Jay McGrath

Jay McGrath

Personal information
Full name	John-Alan McGrath
Date of birth	(2003-04-15) 15 April 2003 (age 21)
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	22	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:30, 14 December 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

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 14 December 2024 ^[19]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup [a]		League Cup [b]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Mickleover Sports	2019–20	Northern Premier League	7	0	1	0	—		—		8	0
Coventry City	2020–21	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2021–22	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2022–23	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alfreton Town (loan)	2022–23	National League North	0	0	—		—		1 [c]	0	1	0
St Patrick's Athletic (loan)	2023	LOI Premier Division	20	1	–		–		–		20	1
St Patrick's Athletic	2023	LOI Premier Division	7	0	4	0	–		1 [d]	0	12	0
Doncaster Rovers	2023–24	League Two	5	0	–		–		2 [e]	0	7	0
	2024–25	League Two	17	0	1	0	2	0	3 [e]	0	23	0
	Total		22	0	1	0	2	0	4	0	30	0
Total			56	1	6	0	2	0	6	0	71	1

1. Includes FA Cup & FAI Cup
2. Includes EFL Cup
3. Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
4. Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa Conference League
5. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

Honours

St Patrick's Athletic

• FAI Cup: 2023

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. 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.

External links

• Jay Mcgrath
• CCFC Profile
• The League of Ireland deserves more respect, insists Saints’ Jay McGrath