Stephen Rice (footballer)

Stephen Rice (born 6 October 1984) is an Irish football coach and former player, who is currently the head coach of Shamrock Rovers U19's. He played as a midfielder.

Stephen Rice
Stephen Rice in action for Longford Town in a 1-0 win against Galway in the League of Ireland First Division in March 2014
Personal information
Full name Stephen Rice
Date of birth (1984-10-06) 6 October 1984
Place of birth Dublin, Ireland
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Shamrock Rovers (U19's head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Coventry City 0 (0)
2002–2003 Shelbourne 0 (0)
2003–2007 Bohemians 108 (4)
2003 → Monaghan United (loan) ? (0)
2008–2013 Shamrock Rovers 90 (9)
2014–2015 Longford Town 55 (5)
2016 Glentoran 4 (0)
National team
2000 Republic of Ireland U16 2 (0)
2007–2008 Republic of Ireland U23 3 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Rice was signed by then Bohs manager Stephen Kenny in 2003, after spells in the youth ranks at Coventry City and Shelbourne. He went out on loan to Monaghan United for three months of the 2003 season and he made his debut the following season away to Longford Town on 20 March 2004.[1]

Opportunities were not forthcoming, and Rice found himself playing at right-full for the senior side, a position which he retained throughout the 2004–06 seasons. He was awarded Bohemians' Player of the Year award in 2005.

In the 2007 season, under Sean Connor, Bohemians signed Owen Heary, regarded as the country's premier right-full, and Mark Rossiter, another player in that position. Rice's future at the club looked uncertain. However, due to injuries and suspensions, he was given the opportunity to play in his natural midfield position.

Departure from Bohemians

In August 2007, following an alleged contract dispute with Bohs, Sean Connor told Rice he was free to leave and would not play for the club again while he was in charge.[2] Within days, Stockport County had made a bid to sign Rice but he turned them down.[3] However, after two months out of the team, Rice made his return for Bohs as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat against Shamrock Rovers and featured in the first team squad for the rest of the season.

Shamrock Rovers

On 3 November 2007, Rice signed for Shamrock Rovers on a two-year deal.[4] He made his competitive debut for Rovers in the first game of the 2008 season,[5] scoring his first goal at Galway on 29 March.[6] On 25 June 2008, he was placed on the transfer list at his own request.[7] He was appointed Chairman of the PFAI in November 2009.[8] But he stepped aside as chairman in November 2010.[9] Rice captained the 2010 League winning side and was voted Rovers' Player of the Year for the 2010 season. On 29 September 2011, Rice scored for Rovers against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in the UEFA Europa League.[10]

Rice re-signed for Rovers for the 2013 League of Ireland season, but was released when the contract ended in November.[11]

Longford Town

Rice signed for Longford on 11 January 2014. He played a pivotal role in helping 'De Town' win the League of Ireland First Division 2014 title. Following a season playing a central role in the Town finishing 6th in the Premier Division, Rice was released by the club in November 2015.

Glentoran

On 23 February 2016, Rice impressed boss Alan Kernaghan in a friendly with Derry City and was awarded a contract until the end of the season. Kernaghan said "I am delighted to have signed a player with such great experience and above all an obvious hunger to play for Glentoran and move us forward".

Rice left Glentoran on 7 April 2016 to focus on his coaching career with the Football Association of Ireland in Dublin.

International career

In October 2000, Rice played for the Republic of Ireland national football team U16s in a qualifying tournament in Riga for the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship where he came up against Andrés Iniesta.[12] He also represented his country at U19 level.

He was one of four Rovers players to make their debut at U23 level in November 2007 in the 2007–09 International Challenge Trophy .[13] Rice then scored the winner in his second appearance.[14] He made his third and last appearance at this level in a defeat to Belgium in October 2008.[15]

Honours

Club
Shamrock Rovers
Longford Town

Individual
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References
  1. "Tuesday, March 23, 2004 – Page 022". The Irish Times. 23 March 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  2. Tom Carey. "Varying fortunes for Ndo and Rice". Irish Football Online. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  3. "Rice turns down Stockport". Bohs News.
  5. Archived 12 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Archived 2 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Archived 22 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. "Pfai Announce New Chairman". Pfai.ie. 11 November 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  9. Penrose, Gareth. "Keegan appointed as new PFAI Chairman – Extratime.ie – League of Ireland". Extratime.ie. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  10. "Tottenham Hotspur 3:1 Rovers". Shamrock Rovers FC. 29 September 2011. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  11. "Croly captures signatures of midfield duo". Shamrock Rovers FC. 21 November 2012. Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  12. "Crowd targets Sugar as Tottenham strikes out". The Irish Times. 1 November 2000f. Retrieved 15 February 2013.
  13. "Ireland U23 off to a flyer in International Challenge Trophy | Football Association of Ireland Official Website". Fai.ie. 13 November 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  14. "Last gasp goal by Stephen Rice wins it for Republic of Ireland U23s | Football Association of Ireland Official Website". Fai.ie. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
  15. "Belgium stun Republic of Ireland U23s with stoppage time winner | Football Association of Ireland Official Website". Fai.ie. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2012.
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