Cathal McCarthy

Cathal McCarthy of Kilmarnock was born in Caragh, Rep. Ireland on 31 August 2006 (age 20).

Cathal McCarthy is a Republic of Ireland central defender, born on 31 August 2006 (age 20), whose senior career has taken him from Hull City to Kilmarnock.

At Hull City in 2025-26, McCarthy made six league appearances, the busiest league season of his career to that point. He has since moved on to Kilmarnock, where he wears the number 4 shirt and has been used in the middle of defence.

In 2026-27, McCarthy has made seven league appearances for Kilmarnock, along with one League Cup appearance. His form this season has been solid and consistent, which is about the right currency for a young centre-half trying to build a proper senior career.

📈 Key stats and insights

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Cathal McCarthy has made seven Premiership starts for Kilmarnock in 2026–27

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Cathal McCarthy has one League Cup appearance in 2026–27

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Cathal McCarthy has two yellow cards in Premiership matches this season

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Cathal McCarthy averages a 6.86 match rating this season

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Cathal McCarthy is 20 and plays as a central defender for Kilmarnock

Last updated 18 October 2026. Send feedback

Cathal McCarthy stats

Check out all of the statistics about Cathal McCarthy.

Central Defender
Primary Position: Defender
Position

CD

1.85m (6ft)
Height: 4
Squad Number: 76kg (11st 13lb)
Weight: 31 August 2006 (age 20)
Date of Birth: Caragh
Birthplace: Rep. Ireland 🇮🇪
Country of Birth: Kilmarnock
Team

📊 Season stats

Team: Kilmarnock
Premiership 2026 - 2027
Games: 7
Starting: 7
Substitute: -
Unused: 2
Utilisation: 78%
Goals: -
Yellows: 2
Reds: -

Team: Kilmarnock
League Cup 2026 - 2027
Games: 1
Starting: 1
Substitute: -
Unused: 5
Utilisation: 17%
Goals: -
Yellows: 1
Reds: -

Cathal McCarthy has made seven Premiership starts and one League Cup appearance for Kilmarnock in 2026–27, collecting two yellow cards – the appearance pattern marks him as a regular central defender in the opening phase of the season.

🔥 Recent form

Last 7 appearances for Cathal McCarthy.

Season average rating: 6.86

Match: Rangers 3-1 Kilmarnock
10 Oct 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.5

Match: Kilmarnock 1-1 Hearts
19 Sep 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.4

Match: Hibernian 0-1 Kilmarnock
15 Sep 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.4

Match: Kilmarnock 1-1 Aberdeen
12 Sep 2026 (H)
Mins: 120
Goals: -
Rating: -

Match: Aberdeen 0-0 Kilmarnock
5 Sep 2026 (A)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 7.4

Match: Kilmarnock 0-1 St. Mirren
2 Sep 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.7

Match: Kilmarnock 0-4 Dundee United
29 Aug 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.8

McCarthy averages a 6.86 match rating in 2026–27, with a season high of 7.41 and a low of 6.42 – a narrow spread that indicates steady, consistent performances across his appearances.

📋 Career stats

Team: Kilmarnock
Season 2026 - 2027
Country: Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Games: 7
Goals: -

Team: Hull City
Season 2025 - 2026
Country: England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Games: 6
Goals: -

McCarthy progressed from UCD to Hull City in April 2024 and, aged 20, is currently on loan at Kilmarnock; his trajectory shows a young defender moving from Irish domestic football into the English club system and then into the Scottish Premiership on loan.

💰 Transfers

Team: Kilmarnock
18 August 2026
From: Hull City
Type: Loan

Team: Hull City
19 April 2024
From: UCD
Type: Undisclosed

Moved from UCD to Hull City in April 2024 for an undisclosed fee; Hull City then loaned him to Kilmarnock in August 2026 – a temporary move into the Scottish Premiership from his parent club.

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