JJ McKiernan explained

JJ McKiernan
Fullname:John Joshua McKiernan
Birth Date:18 January 2002
Birth Place:Southampton, England
Height:6ft 1in
Position:Central midfielder
Currentclub:Lincoln City
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:–2018
Youthclubs1:Andover Town
Youthyears2:2018–2022
Youthclubs2:Watford
Years1:2022–2023
Clubs1:Watford
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Bohemians (loan)
Caps2:1
Goals2:0
Years3:2022–2023
Clubs3:Eastleigh (loan)
Caps3:41
Goals3:4
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Morecambe
Caps4:28
Goals4:7
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Lincoln City
Caps5:2
Goals5:0
Nationalyears1:2020–
Nationalteam1:Northern Ireland U21
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Club-Update:15:56, 17 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:09:49, 13 February 2024 (UTC)

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

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]

On 1 July 2024, McKiernan joined Lincoln City on a four-year deal.[13] He made his debut on 10 August, in a 3–2 win against Burton Albion where he started the game.[14]

International career

McKiernan is eligible to represent England and Northern Ireland at international level. He chose to represent Northern Ireland at international level, qualifying through his paternal grandparents.[15] 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.[16] During the 2023–24 season, McKiernan was called up again for the Northern Ireland U21 2025 Euro Qualifiers.[17]

Career statistics

[18]

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Watford2018–19Premier League0000000000
2019–20Premier League0000000000
2020–21Championship0000000000
2021–22Premier League0000000000
Bohemians (loan)2022League of Ireland Premier Division100010
Eastleigh (loan)2022–23National League414200021455
Morecambe2023–24League Two287201020337
Lincoln City2024–25League One2000100030
Career total72114020418212

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Affleck . Kevin . 1 July 2020 . Hart On McKiernan: "His Story Is Brilliant . 31 March 2024 . Watford FC.
  2. Web site: 23 July 2021 . Official: Six Professional Deals In Academy . 31 March 2024 . Watford FC.
  3. News: 1 August 2022 . Watford's players have their squad numbers, changes still possible . Watford Observer .
  4. Web site: 22 January 2022 . Official: McKiernan Moves To Bohemian . 31 March 2024 . Watford FC.
  5. Web site: Roster Bohemian 2022 . 15 November 2022 . footballdatabase.eu.
  6. Web site: 10 July 2022 . Match Report: Watford 0–0 Panathinaikos . 31 March 2024 . Watford FC.
  7. News: Metcalfe . Neil . 3 August 2022 . Watford's JJ McKiernan joins Eastleigh on loan. . 31 March 2024 . Watford Observer.
  8. Web site: Academy: Contract Offers & Departures Confirmed. www.watfordfc.com. 13 June 2023. 1 July 2023.
  9. Web site: McKiernan becomes latest addition. www.morecambefc.com. 1 July 2023. 1 July 2023.
  10. Web site: 1 July 2023 . Morecambe sign former Watford midfielder McKiernan . 31 March 2024 . www.bbc.co.uk.
  11. Web site: 7 October 2023 . Sky Bet League Two: Post-match stat pack . 31 March 2024 . www.efl.com.
  12. News: 7 October 2023 . JJ McKiernan's fine hat-trick helped ten-man Morecambe claim an impressive win at Colchester. . 31 March 2024 . BBC.
  13. News: Imps sign exciting midfielder McKiernan. 1 July 2024 . Lincoln City FC . 1 July 2024.
  14. Web site: Burton Albion 2–3 Lincoln City. www.weareimps.com. 10 August 2024. 10 August 2024.
  15. News: Beacom . Steven . 12 October 2020 . I can continue Northern Ireland's long links with Watford, says Under 21 debutant JJ McKiernan . 31 March 2024 . Belfast Telegraph.
  16. Web site: Northern Ireland-Finland | Under-21 2021 . 31 March 2024 . UEFA.com.
  17. News: 7 September 2023 . 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 . 31 March 2024 . BBC.
  18. Web site: JJ McKiernan. Soccerway. 31 March 2024.