McCourt keen to give back as head of the DerryYouthAcademy
A FEW months ago, Kenny Shiels expressed the view that Derry City’s coaches were “in despair”.
Derry had delivered and nurtured a production line of the likes of James McClean, Daniel Lafferty, Niall McGinn, Michael Duffy, Patrick McEleney, Barry McNamee and Ronan Curtis, but Shiels was concerned that it was drying up.
“I don’t know what the blockage is but my coaches are in despair because they’re not getting Derry players,” Shiels said at the time. “It’s mostly Donegal boys that are coming to Derry now.”
Shiels called for the youth teams of the Maiden City to “trust” the Candystripes with their young talent. In a bid to get the conveyor belt rolling again, Shiels and Derry have turned to Paddy McCourt.
The ‘Derry Pele’, one of Foyleside’s most iconic stars, has been appointed as the head of Derry City’s Youth Academy, a role he will take up in mid-September.
“I want to have an impact,” former Northern Ireland star McCourt said. “I’ll be able to do coaching, but the main part of the job will be to make sure that if we go to sign any young player from the city, that we’re able to offer them the best platform.
“The main aim of the Youth Academy is getting players through into the first team. If that has stopped, it’s my job to find out why and correct it.”
In 2008, McCourt left Derry City to sign for Celtic and he spent five memorable years at Celtic Park. Capped 19 times by Northern Ireland, McCourt, one of the most naturally gifted players to come out of this island, could be viewed as unfulfilled.
McCourt will complete his playing commitments with League of Ireland First Division side Finn Harps. The 34-year-old will then hang up the boots to concentrate on his new role.
Shiels said: “He’s a legend in this city. If you start a conversation about football in this city, it would be a miracle if the conversation didn’t include Paddy.”