Sponsored by: O'Callaghan Family

• Position: Defender
• Number: 26
• Age: 20 (15th April, 2003)

John Alan (Jay) McGrath joined St Pat's in February 2023 on loan from Championship side Coventry City ahead of the new League of Ireland season.

McGrath joined Coventry City from Northern Premier Division side Mickleover FC in the summer of 2020, signing a three year contract at the Coventry Building Society Arena.

Jay was named Captain of Coventry U21s and helped them to the U21 league title last season, he has also featured regularly for their U23s, he also had short term loan spell at National League North side Alfreton Town last season.

The left footed centre-back made his first start for The Saints in the 2-1 defeat away to Sligo Rovers and retained his place in the side for the 2-0 defeat to Bohemians, the 2-2 draw at Shamrock Rovers and the 3-0 win against UCD, he was also nominated for the St Patrick's Athletic / Manguard Plus Player of the Month for March.

On the international front, having initially been in the training squad, the 19-year-old was called-up to the Ireland U21s for the first time for the friendly international against Iceland in March, he was an unused substitute in the 2-1 victory at Turners Cross.

Jay's dad John McGrath is a former professional footballer himself, having joined Aston Villa as a teenager in 1999, John's most notable spell in England came with Burton Albion where he played over 200 games during his six years there.

John has been a regular at St Pat's games since Jay's arrival on loan.

Previous Clubs: Mickleover FC (2019), Coventry City (2020-)