Aaron Shanahan (born: 20 April 1984) is a goalkeeper who previously played for Dundalk under Jim Gannon in the 2005 season. Prior to that, he spent time at Saint Patrick’s Athletic, as well as Leinster Senior League clubs, Bangor Celtic and Malahide United, before being signed up by Gannon as cover for Chris Bennion. With Bennion first choice, Shanahan had to be content with a place on the bench, however, after ‘Benno’ was injured away to Kilkenny City on 25 March in the second game of the season, Shanahan entered as a second-half substitute for his Dundalk debut. A week later, he made his full debut in the 1-0 loss away to Sligo Rovers, however, Bennion soon returned to take over in nets and held down the number one shirt until a serious spinal injury in late June ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
 
That handed Shanahan his first real chance between the sticks, as he returned to the side for the 1-0 away win in Limerick on 1 July. That was the first of 20 consecutive appearances in goal for Dundalk, before he was replaced by Bennion at half-time in the penultimate game of the season at home to Cobh Ramblers. Bennion went on to play the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 win away to Monaghan United on the final day, and Shanahan was to soon head for the exit door as John Gill replaced him with local ‘keeper, Neil Gallagher.
 
Shanahan, as a result, transferred to Kilkenny City and played in 28 of their 36 league games, however, he couldn’t prevent them from finishing as table proppers, with his last outing for the Cats coming in a 5-1 home defeat to Galway United on 18 November. The Drogheda-born ‘keeper then departed Ireland to spend a year in Australia, where he spent time at the Australian Goalkeeping Academy, however, having stated his desire to return to Oriel Park, John Gill got in contact with Shanahan in December and agreed a one-year deal. Shanahan returned home on 21 January to join the rest of the squad for pre-season training a day later, and is back-up to Bennion for the 2008 season.
 
Profile last updated: February 2008