Finn McKenlay

Finn McKenlay
Personal information
Full name Finn Hunter McKenlay
Date of birth (2005-09-04) 4 September 2005 (age 21)
Place of birth London, England
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Finn Harps
Number 23
Youth career
–2017 East Coast Bays
2018–2019 Onehunga Sports
2020–2021 East Coast Bays
2022–2023 Birkenhead United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Birkenhead United 12 (2)
2023–2024 Eastern Suburbs 17 (1)
2024–2026 Auckland FC 2 (0)
2025–2026 Auckland FC Reserves 11 (3)
2026– Finn Harps 0 (0)
International career‡
2023– New Zealand U20 6 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  New Zealand
OFC U-19 Championship
Winner2024 Samoa
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 30 May 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 7 June 2025

Finn Hunter McKenlay (born 4 September 2005) is a New Zealand footballer who plays as a midfielder for Finn Harps in the League of Ireland First Division.

Personal life

McKenaly was born in Wimbledon, London, before moving to New Zealand at the age of 2.

Club career

McKenlay played youth football for East Coast Bays and Onehunga Sports before signing with Birkenhead United. On 19 June 2022, Mckenlay made his debut as a second-half substitute against Central United in the Chatham Cup. In 2023, McKenlay signed for Eastern Suburbs for the 2023 New Zealand National League Championship phase. McKenlay also played for New Zealand national under-19 schoolboys football team in 2023.

McKenlay signed for Auckland FC on 20 June 2024 for their inaugural season. On 15 December 2024, McKenlay made his A-League Men and professional debut starting in a 2–2 draw with Melbourne City.

On 4 June 2026, Auckland FC announced McKenlay's departure following the conclusion of his scholarship contract.

On 14 August 2026, McKenlay joined Finn Harps in League of Ireland First Division.

International career

On 14 June 2024, McKenlay was named in the New Zealand U20 for the 2024 OFC U-19 Men's Championship. He made his debut on 6 July 2024 against New Caledonia.

McKenlay was named as part of the 21-player New Zealand U20 squad for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup that took place in Chile from September to October 2025. McKenlay made three appearances in the tournament, with New Zealand exiting after the conclusion of the group stage.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 29 July 2026.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Birkenhead United 2023 National League 12210—132
Eastern Suburbs 2023 National League 4100—41
2024 National League 13021—151
Total 1712100192
Auckland FC 2024–25 A-League Men 20—0020
2025–26 A-League Men 00100010
Total 20100030
Auckland FC Reserves 2025 National League 11300—113
2026 National League 4100—41
Total 1540000154
Finn Harps 2026 First Division 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Career total 4674100508

Honours

Birkenhead United U19

Auckland FC

New Zealand U20

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025 SQUAD LIST" (PDF). FIFA. 22 September 2025.
  2. ↑ "Finn McKenlay". Auckland FC. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  3. 1 2 Lee, Ethan (14 August 2026). "Harps Confirm Ferns and McKenlay Signing - Finn Harps FC Official Website". Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  4. ↑ Ross, Jonno (16 October 2024). "Auckland FC young gun talks club football, recent International experience for New Zealand, and his footballing journey so far". Auckland FC. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "The future of Auckland FC — the young players signed on scholarship contracts". friendsoffootballnz.com. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  6. ↑ "Sundays Chatham Cup Man of the Match!". Birkehead United AFC. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  7. ↑ "Birkenhead United v Central United". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  8. ↑ "Two squads chosen to represent NZ Secondary Schools on April overseas tour". friendsoffootballnz.com. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Auckland sign six 'rising stars' as A-Leagues' newest club puts faith in homegrown talent". A-Leagues. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  10. ↑ "Football as it happened: Auckland FC v Melbourne City". Radio New Zealand. 15 December 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  11. ↑ ahayes (4 June 2026). "Auckland FC Bids Farewell to Three Young Players". Auckland. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  12. ↑ "Chris Greenacre Announces First Squad As New Zealand U-20 Head Coach For OFC Men's U19 Championship". New Zealand Football. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  13. ↑ "Squad Named for September's FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025". New Zealand Football. 12 September 2025. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "Match Centre – Chile vs New Zealand". FIFA. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "Match Centre – Egypt vs New Zealand". FIFA. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  16. ↑ "Match Centre – New Zealand vs Japan". FIFA. Retrieved 17 October 2025.
  17. ↑ "Finn McKenlay". Soccerway. Retrieved 12 July 2026.