Luke McNally
Personal information
Full name Luke McNally[1]
Date of birth (1999-09-20) 20 September 1999
Place of birth Enfield, Republic of Ireland[2]
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)[3]
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 Stoke City
(on loan from Burnley)
Number 23
Youth career
2005–2015 Enfield Celtic
2015–2017 Drogheda United
2017–2018 St Patrick's Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2021       St Patrick's Athletic 18 (1)
2019           → Drogheda United (loan)     27 (6)
2021–2022     Oxford United 30 (4)
2022–     Burnley 2 (0)
2023 → Coventry City (loan) 19 (0)
2023– → Stoke City (loan) 24 (1)
International career
2017   Republic of Ireland U19 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:12, 13 January 2024 (UTC)

Luke McNally (born 20 September 1999) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a central defender for EFL Championship side Stoke City, on loan from Premier League club Burnley. He previously played for Oxford United for 18 months, having joined them from League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic, the club where he started his professional career. He has also spent a season on loan at Drogheda United.

Club career

Early career

Raised in Enfield, County Meath,[2] McNally played for his local club Enfield Celtic before signing for his local League of Ireland club Drogheda United in August 2015. He played for the club's under 17 side for their 2015 and 2016 seasons before moving to Dublin club St Patrick's Athletic in March 2017, playing with their under 19 side.[4] He played in the same Under 19s team as fellow future first team players including Jake Walker, Brian Maher, Paul Clearly and Joe Manley. In 2018, his side got to the Enda McGuill Cup final, ultimately losing out 2–1 to Bohemians at Richmond Park on 4 September.[5]

St Patrick's Athletic

McNally's first involvement in a first team squad was on 8 August 2017, when he was named on the bench for a Leinster Senior Cup game against Firhouse Clover, remaining an unused substitute.[6] On 8 February 2019, it was announced that McNally had signed a two-year professional contract with St Patrick's Athletic, while he would be loaned to Drogheda United for the 2019 League of Ireland First Division season.[7][8]

Drogheda United loan

McNally's first appearance in a Drogheda United shirt came on 8 February 2019, playing in a friendly against his parent club St Patrick's Athletic on the same day that he signed for the club on loan.[8] His competitive debut in senior football came on the opening night of the League of Ireland First Division season, as his side beat Cobh Ramblers 4–0 at United Park.[9] The first senior goal of McNally's career also came against Cobh Ramblers, when he scored the 4th goal in a 4–1 away win at St Colman's Park on 27 April 2019.[10] The month of May saw him score twice, scoring the 4th goal in a 5–0 win over Cabinteely at Stradbrook Road on the 18th,[11] before scoring an equaliser in a 2–1 win away to Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park.[12] On 28 June 2019, McNally scored an injury time header to beat Bray Wanderers by a goal to nil at United Park.[13] McNally then scored in a 3–1 win over Galway United in August[14] as well as scoring an equaliser against Shelbourne in a title-deciding match which his side lost 3–1 to finish runners up to Shels in second place.[15] Drogheda United's second-place finish did, however, earn them a place in the League of Ireland promotion/relegation playoffs. They faced Cabinteely in the semi-final and lost the first leg 1–0 before beating them 5–1 in the second leg with McNally scoring a perfect hat-trick from centre back.[16] Despite winning the first leg of the Playoff Final 1–0 at home to Premier Division side Finn Harps,[17] McNally and Drogheda were beaten 2–0 at Finn Park in the second leg, denying them a place in the 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division.[18] McNally finished his first full season with 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 9 goals despite his defensive role in the team.[19] At the club's end of season awards night, he was named as Drogheda United Young Player of the Year for 2019.[20][21]

Return from loan

New Pat's manager Stephen O'Donnell decided to keep McNally on after an impressive season with Drogheda United, with McNally returning to Pat's first team training for pre-season on 2 December 2019 ahead of the 2020 season.[22] McNally signed a new two-year contract with the club on 27 January 2020.[23] He made his senior debut for the club in the opening game of the season on 14 February 2020, a 1–0 loss to Waterford at Richmond Park.[24] The season was halted after just 4 games due to the Coronavirus pandemic, which later resulted in the number of games in the season being halved. During this time McNally was linked with a move to EFL League One side Ipswich Town.[25][26] The move failed to materialise, however, and he stayed at St Patrick's Athletic and scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 loss to Finn Harps on 8 October 2020 with a header from a corner.[27] On 2 December 2020, he was named the club's Young Player of the Year for 2020, following a season which he was one of only three players in the entire league to play every minute of every game in the season.[28][29]

Oxford United

On 29 January 2021 it was confirmed that EFL League One side Oxford United had signed McNally on a 3-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee.[30][31][32][33][34] He spent his first few months at the club undergoing a 'mini pre-season' to get fit following a hip injury,[35] first making the first-team matchday squad on 2 April 2021 when he was an unused substitute away to Sunderland.[36] He made his debut for the first team in July 2021 in a friendly against Oxford City[37] during pre-season, in which teammate and fellow defender Sam Long described him as "an absolute machine".[38] His competitive debut for the club came on 11 August 2021 in an EFL Cup tie away to Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium, which his side won 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in 90 minutes to earn a tie with Queens Park Rangers in the next round.[39] He made his league debut three days later in a 2–1 win over Charlton Athletic at the Kassam Stadium.[40] McNally scored his first goal in English football on 23 November 2021, opening the scoring in a 3–1 win at home to Fleetwood Town.[41]

Burnley

On 28 June 2022, it was announced that McNally had signed for EFL Championship club Burnley on a four-year-contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £2 million, making him new manager Vincent Kompany's second signing for the club.[42][43] He made his debut on 12 August 2022, coming off the bench late on in a makeshift striker role during a 1–0 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.[44]

Coventry City loan

On 26 January 2023 with game time at Turf Moor proving difficult to come by, McNally signed for Championship club Coventry City on loan until the end of the season.[45] McNally made 22 appearances in all competitions for the club, including the full 120 minutes of the 2023 EFL Championship play-off final as his side missed out on promotion to the Premier League by losing on penalties to Luton Town at Wembley Stadium.[46]

Stoke City loan

Following Burnley's promotion to the Premier League, it was announced on 2 August 2023 that McNally signed for EFL Championship club Stoke City on a season long loan deal.[47] On 21 October 2023, McNally scored his first goal for the club, scoring the winning goal in a 2–1 victory at home to Sunderland.[48]

International career

McNally made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U19 team on 2 February 2017 in a 2–1 win over Czech Republic U19 at the RSC, playing alongside future Republic of Ireland senior internationals Aaron Connolly, Dara O'Shea, Mark Travers and Lee O'Connor.[49] In August 2020, he was called up to Jim Crawford's Republic of Ireland U21 team for a training camp in Belfast ahead of their qualifiers in October and November.[50][51] He was again called up to train with the squad ahead of the October clash with Italy U21.[52]

Career statistics

As of match played on 13 January 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Drogheda United (loan) 2019[53][54] LOI First Division 27620104[lower-alpha 3]3349
St Patrick's Athletic 2020[53] LOI Premier Division 18110——191
Oxford United 2020–21[53] League One 00——0000
2021–22[53] League One 30410202[lower-alpha 4]0354
Total 304102020354
Burnley 2022–23[53] Championship 201010—40
2023–24[53] Premier League 00———00
Total 201010—40
Coventry City (loan) 2022–23[53] Championship 190——3[lower-alpha 5]0220
Stoke City (loan) 2023–24[53] Championship 2411020—271
Career total 1201260609314015

Honours

Club

Burnley

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "CLUB LIST OF REGISTERED PLAYERS AS AT 15th May 2021" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Enfield man for Oxford". Meath Chronicle.
  3. ↑ "Luke McNally on his first two months at Oxford United". Oxford Mail.
  4. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Luke McNally". www.extratime.com.
  5. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2018 U19 Cup Final - St Patrick's Ath U19 -v- Bohemians U19". www.extratime.com.
  6. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2017 Leinster Senior Cup Quarter Finals - St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Firhouse Clover". www.extratime.com.
  7. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  8. 1 2 "Mcnally Joins Drogheda On Loan". www.stpatsfc.com.
  9. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2019 League of Ireland First Division - Drogheda United -v- Cobh Ramblers". www.extratime.com.
  10. ↑ "Cobh Ramblers Vs Drogheda United - SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie.
  11. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2019 League of Ireland First Division - Cabinteely -v- Drogheda United". www.extratime.com.
  12. ↑ "Wexford Fc Vs Drogheda United - SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie.
  13. ↑ "Drogheda United Vs Bray Wanderers - SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie.
  14. ↑ "Galway United Vs Drogheda United - SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie.
  15. ↑ "Drogheda United Vs Shelbourne - SSE Airtricity League". sseairtricityleague.ie.
  16. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2019 promotion/relegation play-off Semi Final - Drogheda United -v- Cabinteely". www.extratime.com.
  17. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2019 promotion/relegation play-off Final - Drogheda United -v- Finn Harps". www.extratime.com.
  18. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2019 promotion/relegation play-off Final - Finn Harps -v- Drogheda United". www.extratime.com.
  19. ↑ "Republic of Ireland - L. McNally - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com.
  20. ↑ "Luke McNally receiving the Drogheda Utd Supporters young player of the year award from Catriona McCann". www.facebook.com.
  21. ↑ "Luke McNally Young player of the year receiving his award from Peter Dolan Scotch Hall". www.facebook.com.
  22. ↑ "A week of double sessions for our #Saints2020 has begun on the pitch in a chilly Ballyoulster before the boys head to the gym. New signings Conor Kearns, Rory Feely, Robbie Benson & Jay McClelland have joined their new teammates while Luke McNally is back from his loan". twitter.com.
  23. ↑ "Luke McNally signs two-year contract with St Patrick's Athletic". ExtraTime.ie.
  24. ↑ "Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division - St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Waterford". www.extratime.com.
  25. ↑ "Ipswich Town confirmed interest in weighing up move for Irish starlet". The 72. 13 June 2020.
  26. ↑ Warren, Andy (12 June 2020). "Ipswich Town transfer rumour: Blues 'stepping up' interest in Irish centre-half". East Anglian Daily Times.
  27. ↑ Ashmore, Chris. "Finn Harps boost chances of avoiding playoff after thrilling win over St Pat's". The Irish Times.
  28. ↑ "2020 Young Player Of The Year @lukemcnalyy. He was at Richmond Park to help us launch our #Saints2021 home kit, which will be out on Friday. The 21 year old defender was one of only three outfield players across the whole league to play every minute of every match in 2020". twitter.com.
  29. ↑ "Luke Mcnally". www.stpatsfc.com.
  30. ↑ "Luke McNally Joins Oxford United". www.oufc.co.uk.
  31. ↑ "Mcnally Signs For League 1 Oxford". www.stpatsfc.com.
  32. ↑ "St Pat's defender Luke McNally secures move to Oxford United". independent.
  33. ↑ Cooney, Gavin. "Saint Pat's defender Luke McNally joins League One club on permanent deal". The42.
  34. ↑ "Oxford United sign Luke McNally". Oxford Mail.
  35. ↑ Roberts, James. "Centre back Luke McNally on settling in at Oxford United". Oxford Mail.
  36. ↑ "Sunderland vs. Oxford United - 2 April 2021". soccerway.com.
  37. ↑ "REPORT Oxford City 2 Oxford United 3". Oxford United F.C.
  38. ↑ "Sam Long full of praise for young defender Luke McNally". Oxford Mail.
  39. ↑ "Burton Albion 1 (Brayford 90+6), Oxford United 1 (Holland 85) – U's win 4-2 on pens". Oxford Mail.
  40. ↑ "Oxford United 2–1 Charlton Athletic". BBC News. 14 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  41. ↑ "Kenny's Kids: Luke McNally excels for Oxford United as Ciaran Brennan impresses for Sheffield Wednesday". Pundit Arena. 24 November 2021.
  42. ↑ "Clarets Seal McNally Deal". Burnley Football Club.
  43. ↑ Jones, Andy. "Burnley sign Oxford's Luke McNally for £2m". The Athletic.
  44. ↑ "TheJournal.ie - Disappointment for Irish trio as Burnley's unbeaten start ends". www.the42.ie.
  45. ↑ "TRANSFER: Coventry City sign Luke McNally on loan from Burnley". www.ccfc.co.uk. 26 January 2023. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  46. ↑ "Luton win play-off shootout to reach Premier League" – via www.bbc.com.
  47. ↑ "Stoke City sign Burnley defender McNally on loan" – via www.bbc.com.
  48. ↑ "Stoke end dismal home run against Sunderland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  49. ↑ "Republic of Ireland 2 - 1 Czech Republic | 2018 - U19 Mens Friendlies | 999944069 | Football Association of Ireland". www.fai.ie.
  50. ↑ "St Pat's defender among four new faces in Ireland U21 squad". Irish Examiner. 26 August 2020.
  51. ↑ "Luke McNally included in Republic of Ireland u-21s". Meath Chronicle.
  52. ↑ Fennessy, Paul. "Former Cork City defender added to Ireland U21 squad". The42.
  53. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Luke McNally at Soccerway. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  54. ↑ For FAI Cup third round: "EXTRA.IE FAI SENIOR CUP". SSE Aircity League. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2022. For FAI Cup second round: Ferris, Macdara (23 August 2019). "FAI Cup Report: Shamrock Rovers 4 - 0 Drogheda United". Extra Time. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
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