There's only one Pat McCourt!

Published Thursday, 11 August 2011
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'Are you Messi in disguise?' came the cry from Windsor Park on Wednesday night.

The green and white army were of course aiming their question at Paddy McCourt - who, quite simply, was outstanding against the Faroe Islands.

The Celtic star started his first competitive international game up front with David Healy and Correy Evans and could hardly put a foot wrong.

Dring Northern Ireland's last home game against Slovenia the Kop stand at Windsor were singing for McCourt to come off the bench and when he did cheers went up from every corner.

Multiply that by about 10 and that's the reception the man of the match deservedly got during the 4-0 win on Wednesday.

His team mates praised him after the game saying they weren't surprised at all as they see it every day in training.

But in typical Paddy McCourt fashion the player himself shrugged off all the compliments.

"Yes it was nice to score a couple of goals but the most important thing was that we got the three points... It's all just a bit of banter when the fans compare me to Messi... I don't think my second goal was anything too special," were just a few of his humble comments after the game.

In my last blog I wrote that McCourt deserved an opportunity to shine and, boy, did he take it.

The 27-year-old stunned the crowd with his skill and scored his first international goals while he was at it.

The first beauty came after a clever one-two with Jonny Evans and the second was, well, breathtaking.

The Derry Pele, as he's also known, danced around defenders on his way into the box and made the most delightful of chips over the keeper look so easy.

'There's only one Pat McCourt' and 'It's just like watching Brazil' were the songs that followed.

The fans also made their feelings clear about events from earlier in the week by chanting: 'Are you watching James McClean?'

Probably not is the answer to that one, but all that mattered was that Paddy McCourt had a Northern Ireland shirt on and he played with as much passion as anyone who has worn it before him.

© UTV News
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4 Comments
godfry in ballymoney wrote (676 days ago):
Hi Bob: I was at the game on Wednesday and didn't see one Rangers top.... Just a sea of green supporting the the original Ireland!! I suspect Bob that you're talking nonsense!! THERE'S ONLY 1 PAT MCCOURT AND THANK GOD HE'S FROM NORN IRON!! Bob, why don't you come along to the next game against Serbia (if you can get a ticket!). I'm sure you'll enjoy it, just like our new minister for sport did!!
Darren in North Down wrote (677 days ago):
Super performance overall by the team. As for Pat McCourt, well whose who were at Windsor Park to witness his display will never forget it. He must have reporters like yourself Ruth licking their lips with anticipation. Though let's not place to much pressure on Pat's shoulders, as the team did benefit from the pace of Niall McGinn on the right wing, when he came on. Great also to see Aaron Hughes and Steven Davis get on the score sheet. With passion, pace and playmakers we can all still dare to dream...
bob in belfast wrote (678 days ago):
Would I be able to wear a Celtic top to watch Paddy McCourt play for Northern Ireland at Windsor Park? I don't think so! I'd be taking my life into my hands. But if it was a Rangers top then I'd be perfectly safe. Indeed, there were plenty of Rangers tops visible the other night. Nothing has changed at all.
s magowan in belfast wrote (678 days ago):
with Pat McCourt and Niall McGinn in the squad we can forget about the 'Defecting Six',who needs them,and i doubt if any of them get more than two games for the Republic.
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Ruth Gorman
Ruth Gorman

Ruth Gorman is a sport reporter heading up UTV's Sport department.

Always on the move, Ruth has travelled extensively covering local sports stars as they play around the world. From rugby in New Zealand to Prague and back, Ruth is always close to the action.

Her most memorable moment was getting flung around Down Royal in a rally car and she's most likely to be heard saying: 'Quitters never win and winners never quit. Stay classy!'.

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