Biography
Irish defender McShane joined City on season loan in August 2008, having made a good impression he was recalled by parent club Sunderland during the mid-season transfer window. A year to the day after his loan move he signed permanently for City and commenced a six year stint at City that saw plenty of highs and lows. At times he was a first team fixture, none more so than during City’s second promotion to the Premier League in 2013. At other times he was rejected by City’s managers and farmed out on loan. While his defensive qualities were unquestioned, it took him a long time to hone the ball playing skills demanded from a modern day defender. He improved this area of his game in his later years, but was released in May 2015 on City’s relegation from the Premier League.
Hailing from Wicklow in Ireland, McShane signed for Manchester United as a 16 year old. In the absence of first team opportunities at Old Trafford, he cut his teeth with loan spells at Walsall and, notably, Brighton. His spell on the south coast encouraged West Bromwich Albion to purchase his services, and after one decent season with the Baggies he was again on the move to Sunderland. After an initial spell in the first team he fell out of favour with Black Cats manager Roy Keane, which led to his loan move and subsequent transfer to City.
Following his release by Hull City in May 2015, McShane signed for Reading where he became an instant first team regular, going on to spend four years at the Madjeski Stadium and leaving in 2019. After 4 months of rest McShane signed a short term deal with Rochdale in October 2019, which was eventually extended to two years.
After hanging up his boots in July 2021, McShane began a second phase of his footballing career when he was appointed an Under-23s Professional Development Phase coach at his first club, Premier League side Manchester United. In August 2023 he chose to combine two roles, coaching the Under-15s at Manchester United while also joining the coaching staff for Ireland’s Under-21 side.
McShane earned several caps for Ireland at under-21 level and made his senior debut for his country in October 2006. He has collected 33 senior international caps in total.
Details
Nationality: Ireland
Date/Place of Birth: 6 January 1986, Wicklow
Hull City First Game: 13 September 2008, Newcastle United A (Premier League), 22 years, 251 days old
Hull City Final Game: 24 May 2015, Manchester United H (Premier League), 29 years, 138 days old
Clubs
Manchester United (2002-2006), Walsall (2004-2005, loan), Brighton & Hove Albion (2005-2006, loan), West Bromwich Albion (2006-2007), Sunderland (2007-2009), Hull City (2008-2009, loan), Hull City (2009-2015), Barnsley (2011, loan), Crystal Palace (2012, loan), Reading (2015-2019), Rochdale (2019-2021)
Hull City Record
Career: 136 apps, 5 goals
Paul McShane| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008/09 | 17 (0) | 1 | 2 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2009/10 | 26 (1) | 0 | – | – | 0 (1) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 2010/11 | 13 (6) | 0 | – | – | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 2011/12 | 1 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2012/13 | 20 (5) | 2 | 3 (0) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| 2013/14 | 9 (1) | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 2 (0) | 1 | – | – | – | – |
| 2014/15 | 19 (1) | 1 | 1 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | – | – |