Gerry McDonagh

Gerry McDonagh

Gerry McDonagh pictured for FC Halifax Town in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Gerry Luke McDonagh [1]
Date of birth	(1998-02-14) 14 February 1998 (age 25) [2]
Place of birth	Dublin, Ireland
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Alfreton Town (on loan from Kidderminster Harriers)
Youth career
2013–2015	Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2015–2018	Nottingham Forest	1	(0)
2016–2017	→ Wrexham (loan)	22	(5)
2017	→ Cambridge United (loan)	13	(1)
2017–2018	→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)	8	(0)
2018–2019	Barnsley	0	(0)
2018–2019	→ Aldershot Town (loan)	4	(0)
2019	Aldershot Town	9	(0)
2020	Tamworth	6	(1)
2021–2022	FC Halifax Town	14	(1)
2021–2022	→ Kettering Town (loan)	5	(2)
2022–2023	Cove Rangers	15	(2)
2023	Scunthorpe United	4	(1)
2023	Eastleigh	8	(1)
2023–	Kidderminster Harriers	15	(1)
2024–	→ Alfreton Town (loan)	0	(0)
International career‡
2014–2015	Republic of Ireland U17	5	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:12, 26 January 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:00, 11 November 2020 (UTC)

Gerry Luke McDonagh (born 14 February 1998) is an Irish footballer who plays as a forward for Alfreton Town on loan from National League club Kidderminster Harriers.

In his career, McDonagh has played in the English Football League for Nottingham Forest, Cambridge United and Tranmere Rovers. He is a former Ireland U19 International.

Playing career

Nottingham Forest

Gerry McDonagh playing for Kettering Town FC on loan from FC Halifax Town in 2021

After two years playing at the Nottingham Forest academy, McDonagh made his professional debut as an 80th-minute substitute during a 2–1 loss against Cardiff City on 29 August 2015. ^[3] In July 2016, McDonagh joined National League side Wrexham on an initial one-month loan deal as cover for the injured Jordan White. ^[4] McDonagh showed his delight at the prospect of playing first-team football, claiming the loan would be "a good experience as a young player coming in from Nottingham Forest". ^[5]

McDonagh made his debut for Wrexham as a substitute in place of Shaun Harrad during a 3–2 victory over Guiseley on 9 August 2016, scoring his first senior career goal. ^[6] Both Harrad and McDonagh scored as Wrexham defeated Bromley 2–1 on 24 October, with Harrad hailing their partnership up front; "Once you've got one striker committing, the other one gets the drop downs". ^[7] On 26 November McDonagh scored his first career brace as Wrexham defeated Forest Green Rovers 3–1. His strike partner Harrad scored Wrexham's other goal of the game. ^[8] On 3 January 2017 McDonagh returned to Nottingham Forest, having scored five goals in twenty-one appearances for Wrexham following an "outstanding" spell at the Welsh club. ^[9] On 21 January McDonagh was again sent out on loan, this time to EFL League Two club Cambridge United. ^[10] McDonagh made his debut the same day as a 61st-minute substitute during a 1–3 defeat by Mansfield Town ^[11]

On 7 July 2017, McDonagh was one of four academy players at Forest to renew his contract ahead of the 2017-18 season, although the length of that contract was not disclosed by the club. ^[12]

It was confirmed on 27 April 2018 that Gerry had left Nottingham Forest, following the expiry of his contract. ^[13]

Barnsley

Gerry joined League One side Barnsley on 9 August 2018, with the player linking up with the club's U23 squad managed by Martin Devaney. ^[14]

Aldershot Town

Gerry signed for National League side Aldershot Town on a youth loan on 7 December 2018. ^[15] McDonagh made his debut the following day, in a 4–1 away defeat to Harrogate Town. ^[16]

On 9 January 2019, Aldershot Town made McDonagh's loan deal permanent and signed him on a free transfer. ^[17] Gerry made 13 appearances in total for Aldershot Town, and departed the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.^{[ citation needed ]}

Tamworth

McDonagh signed for Southern League Premier Central side Tamworth on 26 February 2020. ^[18] McDonagh made his debut for Tamworth on 7 March 2020, in a home fixture against Stratford Town which the home team won 4–1. ^[19]

On 19 September 2020, Tamworth confirmed that Gerry had re-signed for the Southern League Premier Division Central club for the 2020–21 season. ^[20] McDonagh appeared on the opening day of the season as Tamworth drew 1–1 away at Peterborough Sports, with Gerry coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute for Lindon Meikle. ^[21]

McDonagh started for Tamworth in a Southern League Premier Division Central home fixture against Barwell on 29 September 2020. Gerry scored his first goal for the club, on the 39th minute, McDonagh beat Barwell goalkeeper Max Bramley to a through ball to head over the goalkeeper, despite the best efforts of defender Jayden Cotterill the ball found its way over the line. The goal proved to be the match winner, with Tamworth running out 2-1 winners. ^[22]

FC Halifax Town

On 20 August 2021, he signed for National League side FC Halifax Town after a successful trial with the club. ^[23] On 4 November 2021, McDonagh joined National League North side Kettering Town on a one-month loan deal. ^[24] He scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win against Blyth Spartans. On 6 December 2021, the loan was extended for a further month, where he would score 2 goals and 2 assists in 5 games during his loan period. ^[25]

Scunthorpe United

On 2 February 2023, McDonagh signed for Scunthorpe United following a spell with Scottish Championship side Cove Rangers. ^[26]

Eastleigh

On 11 March 2023, McDonagh joined fellow National League club Eastleigh after just four appearances for Scunthorpe United. ^[27] He was released by the club at the end of the season. ^[28]

Kidderminster Harriers

On 26 June 2023, McDonagh signed for newly promoted National League club Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year deal. ^[29]

In January 2024, McDonagh joined National League North club Alfreton Town on loan for the remainder of the season. ^[30]

International career

Republic of Ireland U17

McDonagh was called up by Republic of Ireland U17 in March 2014, and scored on his debut against Austria U17. Gerry went on to gain five caps, scoring one goal. ^[31]

Career statistics

As of 26 January 2024

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Nottingham Forest	2015–16 [32]	Championship	1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
	2016–17 [33]		0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2017–18 [34]		0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		1	0	0	0	0	0	—		1	0
Wrexham (loan)	2016–17 [33]	National League	22	5	0	0	—		0	0	22	5
Cambridge United (loan)	2016–17 [33]	League Two	13	1	0	0	0	0	—		13	1
Tranmere Rovers (loan)	2017–18 [34]	National League	8	0	3	0	—		0	0	11	0
Barnsley	2018–19 [35]	League One	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Aldershot Town (loan)	2018–19 [35]	National League	4	0	0	0	—		1	1	4	1
Aldershot Town			9	0	0	0	—		0	0	9	0
Tamworth	2019–20 [36]	Southern League Premier Central	1	0	0	0	—		0	0	1	0
	2020–21 [36]		5	1	2	0	—		0	0	7	1
Scunthorpe United	2022–23 [37]	National League	4	1	0	0	—		0	0	4	1
Kidderminster Harriers	2023–24 [37]	National League	15	1	2	0	—		0	0	17	1
Career Total			82	9	7	0	0	0	1	1	91	10

References

1. "The Football League Limited: Club list of registered players as at 16th May 2015" (PDF). The Football League. 16 May 2015. p. 79. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
2. "Gerry McDonagh". 11v11. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
3. "Nott'm Forest 1–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
4. "Wrexham AFC boss Gary Mills signs Tyler Harvey and Gerry McDonagh". The Leader. 29 July 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
5. "Nottingham Forest youngster Gerry McDonagh looking forward to proving himself at Wrexham AFC". Daily Post. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
6. "Guiseley 2–3". BBC Sport. 9 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
7. "Gerry McDonagh brings out the best in me says Shaun Harrad". Daily Post. 24 October 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
8. "Wrexham 3–1 Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
9. "'Outstanding' Gerry McDonagh returns to Nottingham Forest from Wrexham". Nottingham Post. 3 January 2017. Archived from the original on 4 January 2017. Retrieved 4 January 2017.
10. "McDonagh makes Cambridge move". Nottingham Forest. 21 January 2017.
11. "Cambridge United 1–3 Mansfield Town". BBC Sport. 21 January 2017.
12. Unknown author (7 July 2017). "Academy players sign up for new season". Nottingham Forest Football Club Official Website.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
13. Matt Davies (27 April 2018). "Striker Gerry McDonagh to leave Nottingham Forest". Nottingham Post. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
14. Unknown author (9 August 2018). "Gerry McDonagh Joins The Reds!". Barnsley Football Club Official Website.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
15. Unknown author (7 December 2018). "Gerry McDonagh Joins Aldershot On Loan". Barnsley Football Club Official Website.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
16. Unknown author (8 December 2018). "Harrogate Town 4-1 Aldershot Town". BBC Official Website.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
17. Unknown author (9 January 2019). "Shots Sign McDonagh". Aldershot Town Football Club Official Website.{{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
18. "McDonagh Signs on". TheLambs.co.uk. 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
19. "Tamworth 4-1 Stratford Town". TheLambs.co.uk. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
20. "Four Sign on for New Season". TheLambs.co.uk. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
21. "Peterborough Sports 1–1 Tamworth". TheLambs.co.uk. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
22. "Tamworth 2-1 Barwell". TheLambs.co.uk. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
23. "FC Halifax Town: Former Nottingham Forest and Barnsley striker McDonagh joins Shaymen". Halifax Courier. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
24. "Duo out on loan". FC Halifax Town. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
25. "McDonagh extends loan move". FC Halifax Town. 6 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.
26. "United add target man Gerry McDonagh to the squad". www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
27. "Gerry McDonagh joins Eastleigh". www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk. 11 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
28. "2022/23 RETAINED LIST". www.eastleighfc.com. 9 May 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
29. "Striker added to ranks". harriers.co.uk. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
30. "Reds sign striker Gerry McDonagh on loan from Kidderminster Harriers". www.alfretontownfootballclub.com. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
31. "Gerry McDonagh". Football Association Ireland. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
32. "Games played by Gerry McDonagh in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
33. "Games played by Gerry McDonagh in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 March 2017.
34. "Games played by Gerry McDonagh in 2017/2018". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
35. "Games played by Gerry McDonagh in 2018/2019". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
36. "Player profiles: Gerry McDonagh". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
37. Gerry McDonagh at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 January 2024.

External links

• Gerry McDonagh at Soccerbase
• Gerry McDonagh at Soccerway