McCourt with plenty to celebrate

Rochdale FC's Pat McCourt has capped a memorable 24 hours by earning his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad for next week's friendly against Spain in Belfast. The 18-year-old winger also scored in Rochdale's 3-2 home win over Hull City FC on Tuesday night, which confirmed their place in the English Third Division play-offs.

Rave reviews
McCourt only turned professional in August and has earned rave reviews in his first season with Rochdale. Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy has been tracking him for some time and is anxious to have a closer look at him on the international stage as his side prepare for the EURO 2004™ qualifying campaign. McIlroy had wanted to call him up for last month's friendly against Liechtenstein, but decided to wait to allow the teenager to concentrate on Rochdale's play-off push.

Only new face
McCourt is the only new face in the 20-man Irish squad for the game at Windsor Park. Captain Steve Lomas misses the match through suspension following his sending off against Liechtenstein, while his West Ham United FC team-mate Grant McCann has been ruled out with a knee ligament injury.

Return for Hughes
Aaron Hughes returns after McIlroy allowed him to miss the Liechtenstein game at the request of Bobby Robson, his manager at Newcastle United FC. 
 
Northern Ireland squad
Taylor, Carroll, Griffin, Kennedy, McCartney, Williams, Holmes, A Hughes, Johnson, M Hughes, Gillespie, Magilton, Lennon, Mulryne, McCourt, Horlock, Healy, Elliott, McVeigh, Feeney.