Derry Bhoy

Paddy McCourt put smiles on fans’ faces wherever he played, with some mesmerizing moments of magic with a football at his feet.

- Kevin Kelly

FOR Celtic supporters he was, is and always will be the Derry Pele. Paddy McCourt was a player blessed with a phenomenal football talent, and over a five-year period in the Hoops, he conjured up some unforgettable moments of magic, ensuring his place as a fans’ favourite.

Now 34, McCourt has finally hung up his boots after helping Finn Harps secure promotion to the top flight of Irish football, scoring the only goal of the game in the first leg before helping them win 2-0 in the second leg for a successful end to his playing days.

During his career, he also won two league titles with Celtic, two Scottish Cups and the League Cup, to go with the two league titles with Derry City, along with an FAI Cup medal and a League of Ireland Cup medal.

He’s now kicking off a new stage of his career, as the head of Derry City’s Youth Academy, and the Celtic View caught up with him as he settles into his new role.

You must have been delighted to help Finn Harps gain promotion back to the League of Ireland Premier Division?

It was great for the people at Finn Harps. I had announced my retirement four or five months previous, so I knew that regardless of the outcome of the games, I wouldn’t be sampling the Premier Division in Ireland again. It was more satisfying for me that it was the club moving forward, rather than myself. I was just glad that I could help them achieve what was our goal at the start of the season - to get promoted.

Now that you’ve retired, have you been able to enjoy any time off or have you just got stuck in to your new role at Derry City?