Dean Delany (born 15 September 1980) is an Irish former footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Beginning his career in England with Everton in 1997, three years later he moved on to Port Vale, having never turned out for the first team at Everton despite winning caps for the Republic of Ireland under-21s and lifting the FA Youth Cup. He spent four years with Vale, and did make 39 first team appearances, though was never their first choice keeper. He also spent time on loan at Macclesfield Town, but never made it onto the field. He returned to Ireland in 2004 to sign a contract with Shelbourne, who he helped to the League of Ireland title in 2006. He spent 2007 with Waterford United, though returned to Shelbourne the following year. The "Shels" had been demoted in his absence, and he was the goalkeeper in the 2011 season, as they won promotion back into the top-flight. He joined Bohemians in time for the 2013 season, before returning to Shelbourne again in 2017 and helping the club to win promotion as League of Ireland First Division champions in 2019. He was named on the PFAI First Division Team of the Year for the 2009 and 2018 seasons. Club career Everton After securing a contract with English Premier League side Everton as a teenager in 1997, his first year saw him winning the FA Youth Cup. Delany only made one appearance for the "Toffees", and was unable to break into the first team. In the summer of 2000 he moved to the Second Division side Port Vale. Port Vale During his four seasons with Port Vale he made 39 appearances in all competitions and was an unused substitute in the 2001 League Trophy final against Brentford at the Millennium Stadium. He also won the Staffordshire Senior Cup in 2001. He also had a two-month stint on loan to Macclesfield Town. Delany failed to gain an appearance with Macclesfield during his time at Moss Rose. He fell down to third in the pecking order at Vale Park behind Mark Goodlad and Jonny Brain, and was released by manager Martin Foyle in May 2004. Shelbourne Deciding to return home to Ireland's League of Ireland, Delany joined Shelbourne to play first-team football. He joined the club in May 2004 on a short-term contract until the close of the 2004 season, and secured a two-year deal