Born in
Bangor, County Down, Magennis began his career as an outfield player, playing up front, even representing
County Down in the
Milk Cup as a youngster, before eventually becoming a goalkeeper. He was a member of the
Glentoran youth team before joining the youth team at
Cardiff City.
On 31 October 2007, Cardiff met
Liverpool in the
Football League Cup but, with
David Forde and on-loan goalkeeper
Kasper Schmeichel ineligible, Magennis took a spot on the bench for the match. The decision to include Magennis was controversial because he had been called up to the Northern Ireland under-19 team but was not allowed to join the squad by manager
Dave Jones due to the need to keep the youngster at Cardiff, with only one senior goalkeeper available for the match.
[3] In April 2008 he reverted to playing as a striker, just before the
FAW Welsh Youth Cup final where he came on as a substitute.
Magennis signed his first professional contract on 10 April 2009 for Cardiff City,
[4] the only second year academy student to be offered a professional deal, and began working with reserve team coach
Paul Wilkinson who had previously coached former Cardiff striker
Cameron Jerome in a similar manner. On 8 August 2009, Magennis made his professional debut when he replaced
Jay Bothroyd as a late substitute on the opening day of the
2009–10 season in a 4–0 win over
Scunthorpe United.
[5] In his fourth appearance for the club, Magennis scored his first professional goal during a 3–1 win over
Bristol Rovers in the second round of the
League Cup.
[6]
Wikepedia
... just kidding Jimmy. 
