paddy's happy homecoming
David Friel
FORMER Derry City hero Paddy McCourt captained a strong Celtic side to a 1-0 win in a special challenge match held on Tuesday night to mark the Irish club’s 80th anniversary.
McCourt, a summer signing from Derry, led out a Hoops XI containing Glenn Loovens, Massimo Donati and Marc Crosas. In an entertaining contest, Ben Hutchinson’s first-half goal secured the win for Celtic.
Over 4,000 supporters packed into Brandywell Park for the glamour clash and the SPL champions received a warm welcome prior to kick-off.
Willie McStay and Neil Lennon took charge of the Celtic side and despite the absence of a multitude of international stars, there was plenty of top talent on show. Despite rumours to the contrary, Lennon resisted the temptation to pull on the Hoops one last time.
McStay told www.celticfc.net: “It was a great 90 minutes for the players. Glenn Loovens did really well during the match and the game will have done him the world of good.
“Darren O’Dea got a good hour before meeting up with the Ireland squad, while Massimo Donati and Marc Crosas topped up their fitness. Paul Caddis excelled after the break and Koki Mizuno and Paddy looked bright.
“With the international break, it was a welcome game for the more senior players but we also managed to get the younger boys on after half-time.
“I think everyone was delighted to see Simon Ferry back playing. He went on for the last 25 minutes and was his usual self – he was enthusiastic, covered every blade of grass and really lifted the game.
“It was a big night for Derry City and they wanted to win the match. The first half was a bit frantic and Derry worked very hard.
“We got the goal at a good time and it was a great strike from Ben. The power and swerve on the free-kick was exceptional.
“The only disappointing thing was that we didn’t score more goals when we lifted the pace of the game in the second half. But all credit to Derry for their performance."
Derry, who had defeated Linfield 3-0 in the Setanta Cup just 24 hours earlier, put up a good fight against Celtic, but were punished when Hutchinson curled home a 25-yard free-kick just before the break.
Celtic, with Mizuno and McCourt on top form, controlled the second half and Kevin Cawley could have made it 2-0 with a late chance. Sean Hargan had Derry’s best effort on goal.
McCourt went off to a standing ovation on 71 minutes as another Derry Bhoy, Danny Laffery, entered the fray for Celtic.
The appearance and performance of midfielder Ferry for the last 25 minutes was a welcome sight for all Celtic supporters, while teenage defender Jason Marr also made his comeback as the Hoops secured the win.
McStay said: “The whole trip was a huge success. We were made to feel very welcome by everyone at Derry and it was a fantastic exercise for the players.
“The two Derry boys in our squad, Paddy and young Daniel Lafferty, really enjoyed the experience. Paddy is treated like a local legend over there and it was a nice touch for him to captain the team.
“There was a great atmosphere inside the stadium and there were thousands of Celtic strips dotted around the place.
“After the game, the whole Celtic party attended a gala dinner and the players were an absolute credit to themselves and the club. It was a brilliant night.”
Anniversary Challenge Match
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Brandywell Park, Derry
DERRY CITY…0
CELTIC…1
(Hutchinson 37)
DERRY CITY: Quigley, McCallion, Hargan, Higgins, Martyn, McHugh (McDaid 82), Callaghan, McClean (McAuley75), Stewart, Harkin (Nash 71), Sharkey (Devlin 82)
CELTIC: Brown, Caddis, Conroy (Lafferty 71), Donati, Loovens, O’Dea (Ferry 65), Mizuno (Marr 82), Crosas (Millar 56), Hutchinson, McGowan, McCourt (Cawley 71)
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