What position does Cathal McCarthy play?

Cathal McCarthy plays as a central defender.

What team does Cathal McCarthy play for?

Cathal McCarthy plays for Kilmarnock.

What is Cathal McCarthy's squad number?

Cathal McCarthy wears number 4.

Cathal McCarthy

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

Cathal McCarthy, born on 31 August 2006 (age 20), is a Republic of Ireland centre-half with Kilmarnock. He wears the number 4 shirt and is primarily used through the middle of defence.

His 2025-26 season at Hull City brought six league appearances, giving him early senior exposure before his spell at Rugby Park. At Kilmarnock in 2026-27, he has made seven league appearances and one League Cup appearance, taking him to eight appearances in all competitions for the club.

McCarthy’s career is still in its early stages: a young Irish central defender with senior minutes at Hull City and Kilmarnock, and a profile built more on development than decoration so far.

📈 Key stats and insights

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Cathal McCarthy has made seven Premiership starts in 2026–27

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Cathal McCarthy has one League Cup appearance in 2026–27

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Cathal McCarthy averages a 6.79 rating this season

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Cathal McCarthy has received two yellow cards in the Premiership

Last updated 20 October 2026. Send feedback

Cathal McCarthy stats

Check out all of the statistics about Cathal McCarthy.

Central Defender
Primary Position: Defender
Position

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: -

In the 2026–27 Premiership McCarthy has made seven appearances, all starts, and registered two yellow cards; he has also featured once in the League Cup – the pattern of starts marks him as a regular selection in central defence for Kilmarnock during the early phase of the season.

🔥 Recent form

Last 7 appearances for Cathal McCarthy.

Season average rating: 6.79

Match: Kilmarnock 3-2 Motherwell
17 Oct 2026 (H)
Mins: 90
Goals: -
Rating: 6.1

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

McCarthy averages a 6.79 season rating with a high of 7.41 and a low of 6.38; the narrow 6.38–7.41 spread points to steady, consistent performances across his appearances rather than pronounced peaks or troughs.

📋 Career stats

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

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

McCarthy is 20 and moved from UCD to Hull City in April 2024, then joined Kilmarnock on loan in August 2026 – the trajectory takes him from Irish domestic football to an English club and into the Scottish Premiership as a developing young central defender.

💰 Transfers

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

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

McCarthy moved from UCD to Hull City for an undisclosed fee in April 2024 and then joined Kilmarnock on loan in August 2026 – the transfers comprise an undisclosed permanent move followed by a loan into the Scottish Premiership.

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