David James McAllister (born 29 December 1988) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Drogheda in the Republic of Ireland he started his senior career with Drogheda United before spells with Shelbourne and St. Patrick's Athletic. In 2011, he moved to England to play for Sheffield United, where he remained for two years before switching to Shrewsbury Town and then Stevenage. He later returned to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers where he retired. Club career League of Ireland Growing up in Rush, County Dublin, McAllister began footballing life at underage level with his local side Rush Athletic before progressing up the Dublin schoolboy ranks with Home Farm and Bohemians. McAllister made the step up to senior football with Drogheda United in 2007 as part of their under 21 panel. In 2008 McAllister was promoted to Drogheda United's first team for whom he made one appearance in a League of Ireland Cup tie against Shelbourne on 5 May 2008. With first team opportunities restricted in an experienced Drogheda squad, McAllister was loaned to Shelbourne in July 2008 to gain first team experience. He made his Shelbourne début on 11 July 2008 as a substitute in a 2–0 home defeat to Limerick 37. McAllister scored seven goals in 16 league appearances for Shelbourne during his loan spell and his impressive displays were rewarded with a permanent move to Shelbourne for the 2009 League of Ireland First Division season. McAllister thrived in Shelbourne's 2009 campaign. He scored an impressive 19 goals in 34 league and cup appearances for Shelbourne as they finished First Division runners-up for a second consecutive season. With aspirations to play International Under 23 and League of Ireland Premier Division football, McAllister departed Shelbourne following the 2009 season to join Dublin rivals St. Patrick's Athletic for the Saints' 2010 Premier Division campaign. He made 40 league and cup appearances, scoring 5 goals for St. Patrick's Athletic in 2010 and after a number of impressive displays he was attracting interest from further afield. Sheffield United In November 2010, McAllister undertook a trial with Sheffield United which resulted in him signing a pre-contract agreement to move there permanently during the January transfer window. A few days after his move McAllister made his début for the Blades as a 75-minute substitute in an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa at Bramall Lane but had to wait until late