JJ McKiernan

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

JJ McKiernan
Personal information
Full name John Joshua McKiernan
Date of birth (2002-01-18) 18 January 2002
Place of birth Southampton, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Position(s) Central midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Morecambe
Number 10
Youth career
0000–2018 Andover Town
2018–2022 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Watford 0 (0)
2022 → Bohemians (loan) 1 (0)
2022–2023 → Eastleigh (loan) 41 (4)
2023– Morecambe 11 (4)
International career‡
2020– Northern Ireland U21 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12:05, 08 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12:05, 08 October 2023 (UTC)

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,[11] two of the goals scored after going down to a 10 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 is called up again for the Northern Ireland U21 2025 Euro Qualifiers[15]

Career statistics
As of match played 08 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Watford 2018–19 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019–20 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2020–21 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021–22 Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Bohemians (loan) 2022 League of Ireland Premier Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Eastleigh (loan) 2022–23 National League 41 4 2 0 0 0 2 1 45 5
Morecambe 2023-24 League Two 11 4 0 0 1 0 1 0 13 4
Career total 53 8 2 0 1 0 3 1 59 9

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