Cathal McCarthy (born 31 August 2006) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder and centre-back for Premier League club Hull City. He also represents the Republic of Ireland at youth level.[1]
Club career
McCarthy is from Caragh, County Kildare.[2] He played underage football with Newbridge Town, Klub Kildare and 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]
Ahead of the 2025 winter transfer window, Derby County, Everton, Fulham, Millwall, and Norwich City had all expressed interest in recruiting McCarthy.[4][5] However, 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 to finish his leaving certificate, achieving 542 points. On 1 July, he returned to Hull and began playing for their U21s.[6]
McCarthy made his senior debut for Hull on 23 August 2025. Amidst a minor injury crisis, he was promoted to start at centre-back alongside fellow-Irishman John Egan against Blackburn Rovers.[7] However, the match was one to forget for McCarthy, as Blackburn ran out 3–0 winners at the MKM Stadium.[8] In July 2026, following his side's promotion to the Premier League, McCarthy drew interest from clubs in the Premier League, EFL Championship and Scottish Premiership, with Hull reportedly turning down an initial bid from Mottingham Forest for him.[9]
International career
McCarthy made his debut for the Republic of Ireland U19s in a 3–1 win over Kazakhstan on 7 September 2024.[1][10] He scored his first goal in his second cap against Greece on 9 October 2024.[1][11] On 28 August 2025, he received his first call up to the U21s.[12]
Career statistics
- As of 7 March 2026[13]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | League Cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| UCD | 2024 | LOI First Division | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 1[c] | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| Hull City | 2024–25 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | |
| 2025–26 | Championship | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | 0 | ||
| Total | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 8 | 0 | |||
| UCD (loan) | 2025 | LOI First Division | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0[c] | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| Career total | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "McCarthy signs for Hull City Academy". Hull City A.F.C. 1 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "McCarthy delighted at securing exciting move to Hull City this summer". Kildare Nationalist. 12 February 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "Athlone Town vs. UCD 2 - 2". soccerway.com. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "Hull City are set to beat Everton in race to sign Irish gem". Everton News. 10 December 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ Leonard, Stephen (12 February 2025). "McCarthy Delighted at Securing Exciting Move to Hull City This Summer". Kildare Nationalist. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
- ↑ "Team News: Blackburn Rovers (H)". Hull City A.F.C. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ "Hull City 0-3 Blackburn Rovers". BBC Sport. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ McCadden, Mark (7 July 2026). "Nottm Forest bid for Ireland Under-21 defender rejected, second offer expected". Irish Mirror.
- ↑ "Ireland 3-1 Kazakhstan". FAI. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "Ireland 2-2 Greece". FAI. 9 October 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ↑ "Under-21 squad named for Moldova & Andorra qualifiers". FAI. 28 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ↑ Cathal McCarthy at Soccerway