The Derry Pele

Not for nothing was Patrick (‘Paddy’) McCourt affectionately dubbed “The Derry Pele” - a moniker that neatly encapsulated his origins and immense ability. That he never fully realised his phenomenal potential, either at Celtic or anywhere else on his travels, is one of the great tragedies of recent Irish and Celtic football history.

Paddy was the very definition of ‘the great enigma’. That his prodigious talent only ever surfaced in flashes of stunning brilliance will forever remain a mystery.

In his five seasons at Celtic, from 2008 - 2013, Paddy picked up two League and two Scottish Cup winner’s medals, without ever managing to establish himself as a regular first pick. He was mainly an impact player - but what an impact!

Of his 10 goals for Celtic, the majority were straight from the pages of ‘Roy of the Rovers’ - the hero of which, Roy Race, was Paddy’s comic book equivalent. A mazy dribble through the opposition defence would invariably end with either a thunderous shot or a deft flick past a helpless keeper.

There was much more to Paddy than a mazy dribbler, though. He had a sharp football brain, could spot a pass in an instant and was one of the crispest, most accurate passers ever seen in the Hoops. Straight out of the Pat Crerand, Bobby Murdoch, George Connelly mould. 

Like Tommy Burns, Paddy considered himself a fan who got lucky, getting the chance to don his beloved Hoops. Truth is, though, we were privileged to have him there.

He will forever be a Celtic cult figure and mighty hero.

All Hail to “The Derry Pele!”

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• Eurofit
  
• 100% Soft cotton (fibre content may vary for different colors)
  
• Light fabric (4.5 oz/yd² (153 g/m²))
• Tear away label
• Runs true to size

Caring for your t-shirt:

• Machine wash inside out (max 40C)
• Iron inside out on a low heat
• DO NOT iron over print
• DO NOT dry-clean