town on a one-month loan deal.[45] However, after just eight minutes into his Braintree debut, in an away fixture against Southport on 8 December 2012, he had to be substituted due to injury.[46] Cowan returned to Stevenage prematurely, and in January 2013, it was announced that he had left the club by mutual consent.[47] He made nine appearances for the club in all competitions, with his time at Stevenage blighted by a host of injuries.[47]

Dundee

In February 2013, Cowan joined SPL side Dundee on a free transfer.[48] A month after signing for the club, Cowan made his debut in Dundee's 1–1 draw away to rivals Dundee United, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute.[49] Cowan's first-team opportunities were limited under new manager John Brown, and he was released by the club following Dundee's relegation having made just two substitute appearances.[50][51]

Southend United

In August 2013, Cowan joined League Two side Southend United on a free transfer, signing a one-month contract.[52] He made his debut in Southend's 1–0 home defeat to Yeovil Town in the League Cup on 6 August, playing the first 71 minutes of the match.[53] Cowan made just two further appearances during his month-long spell with the club, the first as a second-half substitute in Southend's 1–0 away victory at Hartlepool United,[54] and then as a 78th-minute substitute in a 2–1 defeat at Chesterfield.[55] He left Southend upon the expiry of his one-month deal.[56][57]

Return to Stevenage

Without a club for a month, Cowan rejoined League One side Stevenage on 27 September, joining on a one-month contract.[58] A day later, he appeared as a second-half substitute in Stevenage's 4–1 away loss to Milton Keynes Dons.[59] After making two appearance, Cowan had his number thirteen shirt taken by newly arrival Dean Parrett and was released by the club after his one-month contract came to an end.[60]

Longford Town

In January 2014, he re-joined Longford Town.[61] Upon the move, Cowan says he is delighted to be moving back to Longford Town.[62] Cowan was given number seventeen shirt and then re-debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, against Galway on 7 March 2014.[63]

Cowan scored his first goal, where he scored the sixth in the match, as Longford Town would beat 6-0 against Shamrock Rovers on 30 May 2014 and then scored his second goal, where he scored the first in the match, as Longford Town would beat Galway 3-0 on 27 June 2014.

Longford would go on to win the League of Ireland First Division title in 2014 with Cowan making 22 appearances. Cowan featured in their 2 seasons in the Premier Division which culminated in the club's relegation at the end of 2016. He would play on for 2017 before leaving at the season's end.

Personal life

Cowan was born in New York City.[64] His footballing hero when growing up was Andy Cole.[64]

Career statistics

As of 8 October 2013.

Club	Season	League^[A]		FA Cup		League Cup		Other^[B]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Shamrock Rovers	2009[65]	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	2010[32][65]	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
	Total	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
Longford Town	2010[32][65]	13	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	13	0
	2011[32][65]	19	8	0	0	0	0	1	0	20	8
	Total	32	8	0	0	0	0	1	0	33	8
Stevenage	2011–12[66]	8	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
	2012–13[67]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	8	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	9	0
Braintree Town (loan)	2012–13[68]	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	Total	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Dundee	2012–13[69]	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Southend United	2013–14	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
	Total	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
Stevenage	2013–14[51]	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
	Total	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0
Career totals		54	8	1	0	1	0	2	0	58	8

A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in League of Ireland.

B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the FAI Cup.

References

1. "Don Cowan – Profile". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
2. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 533. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
3. "Stevenage announce signing of new striker". Stevenage F.C. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
4. "Don Cowan – Longford Town". Extratime.ie. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
5. "A Championship result: Bray 0–1 Rovers". Shamrock Rovers F.C. 12 April 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
6. "St Patrick's Athletic 1–2 Shamrock Rovers". RTÉ Sport. 24 July 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
7. "St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers". Soccerway. 4 July 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
8. "Bray Wanderers 1–2 Shamrock Rovers". Soccerway. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
9. "Drogheda United 0–1 Shamrock Rovers". Airtricity League. 7 August 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
10. "Shamrock Rovers 2–2 Dundalk". Soccerway. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
11. "Derry City 0–1 Shamrock Rovers". Soccerway. 9 October 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
12. "Shamrock Rovers 0–2 Dundalk". Soccerway. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
13. "Galway United 0–1 Shamrock Rovers". Soccerway. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
14. "Shamrock Rovers 0–0 UCD". Soccerway. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
15. "Club News". Longford Town F.C. 19 July 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
16. "Longford Town 1–1 Cork City". Soccerway. 3 July 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
17. "Longford Town 1–2 Shelbourne". Soccerway. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
18. "Match Report – Longford Town 1–2 Shelbourne". Airtricity League. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
19. "Match Report – Wexford Youths 0–2 Longford Town". Airtricity League. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
20. "Match Report – Longford Town 1–0 Waterford United". Airtricity League. 16 April 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
21. "Match Report – Longford Town 2–0 Salthill Devon". Airtricity League. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
22. "Match Report – Longford Town 1–2 Limerick". Airtricity League. 11 June 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
23. "Match Report – Longford Town 1–3 Monaghan United". Airtricity League. 25 June 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
24. "Match Report – Longford Town 3–2 Finn Harps". Airtricity League. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
25. "Longford Town 0 Millwall 1". Millwall Town F.C. 14 July 2011. Archived from the original on 14 September 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
26. "Longford's Cowan signs for Stevenage". Extratime.ie. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
27. "Boro still wait on Cowan". The Comet. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
28. "Longford 1–3 Shelbourne". Soccerway. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
29. "Match Report – Longford Town 1–3 Shelbourne". Airtricity League. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
30. "Longford 1–3 Bohemian". Soccerway. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
31. "Bohemians show their class to knock Longford out of the FAI Cup". Longford Leader. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
32. "Player Statistics – Don Cowan". Airtricity League. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
33. "Graham Westley waiting on Don Cowan clearance". BBC Sport. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
34. "Stevenage complete signing of Don Cowan". Stevenage F.C. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
35. Stevenage v Yeovil Town matchday programme. Stevenage F.C. 2011. p. 29.
36. "Stevenage 2011/12 Results". Soccerbase. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
37. "Stevenage 2–1 Tranmere Rovers". Stevenage F.C. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
38. "Stevenage 2–1 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
39. "Colchester 1–6 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 26 December 2011.
40. "Colchester United 1–6 Stevenage FC". Stevenage F.C. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
41. "Stevenage progress to the semi-finals". Stevenage F.C. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
42. "Boro knocked out of Herts Senior Cup". Stevenage F.C. 22 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
43. Stevenage FC v AFC Bournemouth matchday programme. Stevenage F.C. 2012. p. 23.
44. "Cowan out for six months". Stevenage F.C. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 30 March 2012.
45. "Iro and Cowan out on loan". Stevenage F.C. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
46. "Southport 0–2 Braintree". BBC Sport. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
47. "Movements within first-team squad". Stevenage F.C. 11 January 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2013.
48. https://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-fc/86509/dundee-cheered-by-the-return-of-davide-grassi/
49. "Dundee Utd 1–1 Dundee". BBC Sport. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2013.
50. "Dundee sign Peter MacDonald and Willie Dyer". BBC Sport. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
51. "Games played by Don Cowan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
52. "Southend United: Don Cowan signs one-month contract". BBC Sport. 5 August 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
53. "Southend 0–1 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
54. "Hartlepool 0–1 Southend". BBC Sport. 10 August 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
55. "Chesterfield 2–1 Southend". BBC Sport. 24 August 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
56. "Cowan leaves Shrimpers". Sky Sports. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
57. "Don Cowan – 2013–14". Soccerbase. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
58. "Stevenage re-sign striker Don Cowan on one-month contract". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
59. "MK Dons 4–1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
60. "Cowan leaves Stevenage". The Comet. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
61. "Return of the Don". Longford Town Official Website. 10 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
62. "Don Cowan: "I'm faster and stronger than I ever was."". Longford Town Official Website. 18 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
63. "Squad numbers for new season". Longford Town Official Website. 21 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
64. "Under Pressure – Don Cowan". Stevenage F.C. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2011.
65. "Matches played by Don Cowan". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
66. "Stevenage 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
67. "Stevenage 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
68. "Braintree 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 November 2012.
69. "Dundee 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 16 February 2013.

External links

• Don Cowan at Soccerbase