Quick Facts
CancerBiography
Clyde O'Connell (born 29 June 1998) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a left-sided centre-back for Thai League 2 club Chainat Hornbill.
Playing career
League of Ireland
A product of the Limerick F.C. youth system, O'Connell went on to make eight appearances for the senior team in the League of Ireland First Division and featured once for the Super Blues in the FAI Cup. He later played in the League of Ireland First Division again for newly-formed side Treaty United F.C., making 21 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals.
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
In February 2022, O’Connell left Treaty United F.C. to sign for Cambodian Premier League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC, a move that saw him join up with former Limerick F.C. Under-19 coach Conor Nestor.
Young Elephants
Clyde O’Connell joinedLao League 1 club Young Elephants FC on loan at the start of the 2023 season. They finished the campaign unbeaten to claim the title, as O'Connell became the first Irish male footballer to winLao League 1.
In the 2023 campaign, O'Connell made 11 appearances, scoring five goals. He scored his first goal for the club on his fourth appearance, a towering headed finish in a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Ezra at the New Laos National Stadium. He netted the winning goals in his next two appearances, both 1-0 victories, against Lao Army F.C. and Luang Prabang. O'Connell scored his fourth and fifth goals on his ninth appearance, a 15-0 away victory over Viengchanh FC.
Chainat Hornbill
Thai League 2 club Chainat Hornbill announced O'Connell's arrival on 5 January 2024. On 7 January, he scored on his debut in a 1-1 away draw with Nakhon Ratchasima. O'Connell converted a 49th-minute penalty against Dragon Pathumwan Kanchanaburi on 27 January.
O'Connell was named Thai League 2 Player of the Month for January 2024. He contributed two goals as Chainat went unbeaten in four matches (three wins, one draw) and conceded just one goal.
He scored his third goal of the campaign on 2 March, a 69th-minute penalty in a 3-0 home victory against Kasetsart.
Honours
Young Elephants
- Lao League 1: 2023