Exclusive: Portsmouth’s Conor Shaughnessy Never Thought He’d Reach the Championship

Conor Shaughnessy can scarcely believe he is a Championship footballer.

The defender, 28, sealed his place in Portsmouth folklore as he scored the goal which saw the club end a painful 12-year wait to return to the second tier last season. 

Irishman Shaughnessy returned from a potentially career-altering ankle surgery, after a freak landing where he ruptured ligaments on both sides of the joint whilst at Burton, to help fire Pompey to the League One title.

“At the time I didn’t realise, and I don’t think many of us realised how big a moment that was and how big a thing it is to get the club promoted after such a long wait to get back to the Championship,” the centre-back admitted to SportsBoom.com.

“Those 12 months there was a big change from where I was to where I am now. It’s been a massive turnaround."

“If you asked me maybe two years ago, I would never have thought I’d be playing in the Championship now."

“I had a bad injury in August 2022, which kept me out for five months of that season. I missed the first half of that season with Burton, not sure whether I’d get back to my old self on the pitch."

“One thing people don’t realise is the mental side of those long-term injuries. That’s the biggest factor you’re dealing with day-to-day."

“You start to doubt yourself. You wonder if you’re ever going to play again. I think everybody who has a long-term injury has those same thoughts."

“I’m grateful to the manager [John Mousinho] for giving me a chance to be able to show I’m able to perform at this level.”

SURVIVAL ALL THAT MATTERS

Pompey’s return to the Championship has been a baptism of fire at times. 

But Shaughnessy is desperate to help keep the club up this term after such a long journey to get there.

A recent upturn in form has seen Pompey push themselves three points clear of the dreaded drop zone having picked up seven points from a possible 15.

Shaughnessy added: “Getting to the Championship was a big moment. That fanbase have gone through so much over the years. 

"The club was on the brink of going bust and were in League Two. Then even after getting to League One they spent so much time there as well. 

“Realistically, it’s about survival this season. Getting used to the level and then building on that.” 

It has not been plain sailing for the defender either. A calf issue he initially thought was innocuous ended up keeping him on the sidelines for almost six months.

He managed a pleasing 70 minutes during the goalless draw with promotion-seeking Burnley at the weekend.

Pompey boss John Mousinho said: “We’ve sort of had to do that (build his fitness) because he’s been out that long. He’s been out for the best part of six months, so whenever that happens we have to make sure he’s right.”

“He has to first off have that training base to be able to come in and not re-injure himself. That’s the priority with Shaughs and off the back of that make sure he fits into the team and gets better and better.”