Liam Francis Peadar Donnelly (born 7 March 1996) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club St Mirren.
Donnelly, who can also play as a defender, has previously played for Dungannon Swifts, Fulham, Crawley Town, Hartlepool United, Motherwell and Kilmarnock. He has also represented Northern Ireland internationally.
Club career Fulham Donnelly signed for Fulham as a youngster from IFA Premiership club Dungannon Swifts. Donnelly captained Fulham to the 2014 FA Youth Cup final.Chelsea seal Youth Cup glory after thriller at the Bridge, The Football Association, 6 May 2014
On 31 July 2015, Donnelly signed for Crawley Town on a one-month youth loan. The loan was then extended until January 2016, however he was recalled early by Fulham in October.
Hartlepool United On 19 August 2016, Donnelly signed for Hartlepool United, following his release from Fulham.
Motherwell On 7 June 2018, Motherwell announced the signing of Donnelly on an initial two-year contract from Hartlepool United for an undisclosed fee. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 victory against Livingston on the final day of the season.
At the beginning of the 2019–20 season, Donnelly moved from defence into midfield, and went on to score four goals in three games in the Scottish League Cup group stages, against Queen of the South, Greenock Morton and Annan Athletic. Then in the league, he scored four goals in the opening four matches, with two against Celtic and penalties against Hamilton Academical and Hibernian. In October 2019, Donnelly was rewarded for his early season form as he signed an extension to his contract at Fir Park, to run until summer 2022.
In the opening game of the 2020–21 season, Donnelly missed a penalty as Motherwell lost 1–0 away to Ross County. Following that match he picked up a knee injury in training which was initially expected to keep him out for two months, however he then required surgery on the injury, ruling him out until after the new year.
Donnelly made his return from injury on 14 July 2021, as a substitute in a 1–0 win away to Queen's Park in a Scottish League Cup group stage match. He was released by Motherwell at the end of the 2021–22 season.
Kilmarnock On 5 July 2022, Donnelly signed a one-year contract with Kilmarnock. On 1 August 2023, he signed a new two-year contract with Kilmarnock.
St Mirren Donnelly signed a two-year contract with St Mirren in June 2025.
International career Donnelly made his senior Northern Ireland debut on 4 June 2014 against Chile, coming on as a substitute in the 89th minute.
On 11 September 2018, Donnelly made his 22nd appearance for Northern Ireland's under-21s in a 2–1 win away to Spain, a match in which he scored from a penalty, and in doing so became the nation's record cap holder at that level. He eventually finished his time with the under-21 side with 24 caps.
Donnelly was recalled to the senior squad in August 2019, ahead of a friendly against Luxembourg and a Euro 2020 qualifier against Germany. He came on as a substitute against Luxembourg on 5 September, earning his second cap, five years after his first.
Career statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other TotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsDungannon Swifts2011–12IFA Premiership7000000070Fulham2012–13Premier League00000000002013–14Premier League00000000002014–15Championship00000000002015–16Championship0000000000Total0000000000Crawley Town (loan)2015–16League Two100001010120Hartlepool United2016–17League Two3200000103302017–18National League283100010303Total603100020633Motherwell2018–19Scottish Premiership710040001112019–20Scottish Premiership22730440029112020–21Scottish Premiership10000000102021–22Scottish Premiership230314000301Total53861124007113Kilmarnock2022–23Scottish Premiership2221041002732023–24Scottish Premiership2703010003102024–25Scottish Premiership251101060331Total743506160914St Mirren2025–26Scottish Premiership171202000211Career total221151412159026521
References
External links
Northern Ireland official profile at Irish FA