Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year. 6 youth-team spells in the full career.

Republic of Ireland · international

Side	Apps	G
Republic of Ireland U17	6	0

Career caps & goals — tournament breakdown in the full career.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral defender

Cathal Heffernan is a 21-year-old central defender at Harrogate Town, rated 32 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 85th of 478 on scout potential in the League Two and 2414th of 2874 U-23 players tracked. A young player, he has been a rotation option this season (45.4% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.3 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Heffernan.

Judged on this season alone, Heffernan graded 10 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 52nd of 76 of the 76 centre-backs in the League Two, on 4 clean sheets and 2.3 defensive actions per 90.

We hold a single season for Heffernan, so there's no year-on-year comparison to draw yet — the read above is this campaign only.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 32, top 19% of the 76 centre-backs in the League Two. At 21 Heffernan is still climbing toward his ceiling, and a market index of 3.1 reflects that trajectory.

Current potentialTop 19% centre-backs · League Two Current season52nd of 76 centre-backs · League Two52nd-best centre-back in the League Two85th in the League Two · potential14th-highest potential centre-back in the League Two2414th-highest potential U-23 tracked

Ratingi

14th of 76 centre-backs

10.1

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

45.4%

Minutes

rotation minutes

2.3

Def. actions / 90

moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Harrogate Town finished 10th of 20 · a mid-table side

2.3

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

2.3 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 4 clean sheets across 21 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 1 goal and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Watch points

Game time. Only 45.4% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 32, Heffernan carries the 14th-highest potential of the centre-backs in the League Two (top 19%). Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.3 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). At 21 the trajectory points up — potential sits near its ceiling (97/100) and market value should climb as minutes and output follow.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %45.4%

Available fixtures46 of 46

Goals / 900.048

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900.048

Defensive actions / 902.3

Player flow

Goal involvements1

Shot conversion %16.7

Shot accuracy %46.2

Pass accuracy %68

Dribble success %33.3

Cards / 900.048

Foul involvement / 901.102

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~4), then tapers with age. At 21, Heffernan sits on 3.1, still climbing toward its peak. The blue line is Heffernan's projected Rating — 32 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the League Two with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals1

Shots on target6

Shots13

Passing

Assists0

Pass accuracy68%

Possession

Successful dribbles1

Dribble success33.3%

Fouls won12

Defending

Tackles25

Interceptions9

Blocks14

Fouls committed11

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards1

Red cards0

Transfer history

Harrogate2025/26 – now

Newcastleuntil 2025/26

Harrogate Town2025/26 – 2025/26-

NNewcastle United U212023/24 – 2025/26-

AC Milanuntil 2023/24

MMilan U19(on loan)2021/22 – 2023/24

Cork Cityuntil 2021/22

About Cathal Heffernan

Cathal Heffernan is a 21-year-old centre-back who plays for Harrogate Town, born on April 27, 2005 in , standing tall. He is from Republic of Ireland. Harrogate Town currently sit 23rd of 24 in the League Two.

This season

In the current season, Cathal Heffernan has made 21 appearances with 1 goal and 0 assists across 1,878 minutes, averaging a 6.8 match rating over his last 10 rated games, with 1 yellow card. His season has spanned the League Two and the EFL Trophy.

When Cathal Heffernan plays, Harrogate Town's record this season is 6W-4D-14L — and his match ratings average 6.84 at home against 6.69 on the road.

Recent matches

May 2, 2026: 1-2 loss at home vs Barnet (90 minutes, 6.2 rating)
April 25, 2026: 2-0 win away at Walsall (90 minutes, 7 rating)
April 18, 2026: 1-0 win at home vs Colchester (70 minutes, 7.2 rating)
April 11, 2026: 1-2 loss away at Newport County (90 minutes, 6 rating)
April 6, 2026: 2-3 loss at home vs Bristol Rovers (90 minutes, 6.7 rating)
April 3, 2026: 3-1 win away at Grimsby (98 minutes, 6.3 rating)
March 28, 2026: 0-2 loss at home vs Notts County (90 minutes, 7 rating)
March 21, 2026: 0-1 loss away at Oldham (90 minutes, 7.3 rating)
March 17, 2026: 3-0 win away at Tranmere (90 minutes, 7.3 rating)
March 14, 2026: 0-1 loss at home vs Salford City (90 minutes, 7 rating)

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates Cathal Heffernan at 32 with a Season form score of 10.1, ranking 85th of 478 centre-backs in the League Two. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

His honours include 2 career titles — among them the League Cup. Full list in the career record.

Career

Across 5 recorded seasons, Cathal Heffernan has totalled 54 club appearances with 5 goals and 0 assists for 5 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2025/26, with 21 appearances for Harrogate Town.

Cathal Heffernan's career has also included time at Harrogate, Newcastle, NNewcastle United U21, AC Milan, MMilan U19 and Cork City.

On the international stage, Cathal Heffernan has represented Republic of Ireland U17 — 6 caps in our records.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.

Profile

Season stats

Performance data · by competition

Career

Scout report

Output in context · Harrogate Town finished 10th of 20 · a mid-table side

Watch points