Henry McStay
Encyclopedia
Henry McStay is a football player from Lurgan
in Northern Ireland
, who currently plays for Bradford Park Avenue
. His preferred position is right back, though in recent times has played in a central defensive role.
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. His loan move ended in November 2004 after suffering a knee injury.
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.
.
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.
. In April, he signed a new two year contract with Morecambe.
In June 2010 Henry moved to Portadown
whom he previously played for. Henry signed a one-year contract.
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.
Lurgan
Lurgan is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town is near the southern shore of Lough Neagh and in the north-eastern corner of the county. Part of the Craigavon Borough Council area, Lurgan is about 18 miles south-west of Belfast and is linked to the city by both the M1 motorway...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, who currently plays for Bradford Park Avenue
Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C.
Bradford Association Football Club, previously also known as Bradford and since its reformation in the 1970s now referred to as Bradford Park Avenue, is a football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England...
. His preferred position is right back, though in recent times has played in a central defensive role.
Club career
Henry began his club career with Leeds UnitedLeeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
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
Lucas Radebe
Lucas Valeriu Radebe is a former Leeds United and South African football player. During his career, Radebe was renowned for being a world-class centre back and a great ambassador for the sport....
, Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Woodgate
Jonathan Simon Woodgate is an English footballer who plays for Stoke City in the Premier League.Woodgate started his football career at Leeds United where he established himself in the starting eleven. However, Woodgate was sold to Newcastle United for £9 million in January 2003. He impressed...
and Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
already established centre backs for the Whites.
Henry went on loan to Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
for a short period in search of first team football. His loan move ended in November 2004 after suffering a knee injury.
When his contract with Leeds ended, he joined Portadown in his native Northern Ireland, turning down offers from Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
, Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
or Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
.
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.
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
. In April, he signed a new two year contract with Morecambe.
In June 2010 Henry moved to Portadown
Portadown F.C.
Portadown F.C. is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club which plays in the IFA Premiership.The club was founded in the late 1880s and joined the Irish League in 1924. It is based in Portadown in County Armagh and plays its home games at Shamrock Park...
whom he previously played for. Henry signed a one-year contract.
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
European Youth Olympic Festival
European Youth Olympic Festival, known by its initials EYOF, is a biennial multi-sport event for youth athletes from the 48 member countries of the association of European Olympic Committees. EYOF has a summer edition, held for the first time in Brussels in 1991, and a winter edition, which began...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 2001.
Henry made his Republic of Ireland Under 21
Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-21 football team, is the national under-21 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-21 Football Championship and has competed since 1978.-Competition...
debut v Portugal U21
Portugal national under-21 football team
The Portugal national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Portugal and is controlled by the Portuguese Football Federation . They are nicknamed "Esperanças." Esperança means hope, thus they are Portugal's hopes for the future...
's on 24 February 2004.
On 25 March 2005, in a 2006 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship qualifying match against Israel U21
Israel national under-21 football team
Israel's national Under-21 team , also known as Israel Under-21s or Israel U-21s, is considered to be the feeder team for the Israel national football team...
, 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
Willo Flood
William "Willo" Flood is an Irish footballer who currently plays as a right winger for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United. He has also won 15 caps for his country at under-20 and under-21 levels....
's free-kick in the 35th minute. However, Ireland U21 lost the match 3-1.