James McCarthy (footballer)
Encyclopedia
James McCarthy is an Irish
footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
as a midfielder
. McCarthy made over 100 appearances for Hamilton Academical
as a teenager, before being transferred to Wigan in 2009 for an initial £1.2 million. Although born in Scotland
, McCarthy made his competitive debut for the Republic of Ireland
on 26 March 2011 in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonian national team.
, Scotland
. He is the youngest child of Willie and Marie McCarthy, and is an alumnus of St Margaret Mary's Secondary School
in Castlemilk
. He grew up supporting Celtic
, and would later try out for their youth teams, but was turned down due to the large number of players the club had already taken on.
as a substitute on 30 September 2006, becoming the youngest player to play for Hamilton Academical in the 21st century. His full debut came against Airdrie United
on 11 November 2006; a day before his 16th birthday. On 6 January 2007, at 16 years and 55 days old, McCarthy became the youngest player ever to score in Hamilton Academical's history when he scored in a Scottish Cup
defeat against Livingston
.
On 17 May 2008, after a season which saw his club promoted to the Scottish Premier League
, McCarthy signed a new three-year contract with the club. He won the SPFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2008–09 season.
on 16 July 2009. He completed the move to Wigan on 21 July, on a five-year deal, believed to be worth just under £1.2 million. The club could get additional payments depending on appearances. McCarthy made his debut for Wigan on 22 August 2009, as a 74th minute substitute in a 5–0 defeat to Manchester United
. He scored his first goal for Wigan in the FA Cup third round victory against fellow Premier League team Hull City
on 2 January 2010, and marked his first Premier League start with a goal in a 2–0 victory away to Wolverhampton Wanderers
on 16 January 2010.
After an impressive start to the 2010–11 season, he picked up a serious ankle injury against on 23 October 2010, keeping him out of action for three months. He scored on his return to the lineup against Aston Villa
on 25 January 2011. On 5 February 2011, McCarthy scored twice in a 4–3 victory against Blackburn Rovers
. Later in the month, McCarthy was at the centre of controversy in Wigan's 4–0 defeat to Manchester United after being elbowed by United striker Wayne Rooney
. A free kick was awarded to Wigan for the incident, but Rooney received no further punishment. Although McCarthy was praised for staying on his feet following the clash, Wigan team mate and captain Gary Caldwell
felt that Rooney would have been sent off had McCarthy reacted by going to ground.
In August 2011, McCarthy signed a new five-year contract at the club.
. He was eligible through his family links to Gweedore
, County Donegal
, and he made a promise to his dying grandfather to do so. However, McCarthy also claimed that he would have played for Scotland
if they had offered him an international call-up first. Despite multiple attempts to persuade McCarthy to switch his allegiance to the country of his birth, he reaffirmed his decision to play for the Republic of Ireland.
McCarthy made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland Under-17s
in January 2007 against Italy
. He scored his first goal against Greece
when winning his third cap in March of the same year. He was quickly promoted to the Under-18s and played his first game at that level versus Germany
in November 2007. He scored twice in the return game that same month. McCarthy played one game for the Under-19s
in September 2007 against Portugal
. and was subsequently selected for a number of these squads in 2008. McCarthy came on as a half time substitute for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s
in their European Championship qualifier on 31 March against Turkey
. McCarthy made an instant impression, creating opportunities for the lone striker, as well as making many intelligent runs in behind the Turkish defence.
McCarthy received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland national squad
in February 2010, for a friendly with Brazil
played in London. He made his debut as a substitute, replacing Stoke City's Liam Lawrence
after 70 minutes. McCarthy withdrew from the Ireland squad for their 2011 Nations Cup match against Wales
. This led to media speculation that McCarthy may switch his allegiance to Scotland
, as his appearances for Irish youth teams or in the friendly against Brazil do not tie him to Ireland under the present rules. The speculation was fuelled by Wigan manager Roberto Martinez who insisted that McCarthy was still considering his international future, even after McCarthy and Giovanni Trapattoni had a face to face meeting in which McCarthy reportedly confirmed his commitment to Ireland.
The question of McCarthy's international allegiance was finally resolved in March 2011 after he accepted a call-up for Ireland's Euro 2012 qualification match against Macedonia, in which he came off the bench replacing Robbie Keane
to earn his first competitive cap, rendering him ineligible to play for his native Scotland.
On the 4 May, McCarthy was called into to Irish squad for the games against Northern Ireland
and Scotland
. However there was more speculation about McCarthy's commitment to the Irish set up when he reportedly gone AWOL after not showing up for training . Later Martinez, the Wigan manager came out and said he will be out "for at least four weeks" .
Individual
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
footballer who plays for Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
as a midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
. McCarthy made over 100 appearances for Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
as a teenager, before being transferred to Wigan in 2009 for an initial £1.2 million. Although born in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, McCarthy made his competitive debut for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
on 26 March 2011 in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonian national team.
Early life
McCarthy was born and raised in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He is the youngest child of Willie and Marie McCarthy, and is an alumnus of St Margaret Mary's Secondary School
St Margaret Mary's Secondary School
St Margaret Mary's Secondary School is a co-educational, denominational, comprehensive secondary school located in Castlemilk, Glasgow, Scotland....
in Castlemilk
Castlemilk
Castlemilk is a district of Glasgow, Scotland. It lies to the south of the city adjacent to Rutherglen, Croftfoot, Simshill and the separate village of Carmunnock...
. He grew up supporting Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
, and would later try out for their youth teams, but was turned down due to the large number of players the club had already taken on.
Hamilton Academical
McCarthy made his debut for Hamilton against Queen of the SouthQueen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
as a substitute on 30 September 2006, becoming the youngest player to play for Hamilton Academical in the 21st century. His full debut came against Airdrie United
Airdrie United F.C.
Airdrie United Football Club are a Scottish professional football team based in the town of Airdrie, North Lanarkshire. They are currently managed by ex-Airdrieonians player and former Airdrie United Under 19s coach Jimmy Boyle. They are members of the Scottish Football League and play in the...
on 11 November 2006; a day before his 16th birthday. On 6 January 2007, at 16 years and 55 days old, McCarthy became the youngest player ever to score in Hamilton Academical's history when he scored in a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
defeat against Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
.
On 17 May 2008, after a season which saw his club promoted to the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
, McCarthy signed a new three-year contract with the club. He won the SPFA Young Player of the Year award for the 2008–09 season.
Wigan Athletic
Hamilton accepted a bid for McCarthy from Wigan AthleticWigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 16 July 2009. He completed the move to Wigan on 21 July, on a five-year deal, believed to be worth just under £1.2 million. The club could get additional payments depending on appearances. McCarthy made his debut for Wigan on 22 August 2009, as a 74th minute substitute in a 5–0 defeat to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. He scored his first goal for Wigan in the FA Cup third round victory against fellow Premier League team Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
on 2 January 2010, and marked his first Premier League start with a goal in a 2–0 victory away to Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on 16 January 2010.
After an impressive start to the 2010–11 season, he picked up a serious ankle injury against on 23 October 2010, keeping him out of action for three months. He scored on his return to the lineup against Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
on 25 January 2011. On 5 February 2011, McCarthy scored twice in a 4–3 victory against Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. Later in the month, McCarthy was at the centre of controversy in Wigan's 4–0 defeat to Manchester United after being elbowed by United striker Wayne Rooney
Wayne Rooney
Wayne Mark Rooney is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Manchester United and the England national team...
. A free kick was awarded to Wigan for the incident, but Rooney received no further punishment. Although McCarthy was praised for staying on his feet following the clash, Wigan team mate and captain Gary Caldwell
Gary Caldwell
Gary Robert Caldwell is a Scottish footballer who is currently the captain of Wigan Athletic and also plays for the Scotland national football team....
felt that Rooney would have been sent off had McCarthy reacted by going to ground.
In August 2011, McCarthy signed a new five-year contract at the club.
International career
At the age of fifteen, McCarthy opted to play for the Republic of IrelandRepublic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
. He was eligible through his family links to Gweedore
Gweedore
Gweedore is an Irish-speaking district located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. Gweedore stretches some 16 miles from Meenaclady in the north to Crolly in the south and around 9 miles from Dunlewey in the east to Magheraclogher in the west, and...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, and he made a promise to his dying grandfather to do so. However, McCarthy also claimed that he would have played for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
if they had offered him an international call-up first. Despite multiple attempts to persuade McCarthy to switch his allegiance to the country of his birth, he reaffirmed his decision to play for the Republic of Ireland.
McCarthy made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland Under-17s
Republic of Ireland national under-17 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-17 football team, is the national under-17 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship....
in January 2007 against Italy
Italy national under-17 football team
The Italy national U-17 football team is the national under-17 football team of Italy and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation.The team competes in the UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship, held every year.-UEFA U-17 Championship Record:...
. He scored his first goal against Greece
Greece national under-17 football team
The Greece national under-17 football team is the Under-17 years of age team of the Greece national football team.This team is for Greek players aged 17 or under at the start European Under-17 Football Championship .-History:*European Championship 1985: Runners-up,*European Championship 1991: Third...
when winning his third cap in March of the same year. He was quickly promoted to the Under-18s and played his first game at that level versus Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in November 2007. He scored twice in the return game that same month. McCarthy played one game for the Under-19s
Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team
The Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team, is the national under-19 football team of the Republic of Ireland and is controlled by the Football Association of Ireland and competes in the biennial European Under-19 Football Championship....
in September 2007 against Portugal
Portugal national under-19 football team
-Current squad:*The following players have been called up to participate in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Qualifying round.*National team caps and goals correct as of 8 November 2009.*Please note some of these players play for their club's reserve team....
. and was subsequently selected for a number of these squads in 2008. McCarthy came on as a half time substitute for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s
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...
in their European Championship qualifier on 31 March against Turkey
Turkey national under-21 football team
Turkey's national Under-21 football team , also known as Turkey Under-21s or Turkey U-21s, is the Under-21 years of age team of the Turkey national football team.-History:...
. McCarthy made an instant impression, creating opportunities for the lone striker, as well as making many intelligent runs in behind the Turkish defence.
McCarthy received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland national squad
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
in February 2010, for a friendly with Brazil
Brazil national football team
The Brazil national football team represents Brazil in international men's football and is controlled by the Brazilian Football Confederation , the governing body for football in Brazil. They are a member of the International Federation of Association Football since 1923 and also a member of the...
played in London. He made his debut as a substitute, replacing Stoke City's Liam Lawrence
Liam Lawrence
Liam Lawrence is a professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Football League Championship side Portsmouth and the Republic of Ireland....
after 70 minutes. McCarthy withdrew from the Ireland squad for their 2011 Nations Cup match against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
. This led to media speculation that McCarthy may switch his allegiance to Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, as his appearances for Irish youth teams or in the friendly against Brazil do not tie him to Ireland under the present rules. The speculation was fuelled by Wigan manager Roberto Martinez who insisted that McCarthy was still considering his international future, even after McCarthy and Giovanni Trapattoni had a face to face meeting in which McCarthy reportedly confirmed his commitment to Ireland.
The question of McCarthy's international allegiance was finally resolved in March 2011 after he accepted a call-up for Ireland's Euro 2012 qualification match against Macedonia, in which he came off the bench replacing Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane
Robert David "Robbie" Keane is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer and captains the Irish national football team....
to earn his first competitive cap, rendering him ineligible to play for his native Scotland.
On the 4 May, McCarthy was called into to Irish squad for the games against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
and Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. However there was more speculation about McCarthy's commitment to the Irish set up when he reportedly gone AWOL after not showing up for training . Later Martinez, the Wigan manager came out and said he will be out "for at least four weeks" .
Career statistics
| Season | Club | Division | League | FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
FL Trophy Football League Trophy The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top... |
Total | Discipline | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Wigan Athletic Wigan Athletic F.C. Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW... |
> 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | ! 8 !! 0 | 0 | ||||
| |
> 24 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | ! 27 !! 3 | 0 | |||||
| |
> 20 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | ! 24 !! 2 | 0 | |||||
 |
Hamilton Academical | Premier League Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... > 37 |
6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | ! 43 !! 6 | 0 | ||||
| |
First Division Scottish Football League First Division The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system.... > 35 |
6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | ! 42 !! 7 | 0 | |||||
| |
First Division Scottish Football League First Division The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system.... > 23 |
1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ! 24 !! 1 | 0 | |||||
Honours
Hamilton Academical- Scottish First Division: 2007–08Scottish First Division 2007-08The 2007–08 First Division season was the thirteenth season of the First Division in its current format of ten teams.The team which finished first were automatically promoted to the Scottish Premier League...
Individual
- Scottish PFA Young Player of the YearScottish PFA Young Player of the YearThe Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year is named at the end of every Scottish football season. The members of the Professional Footballers' Association vote on which of its young members played the best football in the previous year. The award was first given in 1978.- List of winners :-Winners...
(2009) - SPL Young Player of the Month (2)
External links
- James McCarthy at UEFA.com