O’Carroll falling for a dancer

This is the story of a Celtic footballer who jumped out of the Glasgow goldfish bowl, got two tickets to see Riverdance in Kerry, and ended up in Belfast.

That’s the not-by-design journey that has Killarney man Diarmuid O’Carroll preparing to marry a Northern Irish woman and playing for Irish Premier League title contenders Cliftonville.

O’Carroll, just 24 years old, has found himself trekking a winding road with his boots, taking in stops at Ross County, Morecambe, Airdrie United, Valur in Iceland and Glenavon in mid-Ulster since quitting the Hoops three years ago.

Signed by Cliftonville recently, O’Carroll made his debut in last week’s JJB Sports Irish Cup fifth round victory over Championship side Ards. This week, he starts a new job with Sport NI, and is gradually getting used to life as a footballer making ends meet outside the game.

Of course, it was a girl that brought O’Carroll to Belfast. Riverdance cast member Ann Toner was charmed by the dark-haired, softly spoken Kerryman, following a chance introduction. The pair plan to marry next year… where, is anyone’s guess.

Plucked from a GAA hotbed, O’Carroll spent five years at Celtic before making his own decision to depart, aged 21.

It’s not a decision he regrets.

“I had to leave, for the good of my career and my opportunities to play,” he said.

“I loved being at Celtic, loved every single minute of the five years I had there and I will cherish that time, always. I made many good friends there and learned a lot of lessons that I know will help me as my career develops. I had to be realistic about my chances of playing for Celtic’s first-team.”

Having played in Celtic’s youth and reserve sides with the likes of Aidan McGeady, Darren O’Dea and Richie Towell, O’Carroll found himself tagged as an answer to Cliftonville’s loss of young striker Rory Donnelly, who recently opted for Brendan Rogers’ Swansea City ahead of Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal.

He had caught the eye with his efforts in the blue of Glenavon, most notably a record-breaking six goals — three of them penalties — in a 10-0 league cup tie victory over junior opposition.

The timing of Donnelly’s departure could not have been better for O’Carroll. He had agreed with Glenavon, upon his arrival to Belfast from Iceland, a 12-month “see how it goes” deal that ran out the same week Donnelly became a Swan, allowing the ex-Republic of Ireland youth striker to glide into Solitude, home of the Reds and a stone’s throw from Ann Toner’s family home.

He had become a Glenavon player on the back of a steer from a friend of a friend, who was a Glenavon-supporting barrister. He would later field for St Brigid’s GAA club in south Belfast, upon the guidance of another barrister, Derry’s All-Ireland winning legend Joe Brolly.

“It couldn’t have worked out better,” said O’Carroll.

“Ann’s family are all Cliftonville supporters, so there was no chance to think about the move when the club showed an interest in me!

“There’s something about Cliftonville that makes it easy to settle for someone like me, who is not used to the hustle and bustle of a city.

“Belfast is very much like Glasgow and in north Belfast the people are extremely welcoming and friendly. It’s certainly different to the Ross Road in Killarney but I’m loving it.”

He marked his debut on for Cliftonville on January 9 against Dungannon Swifts — it was also his debut in front of Sky Sports cameras. O’Carroll’s introduction to that game fired-up his team-mates just when they were in danger of undoing their positive first-half performance.

He has since enjoyed an Irish Cup win over juniors Ards and scored twice in last weekend’s Carling Premiership win over Lisburn Distillery (3-1) and has been joined at the club by one-time Celtic prospect Declan Bunting.

Next month, O’Carroll will discover the cross-border Setanta Sports Cup when Cliftonville begin the competition with a home tie against St Patrick’s Athletic (February 13).

While he hasn’t given up on the dream he harboured as he left the Kingdom as an impressionable 16-year-old, O’Carroll is in no rush.

He added: “Since leaving Celtic I have had an enjoyable time on the road and some great experiences. But this is a good time for me to settle in the game and just let it take its course.

“The aim is to do well for Cliftonville, score goals and win silverware. The team is in with a chance of winning the league and although it will take something special to unseat Linfield, I want to do my best to contribute.

“Whatever happens, happens. Right now, my focus is on Cliftonville and, of course, planning to get married.”