Paul Curran (born 5 October 1966) is a football manager and former player. He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. Throughout his playing career, Curran represented several clubs, including Ards F.C., Finn Harps F.C., Derry City F.C., and Dundalk F.C.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Curran | ||
| Date of birth | 5 October 1966 | ||
| Place of birth | Derry, Northern Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1986–1987 | Finn Harps | 18 | (1) |
| 1987–1999 | Derry City | 15 | (780) |
| 1999–2003 | Ards | 100 | (11) |
| 2003–2004 | Dundalk | ? | (2) |
| 2004–2005 | Larne | ? | (2) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2006–2007 | Larne | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing Career
editFinn Harps
editDuring the 1986–87 League of Ireland First Division season, Curran made 26 appearances for Finn Harps.
Derry City
editLater, he served as the captain of Derry City F.C., where he participated in the team's treble-winning 1988–1989 season.[1] Curran scored twice as the League of Ireland XI beat the Welsh Football League 2–0 in Porthmadog in October 1994.[2]
His 500th career appearance came on 1 February 1999 against Finn Harps - his only former team. He would score a goal in the game.[3] Curran holds the record for the second-highest number of appearances for Derry City ever, a total of 512.[4] He would make his final appearance for Derry City at the end of 1999.[5]
Ards
editCurran would sign go on to sign a 3 year contract with Ards in November 1999.[6]
Curran debuted for Ards on 13 November 1999 against Larne in a 2-2 draw.[7] He would go on to score 12 goals across 122 appearances for the club.
His last appearance for the club came on 29 October 2002 at Windsor Park during a County Antrim Shield match.[citation needed]
Dundalk
editIn 2003, Curran gained managerial experience with Dundalk, where he was assistant manager to Trevor Anderson and also had a short spell as caretaker manager.[4]
Larne
editIn mid-2004, Curran signed for Larne F.C.[8] He would go on to Captain the Inver Park side in the 2005 Irish Cup final.
On 26 November 2006, Curran was appointed as the club's manager.[9]
Family
editAs of 2022, his son Ryan Curran plays for Cliftonville F.C. in the NIFL Premiership.[10]
Honours
edit- League of Ireland Premier Division: 2
- FAI Cup: 2
- Derry City F.C. 1989, 1995
- League of Ireland Cup: 4
- Derry City F.C. 1988/89, 1990/91, 1991/92, 1993/94
References
edit- ^ "Paul seeks return of his prized medals". Independent.ie. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ ""Curran"". Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ 500th appearance
- ^ a b "Paul Curran – the former Dundalk and Derry defender in the town he loves so well". Independent.ie. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Curran farewell at Brandywell". Independent.ie. 10 November 1999. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Curran's strange end to Derry career". The Irish Times. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Football: Omagh lucky to get a point: Roy". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 13 November 1999. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Curran joins Larne". Irish Examiner. 29 August 2004. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Curran takes charge at Inver Park". 27 November 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Player of the Month Ryan Curran: At Cliftonville were are happy to fly under the radar as title race heads into the festive period". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 11 December 2022. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 March 2024.