Raffaele Cretaro (born 15 October 1981) is an Irish footballer who plays as a striker for Ballina Town.

Raffaele Cretaro
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-10-15) 15 October 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth Tubbercurry, Republic of Ireland
Height 1.65 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
Ballina Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2005 Sligo Rovers
2006 Galway United
2007–2009 Sligo Rovers 31+ (15+)
2010 Bohemians 25 (5)
2011–2018 Sligo Rovers
2019–2020 Finn Harps 40 (3)
2023– Ballina Town
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Early life

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Cretaro is a native of Tubbercurry, Republic of Ireland.[1] He is of Italian descent.[2] As a youth player, he joined the youth academy of Irish side Real Tubber.[3]

Career

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Cretaro started his career with Irish side Sligo Rovers.[citation needed] In 2006, he signed for Irish side Galway United.[4] In 2010, he signed for Irish side Bohemians.[5] After that, he returned to Sligo Rovers, helping them win the league.[6] Altogether, he spent seventeen years with Sligo Rovers.[7] In 2021, he retired from League of Ireland football.[8]

Style of play

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Cretaro mainly operates as a striker and can also operate as a midfielder and defender.[9]

Personal life

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Cretaro is the brother of Irish hurler Fabio Cretaro.[10]

References

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  1. ^ "Tubbercurry Tornado Raffaele off the chips". independent.ie.
  2. ^ "Living life the right way gives Cretaro a dream career". rte.ie.
  3. ^ "Dreams come true in Tubber for local hero". independent.ie.
  4. ^ "'I'm 37. I'm still hungry. I go out onto the training pitch wanting to be the best player'". the42.ie.
  5. ^ "No question of divided loyalty for Bohs' Cretaro". independent.ie.
  6. ^ "'I was thinking 'Why did I leave?' because underneath it all I'm a Sligo man'". the42.ie.
  7. ^ "Cretaro leaves fond memories". independent.ie.
  8. ^ "CRETARO BRINGS THE CURTAIN DOWN ON A FAIRYTALE CAREER". westernpeople.ie.
  9. ^ "'Tubbercurry Tornado' is ready to roar again". independent.ie.
  10. ^ "The Career of Raff Cretaro". thebigkickoff.com.