James McManus (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 March 2005 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sligo Rovers (on loan from Bohemians) | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2015-2020 | St Kevin's Boys | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021– | Bohemians | 61 | (3) |
| 2025 | → Sligo Rovers (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2026– | → Sligo Rovers (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| International career | |||
| 2019–2020 | Republic of Ireland U15 | 10 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Republic of Ireland U17 | 7 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Republic of Ireland U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | Republic of Ireland U19 | 8 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10:51, 11 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
James McManus (born 16 March 2005) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Sligo Rovers, on loan from Bohemians.
Club Career
Youth career
McManus played both association football and Gaelic football in his youth. He played Gaelic football with St. Oliver Plunketts up to U15 level and had trials with Dublin U15s before deciding to focus on association football.[1] He initially joined Bohemians' partner club St Kevin’s Boys before moving to the Bohemians U17 setup in August 2020. The following year he graduated to the U19 team and signed his first professional contract with the club.[2]
Bohemians
McManus made his senior league debut for Bohemians against UCD in April 2022. He became a regular under Declan Devine during the latter half of the season, making 13 league appearances in total.[3] Extensive interest from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs emerged in early 2023. Bohemians rejected offers from at least one Premier League and two Championship sides for McManus, one of which would have been a record club fee in excess of €250,000 up front with additional add-on clauses.[4] In April 2023 he signed a new multi-year contract with the club.[5] He made 24 league appearances in 2023, scoring 2 goals. He started in the 2023 FAI Cup final, reflecting his rapid ascent within the squad. McManus' progress was curtailed in the 2024 season after he sustained two serious injuries in close succession. He initially injured his ankle, and subsequently suffered a broken leg following his return from the ankle injury.[6] This ultimately resulted in him making only 12 appearances that season.[7] After a strong start to 2025, McManus scored the only goal in a 1–0 win over Cork City at Dalymount Park on 18 April 2025.[8] In May 2025 he signed a new long-term contract extension until the end of 2027.[7]
Sligo Rovers loans
On 30 June 2025, it was announced that McManus had joined fellow League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers on loan until the end of the season.[9] He scored 1 goal in 15 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell with the club, helping them to secure their Premier Division status on the final day of day of the season.[10] Despite starting the first game of the 2026 season for Bohemians,[11] it was announced on 22 February 2026 that he would return to Sligo Rovers on loan for the rest of the season, with McManus citing manager John Russell as a massive influence in his decision to return to the club on loan.[12][13][14]
International Career
McManus has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-17, under-18 and under-19 level. In October 2025, he was called up to the Republic of Ireland U21 team for the first time, for their game against Slovakia U21.[15]
Personal life
McManus attended St Declan's College in Cabra.[16] As well as playing for the club, he has supported Bohemians since his youth.[6] He balanced his Leaving Cert with Premier Division football, ultimately achieving 487 points and securing a place to study law at Dublin City University, although he deferred his studies to focus on his football career.[17] He has openly discussed the sacrifices made in exchange for his football career. He previously cycled daily to training, eschewing motor transport in favour of independence and routine.[1]
Career statistics
- As of match played on 7 March 2026[18]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup[a] | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Bohemians | 2021 | LOI Premier Division | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 14 | 0 | |||
| 2023 | 24 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 30 | 2 | ||
| 2024 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0[b] | 0 | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2025 | 12 | 1 | – | 1[b] | 0 | 13 | 1 | |||
| 2026 | 1 | 0 | – | 0[b] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 61 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 70 | 3 | ||
| Sligo Rovers (loan) | 2025 | LOI Premier Division | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 15 | 1 | |
| Sligo Rovers (loan) | 2026 | LOI Premier Division | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 2 | 0 | |
| Career total | 76 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 87 | 4 | ||
Honours
References
- ^ a b Fitzmaurice, Aidan. "'I have missed parties and nights out but you're happy to make the sacrifice' – James McManus on road to success with Bohemians". independent.ie. Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "James McManus player profile". extratime.com. Extratime. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "James McManus signs new improved multi-year contract". bohemians.ie. Bohemians. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, A. "Bohemians starlet James McManus attracting more cross-channel interest". independent.ie. Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "Talented teen James McManus signs new deal with Bohs". rte.ie. RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b Doyle, Garry. "Bohs star James McManus opens up about his year of injury hell and how the Gypsies are ready to go on a run". irishmirror.ie. Irish Mirror. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b "James McManus signs contract extension until end of 2027 season". bohemians.ie. Bohemians. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ O'Connor, Patrick. "McManus with winner as Bohs bring momentum into Monday's Dublin derby". extratime.com. Extratime. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ "James McManus Joins The Rovers – Sligo Rovers". June 30, 2025.
- ^ "James McManus | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com". www.extratime.com.
- ^ Buttner, Paul (8 February 2026). "Anang stands tall as Bohs and Pat's share the spoils" – via www.rte.ie.
- ^ ""John Russell a massive influence" – McManus ready to go again for the Bit O'Red – Sligo Rovers". February 23, 2026.
- ^ "James McManus returns to the Showgrounds". OceanFM. February 22, 2026.
- ^ Fennessy, Paul (22 February 2026). "Ex-Drogheda player ends 4-year stint in Britain to join Pat's, McManus returns to Sligo from Bohs". The 42.
- ^ "McManus and Ayinde handed maiden Ireland under-21 call-ups". Irish Examiner. October 2, 2025.
- ^ McDonnell, Daniel. "'This kid at 17 is something special, he is really good' - Declan Devine hails Bohemians wonderkid James McManus". independent.ie. Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ Fitzmaurice, Aidan. "'He sees his foreseeable future with Bohemians' – No summer exit for teen star James McManus". independent.ie. Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ "James McManus Stats | Soccerway". www.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Congratulations to James McManus - Young Player of the Year". x.com/bfcdublin. Bohemian F.C. on X. Retrieved 27 June 2025.