Joe Shaughnessy

Joseph Thomas Gordon Shaughnessy (born 6 July 1992) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Newcastle Jets in the A-League. Shaughnessy has previously played for Aberdeen, Forfar Athletic, Falkirk, St Johnstone, Southend United, St Mirren and Dundee. He has represented the Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team at international level.

His younger brother Conor is also a professional footballer and currently plays for Championship club Leeds United.

Aberdeen Shaughnessy signed for Aberdeen in June 2009, having previously played for Irish club Salthill Devon as a youngster. Shaughnessy made his debut on 14 May 2011 against Hibernian. A few days before making his debut, he signed a contract extension on a two-year deal.

On 30 August 2011, Shaughnessy went on loan to Forfar Athletic until January, along with Nicky Low. Shaughnessy made his debut for the club on 11 September 2011 in a 1–0 win against Brechin City. He then scored his first goal for the club, in a 4–2 win over Stirling Albion on 17 September 2011. Shaughnessy would score twice in two games; in a 4–3 loss against East Fife on 1 October 2011 and another in a 1–1 draw against Arbroath on 15 October 2011.

Ahead of the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, a tie against his parent club, manager Dick Campbell says he wouldn't put Shaughnessy and Low in the match against his parent club. Aberdeen won 4–0 and progressed to the next round. After impressing on loan, he went back to Forfar until the end of the 2011–12 season. He went on to make 26 appearance and scored three times.