Niall O'Donnell has completed three seasons as head coach of the UMass Dartmouth
men�s soccer team, compiling a record of 15-36-4.
O'Donnell came to UMass Dartmouth after a lengthy career as a soccer player and coach
for several teams from the New England area and Ireland. Holder of a United States
Soccer Federation A Coaching License. O'Donnell started his coaching career in 1978,
while continuing his playing career in Ireland. From 1978 to 1981 he was a youth
soccer coach in Athy Town, County Kildare in Ireland. In 1981, O'Donnell came to
the United States where he continued as both a player and a coach.
In 1991, O'Donnell was the head coach of Case High School's soccer team, leading
the Cardinals to their second post-season appearance with an 11-4-0 record. From
1993 through 1996, he served as head coach of the Somerset Junior High School soccer
team, where he captured two consecutive post season championships while compiling
a 17-5-5 record. He has also served as a volunteer soccer coach in the Swansea Youth
Soccer League since 1990. In 1994, he was an assistant coach for the Academica Soccer
Club in Fall River.
O'Donnell's playing career dates back to 1967 when he played for the Athy Town Soccer
Club. He later played for Athy Town AFC as a junior player from 1974-79 where he
was selected to the Irish Junior International Team in 1979. From 1975 through 1979,
he was a varsity player at Carlow Regional Technical College in Carlow, Ireland,
and from 1979 through 1981, he was a senior player for St. Patrick's Athletic in
Dublin.
Since coming to the United States, O'Donnell has played for several teams in the
southeastern Massachusetts area, including Academica of Fall River, Portuguese Sports
Club of New Bedford, Fall River Sports, Taunton Sports and Young Nationals of Fall
River. From 1981 through 1991 he was selected as a LASA All Star to compete in international
exhibition games against visiting international teams. He has also played for Diversity
United of Pawtucket, RI as an Over 30 player since 1992.
