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David McMillan (footballer)

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David McMillan (born 14 December 1988) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a forward for UCD over two spells, St Patrick's Athletic, Sligo Rovers, St Johnstone, Hamilton Academical, Falkirk and Dundalk over two spells. He is currently the League of Ireland's all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League and was joint top-scorer in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round. McMillan has also been named League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month on three occasions.

David McMillan
Personal information
Full name David McMillan
Date of birth (1988-12-14) 14 December 1988 (age 35)
Place of birth Templeogue, Ireland
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
Templeogue United
Mount Merrion Youths
2006–2008 UCD
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2010 UCD 56 (20)
2011 St Patrick's Athletic 28 (6)
2012 Olympic 3 (3)
2012–2013 UCD 34 (20)
2013 Sligo Rovers 13 (1)
2014–2017 Dundalk 118 (51)
2018–2020 St Johnstone 16 (4)
2019 → Hamilton Academical (loan) 8 (0)
2019–2020 → Falkirk (loan) 19 (4)
2020–2022 Dundalk 60 (6)
International career
2010 Republic of Ireland U23 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:04, 29 November 2022 (UTC)

His older brother, Evan McMillan was also a footballer and the pair were teammates at UCD, St Patrick's Athletic and Sligo Rovers. In addition to his football career, McMillan is also a qualified architect.

Club career

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Early years

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Between 2000 and 2007, McMillan attended Wesley College, Dublin where he studied for his Leaving Cert.[1][2] As a schoolboy he played for Templeogue United and Mount Merrion Youths. He initially attended UCD games when Templeogue United supplied the club with ballboys. Mount Merrion Youths were effectively UCD's schoolboy team and his brother Evan also played for them.[3][4][5]

UCD

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Between 2007 and 2010, McMillan attended University College Dublin on a sports scholarship and obtained a degree in architecture.[1][6] He also played for University College Dublin A.F.C. at both intervarsity and national level. In 2006 McMillan and his brother Evan began playing for UCD in their Leinster Senior League team. McMillan subsequently progressed through the ranks into the senior team. He made his Premier Division debut during the 2008 season, coming on as a substitute in an away game against Cork City on 26 September.[7][8] During his time at UCD he helped the club win three Collingwood Cups, two CUFL Premier Division titles, two A Championships and the 2009 League of Ireland First Division title. In the 2008 A Championship final, McMillan and his brother scored the two goals in an extra time win against Bohemians A.[9][10][11][12] McMillan also scored 12 league goals during UCD's successful 2009 First Division season.[7][13][14] In May 2010 McMillan was named League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month after he enjoyed a prolific run of form. McMillan scored against Dundalk, St Patrick's Athletic and Galway United. He also scored twice in a 6–0 win over Bray Wanderers.[3][8]

In 2011 McMillan began studying at UCD for his master's degree in architecture. After spells with St Patrick's Athletic and Olympic F.C., McMillan also re-joined UCD A.F.C. midway through the 2012 season. His eight goals in 15 league appearances helped UCD avoid relegation. In 2013, he also helped UCD win the Collingwood Cup for a third time, scoring the only goal in the final against UCC.[12][15][16]

St Patrick's Athletic

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During the 2011 season McMillan played for St Patrick's Athletic where he once again linked up with his brother Evan. He made 13 league starts but also gained a reputation as a super-sub, adding 14 more appearances from the bench. He also played for St Pat's during their 2011–12 UEFA Europa League campaign, scoring in the second qualifying round against Shakhter Karagandy. On 10 October 2011, McMillan helped St Pat's win the 2011 Leinster Senior Cup, scoring in the final against Bohemians at Dalymount Park.[5][13][14][17][18][19]

Olympic

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In 2012 while studying for his master's degree in architecture, McMillan spent an Erasmus semester at the University of Queensland.[1] He also played for Olympic F.C., scoring three goals for them in the Brisbane Premier League.[12][20]

Sligo Rovers

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In July 2013 McMillan signed for Sligo Rovers.[21] McMillan scored on his debut for Rovers, a 3–1 defeat to Cork City. This proved to be his only goal in 13 league appearances over the remainder of the 2013 season. He also played for Rovers in their 2013–14 UEFA Champions League games against Molde FK. However having played for UCD in the early rounds, McMillan was cup-tied and he missed out on Rovers successful 2013 FAI Cup campaign.[14][19][22]

Dundalk

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In December 2013 McMillan signed for Dundalk. During the 2014 season he scored 15 goals and helped Dundalk win a League of Ireland double as the club won both the Premier Division title and the League of Ireland Cup. He also played for Dundalk in their 2014–15 UEFA Europa League campaign. In the 2015 season, McMillan scored 14 times as he helped Dundalk win a second double. This time Dundalk retained the Premier Division title and won the 2015 FAI Cup.[14][19] In March 2015, after scoring four goals in six league games, McMillan won the League of Ireland Premier Division Player of the Month for a second time.[23] In Dundalk's 2015–16 UEFA Champions League campaign, McMillan scored their only goal as they lost 2–1 on aggregate to BATE Borisov in the second qualifying round.[24][25]

During Dundalk's 2016–17 UEFA Champions League campaign, McMillan scored three times against Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar in the second qualifying round.[26][27] In the third qualifying round he scored twice against BATE Borisov. McMillan goals secured a 3–1 aggregate win for Dundalk and guaranteed the club a place in the 2016–17 UEFA Europa League group stage. McMillan also became the League of Ireland's all-time leading scorer in the UEFA Champions League, overtaking Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe.[6][28] After scoring two hat-tricks against Derry City and Longford Town in the 2016 Premier Division and scoring five goals in the UEFA Champions League, McMillan was named Premier Division Player of the Month for July 2016.[8][29][30][31] McMillan was joint top-scorer in the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League qualifying phase and play-off round with five goals.[32]

While playing for Dundalk, McMillan has also been employed as an architect by O'Brien Finucane Architects, a company based in Dawson Street, Dublin.[1][6][23]

St Johnstone

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McMillan signed a contract running to the summer of 2020 with Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone in December 2017.[33] He made his debut on 27 January 2018, as a substitute at home to Partick Thistle, however he only lasted 21 minutes before having to go off injured.[34] The hamstring injury he sustained kept him out for nearly three months.[35] On 5 May 2018, McMillan scored his first goal for St Johnstone, in a 5–1 win away at Motherwell.[36]

He moved on loan to Hamilton Academical in January 2019.[37] On 4 September 2019, McMillan joined Falkirk on a season-long loan.[38] McMillan left the Saints in July 2020.[39]

Return to Dundalk

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After two years in Scotland, McMillan signed again with Dundalk on 29 July 2020.[40] He scored the winning goal against Inter Club d'Escaldes in the 2020 Europa 2nd qualifying round. Dundalk went on to qualify for the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage and he scored two goals from the penalty spot in Dundalks 4-3 lost against Rapid Vienna at the Allianz Stadion. This equalled Glen Crowe's European record of 11 goals.[41] On 6 December 2020, McMillan scored a hat-trick in the 2020 FAI Cup Final in a 4–2 win over Shamrock Rovers at the Aviva Stadium, becoming the third player ever to achieve the feat.[42][43] He was part of the starting 11 as his side won the 2021 President's Cup, beating Shamrock Rovers on penalties after a 1–1 draw at Tallaght Stadium on 12 March 2021.[44] He scored in both legs to help defeat Newtown A.F.C. and FCI Levadia Tallinn in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying phase and play-off round.[45]

Retirement

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On 23 February 2023, McMillan publicly announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 34, stating "I would never have dreamed of coming through and doing the things I did" during his career.[46]

International career

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McMillan has represented the Republic of Ireland U23s at international level. On 28 September 2010, in a 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy away game against Estonia, McMillan came on as a late substitute for Daniel Kearns.[13][14][47]

Career statistics

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As of match played on 6 November 2022[48][49]
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
UCD 2008 LOI Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 — — 1 0
2009 LOI First Division 32 12 1 0 2 1 — — 35 13
2010 LOI Premier Division 23 8 1 1 0 0 — 0[c] 0 24 9
St Patrick's Athletic 2011 LOI Premier Division 28 6 3 2 1 0 5[d] 1 5[e] 3 42 12
Olympic[20][14] 2012 Brisbane Premier League 3 3 3 0 — — — 6 3
UCD 2012 LOI Premier Division 15 8 1 0 0 0 — 0[c] 0 16 8
2013 19 12 1 0 0 0 — 0[c] 0 20 12
UCD Total 90 40 4 1 2 1 — 0 0 96 42
Sligo Rovers 2013 LOI Premier Division 13 1 — 0 0 2[f] 0 — 15 1
Dundalk 2014 LOI Premier Division 24 7 4 1 4 5 4[d] 0 6[g] 2 42 14
2015 33 12 3 0 1 0 2[f] 1 3[h] 1 42 14
2016 31 16 4 0 1 0 12[i] 5 2[j] 0 50 21
2017 30 16 6 5 2 1 2[f] 1 0 0 40 23
St Johnstone 2017–18 Scottish Premiership 4 2 0 0 0 0 0[d] 0 — 4 2
2018–19 12 2 1 0 6 1 — — 19 3
2019–20 0 0 — 3 0 — — 3 0
St Johnstone Total 16 4 1 0 9 1 — — 26 5
Hamilton Academical (loan) 2018–19 Scottish Premiership 8 0 — — — — 8 0
Falkirk (loan) 2019–20 Scottish League One 19 4 3 0 — — 0 0 22 4
Dundalk 2020 LOI Premier Division 11 0 5 8 — 7[k] 3 — 23 11
2021 21 4 2 0 — 6[l] 3 1[m] 0 30 7
2022 28 2 3 1 — — — 31 3
Dundalk Total 178 57 27 15 8 6 33 13 12 3 268 80
Career total 355 115 41 19 20 8 40 14 17 6 473 162
  1. ^ Includes FAI Cup, FFA Cup & Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes League of Ireland Cup & Scottish League Cup
  3. ^ a b c Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup
  4. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ 3 appearances 2 goals in Leinster Senior Cup, 2 appearances 1 goal in Setanta Sports Cup
  6. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. ^ 1 appearance 1 goal in Leinster Senior Cup, 5 appearances 1 goal in Setanta Sports Cup
  8. ^ 2 appearances 1 goal in Leinster Senior Cup, 1 appearance in President's Cup
  9. ^ 6 appearances 5 goals in UEFA Champions League and 6 appearances in UEFA Europa League
  10. ^ 1 appearance in Leinster Senior Cup, 1 appearance in President's Cup
  11. ^ 1 appearance in UEFA Champions League, 6 appearances & 3 goals in UEFA Europa League
  12. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  13. ^ Appearance in President's Cup

Honours

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Club

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Dundalk
UCD
St Patrick's Athletic

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "David McMillan". ie.linkedin.com. Retrieved 21 August 2016.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "The Wesley Update" (PDF). wesleycollege.ie. February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  3. ^ a b "UCD's David McMillan is Airtricity/SWAI Player of Month". Football Association of Ireland. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Mount Merrion UCD". ucdsoccer.com. 1 January 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Saints Sign Striker McMillan". stpatsfc.com. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "He's top scorer in the Champions League but McMillan wouldn't trade in life as an architect lightly". the42.ie. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Entering The History Books – Dave McMillan". ucdsoccer.com. 1 October 2012. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  8. ^ a b c "Airtricity League – Player Profile". inform.fai.ie. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  9. ^ "UCD claim A Championship title". ucd.ie. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
  10. ^ "UCD v Bohemians – A Championship Final Photos". sportsfile.com. 11 November 2008. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  11. ^ "From the CUFL to the brink of the Champions League". thirdlevelfootball.ie. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 16 September 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  12. ^ a b c "Having A Chat... Dave McMillan". ucdsoccer.com. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  13. ^ a b c "Player Profile: David McMillan". stpatsfc.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e f "David McMillan". dundalkfc.com. Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Collingwood Cup Champions 2013". ucdsoccer.com. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  16. ^ "2013 Collingwood Cup Final UCC vs UCD". inpho.ie. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  17. ^ "Saints Win Leinster Senior Cup". stpatsfc.com. 11 October 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  18. ^ "Shakhter Karagandy 2–1 St Patrick's Athletic". UEFA. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  19. ^ a b c "David McMillan". UEFA. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  20. ^ a b "Brisbane Premier League 2012: Player details – David McMillan". socceraust.co.uk. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  21. ^ "Sligo Rovers sign striker David McMillan from UCD". Irish Independent. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  22. ^ "David McMillan". extratime.ie. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  23. ^ a b "Dundalk v Drogheda United: SWAI/SSE Airtricity Player of the Month for March Dave McMillan happy to balance football and work". irishmirror.ie. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  24. ^ "David McMillan goal gives Dundalk confidence for home leg". The Irish Times. 15 July 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  25. ^ "Brave Dundalk fall short in Champions League". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 23 July 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  26. ^ "David McMillan the hero as Dundalk net €1.2m windfall with famous result in Iceland". Irish Independent. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  27. ^ "Dundalk goal hero David McMillan thrilled to set up BATE rematch". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  28. ^ "Dundalk 3-0 BATE Borisov (3-1 aggregate): Lilywhites into Champions League play-off after famous win". irishmirror.ie. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  29. ^ "David McMillan scoops SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland Player of the Month award". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  30. ^ "Dundalk's David McMillan named SWAI Player of the Month". The Irish Times. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  31. ^ "David McMillan – UEFA Champions League". UEFA. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  32. ^ "Statistics – Qualifying phase – Player statistics – Goals". UEFA. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  33. ^ "St Johnstone sign David McMillan after striker's Dundalk exit". BBC Sport. 14 December 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2017.
  34. ^ "St Johnstone 1–3 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  35. ^ "Even people over here wonder how a team like Dundalk managed to achieve that". 12 May 2018.
  36. ^ Haggerty, Tony (5 May 2018). "Motherwell 1 St Johnstone 5 as Steven MacLean hat-trick see him go out on a high ahead of Hearts switch". Daily Record. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  37. ^ "New Signing: David McMillan « Hamilton Academical Football Club". hamiltonacciesfc.co.uk. 31 January 2019.
  38. ^ "MCMILLAN JOINS FALKIRK". Scottish Professional Football League. 5 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  39. ^ Lewis, Jane (27 May 2020). "St Johnstone's Steven Anderson eyes 'next chapter' after 16 years". BBC Sport. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  40. ^ "David McMillan 'delighted' as he returns to Dundalk". RTÉ Sport. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
  41. ^ "Bittersweet night for Dundalk star as he equals Glen Crowes European". the42. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  42. ^ "FAI Cup Final Report: Shamrock Rovers 2 – 4 Dundalk (Dundalk win after extra-time)". ExtraTime.com. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  43. ^ "McMillan hits hat-trick as Dundalk win classic Cup final after extra time". The 42. 6 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  44. ^ "Ten-man Dundalk hold their penalty nerve to taste President's Cup joy". 12 March 2021.
  45. ^ Fallon, John (29 July 2021). "Vinny Perth 'proud' as Will Patching fires Dundalk to Euro win in Tallinn". Irish Examiner.
  46. ^ "'I would never have dreamed of coming through and doing the things I did' – Dundalk legend David McMillan retires". Irish Independent. 22 February 2023.
  47. ^ "Estonia U23 0-1 Rep of Ireland U23". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 28 September 2010.
  48. ^ "David McMillan". Soccerway. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  49. ^ "David McMillan". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 3 January 2017.[permanent dead link]
  50. ^ "Dundalk and Cork dominate PFAI team of the year". RTÉ Sport. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
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