{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 2004)}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Stephen McMullan | image = | caption = | fullname = Stephen Desmond Soraghan McMullan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gc-media-assets.gc.eflservices.co.uk/f9455bd0-4dac-11ee-8864-711544c578ce.pdf|title=SQUAD LIST 2023/24 & U21 REGISTERED CONTRACT PLAYERS|publisher=[[English Football League]]|date=7 September 2023|accessdate=23 August 2024}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2004|12|31|df=y}}<ref name=soccerway/> | birth_place = [[Armagh]], Northern Ireland | height = 1.84m<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whoscored.com/players/462026/show/stephen-mcmullan|title=Stephen McMullan Football Statistics | WhoScored.com|website=www.whoscored.com}}</ref> | position = [[Goalkeeper (association football)|Goalkeeper]] | currentclub = [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]]<br>(on loan from [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]]) | clubnumber = 1 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Woodview Celtic | youthyears2 = {{0|0000}}–2019 | youthclubs2 = [[Dundalk F.C.|Dundalk]] | youthyears3 = 2019–2022 | youthclubs3 = [[Warrenpoint Town F.C.|Warrenpoint Town]] | years1 = 2020–2022 | clubs1 = [[Warrenpoint Town F.C.|Warrenpoint Town]] | caps1 = 10 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2022– | clubs2 = [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] | caps2 = 3 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2024 | clubs3 = → [[Caernarfon Town F.C.|Caernarfon Town]] (loan) | caps3 = 13 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2025 | clubs4 = → [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] (loan) | caps4 = 35 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2026– | clubs5 = → [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] (loan) | caps5 = 0 | goals5 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2021 | nationalteam1 = [[Republic of Ireland national under-19 football team|Republic of Ireland U18]] | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2022 | nationalteam2 = [[Northern Ireland national under-18 football team|Northern Ireland U18]] | nationalcaps2 = 2 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2022 | nationalteam3 = [[Northern Ireland national under-19 football team|Northern Ireland U19]] | nationalcaps3 = 1 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | nationalyears4 = 2023– | nationalteam4 = [[Northern Ireland national under-21 football team|Northern Ireland U21]] | nationalcaps4 = 4 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | club-update = 15:08, 15 December 2025 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 10:42, 6 August 2023 (UTC) }}
'''Stephen Desmond Soraghan McMullan''' (born 31 December 2004) is a Northern Irish professional [[association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] for [[League of Ireland Premier Division]] club [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]], on loan from {{English football updater|FleetwoT}} club [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]]. He has represented both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland at underage level.
McMullan made his debut for [[Warrenpoint Town F.C.|Warrenpoint Town]] in the [[NIFL Premiership]] in January 2022 and was signed by [[English Football League]] club Fleetwood Town four months later.
==Club career== ===Early career=== Born in [[Armagh]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11152818/stephen_mcmullan/|title=Stephen McMullan | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}</ref> McMullan was raised in [[Dundalk]], [[County Louth]] and began playing his youth football with local club Woodview Celtic, before playing for the Academy of [[League of Ireland]] club [[Dundalk F.C.|Dundalk]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/dundalk-goalkeeper-stephen-mcmullan-signs-new-contract-at-english-league-1-club/42267837.html|title=Dundalk goalkeeper Stephen McMullan signs new contract at English League 1 club|date=January 6, 2023|website=Irish Independent}}</ref>
===Warrenpoint Town=== McMullan joined [[Warrenpoint Town F.C.|Warrenpoint Town]] at the age of 14.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fullerton |first1=Gareth |title=Warrenpoint Town goalkeeper signs deal with Fleetwood Town |url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/warrenpoint-town-goalkeeper-signs-deal-23888455 |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=BelfastLive |date=6 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He made his debut in the [[NIFL Premiership]] at the age of 17 on 15 January 2022, in a 1–0 defeat to [[Crusaders F.C.|Crusaders]] at [[Milltown (stadium)|Milltown]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Warrenpoint Town vs. Crusaders - 15 January 2022 - Soccerway |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/01/15/northern-ireland/ifa-premiership/warrenpoint-town/crusaders-fc/3545509/ |website=int.soccerway.com |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref>
===Fleetwood Town=== On 5 May 2022, he signed a two-year contract with [[EFL League One]] club [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]].<ref name=fourten>{{cite news |last1=McPolin |first1=Darren |title=McMullan Signs for Fleetwood Town |url=https://warrenpointtownfc.co.uk/mcmullan-signs-for-fleetwood-town/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=Warrenpoint Town FC |date=5 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He signed a new long-term contract in January 2023 after impressing in under-18 and development squad games.<ref>{{cite news |title=Goalkeeper Stephen McMullan signs a long-term deal with Town |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2023/january/mcmullan-new-deal-at-fleetwood-town/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com |date=6 January 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Reilly |first1=Caoimhín |title=Dundalk goalkeeper Stephen McMullan signs new contract at English League 1 club |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/dundalk-goalkeeper-stephen-mcmullan-signs-new-contract-at-english-league-1-club/42267837.html |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=Independent.ie |date=6 January 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He made his first-team debut for Fleetwood on 23 April 2023, in a 1–0 win over [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] at [[Highbury Stadium (Fleetwood)|Highbury Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fleetwood Town 1-0 Milton Keynes Dons |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65283601 |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 April 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=James |title=Proud moment as Dundalk-native Stephen McMullan makes Fleetwood Town debut |url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/louth/sport/soccer/proud-moment-as-dundalk-native-stephen-mcmullan-makes-fleetwood-town-debut/a1510784771.html |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=Independent.ie |date=27 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> He cited regular goalkeeper [[Jay Lynch (footballer)|Jay Lynch]] as an inspiration and said he was "over the moon with the opportunity".<ref>{{cite news |title=McMullan: It was a brilliant feeling and I'm still buzzing |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2023/april/mcmullan-post-mk-dons-h/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com |date=22 April 2023 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He was linked with [[Premier League]] clubs [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] over the summer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Luney |first1=Graham |title=Premier League trio eye former Point keeper Stephen McMullan |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league-trio-eye-former-point-keeper-stephen-mcmullan/457441702.html |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=2 May 2023}}</ref>
====Caernarfon Town loan==== On 6 July 2024, McMullan joined [[Cymru Premier]] club [[Caernarfon Town F.C.|Caernarfon Town]] on a season-long loan deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.caernarfontownfc.co.uk/en/news-events/welcome-to-the-oval-stephen-mcmullan-2024-07-06|title=Welcome to the Oval Stephen McMullan|website=www.caernarfontownfc.co.uk|date=6 July 2024|accessdate=7 July 2024}}</ref> He made 17 appearances in all competitions for the club during his loan spell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soccerway.com/player/mcmullan-stephen/OSGUsVze/|title=Stephen McMullan Stats | Soccerway|website=www.soccerway.com}}</ref>
====Waterford loans==== On 7 January 2025, McMullan joined [[League of Ireland Premier Division]] club [[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] on a season-long loan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/01/07/keeper-stephen-mcmullan-joins-the-blues/|title=Keeper Stephen McMullan Joins The Blues!|first=Waterford|last=FC|date=January 7, 2025}}</ref> He saved a penalty on 15 February 2025 in a 3–2 win away to [[Sligo Rovers F.C.|Sligo Rovers]] at [[The Showgrounds, Sligo|The Showgrounds]] in the opening league game of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-41575546.html|title=Waterford edge chaotic five-goal thriller in Sligo|first=Liam|last=Maloney|date=February 15, 2025|website=Irish Examiner}}</ref> He made 39 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell before returning to Fleetwood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/11/21/waterford-fc-2025-retained-list/|title=Waterford FC 2025 Retained List|date=November 21, 2025|website=Waterford FC | Official Site}}</ref>
On 15 December 2025, it was announced that McMullan would return to Waterford on a season long loan deal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://waterfordfc.ie/2025/12/15/mcmullan-returns-on-loan-for-2026/|title=McMullan Returns on Loan for 2026|date=December 15, 2025|website=Waterford FC | Official Site}}</ref>
==International career== He was called up to the [[Northern Ireland national under-19 football team|Northern Ireland under-19]] squad in September 2022.<ref>{{cite news |title=Young duo McMullan and Glenfield named in Northern Ireland Under-19s squad |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2022/september/ni-u19-call-ups/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=leetwoodtownfc.com |date=16 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=International roundup: McMullan and Glenfield secure elite round spot in U19 Euro Qualifiers |url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2022/september/round-up-internationals/ |access-date=6 August 2023 |work=www.fleetwoodtownfc.com |date=28 September 2022 |language=en-gb}}</ref> He received his first call up to the [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland senior team]] in November 2023.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2023/november/mcmullan-northern-ireland-senior/| title=McMullan makes the step up to the Northern Ireland Senior squad| work=Fleetwood Town FC| date=15 November 2023| access-date=4 January 2024}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 7 November 2025}} {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes [[FA Cup]]}} !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="3"|[[Warrenpoint Town F.C.|Warrenpoint Town]] |[[2020–21 NIFL Premiership|2020–21]]<ref name=soccerway>{{Soccerway|stephen-mcmullan/685621|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |[[NIFL Premiership]] |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |[[2021–22 NIFL Premiership|2021–22]]<ref name=soccerway/> |NIFL Premiership |10||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !10!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!10!!0 |- |rowspan="5"|[[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] |[[2022–23 Fleetwood Town F.C. season|2022–23]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|137232|2022|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |[[EFL League One]] |1||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0||1||0 |- |[[2023–24 Fleetwood Town F.C. season|2023–24]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|137232|2023|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |EFL League One |2||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in [[EFL Trophy]]}}||0||5||0 |- |[[2024–25 Fleetwood Town F.C. season|2024–25]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|137232|2024|accessdate=7 January 2025}}</ref> |[[EFL League Two]] |0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0 |- |[[2025–26 Fleetwood Town F.C. season|2025–26]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|137232|2025|accessdate=3 December 2025}}</ref> |EFL League Two |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !3!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!2!!0!!6!!0 |- |[[Caernarfon Town F.C.|Caernarfon Town]] (loan) |[[2024–25 Cymru Premier|2024–25]]<ref name=soccerway/> |[[Cymru Premier]] |13||0||0||0||0||0||4{{efn|name=UECL|Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Conference League]]}}||0||colspan="2"|—||17||0 |- |[[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] (loan) |[[2025 League of Ireland Premier Division|2025]]<ref name=soccerway/> |[[League of Ireland Premier Division]] |35||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||2{{efn|1 appearance in the [[Munster Senior Cup (association football)|Munster Senior Cup]]; 1 appearance in the [[2025 League of Ireland Premier Division#Promotion/relegation play-off|2025 League of Ireland Premier Division Promotion/Relegation play-off]]}}||0||39||0 |- |[[Waterford F.C.|Waterford]] (loan) |[[2026 League of Ireland Premier Division|2026]]<ref name=soccerway/> |[[League of Ireland Premier Division]] |0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||0{{efn|Appearance in the [[Munster Senior Cup (association football)|Munster Senior Cup]]}}||0||0||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !61!!0!!3!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0!!4!!0!!72!!0 |} {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Waterford F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McMullan, Stephen}} [[Category:2004 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Men's association footballers from Northern Ireland]] [[Category:21st-century sportsmen from Northern Ireland]] [[Category:Northern Ireland men's youth international footballers]] [[Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers]] [[Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football goalkeepers]] [[Category:Warrenpoint Town F.C. players]] [[Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players]] [[Category:Caernarfon Town F.C. players]] [[Category:Waterford F.C. players]] [[Category:NIFL Premiership players]] [[Category:English Football League players]] [[Category:League of Ireland players]] [[Category:Association footballers from County Armagh]]