Jay McGrath
Personal information
Full name John-Alan McGrath
Date of birth (2003-04-15) 15 April 2003
Place of birth Doncaster, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Doncaster Rovers
Number 25
Youth career
Doncaster Rovers
Mickleover
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2020 Mickleover 7 (0)
2020–2023 Coventry City 0 (0)
2022 → Alfreton Town (loan) 0 (0)
2023 → St Patrick's Athletic (loan) 20 (1)
2023 St Patrick's Athletic 7 (0)
2024– Doncaster Rovers 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:14, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

John-Alan "Jay" McGrath (born 15 April 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Doncaster Rovers. Mainly a centre-back, he can also be deployed as a left-back.

Career

Mickleover Sports

McGrath started his senior career with Mickleover where he made 7 first team appearances during the 2019–20 Northern Premier League season.[1] In August 2019, he made history when he (aged 16) and his father John McGrath (aged 39) became the first ever father and son to feature together in an FA Cup tie, when they featured in a 3–0 win over Coventry Sphinx.[2]

Coventry City

After his breakthrough season, he signed for Coventry City on a two-year contract in the summer of 2020.[3] He captained the club's Under 23 side during his time with the Sky Blues.[4] In November 2022, he joined Alfreton Town on a month-long loan deal.[5] His only appearance for Alfreton Town, came in a 4–1 defeat away to Darlington in the FA Trophy.[6] On 14 February 2023 he was loaned out to St Patrick's Athletic until the end of his contract.[7] He was released by the club on 30 June 2023, upon the expiry of his contract.[8]

St Patrick's Athletic

On 14 February 2023, he signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic on loan until 30 June 2023.[9][10] He scored the first senior goal of his career on 5 June 2023, finding the bottom corner from 25 yards out in a 4–1 win over Derry City at Richmond Park.[11] On 1 July 2023, McGrath signed a permanent contract with the club upon the expiry of his loan deal and Coventry City contract.[12] On 20 July 2023, McGrath made his first appearance in European competition in a 3–2 loss at home to F91 Dudelange in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.[13] On 12 November 2023, McGrath was part of the squad for the 2023 FAI Cup Final, as his side produced a 3–1 win over Bohemians in front of a record breaking FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881 at the Aviva Stadium.[14]

Doncaster Rovers

On 4 January 2024, McGrath signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with League Two side Doncaster Rovers, his local club whom his father John also played for between 2003 and 2005.[15]

Personal life

He is the son of former professional footballer John McGrath.[16]

International career

Born in England, McGrath is eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland through his Limerick born father John who is a former Republic of Ireland U21 international.[16] In 2021, he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 side for a training camp.[17] On 25 March 2023, McGrath received his first call up to the Republic of Ireland U21 team for a friendly against Iceland U21 at Turners Cross.[18]

Career statistics

As of match played on 16 January 2024[19]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Mickleover Sports 2019–20 Northern Premier League 7010——80
Coventry City 2020–21 EFL Championship 000000—00
2021–22 000000—00
2022–23 000000—00
Total 0000000000
Alfreton Town (loan) 2022–23 National League North 00——1[lower-alpha 3]010
St Patrick's Athletic (loan) 2023 LOI Premier Division 201–––201
St Patrick's Athletic 2023 LOI Premier Division 7040–1[lower-alpha 4]0120
Doncaster Rovers 2023–24 EFL League Two 10––1[lower-alpha 5]020
Total 351500030431
  1. ↑ Includes FA Cup & FAI Cup
  2. ↑ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ↑ Appearance(s) in the FA Trophy
  4. ↑ Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa Conference League
  5. ↑ Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy

Honours

St Patrick's Athletic

References

  1. ↑ "Mickleover Youngster Signs For Coventry". Northern Premier League. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Reporter, Leader. "Limerick man and son make FA Cup history playing in same side". www.limerickleader.ie.
  3. ↑ "Jay McGrath Joins Sky Blues!". Coventry City FC. 17 July 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  4. ↑ "INTERVIEW: Sky Blues U21 captain Jay McGrath previews Millwall clash". www.ccfc.co.uk.
  5. ↑ "Jay McGrath joins Alfreton Town on loan". Coventry City FC. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
  6. ↑ "FA Trophy Match Report - Darlington 4-1 Alfreton Town". www.alfretontownfootballclub.com.
  7. ↑ "Jay McGrath joins St Patrick's Athletic on loan". Coventry City FC. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.
  8. ↑ Dempsey, Andrew. "Sean Maguire leaves Coventry City with St Pat's loan defender Jay McGrath". extratime.com.
  9. ↑ "St Patrick's Athletic swoop for Coventry defender Jay McGrath". Independent.ie. February 14, 2023.
  10. ↑ "#SAINTS2023 | McGrath Joins On Loan". www.stpatsfc.com.
  11. ↑ O'Donnell, Jake (June 5, 2023). "Saints revival continues apace as they thrash Derry" – via www.rte.ie.
  12. ↑ Jordan, Luke. "Jay McGrath signs a new contract to extend his stay at St. Patrick's Athletic". extratime.com.
  13. ↑ Sneyd, David (July 20, 2023). "Chaos and class in thriller that ends in Euro defeat for St Pat's". The 42.
  14. ↑ Fenton, James (12 November 2023). "FAI Cup final recap: Bohemians 1-3 St Pat's" – via www.rte.ie.
  15. ↑ "Rovers sign defender Jay McGrath on two-and-a-half year deal". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk.
  16. 1 2 McCadden, Mark (April 7, 2023). "St Patrick's Athletic defender Jay McGrath is following in his dad's footsteps". Irish Mirror.
  17. ↑ Calvert, Ronan (May 26, 2021). "Newcastle West Town celebrate player's Ireland U19 call-up".
  18. ↑ "Joe Hodge named Ireland U21 Captain | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  19. ↑ "England - J. McGrath - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
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