Ambassador role for Carrick RFC teen Ayr swoop for McGeady Bullen signs up former Celtic winger on a two-year deal
A RUGBY-MAD South Ayrshire teenager has been chosen to take part in a ‘young ambassador’ programme promoting climate awareness among grassroots rugby clubs across Scotland.
Daryl Conway, 19, from Carrick RFC in Maybole, has been named as one of 15 winners in the Royal Bank RugbyForce initiative’s 2023
CHAMPIONS League experience has come in the door at Somerset Park.
It comes as Ayr United unveiled their latest signing – Aiden McGeady. The tricky winger joins Lee Bullen’s side after becoming a free agent when he left Hibernian at the end of last season.
McGeady, 37, has signed a twoyear deal with Ayr, and will also take on the newly-created role of the club’s technical manager.
He could make his competitive debut tonight as Ayr travel to Perth to face St Johnstone in a game which could go a long way
Young Ambassador programme.
Representing grassroots clubs across Scotland, each Young Ambassador will now be given the tools and training required to lead their club to become more climate aware and promote positive environmental action in the local community.
A spokesperson for the programme to deciding who finishes top of Group A in the Viaplay Cup, guaranteeing qualification for the tournament’s knockout stages.
Bullen told the club’s official website: “First and foremost it’s great for us to bring a player of Aiden’s experience and quality to Ayr United.
“We wanted to add experience to our group and having worked with Aiden previously I’ve no doubt he will bring real quality to our team and be a very positive addition to our changing room.
“In addition to playing, Aiden is looking at the transition into the next stage of his career and we are delighted to have him come on board as technical manager. said Daryl’s application stood out among competition from across the country.
Daryl will use his role to provide a new transport service through Maybole and Girvan to make the sessions more accessible for players and reduce emissions in the process.
To kick off the programme,
“This is an innovative appointment by the club and the role has been formed to help Aiden gain experience in areas he sees as a potential career when he eventually stops playing.
“In addition to his coaching qualifications, Aiden is currently completing a Sporting Director undergraduate degree with UFCB [the University Campus of Football Business].
“His key focus as technical manager will be to work with the football staff and take the lead on the development of the young players we have at the club through a variety of additional on-field sessions, analysis sessions, gym sessions and looking into their loan
Daryl and his fellow Young Ambassador winners will be hosted by Royal Bank of Scotland at Murrayfield.
Daryl said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity from Royal Bank RugbyForce to become a Young Ambassador and represent my club on a national level.” opportunities to ensure they are as prepared as possible to transition into the first team.
“Aiden will also join our fortnightly football meetings and we are all looking forward to his input both on and off the field.”
The Irishman brings a wealth of experience to the Honest Men, having enjoyed successful spells both north and south of the border. His career began in Glasgow with Celtic where he spent six years with the Parkhead side.
At the age of 24, he moved in 2010 to Russia to play for Spartak Moscow, making 93 appearances over four years before returning to the UK to sign for Everton.
In his four years on Merseyside
McGeady had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday – where Bullen was coaching at the time – and Preston North End. He then joined Sunderland in 2017 – the season the Black Cats were relegated from the English Championship.
McGeady, who has been capped 95 times for the Republic of Ireland, was loaned out to Charlton Athletic during the 2019-20 campaign but returned to the Stadium of Light to win the EFL Trophy in 2020-21 and the League One play-offs the following year.
A short-term move to Hibernian followed at the start of the 2022-23 campaign, but injury woes limited him to just 14 appearances for the Easter Road club.