David McDaid
FullnameDavid Gerard McDaid[1]
Birth date3 December 1990 (age 35)[2]
Birth placeDerry, Northern Ireland
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2]
PositionStriker
CurrentclubPortstewart (player/assistant manager)
Youthclubs 1Tristar Boys
Years 12008–2012
Clubs 1Derry City
Caps 186
Goals 121
Years 22008
Clubs 2→ Sligo Rovers (loan)
Caps 29
Goals 21
Years 32009
Clubs 3→ Finn Harps (loan)
Caps 312
Goals 32
Years 42013
Clubs 4York City
Caps 44
Goals 40
Years 52013
Clubs 5Derry City
Caps 512
Goals 55
Years 62014
Clubs 6Coleraine
Caps 67
Goals 62
Years 72014–2017
Clubs 7Cliftonville
Caps 7113
Goals 751
Years 82017
Clubs 8Waterford
Caps 826
Goals 813
Years 92017–2022
Clubs 9Larne
Caps 9127
Goals 957
Years 102022–2023
Clubs 10Ballymena United
Caps 1033
Goals 107
Years 112023–2024
Clubs 11Coleraine
Caps 1122
Goals 113
Years 122024–2025
Clubs 12Glenavon
Caps 1251
Goals 1212
Years 132026–
Clubs 13Portstewart
Caps 130
Goals 130
Nationalyears 12008
Nationalteam 1Republic of Ireland U19
Nationalcaps 12
Nationalgoals 10
Club-update30 November 2025

David Gerard McDaid (born 3 December 1990) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker and is currently player/assistant manager of NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Portstewart.

Club career

Derry City

Born in Derry,[2] McDaid played for Tristar Boys in the Derry and District League Youth Leagues for a number of seasons.[3][4] He later joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City, who loaned him to divisional rivals Sligo Rovers for the remainder of the 2008 season on 29 July 2008.[5] He made his debut on 2 August 2008 as a 70th minute substitute for Sean Doherty in Sligo's 1–0 home defeat to Cork City.[6] McDaid's first and only for the club goal came with Sligo's third goal in a 4–0 home win over Cobh Ramblers on 27 September 2008 before finishing the loan spell with nine appearances.[6][7][8]

He was loaned out to Finn Harps of the League of Ireland First Division at the start of the 2009 season.[9] He scored on his debut for Finn Harps, with an 84th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw at Kildare County on the opening day of the season.[10][11] McDaid scored twice in 12 appearances for the club before returning to Derry in the summer of 2009.[10] He broke into the Derry first team, making his debut as an 84th-minute substitute for Liam Kearney in a 3–1 defeat away at Galway United on 16 October 2009.[10][12] His first goal for Derry came in his next appearance, a 2–1 home defeat against his former loan side Sligo, and this was followed by goals in successive games against St Patrick's Athletic and Bray Wanderers.[10] He finished the 2009 season with three goals in five appearances for Derry.[10]

Derry were expelled to the League of Ireland First Division for the 2010 season, with McDaid becoming one of the first four players to sign for the club alongside Shane McEleney, Patrick McEleney and James McClean, having committed to a two-year contract.[13] McDaid scored the only goal in the team's first win of the campaign against Limerick on 12 March 2010.[10] His first senior hat-trick came in a 7–0 win away to Salthill Devon on 1 May 2010.[10] McDaid finished the season with 5 goals in 28 appearances, having competed with Mark Farren for the leading striker role in a 4–4–1–1 formation, as Derry won the First Division title.[10][14] He started for Derry in their 1–0 win over Cork in the 2011 League of Ireland Cup Final, and finished the 2011 season with 3 goals in 28 appearances.[10][15]

McDaid signed a new contract with Derry in January 2012,[16] contracting him to the club for the 2012 season.[17] He played in the 2012 Setanta Sports Cup Final, which Derry lost 5–4 in a penalty shoot-out following a 2–2 draw after extra time.[10][18] His final appearance for Derry came in the 3–2 extra time win over St Patrick's Athletic in the 2012 FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium.[10][19] McDaid finished the season with 17 goals in 44 appearances and was offered a new deal by Derry, but opted instead to go on trial with English League Two side Fleetwood Town.[10][17][20]

York City

McDaid signed for League Two side York City on a one-and-a-half-year contract on 29 January 2013,[21] after the club agreed a small compensation fee with Derry.[22][23] His debut came as a 67th-minute substitute for Michael Potts in York's 4–1 home defeat to Morecambe on 2 February 2013.[24] He finished the 2012–13 season with four substitute appearances for York before he was released by mutual consent on 25 June 2013.[25]

Return to Derry City

McDaid re-signed for former club Derry City on 1 July 2013, saying "Other clubs expressed an interest in me but I wouldn't play for any League of Ireland club other than Derry City – I'm happy to be turning out for my hometown club again."[26] He made his return in a 2–1 defeat away at Shamrock Rovers on 12 July 2013, before scoring in the following game, a 4–2 away loss to Turkish Süper Lig team Trabzonspor in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League on 18 July.[10] McDaid made 16 appearances and scored seven goals for Derry during the remainder of the 2013 season.[10]

Coleraine

He signed for NIFL Premiership club Coleraine on 17 December 2013, although he would not be eligible to play until the following month.[27]

Cliftonville

McDaid moved to champions Cliftonville on a three-year contract in August 2014 as a replacement for the departed Liam Boyce.[28] He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win at Portadown on 13 August 2014.[29] McDaid won the player of the month award for August 2014 after an impressive start at Cliftonville.

Waterford

On 17 February 2017 McDaid signed for League of Ireland club Waterford.[30] He made his debut coming off the bench away to Athlone Town on 24 February where Waterford were defeated 1–0. McDaid scored his first goals for the club the following week on 3 March against Cabinteely scoring his sides first and third goals in a 3–0 victory.[31] McDaid played a key part as Waterford won promotion back to the Premier League as league champions. After Waterford beat Wexford 3-0 and Cobh Ramblers were defeated 3-0 by Cabinteely Waterford were officially crowned league champions and promoted back to the League of Ireland Premier Division.[32] McDaid was named in the PFAI First Division team of the year and was nominated for the PFAI First Division Player of the Year award.[33] McDaid left Waterford due to family reasons after establishing himself as a fan favourite.[34]

Larne

McDaid signed for Larne after leaving Waterford in November 2017 despite interest from Linfield, Glenavon, Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps.[35]

Ballymena United

On 14 June 2022, it was announced that McDaid had signed a three-year contract to join Ballymena United.[36]

Return to Coleraine

On 24 June 2023, it was announced that McDaid had signed a three-year contract with Coleraine.

Glenavon

On 25 June 2024, Glenavon announced that they had signed McDaid from Coleraine for an undisclosed fee. His first goal for the club came against his former side in a 2-0 win at Coleraine Showgrounds on 25 August 2024.

McDaid scored a penalty in a 3-1 win against Ballymena United on 29 November 2025, in what would turn out to be his last game for the club. Shortly after the conclusion of the match, it was announced that McDaid would be departing Glenavon to take up a role as player/assistant manager of NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Portstewart.

Coaching career

Portstewart

On 29 November 2025, it was announced that McDaid would join NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Portstewart as assistant to newly-appointed manager, John Gregg. From 1 January 2026, he will also register for the club as a player. [37]

International career

Having played for Northern Ireland at Schools Under-18 level,[38] McDaid was capped twice by the Republic of Ireland national under-19 team in 2008.[39] He made his debut after starting a 1–0 friendly home defeat to the Czech Republic on 5 February 2008, before appearing as an 85th-minute substitute for Paul Cahillane in another home defeat to the Czechs two days later.[39] Despite this, he continued to be called up by the Northern Ireland Schools Under-18 team.[40] He was called up by the Northern Ireland national under-21 team for a game against Hungary in August 2012,[41] for which he was an unused substitute.[42]

Career statistics

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sligo Rovers (loan)2008[2]LOI Premier Division910000—0091
Finn Harps (loan)2009[10]LOI First Division1220000—00122
Derry City2009[10]LOI Premier Division530000—0053
2010[10]LOI First Division2850000—00285
2011[10]LOI Premier Division2420041—00283
2012[10][20]LOI Premier Division29116520—7[a]14417
Total86216561—7110528
York City2012–13[24]League Two400000—0040
Derry City2013[10]LOI Premier Division12510112[b]100167
Coleraine2013–14[10]NIFL Premiership721000—1[a]294
Career total130318572218315542
  1. ^ Appearance(s) in Setanta Sports Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

Honours

Derry City

Waterford

Larne

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13". The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 74. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014.
  2. ^ "Career". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Derry and District Youth leagues . . .Derry and District Youth leagues . . .". Derry Journal. 7 September 2007. Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Tristar Boys FC". Tristar Boys F.C. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  5. ^ "Sligo Rovers announce three new signings". Sligo Rovers F.C. 29 July 2008. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  6. ^ "David McDaid Appearances (Sligo Rovers), 2008". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  7. ^ "David McDaid Goals (Sligo Rovers), 2008". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Sligo Rovers 4 – 0 (0–0) Cobh Ramblers". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  9. ^ "Finn Park opens its gates for Longford visit". Donegal Democrat. 10 March 2009. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  10. ^ "D. McDaid". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Kildare County vs. Finn Harps 1 – 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  12. ^ "Galway United vs. Derry City 3 – 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  13. ^ "Derry sign up first four players". BBC Sport. 10 December 2009. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  14. ^ "First Team Squad". Derry City F.C. Archived from the original on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  15. ^ "Cork City vs. Derry City 0 – 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  16. ^ "McDaid re-signs". Derry City F.C. 18 January 2012. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  17. ^ "McDaid to sign for Fleetwood Town". Derry Journal. 2 December 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  18. ^ "Crusaders vs. Derry City 2 – 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  19. ^ "Derry City vs. St Patrick's 3 – 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  20. ^ "Derry City 4–0 Finn Harps". BBC Sport. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  21. ^ "York City sign striker David McDaid from Derry City". BBC Sport. 29 January 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  22. ^ Flett, Dave (25 January 2013). "Striker David McDaid signs York City deal". The Press. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  23. ^ Flett, Dave (25 January 2013). "York City close to landing Derry striker David McDaid". The Press. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  24. ^
  25. ^ "York City part company with striker David McDaid". The Press. 25 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2013.
  26. ^ "Striker David McDaid one of three new arrivals at Derry City". BBC Sport. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  27. ^ "Oran 'Over The Moon' With McDaid Acquisition". Coleraine F.C. 17 December 2013. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2013.
  28. ^ Coleraine striker David McDaid signs for Cliftonville
  29. ^ Irish Premiership: Portadown 0-1 Cliftonville
  30. ^ "Cliftonville Football Club". Archived from the original on 18 February 2017. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
  31. ^ "Waterford FC 3-0 Cabinteely". Waterford FC. 3 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017.
  32. ^ "Waterford FC Crowned First Division Champions". Waterford FC. 16 September 2017.
  33. ^ "PFA Ireland Awards nominees 2017". PFAI
  34. ^ Luney, Graham (18 November 2017). "We won't give up the title without a fight, says Waterworth". Belfast Telegraph
  35. ^ "Championship club announce signing of former Cliftonville striker David McDaid". Belfast Telegraph. 18 November 2017.
  36. ^ Fullerton, Darren (14 June 2022). "Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey snaps up Larne striker David McDaid on three-year contract" belfastlive.co.uk. Retrieved 21 June 2022.
  37. ^ "McDaid moves to Portstewart". glenavonfc.com. 29 November 2025.
  38. ^ "Northern Ireland down the Aussies". Irish Football Association. 24 January 2008. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  39. ^ "David Mc Daid". Soccer Scene. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  40. ^ "Ramsey names Centenary Shield squad". Irish Football Association. 11 April 2008. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  41. ^ "NI under 21 squad named". Irish Football Association. 8 August 2012. Archived from the original on 14 August 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  42. ^ "Battling U21s go down 3–2 in Hungary". Irish Football Association. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 16 August 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  43. ^ "County Antrim Shield final: Larne defeat Glens in Seaview shootout". BBC Sport. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  44. ^ "Co Antrim Shield: Impressive Larne see off Linfield in gripping final to retain trophy". BBC Sport. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2022.