Patrick McEleney (born 26 September 1992) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Ballymena United in the NIFL Premiership.

[4] He signed a 2+1⁄2-year professional contract with the club in September 2008 and formed part of the under-18 and reserves teams which won their respective leagues that season under Kevin Ball.

[6] McEleney was one of the first four players signed by Stephen Kenny for Derry City following their relegation to the League of Ireland First Division, penning a two-year deal in December 2009.

[9] McEleney was involved in a controversial incident in October 2010 when, 3 days after pulling out of the Republic of Ireland's Under 19 squad due to an ankle injury, he played and scored twice in a First Division fixture against Shelbourne.

[13] Later in the year he was a member of the team who won the FAI Cup on 4 November 2012, playing 59 minutes in their 3–2 defeat of St. Patrick's Athletic in the final.

[18] Despite interest from Peterborough United, Brentford[19] and St. Patrick's Athletic,[20] McEleney signed a two-year deal with Dundalk in December 2015, linking up again with his former boss Stephen Kenny.

[29] It was announced on 8 July 2021 that McEleney had signed a pre-contract to re-join his hometown club Derry City on a two-year contract, commencing at the end of the season.

On 15 November 2024, McEleny signed for NIFL Premiership club Ballymena United, with the move set to be completed on 1 January 2025 upon the opening of the transfer window.

[34] McEleney progressed to the Republic of Ireland Under-19 team in September 2009, making his debut against the Netherlands at the Carlisle Grounds in the Clarion Hotel Four-nation Tour.