Paddy McCourt

Paddy McCourt

Town manager John Still was delighted to sign the “Derry Pele” in the summer of 2015 saying “Paddy’s got great ability - we’ve just got to get him on the ball. He’s what we’re looking for - someone who can play the pass to unlock the defence.”  With 18 Northern Ireland caps since 2002 and five years at Celtic, Paddy seemed to fit the bill.

Paddy began his career by signing youth term with Rochdale in 2001. He played quite regularly in the 4th tier but was released for trials with Norwich and Crewe. He was eventually told he was not wanted so went on a trial with Motherwell. He left after two weeks with no deal made.  

In March 2005 Paddy signed for League of Ireland Shamrock Rovers and was an instant success scoring 7 times in 17 games winning the PFA Young Player Of the Year award. That was enough for Derry City to pay a fee, rumoured to be £60,000, to bring Paddy to his hometown club. Paddy helped Rovers to be twice runners up in the Ireland Premier League, win the F.A. Cup and the League Cup three times.

In 2008, Celtic came calling and a move to Glasgow for £200,000 on a three year deal. Paddy scored some memorable goals in early games for the club he had supported since childhood. However, the next 5 seasons saw only 88 appearances and 10 goals. In that time he helped Celtic to win two Scottish Premier League titles, one League Cup and two Scottish Cups. At the end of his contract in 2013 he had a trial with Hibs but signed for Championship (2nd tier) Barnsley. One season, 23 games and 2 goals and Paddy moved on to Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion. Appearing just 13 times and unable to hold down a first team place he went on loan to Notts County where he played 12 times. Brighton did not renew his contract and John Still snapped him up on a two year deal.

He made his Hatters’ debut in the first game of the 2015/16 season, a 1 1 draw at Accrington being subbed after an hour. That remained the pattern in the 25 games Paddy played for the Town. His one goal came at Mansfield in January 2016 when he tucked home a Ruddock-Mpanzu cross from 12 yards out. He was released from his contract in May 2016 to enable Paddy to return to Northern Ireland and Glenavon.   

An injury saw playing time restricted and his one year contract was terminated in December 2016. Finn Harps were his next port of call where he ended his playing career. A spell as Technical Director at Derry City was followed by his appointment as assistant manager of Glentoran in June 2024.