MENU
VFC’s Grady McDonnell answers international call with Republic of Ireland’s U-17 team
October 25, 2024

A busy year for Vancouver FC’s Grady McDonnell is not quite over yet. The 16-year-old midfielder has wrapped up his first season as a professional footballer with the Eagles but is now answering the call to represent the Republic of Ireland at the 2024/25 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers later this month.

This call up marks the fifth time in 2024 that McDonnell has earned a place with the Boys in Green on the international stage. Just last month, McDonnell was a part of the preparation camp for this tournament in Spain which featured two friendlies against Denmark’s U-17 team where the native of Surrey, B.C., made one start in two appearances and scored the Boys in Green’s lone goal.

September’s call up marked the second time in 2024 in which McDonnell participated in a UEFA European Under-17 Championship preparation camp. The VFC teenager represented the Republic of Ireland’s U-17 team for the first time this year in March to prepare for the Elite Round qualifying in the 2023/24 edition of the Championship.

Although McDonnell did not make the roster for the second round of qualification in the 2023/24 tournament, the 16-year-old midfielder did help to get the Boys in Green get to the Elite Round qualification in October 2023. McDonnell made one start for the Republic of Ireland in the nation’s 0-0 draw against Iceland which helped to solidify their advancement in the tournament.

Grady McDonnell battle for the ball at Willoughby Community Park against North Star Shield winners Forge FC // Photo Credit: Beau Chevalier

Now just over one year after his first appearance in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, McDonnell heads to Northern Ireland to do it all again. The Boys in Green will compete in Group 8 of Round 1 qualifying where they’ll face Lithuanian on Tuesday, Oct. 29, Northern Ireland on Friday, Nov. 1, and Scotland on Monday, Nov. 4. The matches will be split between Inver Park in Larne, Country Antrim, and the host country’s capital of Belfast.

The goal for McDonnell and his Republic of Ireland team is to finish in the top two of Group 8 to place themselves in League A for the second round of qualification which will take place in the spring of 2025. This tournament holds significant importance for European U-17 teams because it acts as a qualifying tournament for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup which will be hosted in Qatar next year.

At the U-16 level, McDonnell earned two call ups for the Boys in Green this year, most recently participating in the UEFA Development Tournament in May where he also made one start in two appearances. McDonnell started off 2024 representing the Boys in Green at the Aegean Cup in January, a four-team U-16 international friendly tournament, appearing in all three of the squad’s matches and scoring one goal.

Back on Canadian soil, the first-year professional experiences numerous milestones in 2024. Beginning with signing his first professional contract in January, McDonnell became the youngest player in Canadian Premier League (CPL) history to sign a standard player contract, taking the title away from fellow VFC teenager TJ Tahid. McDonnell made his professional debut on May 3 as a second half substitute against Cavalry FC at one of the most intimidating fields in the CPL, ATCO Field. 

Grady McDonnell features in a match for VFC on Vancouver Island away to Pacific FC // Photo Credit: Beau Chevalier

The native of Surrey, B.C., made his historic hometown professional debut just a few weeks later on May 25 in yet another intimidating match up, the Salish Sea Derby against Pacific FC. McDonnell earned three starts in the 2024 VFC season with his first one happening at York Lions Stadium on June 9 helping Vancouver battle out a tough 2-2 draw. 

It wouldn’t be a memorable first year without making an impact on the scoresheet and McDonnell was able to contribute twice. The 16-year-old midfielder registered his first assist at home against York United FC coming onto the pitch with just three minutes left in the match to come from behind and secure a point. McDonnell was able to do just that to set up Alejandro ‘Wero’ Díaz in 90+3’ for one of his 10 goals in 2024 and got to celebrate with the hometown crowd. McDonnell found Díaz once again at Willoughby Park for his second assist of the season in a 1-1 draw against Valour FC in VFC’s final home match of 2024.

McDonnell’s memories with VFC for his first professional season will remain with him to look back on. But now, McDonnell is looking ahead to his duties with the Republic of Ireland and show what a Canadian can do on the international stage.