Luke McNally

Raised in Enfield, County Meath, 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11121001/luke_mcnally/|title=Luke McNally|website=www.extratime.com|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/34779/2/|title=U19 Enda McGuill Cup Final Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Bohemians|first=Brendan|last=Graham|date=4 September 2018|website=www.extratime.com|access-date=30 August 2024}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/31633/1/|title=Live Updates – 2017 Leinster Senior Cup Quarter Finals – St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Firhouse Clover|website=www.extratime.com}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/stpatsfc/photos/defender-luke-mcnally-has-signed-a-2-year-contract-with-the-club-joins-tonights-/10156635312022550/|title=Facebook|website=www.facebook.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=8194|title=Mcnally Joins Drogheda On Loan|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}

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. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/35805/2/|title=League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Cobh Ramblers|website=www.extratime.com|first=Gerard|last=Grimes|date=22 February 2019|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/cobh-ramblers-vs-drogheda-united/id-025K4EO184000000VUM100GLVVH56HPG|title=Cobh Ramblers Vs Drogheda United – SSE Airtricity League|website=sseairtricityleague.ie}} 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,{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/35864/2/|title=League Preview: Cabinteely -v- Drogheda United|website=www.extratime.com|first=Andrew|last=Dempsey|date=18 May 2019 |access-date=30 August 2024}} before scoring an equaliser in a 2–1 win away to Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/wexford-fc-vs-drogheda-united/id-025K4EO540000000VUM100GLVVH56HPG|title=Wexford Fc Vs Drogheda United – SSE Airtricity League|website=sseairtricityleague.ie}} On 28 June 2019, McNally scored an injury time header to beat Bray Wanderers by a goal to nil at United Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/drogheda-united-vs-bray-wanderers/id-025K4EO728000000VUM100GLVVH56HPG|title=Drogheda United Vs Bray Wanderers – SSE Airtricity League|website=sseairtricityleague.ie}} McNally then scored in a 3–1 win over Galway United in August{{Cite web|url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/galway-united-vs-drogheda-united/id-025K4EOEHS000000VUM100GLVVH56HPG|title=Galway United Vs Drogheda United – SSE Airtricity League|website=sseairtricityleague.ie}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sseairtricityleague.ie/match/drogheda-united-vs-shelbourne/id-025K4EOIOS000000VUM100GLVVH56HPG|title=Drogheda United Vs Shelbourne – SSE Airtricity League|website=sseairtricityleague.ie}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/39655/2/|title=League Play-Off Preview: Drogheda United -v- Cabinteely|website=www.extratime.com|first=Andrew|last=Dempsey|date=24 October 2019|access-date=30 August 2024}} Despite winning the first leg of the Playoff Final 1–0 at home to Premier Division side Finn Harps,{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/39656/2/|title=Play-Off Final Preview: Drogheda United -v- Finn Harps|website=www.extratime.com|first=Andrew|last=Dempsey|date=28 October 2019|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/39657/2/|title=Play-Off Final Preview: Finn Harps -v- Drogheda United|website=www.extratime.com|first=Andrew|last=Dempsey|date=1 November 2019|access-date=30 August 2024}} McNally finished his first full season with 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 9 goals despite his defensive role in the team.{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/luke-mcnally/597183/|title=Republic of Ireland – L. McNally – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}} At the club's end of season awards night, he was named as Drogheda United Young Player of the Year for 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DroghedaUnited/photos/luke-mcnally-receiving-the-drogheda-utd-supporters-young-player-of-the-year-awar/2470719906309780/|title=Luke McNally receiving the Drogheda Utd Supporters young player of the year award from Catriona McCann.|website=www.facebook.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DroghedaUnited/photos/luke-mcnally-young-player-of-the-year-receiving-his-award-from-peter-dolan-scotc/2470719909643113/|title=Luke McNally Young player of the year receiving his award from Peter Dolan Scotch Hall|website=www.facebook.com}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1201464022459138049|title=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|website=twitter.com}} McNally signed a new two-year contract with the club on 27 January 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratime.ie/articles/24335/luke-mcnally-signs-two-year-contract-st-patricks-athletic/|title=Luke McNally signs two-year contract with St Patrick's Athletic|website=ExtraTime.ie|first=Paul|last=Corcoran|date=27 January 2020|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/matches/detail/39905/2/|title=League Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Waterford|website=www.extratime.com|first=Andrew|last=Dempsey|date=13 February 2020|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://the72.co.uk/2020/06/13/ipswich-town-confirmed-interest-in-weighing-up-move-for-irish-starlet/|title=Ipswich Town confirmed interest in weighing up move for Irish starlet|date=13 June 2020|website=The 72|access-date=30 August 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-transfer-rumour-2678544|title=Ipswich Town transfer rumour: Blues 'stepping up' interest in Irish centre-half|first=Andy|last=Warren|date=12 June 2020|website=East Anglian Daily Times}} 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/national-league/finn-harps-boost-chances-of-avoiding-playoff-after-thrilling-win-over-st-pat-s-1.4393685|title=Finn Harps boost chances of avoiding playoff after thrilling win over St Pat's|first=Chris|last=Ashmore|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=28 October 2020|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/stpatsfc/status/1334117136231444481|title=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|website=twitter.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/profile.php?id=239|title=Luke Mcnally|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}

On 29 January 2021 it was confirmed that EFL League One side Oxford United had signed McNally on a {{frac|3|1|2}}-year contract for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2021/january/luke-mcnally-signs/|title=Luke McNally Joins Oxford United|website=www.oufc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stpatsfc.com/news.php?id=8845|title=Mcnally Signs For League 1 Oxford|website=www.stpatsfc.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/st-pats-defender-luke-mcnally-secures-move-to-oxford-united-40026629.html|title=St Pat's defender Luke McNally secures move to Oxford United|website=independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/luke-mcnally-5339372-Jan2021/|title=Saint Pat's defender Luke McNally joins League One club on permanent deal|first=Gavin|last=Cooney|website=The42|date=29 January 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/19049231.oxford-united-sign-irish-centre-back-luke-mcnally/|title=Oxford United sign Luke McNally|website=Oxford Mail|date=29 January 2021 }} He spent his first few months at the club undergoing a 'mini pre-season' to get fit following a hip injury,{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/19200317.centre-back-luke-mcnally-settling-oxford-united/|title=Centre back Luke McNally on settling in at Oxford United|first=James|last=Roberts|website=Oxford Mail|date=31 March 2021 }} first making the first-team matchday squad on 2 April 2021 when he was an unused substitute away to Sunderland.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2021/04/02/england/league-one/sunderland-association-football-club/oxford-united-fc/3346267/|title=Sunderland vs. Oxford United – 2 April 2021|website=soccerway.com}} He made his debut for the first team in July 2021 in a friendly against Oxford City{{Cite web|url=https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2021/july/report-oxford-city/|title=REPORT Oxford City 2 Oxford United 3|website=Oxford United F.C.}} during pre-season, in which teammate and fellow defender Sam Long described him as "an absolute machine".{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/19439807.sam-long-full-praise-young-defender-luke-mcnally/|title=Sam Long full of praise for young defender Luke McNally|website=Oxford Mail|date=14 July 2021 }} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/results/19507358.burton-albion-1-brayford-90-6-oxford-united-1-holland-85---us-win-4-2-pens/|title=Burton Albion 1 (Brayford 90+6), Oxford United 1 (Holland 85) – U's win 4–2 on pens|website=Oxford Mail|date=11 August 2021 }} He made his league debut three days later in a 2–1 win over Charlton Athletic at the Kassam Stadium.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58124729 |title=Oxford United 2–1 Charlton Athletic |date=14 August 2021 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=17 August 2021}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://punditarena.com/football/andrewdempsey/kennys-kids-luke-mcnally-ciaran-brennan-round-up-nov-23/|title=Kenny's Kids: Luke McNally excels for Oxford United as Ciaran Brennan impresses for Sheffield Wednesday|date=24 November 2021|website=Pundit Arena}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/burnley-capture-mcnally|title=Clarets Seal McNally Deal|website=Burnley Football Club}}{{Cite news|url=https://theathletic.com/news/burnley-luke-mcnally-transfer/nw0ixls0P1s0/|title=Burnley sign Oxford's Luke McNally for £2m|first=Andy|last=Jones|website=The Athletic}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/disappointment-for-irish-trio-as-burnleys-unbeaten-start-ends-5840133-Aug2022/?amp=1|title=TheJournal.ie – Disappointment for Irish trio as Burnley's unbeaten start ends|website=www.the42.ie|date=12 August 2022 }}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.ccfc.co.uk/news/2023/january/transfer-coventry-city-sign-luke-mcnally-on-loan-from-burnley/|title=TRANSFER: Coventry City sign Luke McNally on loan from Burnley|website=www.ccfc.co.uk|date=26 January 2023|accessdate=26 January 2023}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65654937|title=Coventry City 1-1 Luton Town (5-6 pens): Hatters win shootout to reach Premier League |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2023}}

Following Burnley's promotion to the Premier League, it was announced on 2 August 2023 that McNally had signed for EFL Championship club Stoke City on a season-long loan deal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66388658|title=Luke McNally: Stoke City sign Burnley defender on season's loan|publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 August 2023|access-date=30 August 2024}} 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.{{Cite news |title=Stoke City 2-1 Sunderland: Luke McNally goal ends dire home run |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67108823 |date=21 October 2023|access-date=9 November 2023}} McNally made 41 appearances for Stoke during the 2023–24 season as Stoke successfully fought against relegation.{{cite news |title=Southampton 0–1 Stoke City |work=BBC Sport |date=27 April 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68862287 |access-date=9 May 2024}} On 21 May 2024, Burnley confirmed that McNally would return to the club following the end of his loan spell.{{Cite web |title=CLUB CONFIRM RETAINED LIST {{!}} BurnleyFC |url=https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/club-confirm-retained-list |access-date=21 May 2024 |website=www.burnleyfootballclub.com |language=en}}

On 30 August 2024, McNally signed for Bristol City for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web|last=Morgan|first=Ryan|title=City sign McNally|url=https://www.bcfc.co.uk/city-men-news/city-sign-mcnally-from-burnley/|date=30 August 2024|website=Bristol City FC|access-date=30 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830101855/https://www.bcfc.co.uk/city-men-news/city-sign-mcnally-from-burnley/|archive-date=30 August 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=BBC Sport|title=Bristol City complete signing of defender McNally|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj4xylgpyywo|access-date=30 August 2024 |website=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830102145/https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c23lz94419eo|archive-date=30 August 2024|url-status=live}} On 9 February 2025, McNally suffered a season ending Anterior cruciate ligament injury in a 1–0 defeat to Swansea City at Ashton Gate Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c8xqk2n9rpwo|title=Luke McNally: Bristol City centre-back out for rest of season with ACL injury|date=12 February 2025|website=BBC Sport}} He had scored 3 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions in his first season with the club up to that point.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/luke-mcnally/597183/|title=Republic of Ireland - L. McNally - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/match/55503/2018/999944069|title=Republic of Ireland 2 – 1 Czech Republic | 2018 – U19 Mens Friendlies | 999944069 | Football Association of Ireland|website=www.fai.ie}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40038164.html|title=St Pat's defender among four new faces in Ireland U21 squad|date=26 August 2020|website=Irish Examiner}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.meathchronicle.ie/2020/08/26/luke-mcnally-included-in-republic-of-ireland-u-21s/|title=Luke McNally included in Republic of Ireland u-21s|website=Meath Chronicle|date=26 August 2020 }} He was again called up to train with the squad ahead of the October clash with Italy U21.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/former-cork-city-defender-added-to-ireland-u21-squad-5225192-Oct2020/|title=Former Cork City defender added to Ireland U21 squad|first=Paul|last=Fennessy|website=The42|date=6 October 2020 }}

{{updated|match played on 9 February 2025}}

{{notelist}}

Club

;Burnley

• EFL Championship: 2022–23

Individual

• Drogheda United Young Player of the Year: 2019
• St Patrick's Athletic Young Player of the Year: 2020

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/luke-mcnally/597183/|title=Republic of Ireland – L.McNally|publisher=ie.soccerway.com|accessdate=3 December 2019}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.extratime.ie/player/11121001/luke_mcnally/|title=Player Profiles|publisher=extratime.ie|accessdate=3 December 2019}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Bristol City F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McNally, Luke}}

Category:1999 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Enfield, County Meath

Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers

Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers

Category:St Patrick's Athletic F.C. players

Category:Drogheda United F.C. players

Category:Oxford United F.C. players

Category:Burnley F.C. players

Category:Coventry City F.C. players

Category:Stoke City F.C. players

Category:Bristol City F.C. players

Category:Men's association football defenders

Category:League of Ireland players

Category:English Football League players

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England

Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England

Category:Association footballers from County Meath

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen