John-Alan "Jay" McGrath (born 15 April 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Doncaster Rovers. Mainly a centre-back, he can also be deployed as a left-back.
McGrath was born and raised in Doncaster and came through the academy of his local club Doncaster Rovers before being released at the age of 16.
McGrath started his senior career with Mickleover where he made 7 first team appearances during the 2019âÂÂ20 Northern Premier League season. In August 2019, he made history when he (aged 16) and his father John McGrath (aged 39) became the first ever father and son to feature together in an FA Cup tie, when they featured in a 3âÂÂ0 win over Coventry Sphinx.
After his breakthrough season, he signed for Coventry City on a two-year contract in the summer of 2020. He captained the club's Under 23 side during his time with the Sky Blues. In November 2022, he joined Alfreton Town on a month-long loan deal. His only appearance for Alfreton Town, came in a 4âÂÂ1 defeat away to Darlington in the FA Trophy. During his time with the club, he trained regularly with the first team, marking future Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres among others in training games. On 14 February 2023 he was loaned out to St Patrick's Athletic until the end of his contract. He was released by the club on 30 June 2023, upon the expiry of his contract.
On 14 February 2023, he signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club St Patrick's Athletic on loan until 30 June 2023. He scored the first senior goal of his career on 5 June 2023, finding the bottom corner from 25 yards out in a 4âÂÂ1 win over Derry City at Richmond Park. On 1 July 2023, McGrath signed a permanent contract with the club upon the expiry of his loan deal and Coventry City contract. On 20 July 2023, McGrath made his first appearance in European competition in a 3âÂÂ2 loss at home to F91 Dudelange in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League. On 12 November 2023, McGrath was part of the squad for the 2023 FAI Cup Final, as his side produced a 3âÂÂ1 win over Bohemians in front of a record breaking FAI Cup Final crowd of 43,881 at the Aviva Stadium.
On 4 January 2024, McGrath signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with League Two side Doncaster Rovers, his local club whom his father John also played for between 2003 and 2005. McGrath featured heavily during the club's 2024âÂÂ25 EFL League Two win which earned them promotion to EFL League One. On 10 July 2025, he signed a new 3 year contract with the Doncaster, who revealed that they had turned down a bid of ã500,000 from a fellow League One side for McGrath. On 24 January 2026, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3âÂÂ3 draw at home to Wigan Athletic.
He is the son of former professional footballer John McGrath.
McGrath, like his father, has a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting from the University of Staffordshire, which he obtained in 2024.
Born in England, McGrath is eligible to play for the Ireland through his Limerick-born father John, who is a former Republic of Ireland U21 international. In 2021, he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U19 side for a training camp. On 25 March 2023, McGrath received his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland U21 team for a friendly against Iceland U21 at Turners Cross.
St Patrick's Athletic
Doncaster Rovers