Irish Independent 2 SportSoccer Saturday 11 November 2017 DANIEL McDONNELL McClean uncovered

The star of Ireland’s World Cup tilt has always polarised opinions. But who is James McClean? A journey to Top: The mural of the Ireland winger in Creggan as part of their ‘local heroes’ Creggan in theme NORTH WEST NEWSPIX. Above: One of the pictures which forms part of a photo history of Bloody Sunday located near the centre of the Derry estate Derry to meet HIS is Creggan. It’s To the right of the profile of Friday lunchtime and O’Doherty, there is a sketch of Tony O’Doherty is Olympic boxer Charlie Nash. his friends and pacing up and down in To the left, there is an artist’s his usual spot outside impression of Creggan’s most family shines T the Corned Beef Tin, famous sporting son, with a the area’s community centre on flame-coloured border tracing Central Drive. his distinctive features. It’s a a light on the The 70-year-old is wearing his proud Irishman with an 11 on the Derry City jacket because he will chest and a face that appears to later function as head steward at be roaring in celebration. James man behind the final home game of the season McClean is instantly recognisable. for a club where he served as both Around these parts, there are the headlines player and manager. constant reminders that he is one In Creggan, he has the presence of their own. In truth, it only takes of a manager on the sideline, a matter of seconds. monitoring everything that is “Look,” barks O’Doherty, going on in front of him. There “There’s James’ mother now.” is a wave, a shout or a gesture for He points to a couple coming everyone that passes. The beep out of a shop and getting into a car. from a milk van gets his attention. O’Doherty flags the vehicle down presenting a black and white history. Their present is shaped by “Alright Charlie,” O’Doherty and introduces McClean’s parents, photo-history of Bloody Sunday. the past. McClean is their modern- shouts. The driver, Charlie Ferry, Patrick (Waxsy) and Shauna, to the It chronologically lays out the day idol. was his team-mate on the 1974 stranger from Dublin. events of that fateful January day Outside of here, he can be Finn Harps FAI Cup-winning side. He asks if they would be open to in 1972. The last board features depicted in less flattering terms. They know their football in these a chat with a journalist looking to a row of coffins laid out in the The aggression when he’s on the parts. learn about their son’s background. neighbouring St Mary’s Church. pitch and the tackles, the tweets, Across the street from where Waxsy pauses. “Aye,” he says, “The march started just over and maybe even the tattoos, are O’Doherty is standing, there’s gruffly. “Bring him up to the there,” he says, pointing in the used to cultivate an image. And in a mural of his younger self, a house.” direction of the Bishop’s Field November, the month where there decorated player in both the Irish It turns out that O’Doherty, a sports complex next to the Corned is a space on his shirt where every League and League of Ireland and mentor to the young footballer as Beef Tin – a centre that is named other professional footballer in a twice-capped Northern Ireland he climbed the ranks, is a man who as such because the old building on England wears a poppy, that image international. can quite literally open doors. the same site looked remarkably can be spun into a caricature. He was one of the chosen ones On the short walk to Creggan like a Fray Bentos container. There are people who see what when artists were tasked with Heights, he provides a brief history School is about to break up they want to see. producing portraits of sporting lesson. The first part is viewable and the memorial means the kids But to understand James stars to cover the graffiti-laden along the way. Just around the from the Holy Child Primary that McClean, one must understand walls dotted between shop fronts. corner from the murals, and past stream out onto Central Drive Creggan. This can be the only The theme was local heroes. a car wash, there is a giant display will always be aware of the area’s starting point for his story.

‘On one side, we had the “Even now, while it has improved considerably, the problem we are James McClean (circled) with army that would give us a experiencing here is the lack of his under 12s Trojans team employment. There’s very little bit of grief. On the other investment in Derry. We’re still side, the IRA kinda left us waiting on the good road from Dublin to Derry, from Belfast to alone because even Derry.” ‘When he was 15, all of his buddies would have taken a though they weren’t These days, O’Donnell is chair of a healthy living programme that drink. James would be in watching Match Of The Day’ political at that time, they looks after residents of all ages. The HQ is just down the street recognised the usefulness from the Corned Beef Tin which is THEBOY birthdayandChristmaslistsas andsaid,‘Waxsy, there’shorses officially the home of the Creggan footballbegantodominatehis forcoursesandhe’s notmadefor of what we were doing’ Neighbourhood Partnership – a “YOUknowhestartedoffasa everythought. thebuildingsites.Allhedoesis registered charity that could goalkeeper,”laughsPatrick GerryColhoun,hismanager talkaboutfootball’.” THEPLACE reasonably be called a spin-off of ‘Waxsy’McClean,ashesettles atTrojansfrom9to12,didn’t StaffintheCornedBeefTin the Creggan FA’s work. backintohischairinaliving spotstarpotential.Jameswas havevividmemoriesofthe IT’S fitting that Tony O’Doherty The brief is wide, ranging roomthatisstackedwithfamily aquietboy–thatisO’Donnell’s fair-headedboywhoinvariably was born in 1947, the year that the from offering help with welfare photos.Wearesittinginahouse recollectiontoo–andadiligent hadaballathisfeet.Thenthere first houses were built in Creggan claims and running back-to-work onCregganHeightsthatisonly trainer.“Hewasjustoneofthe wastherunning,thenon-stop estate, because he has lived every programmes to organising the distinguishablefromtheothers averagelocalplayers,”says runningthatcontinuedright bit of its history since moving there cleaning up of the area and graffiti. ontheestatebecauseofthetwo Colhoun,whocomesintothe throughtohisprocareer.Thehills as a child. The Heal to Hurt organisation nicecarsthatareparkedoutside. kitchenoftheCornedBeefTin aroundCregganweremadefor The new community was the Tony O’Doherty in supports those battling addiction. There’sanopen-doorpolicy withtheTrojans’75thanniversary endurancetraining.Sightingsof local corporation’s response to front of a mural of his At night time, there’s a kids club forfriendsandfamilyandit’s a bookinaplasticbag.“Henever JamesrunningaroundSheriff’s overcrowding in the Bogside. younger self in Creggan which McClean attended when the hiveofactivity.James’brother missedasessionandwouldplay MountainalarmedDerryCity Housing for Catholic families was a original Corned Beef Tin lookalike Briancomesinandthendeparts atleft-backorleftmidfield.” staff,butanyprotestswerein pressing need and the geographical was still standing. When that withagearbagoverhisshoulder. Attheageof15,hewaspitched vain.Eveninthesnowywinterof location – up a steep hill near the Tierney and Gerry Duddy. The We never had a problem. People was demolished and an enhanced Anuncle,Paul,dropsintositon inwiththeSundaymorning 2010,hesetoffforaChristmas border with Co Donegal – allowed latter’s teenage brother Jackie saw it for what it was – it was version constructed in its space, thecouchandlistenastheproud adultteam,acharacter-building adventure. the Unionist majority to manage was shot dead on Bloody Sunday. something good.” he was the star at the official parents,whoareunderstandably experience.“Webelieveitwas Onanotheroccasion,he the electoral wards and maintain Six victims hailed from Creggan, Word spread and the well- opening (2015) and drops in to say guardedatfirst,discussthe aroundthenwhereJames happeneduponahalfmarathon their influence. including Charlie Nash’s sibling known English reporter Peter hello whenever he’s back. Martin householdnamethatgrewup mentallymadethedecisionhe thatwaskickingoffonCreggan By the time that O’Doherty had William – Charlie would go on to Taylor came to Creggan to produce O’Neill, an old acquaintance of betweenthesefourwalls. wantedtobeafootballer,” says Drive.Despitehisimproper reached adulthood, the population box for Ireland in Munich later that a documentary that was never O’Doherty, has stopped by too. Shaunacomesinandoutas Colhoun, attireofatracksuitandflat was rapidly growing, and so too was year. In difficult circumstances, broadcast. O’Doherty was told (The host teased the Irish manager there’sachildmakingnoisein “Itwaslikeheflickedaswitch. shoes,hemanagedtowanglean the disillusionment. His football the Creggan FA sought to provide the British government had by reminding him that only one of thekitchen.Waxsydoesmostof Hedidn’tdrinkorsmoke,hejust impromptuentry. Hismother’s career was taking off and in 1970 he hope. The Bishop’s Field became blocked it because it portrayed them owns an All-Ireland medal thetalking.“Iusedtobequick, trainedhissocksoff.” eyeslightupattheanecdote. played at Wembley for a Northern their playground. the community in a sympathetic – a Hogan Cup with St Columb’s likelightning,andtheolderboys Waxsyrecallsthefamily “Hecameseventh!”shelaughs. Ireland side that included George “We used to have football light. They had the power to College in 1965.) intheestatecalledmeWacky watchingaDavidBeckham “Therewasafellainabarwhowas Best in the game where Bobby morning, noon and night, slap a Defensive Advisory Notice Creggan still has problems. afterthatcartoonWackyRaces,” documentarywherethesubject tellingushe’dtrainedthewhole Charlton won his 100th England especially in the summer, we (D-Notice) on any material related Community leaders have to hesays,revealingtheoriginsof spokeofbeinginbedonSaturday yearforitandJamesshotpast cap. But as the Troubles accelerated had all leagues for all ages,” says to the Troubles. British Army contend with anti-social behaviour hisnickname.“Itgotcutdownto nightwatching‘MatchoftheDay’ him.” and took hold, he lost his appetite O’Doherty. “I’d never felt so alive. Saracens came by in the following and it’s a challenge to encourage Waxsy.” whenthelocalladswereouton Asafirst-teameratDerryCity, for football. “I couldn’t see the To say I dedicated myself to it weeks to drive across the field and kids to stay on the right path when He’s ajovialcharacter–the thestreetdrinking. hewouldstillventureuptothe point of it,” he sighs. “I was with makes it sound like a sacrifice destroy the surface. O’Doherty and there are negative influences in earliergruffnessisreallyjust “Ithinkthatplantedaweeseed Trojans’facilityoffCircularRoad, Coleraine, a wonderful club, but I when the truth was I loved it. Just his counterparts persevered to try their midst. Sport is a positive naturalsuspicion–andhelaughs inJames’brain,” musesWaxsy. hopoverthefenceandcarryout was coming home past barricades the sheer energy of being involved and offer positivity to a society that vehicle. “We’re very proud of heartilywithO’Dohertyasthey “WhenJameswas15,everysingle hisowntrainingsessionforan and burning buildings and people I with great people. Gradually, needed it. Trojans (football club) and Sean recallastoryfromthememory oneofhisgroupoffriendswould hour. knew getting hurt and even killed. it developed into a welfare McClean was born in 1989. Dolans, our GAA club, because bankwhen‘Doc’wasbroughtin havetakenadrink,abottleof Colhounremembersgoing “I wouldn’t use the word ghetto, association. Help for this, help A year later, Charlie O’Donnell they don’t just make athletes tomanagehisSaturdaymorning cider,thenormalstuff.James overtotellMcCleantocallahead but people didn’t go outside the for that. We ran film shows on a took over as the Principal of the or footballers,” says O’Doherty. side.Theexperiencedfootball chosenotto;hisbuddieswouldbe wheneverhewasplanningto area because it was dangerous. The Sunday night on an 8mm projector. Holy Child Primary School. The “They make citizens. Kids who are manwastryingtomakethings outuntilallhoursbutJameswas popinsotheycouldputonthe army was here. So a group of us It wasn’t community work, it was outlook was bleak. involved rarely end up in trouble.” lookprofessionalandwasgoing lyingwatching‘MatchoftheDay’. heatandlethimhaveashower decided to look at what we could do just life. “We had 96pc of the children In McClean, who lined out for alongthelineinspectingthestuds That’s guaranteed. oracupoftea.Buttheofferwas for people inside the area.I thought “On one side, we had the army on free school meals,” he explains. both teams, they have a helpful whenhemadeitasfarasWaxsy “Hewasaslowstarter, that’s refused.“Hewouldneverwant I was better off here so I took a year that would give us a bit of grief. “And unemployment was probably example. “I’m always saying to kids whowaswearingapairofslip-on true,buthewasdedicatedand tobeanuisance,” saysColhoun. out.” On the other side, the IRA kinda 85pc to 86pc, the highest in now you could be the next James shoeshavingfailedtomakeit knewwherehewantedtogo. “Otherboyswereinthepubson That was the beginning of the left us alone because even though Northern Ireland. There was no McClean and you can just see them homefromthenightbefore. Itwasallfootball,football, ShipquayStreetandJameswould Creggan Football Association. they weren’t political at that time, employment and then they would smiling,” enthuses O’Donnell. Hissonwoulddoubtlessshake football. berunningpastthem.Derry’shad The founding group, which held they recognised the usefulness ask why people here were getting “It’s about self-esteem. They’re hisheadatthattypeofmatch “Igothimintotrainingto alotoftalentedfootballers,but their first meeting in a disused of what we were doing. Martin involved in alcohol and drugs and six inches taller because they can preparation,andnotjustbecause workforaguywhodoesair iftheyhadhalfJames’dedication launderette, included two other McGuinness was a friend of mine, things like that and the answer say, ‘I’ve a hero that lives over the ofpassionforfootballbootsthat conditioning,afriendofmine,and we’dhavealotmoreplayersin men that can be found stewarding we went to school together, and is quite simply because they had street.’ And he’s never forgotten alwaysputthematthetopofhis hecamebacktomeaweeklater thistown.” at Derry City matches, Charlie remained that way until he died. nothing to get up for. where he comes from.” Irish Independent Saturday 11 November 2017 Soccer Sport 3 ‘IfthepoppyjustrepresentedthetwoWorld Wars,everybodyherewouldrespectit.Butit representseverything,itrepresentsallconflicts’

THEMYTH for everybody in this community. If the poppy just represented the two EVERTON AWAY, Saturday, World Wars, everybody here would November 10, 2012. Just another respect it. match. “But it represents everything, Rory was studying in Liverpool it represents all conflicts. We’re and came to meet McClean in the all aware here the hurt was on team hotel on the eve of the game. every side, we get that. And if you They were sitting and chatting, don’t, you’re not human in my eating a few sweets which is about opinion. I can totally understand as far as the bad eating habits goes. the hurt of the mother of a soldier It was Remembrance Day in Sunderland if her son was weekend and Sunderland were due damaged over here. But this is to wear the now customary poppy where I’m from. embroidered shirt. “The death of Gerry Duddy’s “Are you going to wear it?” Rory brother is still unresolved. The asked. British Army have done incredible “I’ve asked them to bring a damage to this area.” normal shirt,” said James, calmly. Where critics saw dissent, That was more or less the extent Creggan saw courage. of the discussion. “Just think about it,” says “We didn’t think any more of it,” O’Doherty. “In a world of football said Rory, “I’m not sure if anyone dominated by obscene amounts of had even mentioned it to him.” money that the ordinary person up The previous November, James McClean challenges Seamus Coleman during the game against here could never dream about it, McClean was an unknown in his Everton in November 2012 at Goodison Park, the game in which the just imagine having the moral fibre new surrounds, waiting for O’Neill Sunderland winger decided against wearing a poppy to do what James did. It would to discover him. have been so easy to say, ‘Look, Mistakes were made in tandem defenders getting to grips with the Examiner’ reported the West Brom I’m earning my trade here. I don’t with the meteoric rise that surprise package. man wouldn’t be wearing a poppy really like it, but I have to do it.’ He brought him to Euro 2012. He was Eugene had finished college and on his visit to town as if it was didn’t do that and that’s amazing... struggling to come to the terms was called by McClean’s agent, fresh news. amazing. But unfortunately in this with the power of his words; Graham Barrett, who proposed the A rash tackle late in his sub part of the country and in some his tweets now had a reach of idea that he would move across for cameo attracted a predictable parts of England, it gets taken in a thousands, not hundreds. Senior a couple of months to help a mate torrent of abuse. “Convenient how different way.” pros admonished him for lashing that was living alone and suffering Match of the Day cameras pick up Colhoun, the Trojans stalwart, out at Giovanni Trapattoni’s team from a boredom that was leading my tackle but fail to pick up bottles, is a Northern Ireland fan who goes selection in Kazakhstan. him to type himself into trouble. coins, and lighters being thrown,” to Windsor Park regularly to cheer But he did not consider the “The story was twisted,” says he tweeted. Type ‘McClean’ and on Foylesiders Daniel Lafferty and poppy-free shirt to be a provocative Eugene. “People thought I was ‘poppy’ into any search engine and Shane Ferguson. act. After the match, he flew to employed by Sunderland. My it’s easy to find the parish he will He does hear chants about Dublin to pick up a prize at the PFAI granny had just passed away and never win over. It includes West McClean and wishes the detractors awards. Eugene was with him and my mate was going through a hard Brom followers. knew the real person. “James the chat was about the on-pitch duel time and I went across to try and Eugene hates this period of is a not a bad soul,” he says. His with his pal Seamus Coleman. It help get him back on track. the year. “Any time there’s talk West Brom clubmates Gareth was only upon their return to Derry, “He didn’t drive and was getting of James going to some club, the McAuley, Chris Brunt and Jonny and a full perusal of the Sunday taxis everywhere. He’d be home next question is, ‘Will they take a Evans, three senior members morning papers, that they realised from training at 1.0 and that was chance on him because of what the of Michael O’Neill’s Northern a section of the British population it for the day. We didn’t do much. poppy thing brings?’ As his mate, Ireland squad, found that the now had a new public enemy Some days we might be on the and I’ve never told him this, I find reputation contrasted from the number one. There were death PlayStation and not even talking that hard to take.” reality. In August, Banbridge threats. Outrage. to each other. His brother Patrick But he will stay true to his lad Jack Chambers spoke about And questions. Why would (who now plays for Waterford) beliefs. His viewpoint was clearly how McClean had helped him he take English money without came over and I think he thought understood by those whose since coming over from Linfield. respecting their tradition? Why we were really boring but James opinions mattered. “I didn’t really like him before do the other Irish lads go through just needed the company. Erin The family are sick of the but he has done nothing but help with it? The compliant Argentine moved across then too.” coverage that presents their son me,” said the teenager. “He keeps players and the Falklands even got The poppy furore meant fame as a bad boy. “It’s a myth,” says me going about the Protestant A portrait a mention. had been replaced by infamy and Waxsy, “It’s unbelievable because Catholic thing but it’s just banter. picture of Sunderland is a place with a hysteria. Political opinions and anyone who comes into contact He’s been just as big a help as the McClean taken strong affinity towards the armed musical preferences that were part with James, their views change in Northern Ireland players.” by David Maher forces and a section of fans were of his identity were flagged as an seconds. They soon realise he isn’t There is an ironic back story furious. The club were at pains to issue; Sunderland were angry with the monster he is portrayed to be. to McClean’s brief Northern Irish stress they supported the poppy a tweet about his favourite Wolfe “There was an awful lot of stuff career. He didn’t have a passport appeal and McClean was urged Tones song. happened around here and he’s old for his maiden trip and, at 48 to say nothing against his better With his days numbered there, enough to know that. James is a hours’ notice, securing one from ‘He never went out instincts, and the storm clouds Wigan came next. The club’s proud, young, Catholic nationalist Belfast was a no-go. An Irish James McClean hung. He’d already waded into owner, Dave Whelan, couldn’t from a nationalist area. This passport would be accepted and sought fake was on the brink social media tiffs with Northern understand McClean’s poppy is where he’s from. This is who and, with the help of ex-Derry of leaving his Ireland fans who chipped away perspective. In 2014, the player he is. They expected him to be chairman Jim Roddy, O’Doherty friends or crowds to beloved Derry at the fact he represented them at penned an open letter to Whelan something he’s not, which wouldn’t was directed to Dublin and given City for Lincoln underage level before defecting which articulated a stance that be fair on James, his family or a name that the youngster could fit in with. James is when his lifelong ambition became boiled down to: ‘Unless you’re from friends.” drop to skip the queue and get fast- very principled in that attainable. “He would say himself Creggan, you don’t understand.’ O’Doherty gets animated when tracked. When Peadar Carpenter, a that he used the system,” admits That explanation is readily ‘the elephant in the room’ comes helpful contact in the Department he’s his own man’ Rory. available, and there has been up. of Foreign Affairs, visited Derry in By biting back, McClean stirred measured commentary on his “I would just love for people the following weeks, ‘Doc’ went in things up. His manager, O’Neill, position, but the catcalls will follow to examine what James said,” to buy him a drink and say thanks. THEMAN was exasperated by the attention him as long as he plays in England. he says, his voice rising. “Please “Well you never know,” replied he was generating, and his It’s a cheap anger generator; examine it. What he said was Carpenter. “He might do a turn for IN THE Derry City dressing performances suffered too with last weekend the ‘Huddersfield totally respectful. He’s speaking us one day.” room, the teetotallers were in the minority. “It was uncommon,” says Eugene Ferry, a sixth form ‘It’s not a hunger you don’t see much of in modern-day classmate of McClean at St Peter’s High who played in goals for the Candystripes’ reserves.A spell with football. You don’t see much of it in modern-day life’ local Irish League outfit Institute had frustrated McClean and he was keen to get a foot in the door THEMOMENT James McClean with the club he’d always wanted celebrates his to represent. Ferry spoke with staff “ERINsayshesleepswiththe goal against Wales about his mate’s situation and set boot,” saysShauna,doublingover in Cardiff. Inset: the wheels in motion. inlaughterasdiscussionturnsto Erin McClean They became firm friends with thatgoalinCardiff. an aversion to alcohol bonding Onthechartofproudfamily them. Donegal lad Rory Kelly, days,October9ispushingfortop another goalkeeper and non- spot.Aftereverygame,McClean drinker, quickly became part of the FaceTimeshismotherandthiscall group. wasspecial.Hewasdrivingback “There was David McDaid toBirminghamwithErinholding as well who didn’t really drink thephoneandafullcarsinging either,” says Ferry, whose family alongtohisballads.Shaunaand had Creggan roots. “We would still hergangwereinthelocalwaving go out together –I was the driver back,screamingandcheering. – but we would always go home Whenthatcrispright-footed at the same time. James wouldn’t strikefoundthebottom even take a bag of chips.” corner,O’Doherty McClean was firm on his jumpedoutofhis approach to alcohol. When in the sittingroomchair, company of drinkers, he would not felthiskneelock get sucked into buying a round, an andendedup whonowworks designergear.Iftheyarehistreats, booksandchattopeople.Jamesis approach that has lasted to this sprawledouton fortheLondon theaddictiontopunishingtraining likethatwhenhe’shome,hegives day. theground.While officeofMcClean’s hasnotlefthim. uphistime.You’relookingatme “He’s never taken a drink so he hewaslaidout, representatives Eugenewenttovisitaftera saying,‘He’sputtingJamesonthe doesn’t see the point of getting it hetappedouta PlatinumOne.“And gamewithLiverpoollastseason samelevelasJohnHume’. John for anyone,” says Eugene. “He’s texttothecauseof that’sbecausehe’sa anddiscoveredthatthemethodof didadifferentthingforpeople not tight, he’s as generous a guy as hispredicament.The daddy. It’sanexciting unwindingwasdisappearingout butJamesisdoingalotforyoung you’ll meet. He’ll buy food until the despite his eagerness to make an By the summer of 2011, amusedMcCleanreplied timeforthem;hiseldestis backforaboxingsessiononhis peopleinthisarea.Ifeverybody cows come home but not drink.” impression at Derry. Derry were in the top flight, the thefollowingmorningtoaskifhe startingschoolinSeptember. punchbag. “That’stypicalJames, showedthesamerespectforlife Talented players from their Eugene chuckles as he describes aggressive and powerful winger wasOK. They’vefoundabasethere.” hejuststicksatit,” Eugenelaughs. andforcommunities,theworld generation had succumbed to an 11 v 11 with the seniors on his was in demand and Sunderland The28-year-old’sgrowthtoa “WhatJameshasnowisthe “Wetryandkeephimgrounded, wouldbeabetterplace.” it. “When they got to 22/23 they first day where the cub gave the old made their move. Six months later, positionofauthorityinthisWorld wholepackage,everythinghe’s wegivehimahardtime.ButIdid Andthatisthecontextinwhich were probably looking at James timers hell, and Rory speaks about he burst onto the Premier League Cupcampaignhasenlivened wanted,” saysWaxsy. “He’sgot texthimafterWalesandsaidIwas O’Dohertyframesthesuccess thinking, ‘Maybe if I didn’t drink...’ McClean’s lack of respect for big stage. Creggan;Denmarkhasbeenonthe hisfamily,aseriouslysuccessful proudofhimandallofthat.He story. “WewoulduseJamesas but it was too late,” says Eugene. reputations, for seasoned pros with “We were scratching our heads,” lipsforweeks.Onthedayafterthe career.Thewains(kids)dream wrotebackandtoldme,‘You’ve arolemodel,”hesays.“Buttake McClean didn’t need it to be hundreds of games on the CV. says Waxsy, “And saying, ‘Is this Waleswin,Waxsymetamanwho aboutit;hemadethedreamcome gonesoft’.” footballoutofit.We’renottelling happy. Rory was responsible for a The fresh-faced firebrand said happening? Is it real?’ And then deliveredasuccinctmatchreport. true.” ButDerrypeopleknowMcClean kidsthey’regoingtobePremier landmark night on the town, a date little in the dressing room but when the big contract came, it ADerrygoalscorer,aDerryman Englandwillneverbehome, hasasoftsidetoo.Thevisitsback Leaguefootballers. with his then girlfriend where they was brimming with confidence was like a storm. That was crazy, ofthematch(Duffy)andaDerry though,andthereisnodoubt mayhavereducedinquantity “Whatwesayisthathe’s both brought a companion along. once he crossed the white line. He unbelievable.” manager. thatJames,Erin,Allie,James becauseoffamilycommitments, achievedwhathe’sachievedwith Rory arrived with James and proved that theory by scoring on “He was a late bloomer,” says McCleanwillthriveonthe JnrandWillowIvywillrelocate buthisfootprintisstillvisible. sheerhardwork.It’snotjusta his now ex-girlfriend brought his debut, a League Cup game with Eugene. “And I always say he play-offresponsibility.Muchas toDerryeventually;therewillbe O’Donnellgetsemotionalwhen hungeryoudon’tseemuchofin Erin Connor. That was the start of Bohemians in 2008, where Owen wasn’t noticed for a while because hewouldliketobeplayingmoreat moreoutingsattheBrandywell talkingabouthisformerstudent’s modern-dayfootball.Youdon’tsee James and Erin, a relationship that Heary was his direct opponent. scouts missed just how consistent WestBrom,hisfamilyandfriends andmoretimewithhisfriends. charitablegestures. muchofitinmodern-daylife.” has grown into a marriage and a McClean had walked to The he was and how he approached allstresshehasreachedalevel Eugeneisafathernowtoo, Theygobeyondhiswell- He’snotinfallible.Withhisnew- family of three young children. Brandywell with his boots in a every match the same way. It was ofcontentmentinhislifethat jugglingthatwithademanding documentedsupportforthe foundwealth,McCleanmistakenly “I know Erin’s family,” says brown paper bag. just another game, and he took hadeludedhiminhisearlydays jobinaresidentialcarehomefor familiesofhisoldfriendsand presumedthathisfolksmight O’Doherty. “And she has a good But he had to wait another that attitude with him into the overseaswhenhomesickness youngpeople,andtheWhatsApp team-mates,themuch-missed fancyachangeofsceneryand business head. It was a good year and a half to become a key Premier League.” broughthimbackatevery chatsseldomveerintofootball RyanMcBrideandMarkFarren. splashedoutonalavishhouse‘out match.” first-team player with Derry’s After a bad performance with possibleopportunity. business. Strangersbenefitfromhis inthebackroads’. Theylasteda Eugene and Rory became part of demotion to the First Division Derry, McClean would get the Theturningpoint,accordingto Theircatch-upsrevolvearound generosity;thetalesarewell coupleofweeksinthecountryside McClean’s tight inner circle along due to financial irregularities the running gear on and head off RoryKelly, wasreallyknuckling theirnewpressures,ornostalgic knowninDerry. “Wehearof mansionandreturnedtotheir with a small group of childhood catalyst. back up Sheriff’s Mountain. He downwhenhefoundhimselfin chatsaboutthewaythingsused tragedies,”saysO’Donnell.“And terracedhouse.Hismotherhated pals from Creggan. “He’s always When uncertainty lingered, a was hard to stop after the good apoorWigansideplummeting tobe.“SometimesIforgetthathe I’veheardsomanytimesonthe beingaway. had the same people around him,” move to Lincoln was agreed but his performances too. torelegationfromthe evenplaysforIreland,”hesays. grapevinethatJameshassorted “Irearedthemallhere,thesix says Rory. “He never went out and pals felt it might be too soon for the In England, he hit the ground Championship. Behinditall,it’sthesame thatout,he’spaidforafuneralor kids,andIjustwantedtocome sought fake friends or crowds to fit homebird to fly the nest. running in a manner which left Asafather, heneededtorefocus James,muchashecanaffordthe triedtohelpsomebodythat’sin back,” Shaunasays,“No,no,no.. in with. James is very principled in Derry got their act together and people wondering just how far he andhisperformancesearned niceclothesandcarsthatwereout conflict. thisiswhereweallgrewup.Thisis that he’s own man. He’s very loyal.” Lincoln boss Chris Sutton agreed could go. himamovebacktothetoptable. ofreachwhenhewasalowly-paid “JohnHumetaughtme.And home.” That core group was a crutch to rip up the contract provided he But what goes up must come “Jameshasreallygrownupin Derryplayerwhowouldspend whenIwasintheHolyChild,he ThisisCreggan.ThisisJames when he was elevated to stardom. didn’t move to another English down. The fairytale couldn’t last thelastfewyears,”saysRory, anyofhisdisposableincomeon wouldcometotheschoolandsign McClean. It took him a while to get there, club. A sliding door moment. forever.