Former Castleford Tigers man on how his move to Championship side saved his career following 1895 Cup victory

Former Man of Steel Paul McShane has revealed how dropping out of Super League to join Championship side York Knights saved his career.

McShane was a Wembley winner at the third attempt when Knights beat Featherstone Rovers 5-4 after golden-point extra-time in Saturday’s 1895 Cup final.

McShane was honoured as the best player in the British game five years ago and collected loser’s medals in two big games for Castleford Tigers, the 2017 Super League Grand Final and at Wembley in 2021.

He retired from full-time rugby league at the end of last season, following nine years with the Tigers and would have hung up his boots if York hadn’t taken him on, but insisted he always believed Knights were capable of days like Saturday.

“I watched a couple of their games last year and speaking with people who’d played there, they said how close-knit the group was and that some of the players are Super League-quality,” the 35-year-old hooker said.

“Luckily, York has managed to keep the group together and built on that. Twelve months ago, I was done with rugby, there was probably only this club that could have pulled me out of that.

“Thankfully, they came knocking, I am playing again, and my kids get to see me winning at Wembley.”

Championship halfback shares his thoughts on 1895 Cup victory and congratulates former team Hull KR on Challenge Cup silverware

Player of the match Liam Harris reckoned McShane was the difference between victory and defeat.

Harris, who kicked the winning drop goal, said: “I am so happy and grateful I get to play with him and I learn a lot off him. Without Paul McShane on the field for 80-plus minutes today, we don’t win that game.

“His role is very underestimated, people don’t understand everything he does for this team, his leadership, his mentorship and just how hard he works. He is an absolute legend.”

Harris played down his own role in the win, insisting “that’s just my job for the team”. He said: “It shows the determination of our team.

“We never say die, and we never want to let the man beside us down. We are so together. That’s probably one of our worst performances all year, but that determination dragged us through.”

Harris began his career at Hull KR before joining Championship side York in 2022, who beat Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup final in a similarly dramatic style.

He revealed: “I didn’t watch their game, I was fully in the zone for ours, but when I saw they’d won, I had a big smile on my face in the warm-up. There are some very special people involved at Hull KR, and they are very well-deserved winners.”

👏 @YorkRLFC captain Liam Harris is the recipient of the Ray French Award – for a Player of the Match performance in the 2025 @ABSundecksLtd 1895 Cup Final! pic.twitter.com/6YXGeycwBX

— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) June 7, 2025

Knights coach Mark Applegarth reflected: “It was by no means our prettiest performance, but we found a way to get the job done and that’s what we spoke about all week – keeping our cool and composure. Every player had to dig deep and find a way to get the win.

“Credit to Featherstone as well, they definitely showed up and gave it to us and in my opinion, that’s what a cup final should be all about. I can’t be prouder of our group.”