David McDaid

Return to Derry City McDaid re-signed for former club Derry City on 1 July 2013, saying "Other clubs expressed an interest in me but I wouldn't play for any League of Ireland club other than Derry City – I'm happy to be turning out for my hometown club again." He made his return in a 2–1 defeat away at Shamrock Rovers on 12 July 2013, before scoring in the following game, a 4–2 away loss to Turkish Süper Lig team Trabzonspor in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League on 18 July.

Cliftonville McDaid moved to champions Cliftonville on a three-year contract in August 2014 as a replacement for the departed Liam Boyce. He made his debut for the club in a 1–0 win at Portadown on 13 August 2014. McDaid won the player of the month award for August 2014 after an impressive start at Cliftonville.

Waterford On 17 February 2017 McDaid signed for League of Ireland club Waterford. He made his debut coming off the bench away to Athlone Town on 24 February where Waterford were defeated 1–0. McDaid scored his first goals for the club the following week on 3 March against Cabinteely scoring his sides first and third goals in a 3–0 victory. McDaid played a key part as Waterford won promotion back to the Premier League as league champions. After Waterford beat Wexford 3-0 and Cobh Ramblers were defeated 3-0 by Cabinteely Waterford were officially crowned league champions and promoted back to the League of Ireland Premier Division. McDaid was named in the PFAI First Division team of the year and was nominated for the PFAI First Division Player of the Year award. McDaid left Waterford due to family reasons after establishing himself as a fan favourite.

Larne McDaid signed for Larne after leaving Waterford in November 2017 despite interest from Linfield, Glenavon, Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps.

Ballymena United On 14 June 2022, it was announced that McDaid had signed a three-year contract to join Ballymena United.

Return to Coleraine On 24 June 2023, it was announced that McDaid had signed a three-year contract with Coleraine.

Glenavon On 25 June 2024, Glenavon announced that they had signed McDaid from Coleraine for an undisclosed fee. His first goal for the club came against his former side in a 2-0 win at Coleraine Showgrounds on 25 August 2024.

McDaid scored a penalty in a 3-1 win against Ballymena United on 29 November 2025, in what would turn out to be his last game for the club. Shortly after the conclusion of the match, it was announced that McDaid would be departing Glenavon to take up a role as player/assistant manager of NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Portstewart.

Coaching career Portstewart On 29 November 2025, it was announced that McDaid would join NIFL Premier Intermediate League side Portstewart as assistant to newly-appointed manager, John Gregg. From 1 January 2026, he will also register for the club as a player.

International career Having played for Northern Ireland at Schools Under-18 level, McDaid was capped twice by the Republic of Ireland national under-19 team in 2008. He made his debut after starting a 1–0 friendly home defeat to the Czech Republic on 5 February 2008, before appearing as an 85th-minute substitute for Paul Cahillane in another home defeat to the Czechs two days later. He was called up by the Northern Ireland national under-21 team for a game against Hungary in August 2012, for which he was an unused substitute.

Career statistics + Club statistics

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2008 LOI Premier Division

2010 LOI Premier Division

2012–13 League Two

2013–14 2021–22

Individual PFAI First Division Team of the Year: 2017 NIFL Championship Team of the Year: 2018–19