A 14-YEAR-OLD boy who has become one of the youngest players ever to line out for an Irish League side could make "a big name for himself" if he keeps working hard, his manager has said.
Goalkeeper Conner Byrne helped Glenavon reach the final of the Mid-Ulster Cup in a 2-1 win over derby rivals Portadown on Monday night.
From the Garvaghy Road area of Portadown, the Lismore Comprehensive School pupil joined the club four years ago and combines his exploits on the soccer field with a passion for the GAA.
A member of the Tír na nÓg club in Portadown, he was an outfield player in their under-14 championship winning squad this year.
Monday marked the start of a busy week for the schoolboy, who was between the posts for the Northern Ireland under-16 team as they lost 2-0 to Poland on Tuesday and is expected to be in the side for a fixture against the same opposition today.
His appearance at Shamrock Park garnered global media attention, with leading Spanish sports publication Marca, which primarily focuses on stars of La Liga, running an article on his debut aged 14 years and 245 days.
Gary Hamilton, manager of the Irish Premiership side, said the young goalkeeper had previously impressed during a spell with the under-20s.
"I went to see him at an under-16 game and he was streets ahead of that level. We moved him up to the under-20 team and he is training very well," he said.
"It has been a good learning curve. Anything put on top of him on Monday he dealt with very well. He has been playing under-20 and is used to playing at levels above himself.
"With the drive, the talent and the listening skills that he has shown so far, if he keeps working hard, training and listening, then he has a real chance, if not at Glenavon then to make a big a name for himself somewhere else."
A lack of records means it is difficult to confirm the 14-year-old is the youngest player ever to play for a senior side, although he is younger than a 15-year-old also fielded by the Lurgan club in 2012.
GAA rules, however, would forbid him from playing alongside adults in the 15-man game.
Dessie Henderson, chairman of Tír na nÓg GAC, said Conner is a "skilful footballer" who mainly lines out at half-back or midfield and congratulated him on his appearance for Glenavon.
"It is a very nice achievement and a huge honour for the lad himself. I was actually surprised that they had a 14-year-old in the team, as there is no way that could happen in GAA," he said.
The young goalkeeper has already attracted interest from clubs in England and earlier this year posted a photograph of himself at Championship club Aston Villa.
"It would be a huge loss to us if he stopped GAA, and we would like to think he would continue playing," said Mr Henderson.
