Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Athlone Town
Benson began his career with Athlone Town, making his debut against Waterford United in the Regional Sports Centre on 3 October 2008. He spent the following two seasons playing in the First Division with the club. After achieving 600 points in his Leaving Certificate examinations, Benson gained a scholarship with UCD in September 2010. This allowed him to combine his academic studies with football, and he majored in chemistry and maths before earning a master's degree in actuarial science.
UCD
Benson was unable to play for UCD's league side during the closing stages of the 2010 season due to scholarship regulations, however he joined up with the senior squad for the 2011 season, making 20 league appearances in the Premier Division and scoring five goals. Benson became a mainstay of the side during the 2012 season, playing a part in 31 league games for the club and scoring three goals in the process, as UCD finished ninth and avoided relegation. Benson remained with UCD for the 2013 season, and scored a career-high nine league goals in 25 appearances during the campaign, as UCD once more finished ninth. In 2014, Benson was made the captain of the team and played in all 35 league games for the club, scoring three goals. However, UCD were relegated at the end of the season after losing a play-off to Galway United. Despite this, Benson chose to stay with UCD in 2015 as he wished to complete his studies before later making the move to full-time…
Benson was a key member of the Irish Schools side which won the Centenary Shield in 2010 including scoring the winner against England which sealed the trophy for Ireland. He was named the FAI's Under 18 International Schools Player of the Year in 2009–10. He has also represented Ireland at under-16 and under-17 levels.
- Club
- Dundalk F.C.
- National team
- Ireland
Personal
Benson was born in Athlone and attended Marist College in the town between 2004 and 2010 where he studied for his Leaving Certificate. He played underage football for local club St. Francis.
Clubs
Played together with
- Anthony WhelanDundalk F.C. · 1994–1996
- Bertie FultonDundalk F.C. · 1926–1926
- Bob HattonDundalk F.C. · 1983–1984
- Bobby SmithDundalk F.C. · 1974–1975
- Carl McHughDundalk F.C. · 2011–2011
Chris ShieldsDundalk F.C.- Chris TurnerDundalk F.C. · 2009–2009
Con MartinDundalk F.C. · 1959–1960
David McMillanDundalk F.C. · 2014- Dragoje LekovićDundalk F.C. · 2000–2002
Eoin HandDundalk F.C. · 1965–1966- Fran BrennanDundalk F.C. · 1966–1973
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Robert Benson is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He has also played for his hometown club, Athlone Town, UCD, Dundalk, St Patrick's Athletic and Derry City. Benson has made 10 appearances in European competition throughout his career and was part of the Dundalk team that became the first Irish side ever to reach the play-off stage of the UEFA Champions League in August 2016. Benson scored twice for the club on their European run, including a volleyed goal against Legia Warsaw in the play-off round that received worldwide media coverage.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…