McGuckin hopeful that goal on first Harrogate Town start will lead to more game-time

Ciaran McGuckin is hopeful that his eye-catching goal during Harrogate Town’s 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bury will lead to him getting more game-time.

The former Rotherham United forward has primarily been used as an impact player since joining the club in the summer, with all of his 12 appearances prior to Saturday coming from the substitutes bench.

Ciaran McGuckin, centre, is congratulated by Josh Hmami, left, and Michael Craig after finding the back of the net against Bury FC. Picture: Matt Kirkham | Harrogate Town AFC

placeholder image — Ciaran McGuckin, centre, is congratulated by Josh Hmami, left, and Michael Craig after finding the back of the net against Bury FC. Picture: Matt Kirkham | Harrogate Town AFC

A muscle strain sustained in pre-season disrupted McGuckin’s preparations for the new campaign and meant that he was not fully fit heading into the start of 2026/27.

The 22-year-old still managed to bag a brace from the bench having been introduced as a second-half substitute during the Sulphurites’ 5-2 opening-day success over Solihull Moors.

But, with manager Simon Weaver initially set on carefully managing McGuckin’s workload following the season-ending knee injury he suffered while on loan at Eastleigh, plus the form of fellow strikers Brad Dolaghan and Shawn McCoulsky, the Northern Ireland youth international has had to bide his time.

Having eventually been given the nod to start at the weekend, Town’s number 35 wasted little time making his mark on proceedings, cutting inside off the left flank and curling a stunning, 39th-minute effort into the top corner with his right foot.

And McGuckin insists that he was primed and ready to deliver at Gigg Lane.

“I have wanted that first start for a while,” he told BBC Radio York.

“My role in the last 10 or 11 games has been a little bit different, but I have been trying to work hard.

“I was excited to start. I was bang up for it and probably should have scored another one, to be fair.

“But, hopefully I’ll get a few more starts now.”

On the strike itself, which was reminiscent of his second goal against Solihull in Town’s season-opener, McGuckin added: “It was similar to my goal against Solihull, but this one was a little bit better.

“It went a little bit further towards the top corner, so it looked a bit better.

“It’s something that I’ve got in my locker. It’s the sort of finish that I like to try, cutting inside onto my right foot and trying to get a shot off.

“Whenever I get an opportunity to do that, I’m always going to try it.”