“With shaggy boyband hair, a slightly ruddy complexion partly obscured by his unkempt beard, he thrives in opposition to others.” Edd Norval explores the cult status of the Derry Pele, the irrepressible Paddy McCourt.
“But most of all we ache for a deeper connection with those on the pitch, we want to feel part of something that truly represents us.” For Conor Thompson, Celtic FC has become and obsession.
Paris Saint-Germain’s legal threats against rapper M.I.A illustrate how footballs biggest clubs and stars ignore human rights violations and humanitarian crisis over commercialism.
In a brilliant good news story, Celtic and Aston Villa legend Stillyan Petrov is back playing football with a Sunday League team with his leukaemia now in remission.
One of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football, Panathinaikos have won 20 national championships and 17 Greek Cups. There are differing reports as to why Panathinaikos wear the shamrock on their crest with most football fans here hoping for some kind of connection to Ireland.
Liverpool and Celtic fans sing You’ll Never Walk Alone ahead of the Dublin Decider at the Aviva Stadium.
Wayne Rooney tweets his support for Celtic in last weekend’s Old Firm. Not surprising given his Irish background.
Welcome back, proper football! After what seemed like a lifetime of friendlies this past week, we’re back to playing competitive games. I’m pretty sure everyone’s glad to see the back of the pre-season friendlies. With a tour of Australia followed by matches against Cardiff, Swansea, Wolves and even a weekend in Dublin – it all got a bit boring. It’s good to see the return of the passion and determination that is seriously lacking in non-competitive football.
HE’S KNOWN as the Messiah to some (it’s the beard) so it should come as no suprise that Paddy McCourt is in fact bulletproof. Having served his apprenticeship (not as a carpenter) with Shamrock Rovers and Derry City in the League of Ireland, he’s not going to let pressure get to him and ruin his “second coming” as a top footballer.