International: McIlroy made my mind up - McCourt

Promising Rochdale winger Pat McCourt claims Sammy McIlroy is the main reason he has opted to play for Northern Ireland rather than the Republic.

The 18-year-old starlet, who has been dubbed the white Kanu because of his laid-back style, was courted by Mick McCarthy’s side earlier this season.

But the FAI were too late and McCourt had already pledged his loyalty to McIlroy.

McCourt, who was born in Derry, was impressed McIlroy had come to watch him after only a handful of games and told him he wanted him to play for Northern Ireland.

McIlroy duly handed McCourt his first call-up for the friendly against Spain after just one Under-21 appearance and he will be on the bench at Windsor Park tomorrow.

‘‘The Republic contacted my agent to see if I wanted to go with them, but I had already spoken to Sammy and told him that I would play for Northern Ireland,’’ he said.

‘‘The biggest reason was Sammy himself because he came to meet me face to face and didn’t just phone up.

‘‘I had a couple of chats with him. He seemed a very nice man and now I’ve got to know him a bit I know he’s a very nice man.’’

McCourt’s two brothers, Harry, who has played for league sides Cliftonville, Omagh and Ards, and Leroy, also urged him to play for the North.

He explained: ‘‘They said to me ‘name a player from the North who has played for the Republic in the last 50 years’ and I couldn’t.

‘‘It’s a better career move and I have more chance of getting on with Northern Ireland than I do with the Republic.’’

McIlroy has already said he would have no worries about bringing McCourt on against the Spanish, even though this is only his first professional season.

McCourt, who can play on either wing, is just delighted to be in the squad and he is still struggling to come to terms with what has happened to him over the last few months.

‘‘Less than 12 months ago I was playing youth football at Rochdale,’’ he said.

‘‘I began the season on a YTS contract, made my debut in October and then signed a three-and-a-half year professional contract.

‘‘I’ve played about 30 games in all for Rochdale and we’re in the play-offs.

‘‘Then last week I got the call-up and that was a big surprise.

‘‘It’s brilliant to be here and I’m looking round and I can see people like Keith Gillespie, David Healy and Aaron Hughes - real quality players - and I can hardly believe it.

‘‘I would have laughed this time last year if you had said all this was going to happen to me and it’s like a fairytale.

‘‘To get on on Wednesday would cap it all, but to be honest I’m just thrilled to be here.’’

McCourt could well feature at some stage as just 15 players took part in yesterday’s training session.

Mark Williams is still feeling his sore right foot, but could play with the aid of a painkilling injection, while Jim Magilton did not join up with the squad because of a family problem.

McIlroy had given him until today before ruling him out and calling up a replacement.