Former Athletic star lands dream new role

Diarmuid O’Carroll has been appointed coach to the Northern Ireland senior squad

A former Killarney Athletic star player is making a major breakthrough into international football after being appointed part of Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland backroom team for their UEFA Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

Diarmuid O’Carroll, originally from Ross Road, is currently assistant manager with St Mirren in Scotland’s Premiership and while he will retain that position, he will also take on the role of senior coach with the Northern Ireland senior squad.

The 35-year-old joined St Mirren as assistant manager in February 2022 when he was invited to link up with manager Stephen Robinson.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill remarked: “I have watched Diarmuid in action on the training ground and he is a vibrant young coach. I believe he will be a great asset to us.”

O’Carroll said it is really exciting opportunity for him.

Diarmuid O’Carroll during his playing days

“My main focus day-to-day will still be with the club but during international breaks I’ll go and have another experience that will, hopefully, see St Mirren get a better coach in the long run,” he remarled.

After setting Kerry soccer alight for a number of years, O’Carroll embarked on a career as a professional footballer when Glasgow Celtic scouts spotted him playing with Home Farm in the League of Ireland and he signed a four-year contact with the Scottish giants.

He later played with and coached a number of clubs in Scotland, England and in Northern Ireland where he won four Premier League titles in a playing career that saw him lining out with Crusaders, Cliftonville, Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts.

O’Carroll was also in charge of the Under 20 squad with Scottish Premier League side Motherwell and he also provided analysis on opponents for the first team before joining Leagiue One side Morecambe as assistant manager before he and manager Stephen Robinson moved on to St Mirren.

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