- Packie Bonner
Infobox Football biography
playername = Packie Bonner
fullname = Patrick Joseph Bonner
height =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|df=yes|1960|5|24
placeofbirth = Cloughglass
countryofbirth =Republic of Ireland
position = Goalkeeper
currentclub =
youthclubs = Keadue Rovers
youthyears = 1975
years = 1975–1978 1978–1998
clubs = Leicester City Celtic
caps(goals) = 483 (0)
nationalyears = 1981–1996
nationalteam = Republic of Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 080 (0)Patrick Joseph ("Packie") Bonner (born 24 May 1960 in Cloughglass,
County Donegal , Ireland) is a former footballgoalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland, who earned 80 caps after making his debut on his 21st birthday. He is remembered for his famous penalty save fromDaniel Timofte of Romania in the1990 FIFA World Cup finals. [http://www.rte.ie/radio1/soccertop20/1035744.html Profile of Packie Bonner]He was spotted by Celtic while he kept goal for Leicester City [Cite url|url=http://www.cfconline.co.uk/old/club_info/team_pics/biographies/bonner.htm|title=Celtic Online - Packie Bonner] in the
FA Youth Cup , signing for Celtic on 14 May 1978. He would be Jock Stein's last signing for Celtic. He went on to play 642 times for Celtic, with 483 league appearances [Cite web|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/v2/player.php?id=16165|title=National Football Teams Profile - Packie Bonner] . In total with Celtic, he won four League Championship badges, threeScottish Cup winners' medals and a League Cup winners' medal. His last appearance for Celtic was winning the 1995 Scottish Cup final under Tommy Burns. After the Scottish Cup Final victory over Airdrie Bonner took on the role of player-coach and finally left the club in 1998 to work as a coach along side former team mate Tommy Burns.Bonner made his international debut in a friendly against Poland on May 24, 1981. The game was played in Zopisya Stadium,
Bydgoszcz . He would concede a goal in the opening 90 seconds of the match, scored byAndrzej Iwan . ADavid O'Leary own goal in the 37th minute and a third Polish goal in the second half fromRoman Ogaza would make it a forgettable experience. [Republic of Ireland national football team - 1980s Results ]On 2 February 2003, following on the promotion of Brian Kerr to the position of manager for the Republic of Ireland,
Bonner was named as technical director of theFootball Association of Ireland . He previously held the role of the Senior squad's Goalkeeping Coach in the organisation. In addition he has worked as a football presenter withTV3 Ireland .His son,
Andrew Bonner , is also a footballer, although a striker not a keeper, and has played for the Republic of Ireland national youth team.ee also
*
List of people on stamps of Ireland External links
* [http://www.terracetalkireland.com/interviews/packie-bonner.htm Listen to interviews with Packie] (Realplay)
References
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