Shay McCartan

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Shay McCartan
McCartan training with Accrington Stanley in 2014
Personal information
Full name Seamus Vincent McCartan[1]
Date of birth (1994-05-18) 18 May 1994 (age 29)[2]
Place of birth Newry, Northern Ireland
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Glentoran
Number 15
Youth career
2009–2010 Glenavon
2010–2012 Burnley
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2013 Burnley 1 (0)
2013 → Hyde (loan) 16 (1)
2013–2017 Accrington Stanley 110 (24)
2017–2020 Bradford City 45 (8)
2018–2019 → Lincoln City (loan) 38 (7)
2020–2021 Ballymena United 36 (18)
2021– Glentoran 67 (10)
International career‡
2010–2011 Northern Ireland U17 5 (3)
2011–2012 Northern Ireland U19 3 (2)
2013–2016 Northern Ireland U21 9 (2)
2017–2018 Northern Ireland 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:45, 1 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:00, 5 June 2018 (UTC)

Seamus Vincent McCartan (born 18 May 1994) is a Northern Irish footballer who currently plays as a forward for Glentoran.

McCartan joined Burnley in May 2010 on a two-year scholarship, having previously played for Banbridge Town and Glenavon. He made his debut for the club in the Championship in April 2012 and spent the 2012–13 season on loan at Hyde. He joined Accrington Stanley on a free transfer in July 2013 and went on to play 126 matches over the next four seasons, scoring 24 goals. He was named as League Two Player of the Month in March 2017 and three months later was signed by Bradford City for an undisclosed six-figure fee. He spent the 2018–19 season on loan at Lincoln City, who would win promotion as champions of League Two. He spent the 2019–20 season back at Bradford, before being released in May 2020. It was announced in September 2020 that he had signed with Ballymena United in the Irish Premiership.

Having scored goals for his country at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level, he won his first cap for the senior team in June 2017. He also played Gaelic football, winning the MacRory Cup with St Colman's College, Newry in March 2010 and featuring for Down minors in May 2011.

Club career[edit]

Youth career[edit]

Born in Newry,[2] McCartan started his youth career with his local side Banbridge Town, where he played for several years.[3] In 2009, he joined Glenavon, where he spent one season. He also represented County Down in the 2009 Milk Cup and was named as the side's player of the tournament.[4] In May 2010, McCartan signed for Burnley on a two-year apprenticeship, beating off competition from other clubs. Burnley paid a compensation fee to both Glenavon and Banbridge.[5] He was part of the squad that got to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1978, scoring a last minute goal against West Bromwich Albion in the process.[6]

Burnley[edit]

McCartan was first involved with the first-team squad in September 2011, when he was an unused substitute in the 2–1 League Cup victory over Milton Keynes Dons.[7] His first Championship involvement came when he was an unused substitute against Brighton & Hove Albion on 6 April 2012.[8] McCartan made his professional debut three days later in a 2–1 win over Doncaster Rovers, coming on as a substitute for Josh McQuoid in the final minute.[9] Manager Eddie Howe had played a number of youth team graduates towards the end of the 2011–12 season in an attempt to fill out the "Clarets" squad.[10] McCartan was given a professional contract after he scored 23 times for the youth team in 2012.[11]

On 31 January 2013, he joined Conference Premier side Hyde on an initial one-month loan, which was later extended until the end of the 2012–13 campaign.[12][13] He scored his first senior career goal for the "Tigers" in a 2–0 win over Wrexham at Ewen Fields on 30 March.[14] This was his only goal in 16 appearances as Scott McNiven's Hyde avoided relegation with an 18th-place finish despite being the only semi-professional side in the division.[15][16]

Accrington[edit]

On 2 July 2013, McCartan signed a one-year contract with League Two club Accrington Stanley; Stanley boss James Beattie said he knew a lot of people at Turf Moor were surprised when Sean Dyche released him, whilst McCartan said that hoped that as a former striker Beattie could improve his skills.[17] He scored his first goal in the Football League on 12 April 2014, providing a stoppage time equaliser by heading in a Lee Molyneux corner in a 1–1 draw at York City; speaking four years later he recalled that "we were in a relegation fight at the time and that was a special moment".[18][19] This was to prove his only goal from 21 matches in the 2013–14 season.[16] He scored a brace on his first start of the 2014–15 season, in a 3–1 win over Hartlepool United at the Crown Ground.[20] He contributed six goals in 36 games throughout the campaign and signed a new 12-month contract in July.[21]

On 13 February 2016, he was sent off for the first in his career in a 4–1 home win over Crawley Town; Crawley's Simon Walton and Stanley's Jason Mooney were also sent off as a melee ensued.[22] Accrington qualified for the play-offs at the end of the 2015–16 season, missing out on automatic promotion after finishing behind third-placed Bristol Rovers on goal difference. They were eliminated from the play-off semi-finals with a 3–2 aggregate defeat to AFC Wimbledon; McCartan was substituted at the end of normal time in the second leg, which Accrington had been winning 2–1 on the night before conceding an equalising goal in extra-time.[23] He signed a new two-year deal in July as the departure of Josh Windass opened up a place in the starting eleven.[24] Manager John Coleman stated that "I am confident he will grab the opportunity with both hands".[25]

He was named as League Two Player of the Month for March 2017 after scoring six goals in seven games, including free-kicks against Barnet, Exeter City, Morecambe and Grimsby Town; Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman said that "His technique from free-kicks rivals the very best on offer anywhere at the moment, and opposition goalkeepers and defenders must fear the worst when they see him lining up".[26] He reached double figures for the first time, ending the 2016–17 campaign with ten goals in 39 appearances.

"I am looking forward to a new challenge and it will be exciting to play in League One. I am sorry to leave Accrington, I have had a great four years here. I have loved my time here and they gave me a chance when I was released from Burnley when no one else wanted me. I was signed by James Beattie and Paul Stephenson and then have continued my development under the current gaffer (John Coleman).”

— McCartan enjoyed his time at Accrington.[27]

Bradford City[edit]

McCartan signed a three-year deal with Bradford City on 29 June 2017 for an undisclosed six-figure fee (later reported to be £200,000).[28][29] He faced competition from Charlie Wyke and Alex Jones, as well as new signings Dominic Poleon and Paul Taylor.[30] He struggled to settle in at Valley Parade and Head of Recruitment Greg Abbott revealed that nine clubs had expressed an interest in McCartan in the January transfer window.[28] He ended the 2017–18 season with four goals in 28 games, and Lincolnshire Live journalist Mark Whiley reported that: "McCartan showed glimpses of quality but found himself in and out of the team as the Bantams went through two permanent managers, Stuart McCall and Simon Grayson, and one caretaker boss, Greg Abbott".[31]

He moved on loan to Lincoln City in July 2018.[32] He was a first-team regular at first, though was limited to just five league starts following the arrival on loanee Danny Rowe in the January transfer window.[16][33] This was despite him winning the League Two Goal of the Month award for January for an "exquisitely struck volley" with "ferocity and outright power" in a 2–2 at Swindon Town.[34] McCartan scored a total of seven goals in 43 games in the 2018–19 season, including the goal that secured promotion in a 1–1 draw with Cheltenham Town at Sincil Bank on 13 April.[35] "Imps" manager Danny Cowley said that "He’s felt like our player and we look forward to hopefully trying to get something agreed in the summer".[33] As Lincoln went up as champions, Bradford replaced them in League Two after getting relegated in McCartan's absence.[16]

After his loan deal ended and he returned to Bradford City, new manager Gary Bowyer confirmed that he was in his first-team plans for the 2019–20 season.[36] McCartan was initially reluctant to return to the club but soon found that the "poisonous changing room" atmosphere had been transformed by Bowyer into "a positive place to be at".[37] He went on to score four goals in 22 games in a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England and his departure from the club was confirmed in May 2020.[38]

Ballymena United[edit]

Ballymena United announced on 29 September 2020 that they had signed McCartan.

Glentoran[edit]

On 1 August 2021, it was announced McCartan had signed for Glentoran[39] for an Irish League record fee of £100,000.[40]

International career[edit]

McCartan made his debut for the Northern Ireland U17 side in October 2010, in the 2011 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying round, a 0–0 draw with Montenegro.[41] He scored his first goal for Northern Ireland in a 6–0 qualifying win over Azerbaijan.[42] Northern Ireland qualified for the elite round of qualifying after finishing second in the group.[43] Their first group game was a 3–2 defeat to England, with McCartan bagging a brace.[44] His form for the under-17s saw him get called up to the under-19 squad. He made his debut in October 2011, scoring in the 3–1 win over Belarus, in qualification for the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[45] On 26 April 2012, still aged just 17, McCartan was called up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad for the first time for their European Under 21 qualifying game against Macedonia. However, he remained an unused substitute.[46] On 12 July 2012, McCartan was called up for the under-19's as part of the Milk Cup squad, along with fellow Burnley player Luke Conlan.[47] On 21 July 2012, McCartan scored in a 5–3 defeat to Chile.[48] He scored his first goal for the under-21s in their 2–1 defeat to Ukraine on 17 November 2015; the game was part of Northern Ireland's 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification campaign.[49] He scored again on 29 March 2016, in a 3–1 qualifying defeat to Scotland.[50]

McCartan made his senior debut for Northern Ireland in a friendly 1–0 win over New Zealand at Windsor Park on 2 June 2017.[51] He was retained in the matchday squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against San Marino and Czech Republic the following month, as Will Grigg was lacking match fitness.[52] Manager Michael O'Neill handed him a second cap on 3 June 2018, in a 3–0 friendly defeat to Costa Rica at San José's Estadio Nacional.[53]

Style of play[edit]

A versatile attacker, McCartan can play as a striker or as a deep-lying forward, able to drop back into midfield when needed to drive the ball forward and connect the play with another striker.[30][54] He is an accomplished free-kick taker and has scored from four direct kicks in the space of just one month.[26]

Gaelic football[edit]

Also a Gaelic footballer, he won a MacRory Cup winners medal with St Colman's College, Newry in March 2010, coming on as a substitute in the final at Casement Park.[55] All-Ireland success in the Hogan Cup followed in April 2010, with McCartan scoring his school's only goal.[56] In May 2011, McCartan appeared for Down minors in the Ulster Minor Football Championship. He scored a hat-trick but ended up on the losing team.[57]

Career statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

As of match played 19 December 2020
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
Burnley 2011–12[58] Championship 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2012–13[59] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
Hyde (loan) 2012–13[59] Conference Premier 16 1 — — — 16 1
Accrington Stanley 2013–14[60] League Two 18 1 0 0 2 0 1[c] 0 21 1
2014–15[61] League Two 31 6 4 0 0 0 1[c] 0 36 6
2015–16[62] League Two 27 7 1 0 0 0 2[d] 0 30 7
2016–17[63] League Two 34 10 2 0 2 0 1[c] 0 39 10
Total 110 24 7 0 4 0 5 0 126 24
Bradford City 2017–18[64] League One 24 4 1 0 0 0 3[c] 0 28 4
2018–19[65] League One 0 0 — — — 0 0
2019–20[66] League Two 21 4 0 0 0 0 1[c] 0 22 4
Total 45 8 1 0 0 0 4 0 50 8
Lincoln City (loan) 2018–19[65] League Two 38 7 3 0 1 0 1[c] 0 43 7
Ballymena United 2020–21[16] NIFL Premiership 11 4 — — — 11 4
Career total 221 44 11 0 5 0 10 0 247 44
  1. ^ Includes FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  4. ^ Appearances in play-offs

International[edit]

As of match played 3 June 2018[67]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Northern Ireland 2017 1 0
2018 1 0
Total 2 0

Honours[edit]

Individual

Lincoln City

References[edit]

  1. ^ "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Shay McCartan". 11v11. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. ^ "Juniors Sign Burnley Deal". Banbridge Leader. 26 May 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  4. ^ "Locals shine as County Down's Juniors are cream of the counties at Milk Cup". Darming Life. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  5. ^ "Burnley sign teenage Northern Ireland striker". Lancashire Telegraph. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Late Shay goal sees Burnley through in Youth Cup". ClaretsMad. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  7. ^ "Burnley 2 – 1 MK Dons". BBC Sport. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  8. ^ Scholes, Tony (6 April 2012). "It's giving the fans a taste of what the future is going to be about – Clarets Mad". clarets-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  9. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (10 April 2012). "Clarets hit perfect 10 – but Howe laments home failings". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  10. ^ Geldard, Suzanne (4 May 2012). "Numbers up for Burnley manager Howe". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Hyde sign Burnley striker Shay McCartan on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  12. ^ "McCartan aims to earn his stripes – News – Burnley Football Club". burnleyfootballclub.com. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Hyde sign Scott Hogan and extend Shay McCartan loan". BBC Sport. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Hyde 2 – 0 Wrexham: Match report". walesonline. 30 March 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  15. ^ News, Manchester Evening (21 February 2013). "Scott McNiven is happy for Hyde to be written off". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 9 July 2020. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ a b c d e Shay McCartan at Soccerway
  17. ^ "Accrington Stanley: Shay McCartan signs after Burnley exit". BBC Sport. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  18. ^ "York City 1-1 Accrington Stanley". BBC Sport. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  19. ^ Sharpe, Rich (29 June 2017). "Accrington Stanley attacker Shay McCartan joins League One side Bradford City for undisclosed fee". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  20. ^ "Accrington Stanley 3-1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  21. ^ "Accrington Stanley: Shay McCartan signs new contract". BBC Sport. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  22. ^ "Accrington Stanley 4-1 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  23. ^ Mitchell, Brendon (18 May 2016). "Accrington Stanley 2-2 AFC Wimbledon (2-3 agg)". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  24. ^ "Shay McCartan: Accrington Stanley striker signs contract until 2018". BBC Sport. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  25. ^ "Big season for Shay". accringtonstanley.co.uk. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  26. ^ a b c "Shay McCartan named Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month". efl.com. 7 April 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  27. ^ Wylie, Jack (6 July 2017). "McCartan Becomes A Bantam". League Football Education (LFE). Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  28. ^ a b Parker, Simon (28 February 2018). "Bantams must persevere to get best out of McCartan, says Abbott". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  29. ^ Parker, Simon (29 June 2017). "Bradford City sign Accrington frontman McCartan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  30. ^ a b "Mccartan Ready For Attacking Challenge". bradfordcityfc.co.uk. 13 July 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  31. ^ Whiley, Mark (25 July 2018). "'It was a no-brainer' – Shay McCartan on joining Lincoln City". lincolnshirelive. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Lincoln City: Bradford City striker Shay McCartan joins on season-long loan". BBC Sport. 24 July 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  33. ^ a b "'He's felt like our player' – Danny keen to hang on to Imps' loan star". The Stacey West. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Goal of the Month: January winners". efl.com. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Lincoln 1-1 Cheltenham: Cowley delighted with promotion". BBC Sport. 13 April 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  36. ^ Simon Parker (28 June 2019). "Bradford City: Former loan duo back in Bowyer's thoughts". Telegraph & Argus. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
  37. ^ Parker, Simon (9 July 2019). "McCartan: Bantams vibe is black and white to what it was before". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Ten Bantams To Depart". bradfordcityfc.co.uk. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  39. ^ "Irish Premiership: Shay McCartan joins Glentoran from Ballymena United". BBC Sport. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  40. ^ "Shay McCartan out to reach 'next level' after record transfer as Glentoran now target Coleraine attacker". Belfast Telegraph. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  41. ^ "Northern Ireland v. Montenegro". Retrieved 6 April 2012.
  42. ^ "Azerbaijan v. Northern Ireland". Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  43. ^ "U17s Qualify For Elite Round". Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  44. ^ "England v. Northern Ireland". Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  45. ^ "Belarus-Northern Ireland | Under-19". UEFA. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  46. ^ "Northern McCartan Gets First Under-21 Call". Retrieved 26 April 2012.
  47. ^ "Clarets Pair Aim To Be Cream of the Crop". Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  48. ^ Scholes, Tony (21 July 2012). "McCartan grabs Milk Cup goal in defeat – Clarets Mad". clarets-mad.co.uk. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  49. ^ "Northern Ireland-Ukraine | Under-21". UEFA. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  50. ^ "Scotland-Northern Ireland | Under-21". UEFA. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  51. ^ "International friendly: Northern Ireland 1-0 New Zealand". BBC Sport. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  52. ^ "Will Grigg: Wigan striker remains out of NI squad as Shay McCartan is retained". BBC Sport. 23 August 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  53. ^ "Northern Ireland suffer rare three-goal defeat in Costa Rica". belfasttelegraph. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  54. ^ "The one player vital to our current system is back on form". The Stacey West. 2 December 2018. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  55. ^ "Colman's clinch MacRory Cup title". BBC Sport. 17 March 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  56. ^ "Colman's clinch Hogan Cup title". BBC Sport. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  57. ^ "Ulster MFC: remarkable win for Armagh – HoganStand". hoganstand.com. 29 May 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  58. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  59. ^ a b "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  60. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  61. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  62. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  63. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  64. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  65. ^ a b "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  66. ^ "Games played by Shay McCartan in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  67. ^ "McCartan, Shay". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  68. ^ "League Two: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
    "Lincoln: Squad details: 2018/19". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.

External links[edit]

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