Billy McGinty (rugby league)


Billy McGinty is a Scottish former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, and the early 2000s. He played in the forwards for Wigan during the period in the 1990s when they dominated the sport, and later for Workington Town.

Background

McGinty was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

Playing career

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Billy McGinty was an interchange/substitute in Warrington's 14-36 defeat by Wigan in the 1989–90 Challenge Cup Final during the 1989–90 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 28 April 1990, in front of a crowd of 77,729.
Billy McGinty played right-, i.e. number 12, and was man of the match in Warrington's 12-2 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1990–91 Regal Trophy Final during the 1990–91 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 12 January 1991.
During the 1991–92 Rugby Football League season, McGinty played for defending champions Wigan as a in their 1991 World Club Challenge victory against the visiting Penrith Panthers. He was selected to go on the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. He played as a in Great Britain's victory over Australia in Melbourne.
During the 1992–93 Rugby Football League season McGinty played as a for defending RFL champions Wigan in the 1992 World Club Challenge against the visiting Brisbane Broncos.
McGinty played right-, i.e. number 12, in Wigan's 5-4 victory over St. Helens in the 1992–93 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Sunday 18 October 1992.
McGinty played right- in Wigan's 15-8 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1992–93 Regal Trophy Final during the 1992–93 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 23 January 1993.
After the 1993–94 Rugby Football League season McGinty travelled with defending champions Wigan to Brisbane for the 1994 World Club Challenge. Due to injuries to Andy Platt and Kelvin Skerrett, he played as a in the 20–14 victory against Brisbane Broncos. The match was his last for Wigan, as he had already agreed to join Workington Town for a fee of £15,000.

Coaching career

Rugby league

In 1998, McGinty was in charge of Scotland before being replaced by Shaun McRae a year later. He became head coach again after McRae stepped down in 2001.

Rugby union

In 2011 McGinty was appointed defence coach of Edinburgh Rugby under head coach Michael Bradley.

School coaching

In 2013, McGinty joined Royal Grammar School Worcester's rugby coaching set-up.