33 Facts About Paddy McCourt

Patrick James McCourt was born on 16 December 1983 and is a Northern Irish former footballer who played as a winger.

Paddy McCourt started his professional career with Third Division club Rochdale in 2001 before moving to League of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers in 2005.

Paddy McCourt left Brighton and in July 2015 signed for League Two club Luton Town on a two-year contract.

Paddy McCourt was released by mutual consent halfway through to enable him to return to Northern Ireland, where he signed a one-year contract with NIFL Premiership club Glenavon.

Paddy McCourt left by mutual agreement in December 2016, and the following March he signed for League of Ireland side Finn Harps, where he retired in 2018.

Paddy McCourt made his Northern Ireland international debut in 2002, but did not play again until 2009.

Paddy McCourt scored his first two goals against the Faroe Islands in 2011.

Paddy McCourt was born in Derry, Northern Ireland, and educated at Steelstown Primary School.

Paddy McCourt began his career with an early move from Derry-based youth club Foyle Harps to English Third Division club Rochdale on a youth contract in 2000.

Paddy McCourt made his first-team debut in the Football League Trophy on 16 October 2001 and his potential prompted his signing to the Spotland club on a three-and-a-half-year professional contract in December 2001.

Paddy McCourt's skillful playing style attracted the attention of Premier League clubs Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City.

In March 2005, Paddy McCourt was signed by Roddy Collins, manager of League of Ireland club Shamrock Rovers.

Paddy McCourt scored three goals in his first six appearances for the Dublin club and topped the goalscoring charts by May 2005.

Paddy McCourt scored four goals in 25 appearances in the 2007 season and won a third League of Ireland Cup medal.

However, Derry agreed a fee with Scottish Premier League club Celtic, leaving Paddy McCourt to make his choice.

On 23 September 2009, Paddy McCourt opened his goalscoring account for Celtic with a memorable goal in a League Cup match at Falkirk, in which he beat five defenders before chipping the ball over goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik.

Paddy McCourt then scored his first Scottish Premier League goal on his first league start three days later against St Mirren, which saw him go past six defenders before beating the goalkeeper.

On 24 January 2010, Paddy McCourt bagged his second league goal for Celtic against St Johnstone after a mazy run and finish into the top right hand corner, from just inside the penalty box.

Paddy McCourt left Celtic after his contract expired in June 2013, having played in a total of 88 games, scoring ten goals.

On 22 August 2013, Paddy McCourt signed for Championship club Barnsley, managed by his former Rochdale teammate David Flitcroft, on a one-year deal.

Paddy McCourt made his debut on 21 September 2013 at home to Watford.

Paddy McCourt played in 23 league games for the club, scoring twice, before being released at the end of the season.

Paddy McCourt made 12 appearances for the club and scored once.

On 1 July 2015, Paddy McCourt joined League Two club Luton Town on a two-year contract.

Paddy McCourt signed a one-year contract with NIFL Premiership club Glenavon on 19 July 2016.

Paddy McCourt signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Finn Harps on 21 February 2017.

Paddy McCourt committed his future to Harps however, and signed on for the 2018 First Division season.

In June 2018, it was announced that Paddy McCourt would retire from playing at the end of the season to take up a role as head of youth structures at Derry City.

Paddy McCourt pledged to go out on a high and did so by helping Harps to promotion back to the Premier Division for the 2019 season.

Paddy McCourt has received nine caps for the Northern Ireland under-21s between 2002 and 2005 while playing for Rochdale and played once for the Northern Ireland B team while in the Celtic reserve team.

Paddy McCourt had an almost-seven year wait for his second cap, which came in February 2009 against San Marino in a qualifying match for the 2010 World Cup.

Paddy McCourt is known for his technical ability and propensity for scoring "wonder goals".

Leroy has previously worked as a scout for various English and Scottish clubs and is a FIFA registered football agent; his brother Paddy McCourt being one of his clients.