Will McDonagh

Height 6' 1"

Weight 12 1lbs

Midfielder.

Will was born in Dublin on the 14th of March 1983.  He joined Carlisle from Bohemians and is very highly rated by Roddy Collins, who described him thus: "He is the best tackler I have ever seen and when you get to see more of him, which I'm sure you will, you'll realise that he is one hell of a ball winner." Will made his debut against Tranmere away in the F.A. Cup. A baptism of fire finding himself up against the likes of Koumas. Unfortunately he only lasted 39 minutes before being sent off for an over enthusiastic tackle which earned him his second yellow card, the game ending in a 6-1 defeat.  His next appearance also had a 6-1 score line but this time a glorious win for the blues at home on the 12th of January against Leyton Orient. Will coming on for the final minutes.  Shortly after this match  he broke a  bone in his foot in training and was sidelined until the middle of February.  After three substitute appearances he played a full match away in the 0-0 draw at Bristol Rovers on the 12th of March.  The next match was away at Scunthorpe on the 16th, a tough match for our youngsters against a very experienced  side. Scunthorpe had a two goal league by half time but  Carlisle didn't give up and attacked throughout the second half.  On 76 minutes a Scunthorpe defender cleared  a ball directly into Will's path and he powered it through a crowd of players to hit the back of the net. 

For such a young player Will has great strength and balance. Until arriving at Brunton Park Will played as a central defender, he is working hard to adapt to his midfield role.  Given time and coaching he can mature into a very special player.

Season 2002/03 saw Will gaining valuable league experience.  His first goal of the campaign came away at Southend on the 13th of August, coming on to the pitch in the 65th minute, replacing John Burns. The only goal of the game came 20 minutes later. Baldacchino had proved to be too clever for the  Southend defence using both his skill and speed  to break through down the wing. His cross was met by McDonagh on the far post who volleyed home. Will's other league came came at home to Kidderminster on the 9th of November. Again he joined the game from the bench, this time replacing Baldacchino in the 72nd minute with the score at 1-1. The winning goal came eleven minutes later. Foran  made a determined run down the right and despite the attention of two Kidderminster defenders he  got the ball across to Osman who laid the ball through for Will to volley home.

Wills most memorable performances came in the LDV competition with 2 golden goals that sent us forward  towards the final. The second round of the LDV drew United against Stockport County at home on the 12th of November. Will came off the bench in the 63rd minute, replacing Baldacchino. Both sides spurned chances over the 90 minutes so  it was in to golden goal extra time to break the 0-0 deadlock. United won the match in the 109th minute with a goal  that was all Wills own work. About 20 yards out he picked up a loose ball and fired low into the bottom corner, game over. 

Will's other two goals came in the same match, Bury at home in the LDV. Foran scored in the 20th minute to put United  1-0 up but Bury came back strongly and by the 70th minute they had scored two and United had to fight to stay in the competition. In the 86th minute Birch  put a pin point long pass through to McDonagh on the far post  who headed the ball home, 2-2 and yet again golden goal extra time. In the 118th minute it was Will yet again who finished the game off with a powerful  shot form the edge of the box.

 An exciting young player, strong in the air and happy to play the ball to feet, Will has been offered a new contract which will keep him at Brunton Park next season.

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