The Limerick-born striker scored in the penalty shootout as Fleetwood Town dumped Premier League champions Arsenal out of the Carabao Cup.
RONAN Coughlan’s football career has taken him from Mungret Regional to English Football, and on Tuesday night he aided his team in a memorable result against Arsenal.
The 30-year-old scored a penalty as Fleetwood beat Arsenal 5-3 in the shootout, following a 1-1 draw in Highbury Stadium, eliminating the Premier League champions and Champions League finalists from the Carabao Cup.
Despite competing in League Two, Fleetwood Town proved to be a bigger opponent than Arsenal could handle. Fleetwood took the lead in the 21st minute when Aaron Loupalo-Bi scored the team’s first goal of the match.
Viktor Gyökeres scored the equaliser for Arsenal shortly after and the teams couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of action.
16-year-old Max Dowman was sent off in the 85th minute with a red card, reducing the Arsenal team to just ten players.
Coughlan stepped up first for Fleetwood Town in the shoot-out, making no mistake from the spot.
His teammates followed in his footsteps, scoring three more goals before Belfast-born teenager Conor Haughey scored the final penalty, guaranteeing the team’s victory.
The Fishermen’s victory means they have secured a place in the quarter-finals. For Coughlan, it was an opportunity to help his club gain national spotlight while also bringing positive attention back to his roots in Limerick.
Coughlan began playing football at an early age, starting out in Mungret Regional before progressing to Limerick FC. He was then scouted by English teams and eventually moved there.
After three years with Huddersfield Town, he returned for Ireland via Bray Wanderers before linking up with Cork City, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic, and Waterford.
He greatly contributed to St Pat’s FAI Cup win in 2021 when he scored the first goal in the penalty shootout. His notable League of Ireland performances led to a move to Fleetwood Town in 2024.
The Limerick sensation is now through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup with Fleetwood Town, after helping his team defeat Arsenal.
He played a key role in one of the most memorable matches of the season and will look to continue the League Two club’s fairytale cup run.