Gerry McDonagh
{{short description|Irish association football player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Gerry McDonagh
| caption = Gerry McDonagh pictured for FC Halifax Town in 2021
| image = Gerry McDonagh 2021.jpg
| image_size = 300
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1998|2|14}}{{cite web |title=Gerry McDonagh |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/gerry-mcdonagh-249906/|publisher=11v11 |accessdate=3 January 2016}}
| birth_place = Dublin, Ireland
| height =
| position = Forward
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2013–2015
| youthclubs1 = Nottingham Forest
| years1 = 2015–2018
| clubs1 = Nottingham Forest
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2016–2017
| clubs2 = → Wrexham (loan)
| caps2 = 22
| goals2 = 5
| years3 = 2017
| clubs3 = → Cambridge United (loan)
| caps3 = 13
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2017–2018
| clubs4 = → Tranmere Rovers (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2018–2019
| clubs5 = Barnsley
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2018–2019
| clubs6 = → Aldershot Town (loan)
| caps6 = 4
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2019
| clubs7 = Aldershot Town
| caps7 = 9
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2020
| clubs8 = Tamworth
| caps8 = 6
| goals8 = 1
| years9 = 2021–2022
| clubs9 = FC Halifax Town
| caps9 = 14
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2021–2022
| clubs10 = → Kettering Town (loan)
| caps10 = 7
| goals10 = 2
| years11 = 2022–2023
| clubs11 = Cove Rangers
| caps11 = 15
| goals11 = 2
| years12 = 2023
| clubs12 = Scunthorpe United
| caps12 = 4
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2023
| clubs13 = Eastleigh
| caps13 = 8
| goals13 = 1
| years14 = 2023–2024
| clubs14 = Kidderminster Harriers
| caps14 = 15
| goals14 = 1
| years15 = 2024
| clubs15 = → Alfreton Town (loan)
| caps15 = 18
| goals15 = 2
| years16 = 2024
| clubs16 = Rushall Olympic
| caps16 = 18
| goals16 = 1
| years17 = 2024–2025
| clubs17 = Alfreton Town
| caps17 = 15
| goals17 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2014–2015
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps1 = 5
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| club-update = 16:17, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 11:00, 11 November 2020 (UTC)
}}
Gerry Luke McDonagh (born 14 February 1998) is an Irish footballer who last played as a forward for {{English football updater|AlfretoT}} club Alfreton Town.
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=
File:Gerry_McDonagh_Kettering_Town.jpg
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.{{cite web |title=Nott'm Forest 1–2 Cardiff |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34024912 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 August 2015 |accessdate=12 November 2015}} In July 2016, McDonagh joined National League side Wrexham on an initial one-month loan deal as cover for the injured Jordan White.{{cite web |url=http://m.leaderlive.co.uk/mobile/msport/164860/wrexham-afc-boss-gary-mills-signs-tyler-harvey-and-gerry-mcdonagh.aspx |title=Wrexham AFC boss Gary Mills signs Tyler Harvey and Gerry McDonagh |publisher=The Leader |date=29 July 2016 |accessdate=30 July 2016}} 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".{{Cite web |title=Nottingham Forest youngster Gerry McDonagh looking forward to proving himself at Wrexham AFC |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nottingham-forest-youngster-gerry-mcdonagh-11676371 |publisher=Daily Post |date=28 July 2016 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}
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.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36949522 |title=Guiseley 2–3 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2016 |accessdate=10 August 2016}} 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".{{Cite web |title=Gerry McDonagh brings out the best in me says Shaun Harrad |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gerry-mcdonagh-brings-out-best-12070540 |publisher=Daily Post |date=24 October 2016 |accessdate=23 November 2016}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Wrexham 3–1 Forest Green Rovers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38036495 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 November 2016 |accessdate=27 November 2016}} 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.{{cite web |title='Outstanding' Gerry McDonagh returns to Nottingham Forest from Wrexham |url=http://www.nottinghampost.com/outstanding-gerry-mcdonagh-returns-to-nottingham-forest-from-wrexham/story-30028462-detail/story.html |publisher=Nottingham Post |date=3 January 2017 |access-date=4 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104153111/http://www.nottinghampost.com/outstanding-gerry-mcdonagh-returns-to-nottingham-forest-from-wrexham/story-30028462-detail/story.html |archive-date=4 January 2017 |url-status=dead }} On 21 January McDonagh was again sent out on loan, this time to EFL League Two club Cambridge United.{{Cite web |title=McDonagh makes Cambridge move |url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/nottingham-forest-gerry-mcdonagh-cambridge-united-3529822.aspx |publisher=Nottingham Forest |date=21 January 2017}} McDonagh made his debut the same day as a 61st-minute substitute during a 1–3 defeat by Mansfield Town{{Cite web |title=Cambridge United 1–3 Mansfield Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38619862#tab-0 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2017}}
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.{{cite web |title=Academy players sign up for new season |url=https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2017/july/academy-players-sign-up-for-new-season/ |publisher=Nottingham Forest Football Club Official Website |author=Unknown author |date=7 July 2017}}
It was confirmed on 27 April 2018 that Gerry had left Nottingham Forest, following the expiry of his contract.{{ cite web |title=Striker Gerry McDonagh to leave Nottingham Forest |work=Nottingham Post |url=https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/transfer-news/striker-gerry-mcdonagh-leave-nottingham-1509648 |author=Matt Davies |date=27 April 2018 |accessdate=16 May 2018}}
=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.{{cite web |title=Gerry McDonagh Joins The Reds! |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2018/august/mcdonagh-signs/ |publisher=Barnsley Football Club Official Website |author=Unknown author |date=9 August 2018}}
=Aldershot Town=
Gerry signed for National League side Aldershot Town on a youth loan on 7 December 2018.{{cite web |title=Gerry McDonagh Joins Aldershot On Loan |url=https://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/news/2018/december/gerry-mcdonagh-aldershot/ |publisher=Barnsley Football Club Official Website |author=Unknown author |date=7 December 2018}} McDonagh made his debut the following day, in a 4–1 away defeat to Harrogate Town.{{cite web |title=Harrogate Town 4-1 Aldershot Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46409400 |publisher=BBC Official Website |author=Unknown author |date=8 December 2018}}
On 9 January 2019, Aldershot Town made McDonagh's loan deal permanent and signed him on a free transfer.{{cite web |title=Shots Sign McDonagh |url=https://www.theshots.co.uk/shots-sign-mcdonagh/ |publisher=Aldershot Town Football Club Official Website |author=Unknown author |date=9 January 2019}} Gerry made 13 appearances in total for Aldershot Town, and departed the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
=Tamworth=
McDonagh signed for Southern League Premier Central side Tamworth on 26 February 2020.{{cite news|title=McDonagh Signs on|url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/mcdonagh-signs-on-8483.htm|accessdate=26 February 2020|newspaper=TheLambs.co.uk|date=26 February 2020}} McDonagh made his debut for Tamworth on 7 March 2020, in a home fixture against Stratford Town which the home team won 4–1.{{cite news|title=Tamworth 4-1 Stratford Town|url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/info/reports.asp?repID=1176|accessdate=7 March 2020|newspaper=TheLambs.co.uk|date=7 March 2020}}
On 19 September 2020, Tamworth confirmed that Gerry had re-signed for the Southern League Premier Division Central club for the 2020–21 season.{{cite news |title=Four Sign on for New Season |url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/four-sign-on-for-new-season-9707.htm |accessdate=19 September 2020 |publisher=TheLambs.co.uk |date=19 September 2020 |archive-date=14 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814063552/http://www.thelambs.co.uk/news/four-sign-on-for-new-season-9707.htm |url-status=dead }} 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.{{cite news |title=Peterborough Sports 1–1 Tamworth |url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/matches/a-point-a-piece-at-peterborough--2281.htm |accessdate=19 September 2020 |publisher=TheLambs.co.uk |date=19 September 2020 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602224040/http://www.thelambs.co.uk/matches/a-point-a-piece-at-peterborough--2281.htm |url-status=dead }}
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.{{cite news |title=Tamworth 2-1 Barwell |url=http://www.thelambs.co.uk/matches/lambs-come-back-to-win-again--2284.htm |accessdate=29 September 2020 |publisher=TheLambs.co.uk |date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104022402/http://www.thelambs.co.uk/matches/lambs-come-back-to-win-again--2284.htm |url-status=dead }}
=FC Halifax Town=
On 20 August 2021, he signed for National League side FC Halifax Town after a successful trial with the club.{{cite news|title=FC Halifax Town: Former Nottingham Forest and Barnsley striker McDonagh joins Shaymen|url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/sport/football/fc-halifax-town-former-nottingham-forest-and-barnsley-striker-mcdonagh-joins-shaymen-3354789|publisher=Halifax Courier |date=20 August 2021|accessdate=21 August 2021}} On 4 November 2021, McDonagh joined National League North side Kettering Town on a one-month loan deal.{{Cite web |url=https://fchalifaxtown.com/news/duo-out-on-loan/ |title=Duo out on loan |publisher=FC Halifax Town |date=4 November 2021 |accessdate=5 December 2021}} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://fchalifaxtown.com/news/mcdonagh-extends-loan-move/ |title=McDonagh extends loan move |publisher=FC Halifax Town |date=6 December 2021 |accessdate=7 December 2021}}
=Scunthorpe United=
On 2 February 2023, McDonagh signed for Scunthorpe United following a spell with Scottish Championship side Cove Rangers.{{cite web|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2023/february/united-add-target-man-gerry-mcdonagh-to-the-squad/|title=United add target man Gerry McDonagh to the squad|website=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk|date=2 February 2023|accessdate=2 February 2023}}
=Eastleigh=
On 11 March 2023, McDonagh joined fellow National League club Eastleigh after just four appearances for Scunthorpe United.{{cite web|url=https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2023/march/gerry-mcdonagh-joins-eastleigh/|title=Gerry McDonagh joins Eastleigh|website=www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk|date=11 March 2023|accessdate=12 March 2023}} He was released by the club at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.eastleighfc.com/2022-23-retained-list/|title=2022/23 RETAINED LIST|website=www.eastleighfc.com|date=9 May 2023|accessdate=9 May 2023}}
=Kidderminster Harriers=
On 26 June 2023, McDonagh signed for newly promoted National League club Kidderminster Harriers on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://harriers.co.uk/news/2023/06/26/striker-added-to-ranks/|title=Striker added to ranks|website=harriers.co.uk|date=26 June 2023|accessdate=26 June 2023}}
In January 2024, McDonagh joined National League North club Alfreton Town on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.alfretontownfootballclub.com/news/reds-sign-striker-gerry-mcdonagh-on-loan-from-kidderminster-harriers-2829577.html|title=Reds sign striker Gerry McDonagh on loan from Kidderminster Harriers|website=www.alfretontownfootballclub.com|date=26 January 2024|accessdate=26 January 2024}}
=Rushall Olympic=
In July 2024, McDonagh joined National League North side Rushall Olympic. {{cite web|url=https://www.rofc.co.uk/news/breaking--pics-bring-in-more-power-with-mcdonagh-capture?id=440909|title=BREAKING: PICS BRING IN MORE POWER WITH McDONAGH CAPTURE|website=www.rofc.co.uk|date=3 July 2024|accessdate=24 December 2024}} In December 2024, he was released from his contract. {{cite tweet|number=1871592915010802153|title=Gerry McDonagh has been released from his contract and has left our club. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him well for the future. #ShareThePicsPassion💛🖤|user=ROFCOfficial|author-link=Rushall Olympic F.C.|date=24 December 2024|accessdate=24 December 2024}}
=Alfreton Town=
On 24 December 2024, McDonagh returned to Alfreton Town on a permanent basis. {{cite tweet|number=1871603769676636490|title=✍️🏻 𝙈𝘾𝘿𝙊𝙉𝘼𝙂𝙃 𝙎𝙄𝙂𝙉𝙎 We're delighted to announce the return of forward Gerry McDonagh from Rushall Olympic. Gerry spent time with us last season on loan from Kidderminster Harriers. Welcome back 🤝🏻 #ATFC {{!}} #Ofton|user=AlfretonTownFC|author-link=Alfreton Town F.C.|date=24 December 2024|accessdate=29 December 2024}} He rejected the offer of a new contract at the end of the 2024–25 season, subsequently departing the club. {{cite web|url=https://www.alfretontownfootballclub.com/news/alfreton-town-football-club-202425-retained-list-2920577.html|title=ALFRETON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB: 2024/25 RETAINED LIST|website=www.alfretontownfootballclub.com|date=31 May 2025|accessdate=2 June 2025}}
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.{{cite news |title=Gerry McDonagh |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/888841331 |newspaper=Football Association Ireland |date=1 March 2014 |accessdate=1 March 2014}}
Career statistics
{{updated|end of 2024–25 season}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes appearances in FA Cup and Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=4|Nottingham Forest
|2015–16{{Soccerbase season|87751|2015|name=Gerry McDonagh|access-date=22 January 2017}} |rowspan=3|Championship |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17{{Soccerbase season|87751|2016|name=Gerry McDonagh|access-date=19 March 2017}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18{{Cite web |title=Games played by Gerry McDonagh in 2017/2018 |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/home.sd?search=Gerry+McDonagh&type=playerAll |publisher=soccerbase.com |accessdate=5 August 2017}}
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| valign="centre"|Wrexham (loan)
|22 | 5 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 22 | 5 | ||
| valign="centre"|Cambridge United (loan)
|13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | ||
| valign="centre"|Tranmere Rovers (loan)
|National League |8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| valign="centre"|Barnsley
|2018–19{{Cite web |title=Games played by Gerry McDonagh in 2018/2019 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=87751&season_id=151 |publisher=soccerbase.com |accessdate=5 August 2017}} |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| valign="centre"|Aldershot Town (loan)
|rowspan=2|2018–19 |rowspan=2|National League |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||
| valign="centre"|Aldershot Town
|9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| rowspan=3|Tamworth
|2019–20{{cite web |title=Player profiles: Gerry McDonagh |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/gerry-mcdonagh |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |accessdate=26 February 2020}} |rowspan=2|Southern League Premier Central |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21
|5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
| FC Halifax Town
|National League |13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||
| Kettering Town (loan)
|7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||
| Cove Rangers
|15 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 6 | |
| Scunthorpe United
|National League |4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | ||
| Kidderminster Harriers
|2023–24{{soccerway|gerry-mcdonagh/375203|accessdate=26 January 2024}} |National League |15 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
| Alfreton Town (loan)
|National League North |18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||
| Rushall Olympic
|National League North |18 | 1 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 24 | 1 | ||
| Alfreton Town
|National League North |15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||
| colspan="3"|Career Total
!168 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 190 | 23 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{Soccerway}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McDonagh, Gerry}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players
Category:Wrexham A.F.C. players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Aldershot Town F.C. players
Category:Tamworth F.C. players
Category:FC Halifax Town players
Category:Kettering Town F.C. players
Category:Cove Rangers F.C. players
Category:Scunthorpe United F.C. players
Category:Eastleigh F.C. players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:Alfreton Town F.C. players
Category:Rushall Olympic F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players