Who is Ruairi McConville: Brighton defender makes N Ireland debut
Today at 05:05 AM
Rare is it for a player to make their international debut before a first senior appearance for their club. Take a bow then Brighton teenage defender Ruairi McConville, who picked up his first two Northern Ireland caps in a 2-0 during the November international break.
One other ex-Albion player has achieved the feat. A certain Viktor Gyokeres made his Sweden bow before playing a competitive game for the Brighton first team. Not bad company for McConville to be in, seeing as Gyokeres is now one of the in-demand strikers in Europe.
As Brighton and Northern Ireland supporters seek to find out more about a 19-year-old defender they may never have previously head of, WAB attempts to answer the question of who is Ruairi McConville?
The Albion signed McConville from Linfield in 2021, shortly after his 16th birthday. The centre back has risen quickly through the ranks at Brighton.
Despite being only 19 and one of the younger players in the Albion’s Under 21s squad, he has captained the side this season having first worn the armband in the previous campaign aged 18.
McConville has played 36 times so far for Brighton Under 21s, scoring four goals and registering three assists. A good record for a central defender.
He is also Northern Ireland Under 19s captain and had been due to lead them out at the Under 19s European Championships held on home soil in the summer until a cruel injury.
It meant he also missed the start of the current campaign. That disappointment though will hopefully have been offset by his first senior call up after injuries hit Michael O'Neill’s defensive options.
Paddy McNair and Eoin Toal were both ruled out of the November squad, handing McConville his chance. O’Neill revealed that McConville was so impressive during training that he decided to give the centre back his debut as a second half substitute in the 2-0 win over Belarus.
With Ciaron Brown then suspended for Northern Ireland’s trip to Luxmebourg, McConville came in for his first start.
O’Neill’s side surrendered a 2-0 lead in Luxembourg City to draw 2-2, but it was still enough to see them top their UEFA Nations League group and earn promotion to League B.
At 6’3, McConville combines height and physicality with the sort of ball playing skills required of a Brighton centre back. He has trained with Fabian Hurzeler’s first team squad this season in another sign of how much potential the Albion believe he has.
Complimenting his ability is his attitude and personality. The captaincies bestowed on him by Brighton and Northern Ireland are telling of his leadership skills.
But he is also a very likeable young man, both in how he comes across in the media and in person. The Belfast Telegraph wrote about how McConville “was genuinely overjoyed – it was lovely to witness and a reminder of how much playing at the highest level means.”
McConville himself said: “It’s amazing, no one can really wipe the smile off my face. It's a feeling that will stick with me the rest of my career and hopefully it's the first of many.”
“On the bench I heard the conversation they (O'Neill and his coaching staff) were having, saying they needed a bit of height so as soon as I heard that I was getting excited.”
“I was sitting on my hands, and I was ready when they gave me a nod. I didn't know what to do, I was so excited and then when I stood up I got in the zone. I could hear the fans all around me, I was so excited to get on the pitch.”
“I couldn’t believe how loud it was. I was trying to talk on the pitch and I couldn’t hear myself. It was madness, but it was an experience that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
When asked by The Belfast Telegraph about his call up, McConville said: “I knew I was on standby and you never know if you may get called in. I got the email and the coaches at Brighton told me I was called in and even then I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.”
“I was just buzzing and couldn’t wait to get in and around the group. I’ve learned so much here and hopefully there’s many more opportunities to come.”
Ruairi McConville made one young Brighton fan’s day at the recent Paint Pot game between AFC Wimbledon and Brighton Under 21s when giving the supporter his captain’s armband.
A simple gesture but one the fan will never forget. And one McConville expected to get in trouble for, handing it over with the caveat of I’m not meant to do this.
To make the moment even more special, McConville then signed the armband the following day at the Amex when the first team faced Liverpool in the League Cup.
Looking forward, McConville expects to follow the usual tried-and-test loan pathway Brighton Under 21s players undertake to prepare for a Premier League opportunity.
If he excels in League Two, League One or wherever else he ends up in the same way he has made such a good first impression on the international scene, then it might not be long before everyone knows who Ruairi McConville is.
And that signed captain’s armband will be worth a few quid.
The post Who is Ruairi McConville: Brighton defender makes N Ireland debut appeared first on WeAreBrighton.com :: News & Opinion.
