Shayne McMenemy


Shayne McMenemy is a former Ireland international rugby league footballer who played as a back rower in the 1990s and 2000s. He played club football in Australia for the Western Suburbs Magpies and WA Reds, and in England for the Rochdale Hornets, Oldham, Halifax and Hull FC.

Early years

McMenemy was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
He went to Macquarie Fields High School in his early years before attending St Gregory's College, Campbelltown.

Playing career

Australia

A Macquarie Fields Hawks Junior, McMenemy made his first grade début in 1997 against the Balmain Tigers. The Magpies won the game against a Balmain Tigers team containing of Ellery Hanley and Paul Sironen.
The local junior signed a scholarship at 14 and went on to play Harold Mathews, SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, Presidents Cup, Reserve Grade and first grade. McMenemy début in the Tommy Raudonikis era in the late 1990s. McMenemy mostly played for the Magpies. A bad elbow injury finished off his career in 1999 and he headed to the Super League.

England

McMenemy's English career started at Rochdale Hornets where he played a handful of games before moving onto Oldham. McMenemy was named Player of the Year and Clubman of the Year. McMenemy was selected in the Northern Ford Dream Team of the year. Oldham finished one game short of the grand final.
McMenemy signed on for Oldham for the 2001 season but only managed one game before Halifax paid a transfer fee to take him to The Shay. McMenemy was named player of the year in 2001 and Defensive player of the Year in 2002.
Mid-2003, Halifax were going through financial problems and McMenemy was signed by Hull F.C. midseason. Making his début against the Widnes Vikings McMenemy dislocated his elbow and only managed a handful of games at the end of the season.
McMenemy played 2nd row for Hull FC, winning 2005 Challenge Cup team at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff against Leeds Rhinos, 25–24. He played a starring role with two decisive kicks which led to tries. The first a cross field kick for Motu Tony to take advantage of, the 2nd kick late in the game and managed to somehow regather set up field position for Paul Cook to score the winning try. McMenemy played a major role in the semi final against St. Helens scoring two tries in the 34–8.
Hull reached the 2006 Super League Grand final against St. Helens, and McMenemy played at second-row forward in his side's 4–26 loss at Old Trafford, Manchester.
McMenemy's career with Hull ended as it started, with a serious injury. Dislocating his shoulder scoring against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Belle Vue requiring season ending surgery.
He was named in the Ireland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
After initially missing out on the final 24 man squad, he was called up as a replacement in the Ireland squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
In 2008 McMenemy returned to Australia to play in the Jim Beam Cup for WA Reds as captain-coach. McMenemy represented the Jim Beam Cup NSW team in the Quad series.