In 2019, McClenaghan became the first Irish gymnast to qualify for a world championships final and also to win a medal (bronze).

"[10] While still technically a junior, he won the bronze medal in the 2016 British Artistic Gymnastics Championships pommel horse final behind Olympic medalists Louis Smith and Max Whitlock.

[20][5] After his coach, Luke Carson, was made redundant by the Rathgael club in June 2018, McClenaghan was forced to train in his back garden for a short period.

[3] In October 2019, he won Ireland's first World Championship medal, bronze on the pommel horse, making him the most decorated Irish gymnast of all time.

[23] McClenaghan was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2021 New Year Honours for services to gymnastics.

[24] McClenaghan competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he came in seventh place in the men's pommel horse final.

[27] McClenaghan resumed training in his home town of Newtownards when Carson opened a new gym in spring 2023.