JJ_McKiernan

JJ McKiernan

JJ McKiernan

Footballer (born 2002)

John Joshua McKiernan (born 18 January 2002) is a professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Morecambe and the Northern Ireland U21 national team.

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Club career

Born in Southampton, McKiernan joined Watford at U18 level in December 2018[1] having previously played for non-league Andover Town in the FA Youth Cup. He signed his professional contract in July 2021[2] and has been given squad number 43.[3]

McKiernan moved to Bohemians on loan in January 2022[4] and made one appearance[5] before returning to Watford to attend pre-season training camp in Austria, including an appearance against Panathinaikos.[6] McKiernan joined National League team Eastleigh in August 2022 on loan.[7] He was released from Watford at the end of the 2022–23 season.[8]

On 1 July 2023, McKiernan signed for League Two club Morecambe on a one-year deal.[9][10] On 7 October McKiernan made history at Morecambe with the club's first ever away hat-trick against Colchester United in a 3–1 win,[11] two of the goals scored after going down to a ten man team.[12]

International career

McKiernan is eligible to represent England and Northern Ireland at international level. McKiernan chose to represent Northern Ireland at international level, qualifying through his paternal grandparents.[13] He was selected at 18 to make his debut with Andy Crosby's U21 squad against Finland, obtaining a yellow card in the 21st minute.[14] During the 2023–24 season, McKiernan was called up again for the Northern Ireland U21 2025 Euro Qualifiers.[15]

Career statistics

As of match played 1 January 2024[16]
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    References

    1. [1]
      Affleck, Kevin (1 July 2020). "Hart On McKiernan: "His Story Is Brilliant". Watford FC. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    2. [2]
      "Official: Six Professional Deals In Academy". Watford FC. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    3. [3]
      "Watford's players have their squad numbers, changes still possible". Watford Observer. 1 August 2022.
    4. [4]
      "Official: McKiernan Moves To Bohemian". Watford FC. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    5. [5]
      "Roster Bohemian 2022". footballdatabase.eu. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
    6. [6]
      "Match Report: Watford 0–0 Panathinaikos". Watford FC. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    7. [7]
      Metcalfe, Neil (3 August 2022). "Watford's JJ McKiernan joins Eastleigh on loan". Watford Observer. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    8. [8]
      "Academy: Contract Offers & Departures Confirmed". www.watfordfc.com. 13 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    9. [9]
      "McKiernan becomes latest addition". www.morecambefc.com. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
    10. [10]
      "Morecambe sign former Watford midfielder McKiernan". 31 March 2024. 1 July 2023 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
    11. [11]
      "Sky Bet League Two: Post-match stat pack". www.efl.com. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    12. [12]
      "JJ McKiernan's fine hat-trick helped ten-man Morecambe claim an impressive win at Colchester". BBC. 7 October 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    13. [13]
      Beacom, Steven (12 October 2020). "I can continue Northern Ireland's long links with Watford, says Under 21 debutant JJ McKiernan". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    14. [14]
      "Northern Ireland-Finland | Under-21 2021". UEFA.com. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    15. [15]
      "Tommy Wright's reign as Northern Ireland Under-21 manager got off to a losing start as they were beaten 1-0 by Luxembourg in their opening Euro 2025 qualifier at Mourneview Park". BBC. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    16. [16]
      "JJ McKiernan". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    17. [17]
      "Games played by JJ McKiernan in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
    18. [18]
      "Games played by JJ McKiernan in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 March 2024.
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