Ethan McIlroy (born 10 August 2000) is an Irish rugby union player who plays wing or fullback for Ulster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup.
He attended Methodist College Belfast, playing fullback in the Methody team that defeated Campbell College 45–17 in the Ulster Schools' Cup final in 2019.Ciaran Donaghy, "Young Ulster prospect Ethan McIlroy credits development at Methody for career progress", News Letter, 4 February 2022 He made his debut for Ulster against Leinster in December 2019, while still in the province's sub-academy.Michael Sadlier, "Ethan McIlroy has Ireland ambitions as winger explains 'have a go' attitude encouraged from the off at Ulster Rugby", Belfast Telegraph, 3 February 2022 He made two starts for Ireland in the 2020 Six Nations Under 20s Championship."20-year-old McIlroy one of the big winners of the inter-pro series", The 42, 12 January 2021 He was named Ulster "A" Player of the Year in the 2020 Ulster Rugby Awards."John Cooney is named Ulster's Player of the Year as Marcel Coetzee wins hat-trick of awards", BBC Sport, 20 September 2020 He signed an academy contract for the 2020–21 season,Gareth Fullerton, "Ulster Rugby announce contract news for four more players", Irish Mirror, 2 February 2021 and, alongside David McCann, was awarded the Jack Kyle Bursary by the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club."McIlroy And McCann Receive URSC Jack Kyle Bursary", Irish Rugby, 15 December 2020 That season he made 14 senior appearances, including seven starts, and scored two tries.
He signed a development contract ahead of the 2021–22 season, during which, mainly playing on the wing, he made 22 appearances including 21 starts, and scored five tries, including two in Ulster's Champions Cup round of 16 defeat to Toulouse. Rugby Pass named him as one of the URC's breakout stars of the season,"URC breakout stars of the season", Rugby Pass, 28 April 2022 and he won Ulster's Young Player of the Year award."2021-22 Heineken Ulster Rugby Award winners revealed", Ulster Rugby, 23 June 2022 He was selected for the Emerging Ireland squad for the Toyota Challenge in South Africa in September 2022."Emerging Ireland Squad Named For Toyota Challenge In Bloemfontein", Irish Rugby, 14 September 2022
References
External links Ulster Rugby profile United Rugby Championship profile
Ethan McIlroy at FinalWhistle.ie