Name Shayne McMenemy Role Rugby player | Height 1.8 m | |
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Shayne McMenemy (born 19 July 1975) an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, and 2000s. A Ireland international representative back rower, he played club football in Australia for the Western Suburbs Magpies and WA Reds and in England for Rochale, Oldham, Halifax and Hull.
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Early years
McMenemy went to Macquarie Fields High School in his early years before attending St Gregory's College, Campbelltown.
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 Tigers team consisting 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 debuted in the Tommy Raudonikis era in the late 90s. McMenemy mostly played 2nd row 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 Roughyeds. 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 Roughyeds finished one game short of the grand final.
McMenemy signed on for Oldham Roughyeds for the 2001 season but only manage 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 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 F.C., 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 R.F.C. scoring two tries in the 34–8.
Hull reached the 2006 Super League Grand final against St Helens R.F.C. 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 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 has 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.