Carroll admits it’s been a whirlwind few weeks

IT’S been a whirlwind few weeks for former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Roy Carroll.

From sitting at home wondering when his goalkeeping school ‘RC1 Coaching’ would be allowed to re-open for business again, Carroll has been thrust back into the spotlight in quite spectacular fashion.

At the beginning of the month the ex-Manchester United stopper, at the ripe old age of 43, resurrected his Irish League career with Dungannon Swifts and last weekend the 45 times capped international was appointed as goalkeeping coach to the Northern Ireland under-17 and under-19 teams.

Carroll was named in new manager Gerard Lyttle’s backroom team which also includes Linfield striker Andrew Waterworth and former Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley.

Carroll, who during a long distinguished career won league titles with United, Linfield and Olympiakos in Greece, said he was delighted to join the NI under-19 and under-17 set-ups.

“I am so proud to be involved with the Northern Ireland U19s and U17s squad,” he said.

“I can’t wait to get started and help the young players to push them on in their career and developing in the game.

“Even from my own point of view in terms of my coaching schools it’s an opportunity for me to learn as well. I’ll be involved with national football and playing against quality teams.

“I’ve been in the game for so long and one thing about football is that when one door closes another one can open. If you keep working hard and improving, things will happen for you and that’s what I’ll be saying to young players.”

Asked if he had ambitions of one day coaching or managing at senior level Carroll added, “I never say never anymore, now that I’m back playing in the Irish League! You just never know what’s around the corner.

“I had been working hard on my football career now it’s my coaching career I’m going to be working on myself, not just the players. I want to develop myself for the future and you just never know what’s around the corner in this game.”

Later today Carroll and Dungannon Swifts face a resurgent Glentoran at Stangmore Park.

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