WINDSOR, Colo. – Irish defensive midfielder Shane McFaul, whose 20-year professional career has included numerous accolades and titles, as well as multiple appearances with Republic of Ireland age group teams, has signed with Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, pending league and federation approval.
The defensive midfielder brings a wealth of experience and a veteran presence to Hailstorm FC, having played for 11 clubs in five countries during his 20-year professional career. He has also completed his UEFA C coaching license and will be undertaking his UEFA B coaching license in 2022.
“I’ve known Shane a long time and have followed his career ever since he was with University College Dublin,” said Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed. “What Shane brings on and off the pitch is invaluable and hard to find. He brings a calming presence and maturity to the middle of the field, and he can dictate play. For me, without a doubt he has the best technical ability and passing range in the whole league. Off the pitch, he trains as hard as he plays, which I love and want from my players. He will only enhance the professional environment and culture for Hailstorm both on and off the pitch.”
McFaul most recently played for Sudet in Finland, his fourth club in the Scandinavian country after appearances with Mikkelin Palloilijat (2018), Kotkan Työväen Palloilijat (2014–16), and FC Haka (2012). The Dublin, Ireland native has also played professionally in Ireland, England, the USA, and India.
McFaul signed his first professional contract in 2002 at the age of 16 when he joined Notts County in England. He made his debut for the Magpies out of position at right back, and predominantly played in defense during his three seasons in Nottingham.
After making 45 appearances for Notts County, McFaul crossed the Atlantic in 2006 and signed with the Virginia Beach Mariners. The Mariners folded as a club after just one season, so McFaul returned to Ireland to play for University College Dublin in Ireland’s Premier League. He made 28 appearances for The Students, and earned a callup to the Republic of Ireland U21 side, where he appeared in a match against Germany.
The following year, McFaul returned to England after signing with Brighton and Hove Albion, but after only being used sparingly he returned to Dublin and UCD.
In 2009, McFaul signed with Sporting Fingal and partnered with Zayed, the club’s striker, to help the new side earn promotion to the Premier Division. Sporting Fingal won the 2009 FAI Cup—and with it qualification for the 2010–11 Europa League—and McFaul was named the final’s Man of the Match, and later named the club’s Player of the Year.
After Sporting Fingal disbanded following the 2010 season, McFaul signed with St. Patrick’s Athletic, and earned supporter’s club Player of the Month honors in July 2011 for his exploits.
McFaul spent the 2012 season with FC Haka in Finland, before returning to Ireland in 2013 to play once again for St. Patrick’s Athletic, where he led the club to the league title.
In 2014 he returned to Finland to spend two seasons with KTP, before spending the 2017 season in India with I-League club DSK Shivajians FC. DSK folded the year after McFaul arrived however, so he returned to Finland, playing for Mikkelin Palloilijat in 2018 before signing with Sudet.
In all, McFaul has played in 360 senior-level matches as a professional, with a further five appearances for Republic of Ireland age-group sides.
“I’m absolutely delighted and so excited to sign for Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC,” said McFaul. “From the moment I first spoke with Éamon, and what he told me about the club’s very ambitious plans for the future I couldn’t wait to sign. The facilities at the Future Legends Complex look absolutely incredible, so I can’t wait to be part of such an exciting and ambitious new club.”
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will make its USL League One debut on April 9 with a match against Richmond Kickers. Due to construction at the Future Legends Complex, the club’s first home match will be almost two months later, when they host North Carolina FC on June 8.
Hailstorm FC will play its home matches in the 6,500-seat main stadium of the Future Legends Complex, the premier destination for sports and events in Northern Colorado. Opening in 2022, the 118-acre complex will feature a professional stadium, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.