31 Facts About Neil Kilkenny

Neil Martin Kilkenny was born on 19 December 1985 and is a professional footballer who plays for Football West State League Division 1 side Sorrento.

Neil Kilkenny played youth international football for both England and Ireland before committing to Australia.

Neil Kilkenny has 15 caps for Australia, and competed for the country at the 2008 Olympics.

When Neil Kilkenny was eleven, the family returned to England to maximise his chances of making a career in the game.

Neil Kilkenny played a full part in Oldham's season: he took the free kick which led to the winning goal against Premier League Manchester City in the FA Cup, and ended up as winner of the club's Players' Young Player of the Season award.

On 4 January 2008 Neil Kilkenny signed for League One team Leeds United on an emergency loan, with a view to ensuring his availability for the next day's game prior to completing a permanent transfer the following week.

Neil Kilkenny was then called up to the Australian Olympic team during the summer and missed all of pre-season training for Leeds as a result.

Neil Kilkenny's 43rd-minute goal against Yeovil Town on 10 March 2009 was a leading contender for the goal of the season.

Neil Kilkenny was part of the Leeds team who were knocked out of the play-off semi-final by Millwall; he injured an ankle and was substituted in the first half of the second leg at Elland Road.

Neil Kilkenny started his first league game of the season in the top-of-the-table goalless draw with Charlton Athletic and started the next game in the Football League Trophy win against Darlington.

Neil Kilkenny received the man of the match award in the same game.

Neil Kilkenny missed the cup replay through injury, and returned to the bench against Carlisle United in the Football League Trophy Northern Final second leg.

Neil Kilkenny came back into the starting line-up for the next game against Leyton Orient after fully recovering from his injury.

Neil Kilkenny played an instrumental part as Leeds were promoted to the Football League Championship after finishing second in League One and thus earning automatic promotion.

Neil Kilkenny was named in Australia's final 23-man squad for the 2011 Asian Cup in January 2011, so would miss a month of Leeds' season; he said he was "gutted" to be missing the FA Cup tie against his old club Arsenal.

Neil Kilkenny scored his first league goal of the season with a "spectacular 20-yard shot" against Preston North End.

Neil Kilkenny said that despite speculation linking him with a move to the Australian A-League, he wanted "to play at the highest level and that's in Europe".

On 16 June 2011, Neil Kilkenny showed an interest in moving to Leeds' Yorkshire rivals Hull City.

On 29 March 2013, Neil Kilkenny reached his 250th career league appearance with Bristol City against Derby County.

Neil Kilkenny joined Preston North End on 14 November 2013 on an initial one-month loan.

Neil Kilkenny played the whole match as Preston beat Swindon Town in the 2015 League One play-off final to gain promotion to the Championship.

On 19 July 2016, Neil Kilkenny joined A-League club Melbourne City on a two-year deal.

Neil Kilkenny, who was born in England with Irish grandparents, moved to Australia at a young age and grew up there, so was eligible to play internationally for Australia, England and the Republic of Ireland.

Neil Kilkenny played for Ireland at under-19 level and for England under-20s, but shortly before the 2006 World Cup he committed to Australia.

Neil Kilkenny was included in the final 18-man squad and played one game in the Olympics for Australia, who were knocked out in the group stages.

In December 2010, Neil Kilkenny was selected in Australia's 23-man squad for the 2011 Asian Cup.

Neil Kilkenny came on as a second-half substitute against United Arab Emirates in a warm-up game for the Asian Cup.

Neil Kilkenny played his first game in the Asian Cup when he came on as a second-half substitute against Bahrain.

Neil Kilkenny has four children with his English girlfriend Caprice.

Neil Kilkenny is himself a fan of his former side Arsenal but holds an affinity with Leeds United, the team he made the majority of his career appearances with.

In October 2024, Neil Kilkenny joined Football West as their Football Development Officer, overseeing a new academy in partnership with Football Australia.