Henry McStay

Henry McStay
Personal information
Full name Henry Matthew Patrick McStay[1]
Date of birth (1985-03-06) 6 March 1985
Place of birth Armagh, Northern Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
Leeds United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Leeds United 0 (0)
2004Halifax Town (loan) 5 (0)
2005 Halifax Town 3 (0)
2005–2007 Portadown 26 (2)
2007–2008 Royal Antwerp 0 (0)
2008–2010 Morecambe 34 (1)
2010–2011 Portadown 14 (0)
2011–2012 Bradford Park Avenue
Total 82 (3)
National team
2004–2007 Republic of Ireland U21

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Henry Matthew Patrick McStay (born 6 March 1985) is a retired footballer from Lurgan in Northern Ireland, is current Lead Academy Physio at Leeds United. He most recently played for Bradford Park Avenue. His preferred position was right back, though towards the latter end of his career played in a more central defensive role. He is a former Republic of Ireland U21 international.

Club career

Henry began his club career with Leeds United without ever breaking through in to the first team, this was primarily due to the abundance of riches Leeds had in Henry's position at the time, players such as Lucas Radebe, Jonathan Woodgate and Rio Ferdinand already established centre backs for the Whites.

Henry went on loan to Halifax Town for a short period in search of first team football.[2] His loan move ended in November 2004 after suffering a knee injury.[3]

When his contract with Leeds ended, he joined Portadown in his native Northern Ireland, turning down offers from Aberdeen F.C., Bohemian F.C. or Finn Harps F.C..[4]

After impressing for Portadown, Henry got the chance to move to Royal Antwerp FC. However, due to homesickness, McStay ended his contract with the Belgian club at the end of January 2008 and went in search of a new start in Britain.

In January 2008, Henry moved to Morecambe F.C..[5] In April, he signed a new two-year contract with Morecambe.[6]

In June 2010 Henry moved to Portadown whom he previously played for signing a one-year contract. Due to personal commitments a move to Bradford Park Avenue arose where Henry spent just over a season before retiring due to a recurring knee injury.

International career

Henry played international football for Northern Ireland's Under 17's before opting for the Republic of Ireland. A strong defender who played for the Republic's Under 19's and Under 21's, he is also an expert penalty taker.

He was one of the stars as Ireland won the European Youth Olympic Festival in Spain in 2001.

Henry made his Republic of Ireland Under 21 debut v Portugal U21's on 24 February 2004.

On 25 March 2005, in a 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifying match against Israel U21, Henry conceded an own goal while trying to clear the ball in the 6th minute, deflecting the ball into the net. However, he redeemed himself by scoring a goal with a header via Willo Flood's free-kick in the 35th minute. However, Ireland U21 lost the match 3-1.[7]

References

  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 274. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. - Halifax move for McStay, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  3. - Injured McStay returns to Leeds, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  4. - Marks and McStay join Portadown, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  5. - Shrimps bring in defender McStay, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  6. - Two-year Shrimps deal for McStay, BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  7. - Israel U21 3-1 Rep of Ireland U21 , BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
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