Cathal McCarthy (footballer)

Cathal McCarthy
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-08-31) 31 August 2006
Place of birth County Kildare, Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
UCD (on loan from Hull City)
Number 33
Youth career
?–2025 UCD
2025– Hull City
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024–2025 UCD 4 (0)
2025– Hull City 0 (0)
2025–UCD (loan) 12 (0)
International career
2024– Republic of Ireland U19 5 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:53, 18 May 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:53, 18 May 2025 (UTC)

Cathal McCarthy (born 31 August 2006) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for University College Dublin, on loan from EFL Championship club Hull City. He also represents the Republic of Ireland at youth level.[1]

Club career

McCarthy is from Caragh, County Kildare.[2] He came through the academy ranks at UCD, and broke into the first team in the 2024 season. On 24 May 2024, he made his senior debut away at Athlone Town, appearing as a second-half substitute in a 2–2 draw.[1][3]

Derby County, Everton, Fulham, Millwall, and Norwich City had all expressed interest in recruiting McCarthy.[4][5] He ultimately signed for EFL Championship club Hull City on 1 February 2025, arriving on a two-and-a-half year deal.[1] As part of his contract, McCarthy was loaned straight back to UCD until 30 June 2025 to finish his leaving certificate, after which he will join Hull's U21s.[6]

International career

McCarthy made his debut for the U19s in a 3–1 win over Kazakhstan on 7 September 2024.[1][7] He scored his first goal in his second cap against Greece on 9 October 2024.[1][8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "McCarthy signs for Hull City Academy". Hull City A.F.C. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  2. ^ "McCarthy delighted at securing exciting move to Hull City this summer". Kildare Nationalist. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  3. ^ "Athlone Town vs. UCD 2 - 2". soccerway.com. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  4. ^ McCadden, Mark (28 February 2025). "Brilliant Reason Why UCD Youngster Insisted on Loan Back to League of Ireland After Joining Hull". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  5. ^ "Hull City are set to beat Everton in race to sign Irish gem". Everton News. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  6. ^ Leonard, Stephen (12 February 2025). "McCarthy Delighted at Securing Exciting Move to Hull City This Summer". Kildare Nationalist. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  7. ^ "Ireland 3-1 Kazakhstan". FAI. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
  8. ^ "Ireland 2-2 Greece". FAI. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.