Like Father
LIKE SON
By Eric White, BBC Radio Foyle
The flame haired midfielder with the explosive shot.
Yes, Irish League fans will vividly recall the days when former Linfield and Coleraine stalwart Tony Gorman terrorised opponents as a dead ball specialist.
Now, his son Dale (19) - who has just signed professional terms with League Two Stevenage FC after two years with their academy - is proving to be a chip of the old block!
The tenacious, tough tackling Letterkenny youngster is already showing all the attributes his father displayed during a trophy laden career.
But, whereas Tony's stint as a teenager across channel lasted only a season with Mansfield Town in 1987/88, Northern Ireland Under-19 international Dale is hoping to establish himself in the English game and carve out a successful full-time career.
And what better man to help progress his ambitions than the former Manchester United Champions League winner Teddy Sheringham who was appointed the new Stevenage
Dale in action for Northern Ireland Under-19’s
Dale replaces his father Tony while playing for
Letterkenny Rovers in Cork
manager back in May? "My Dad is a United fan and I grew up supporting Spurs so to say that Teddy Sheringham was a bit of an icon in our household would be an understatement!", quipped Dale, who helped Northern Ireland win the Elite Section at last year's Milk Cup.
"Everybody at the club is really looking forward to the new season. There is a real buzz about the place and despite missing out on promotion through the play-offs, Teddy's arrival has given the club a huge lift", he added.
Having played his schoolboys football with local clubs Glencar FC and Letterkenny Rovers (where he actually replaced his Dad to make his senior team debut as a substitute in an FAI Intermediate Cup tie in Cork in 2011), Gorman made the move across the water just a few days short of his 17th birthday.
At the end of last season, he featured in three of the Under-19 team's six goals in their Goal of the Season competition.
"It was a bit of a frustrating year because I couldn't break into the first team squad and I felt I deserved a chance. This is a big season for me now and hopefully with a change in
16
manager, I can make an impression", he said. Gorman hit worldwide news at last year's Milk Cup tournament after ugly brawls marred Northern Ireland's 2-1 win over Mexico at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
The midfielder received a crude kick in the head from one of the Mexicans, Carlos Arreloa, which received over one million views on the internet inside 48 hours.
"I was lucky to get away with a bump in the head. The Northern Ireland doctors said a number of factors played their part and that the injury could have been a lot more serious", recalled the County Donegal teenager.
Gorman finished the tournament with a substitute appearance in their 1-0 win over Canada having also played in their opening night 2-0 victory against China.
"I really enjoy being part of the Northern Ireland set-up. It was a fantastic week, one that will live with me for a very long time".
Gorman now has his sights set on a big twelve months ahead, both at club and international level. l
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100