Man of the Match Paul McShane spoke after York Knights’ win over Hull KR, explaining how the club managed to convince him to play again in 2026.
McShane, a Man of Steel winner in 2020, turned 36 in December and had initially joined York Knights ahead of the 2025 season as he sought to slowly step away from the professional strains of Super League.
After an incredible campaign in the Championship in 2025, McShane decided to stay on for the 2026 season in Super League and it’s proving a wise decision already with the hooker claiming the Man of the Match award in York’s incredible 19-18 win over Hull KR.
Speaking post-match on Sky Sports, McShane wasn’t quite able to explain how his side managed it, stating: “I don’t know. It wasn’t pretty but one thing that this team’s got is hard work and togetherness. I think we showed that in that last ten minutes of the game.”
Pushed further, he again came up with the word ‘togetherness’, even going as far as to reveal how the culture at the club was one of the key reasons that convinced him to go around again, instead of hanging up the boots.
He revealed: “A big thing that pulled me to go again this year is the culture and how everyone just wants to work out for each other. Nights like this make it worth it.”
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York Knights start life in Super League with incredible win
McShane set up the opener as his quick thinking saw the overlap on the right edge with his sharp pass putting Sam Wood in for a try against his former club and it was McShane again pulling strings in the second-half as the Knights came from 18-6 down to win 19-18.
On the result, he said: “There was a lot of doubt. It’s nice to get that one out of the way. It’s massive that we got a win. We’ve made history being part of Super League and to get our first win, I think it’s just outstanding for the club.”
It was reported by Sky Sports pre-match that York’s owner Clint Goodchild had outlined the play-offs as the target for the club, with McShane responding: “If that’s what the boss wants, that’s what we’ll go for.
“I think it’s just getting used to it at first. It was a tough start today. We got the result, but it’s a long season. We just want to keep on competing and be respected and I think we got a bit of that today.”
Whilst McShane claimed the Man of the Match award, the man who was ice cool at the pivotal moment was Ata Hingano with the former Tongan international kicking the drop goal for the win, the first drop goal of his career.
Recalling that moment, Hingano said: “I was kind of hoping that Liam (Harris) would nail it. He’s been there all day training and I’ve just been the second guy there. In training, he’s only ever passed to me once so to see it pull off, I’m pretty happy.”
As for the result, the half-back called for respect for the Knights, urging fans and teams not to write them off as just another promoted club with Hingano insisting the work has gone in this pre-season.
He said: “Our team has been putting in the work. I think everyone looked at us just as coming from Championship… I just wish everyone could see we’re putting in the work just as much as they are. Credit to them, but massive raps to our boys too.”
DROP GOAL! 🤩
York Knights take the lead against Hull KR 😳 pic.twitter.com/dRgwFEtjQW
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) February 12, 2026
