THE dream of playing professional football is one that most young boys have, however, every so often a star shines brighter than most in the school playground and they have a real chance to chase that aforementioned dream.
In Belfast there is no shortage of young people with a passion for a certain club clad in green and white hoops based in the East End of Glasgow. Ireland has always had a strong connection with Celtic, whether it is Neil Lennon, Martin O'Neill or in recent years the likes of Jonny Hayes and Liam Scales.
Although, West Belfast has been starved of watching any local heroes in hoops since the time of Anton Rogan back in the 1980s and 1990s, when 17-year-old Shea McGarry pens his name on the dotted line and commits his footballing future to the Hoops he will give himself a shot at making it with the Celts.
With the transfer announcement set for later this month, Shea's mother Lorraine caught up with the Andersonstown News to discuss how her son found his way on the journey to professional football, and most important of all with Celtic Football Club.
"He's done us so proud getting this far, but we never pressured him into playing football it was quite a coincidence actually how he got started," said Lorraine.
"Shea was always involved in sport with GAA, playing for Lámh Dhearg from when he was five-years-old, but soccer was never on the agenda for him until he was about ten, then a few of his friends who neighboured his granny got him involved in Celtic Boys.
"Up until that point Shea only really played football at lunch-time in school or in the front green in Glen Colin but never had any interest in playing competitive football. It was all about Lámh Dhearg and that was it really until he started with Celtic Boys after he and his friend Christopher joined the Poleglass-based club.
"The GAA and Lámh Dhearg are particularly a big part of his journey to get here," added Lorraine. "The team bonding and knowing how to play and win with a group of 15 boys is something that is ingrained in him and you can see that shining through to his soccer skills.
"When he was being scouted by other clubs one thing they earmarked was his leadership. Also he definitely has an emotional maturity that not many his age have."
Lorraine believes that Shea's early progression and love for Gaelic games was a huge help in his transition to football, particularly his tenacious tackling and the fearlessness in which he played with in the colours of Lámh Dhearg.
"If you have three or four lads with hurls coming at you and you have no qualms with that then a person coming at you to win a football is never going to faze you," she said.
"I don't think he would have made the transition without the background of the GAA. It was pivotal for him transitioning across to football."
Shea's big break in football came when he applied to tog out and try his hand at Cliftonville and despite thinking he'd blown his shot, when the call came from the Reds it was no surprise that he'd jump at the chance.
"The Cliftonville trial was one where his daddy and Shea himself did not feel he was ready for but I encouraged him, I thought even if you don't get in at least you will learn and pick up something that can transition into your Gaelic and hurling.
"He played two games. The first he was brilliant, but the second he was poor and got subbed at half-time but it did not dampen his spirits.
"We were in the car joking saying 'I can always still play for Celtic Boys anyway' but within a few hours I had a phone call, and they said they really loved his aggression and leadership on the pitch and wanted him to come and sign for them which we were delighted with."
The young West Belfast schoolboy then began his journey at Solitude shortly after his 12th birthday, but from the get-go mum Lorraine was never fussed on pressurising her son into developing in the game.
Her key message is always to have fun and enjoy it.
"Cliftonville were an easy option for him. We saw what they could do for a lot of young boys and we knew we could trust them to do right by Shea, but honestly we didn't care too much at that point as he was there to have fun," said Lorraine.
"We always just wanted him to enjoy playing football, and it was never really the goal to turn it into a career path, he was GAA mad. We weren't soccer parents but we just loved watching him participate whether it would be with a hurl or a soccer ball."
On January 13th 2026, Ballymena United drew with the Reds in a winter clash where Shea announced himself on the first team stage starring in the backline at just 16-years old. From then, he was firmly on the radar of many clubs from across England and Scotland and he was mentored well by the Cliftonville playing staff.
"He started in a game against Ballymena United for Cliftonville and Gerard Lyttle the assistant coach, said he never looked out of place in the senior team," said Lorraine. "I think Jim (Magilton) really loved having him and the squad were hit hard by injuries, but Shea stepped up and really shone.
"From then we were inundated with enquiries from football agents across the UK and we met with a few but one that really stuck with us was former Celtic star Jackie McNamara's firm Consilium Sports Agency."
"We spoke with loads like I said, but they approached us and mentioned Celtic were interested, and they are based in Scotland and we just hit it off right away and knew we could trust them to look after Shea and make sure he would be safe and allow him to get on with his football development.
"Sometimes you just get a good feeling for people and that was the main thing with Consilium."
Shea's footballing exploits were also heavily influenced by St Mary's Christian Brothers School on the Glen Road.
"He went to St Mary's too and I have to say, they really helped push him in his development of course. They were phenomenal with him, and now I don't necessarily mean Shea loved his school work, but the school really helped him flourish."
The draw for any youngster from West Belfast to Celtic is almost second nature, but Shea never pinned his colours to the Parkhead mast. However, when he was brought on a tour of the club's facilities and walked through the tunnel at Paradise it was simply a no-brainer.
"Without it being obvious, Shea never really supported a team growing up, but he always loved football and from day one he has felt at home in Glasgow.
"On his first day they took him out and played You'll Never Walk Alone as he stepped out of the tunnel and I think from there he just knew it was the right place to be.
"The structure and the environment at Celtic are second to none, he's been amazed at how professional it's been.
"We had a delay with UEFA preventing the official announcement, but he's already had 14 first-team training sessions and the main thing he says is the speed of play is second to none."
One thing that has been consistently highlighted is Shea's grit and determination, and the coaches have loved to see the young star thrive whether it be in Celtic colours or on international duty.
Shea's underage mentors from Lámh Dhearg, Peter Martin McGuigan and Gary Murray, are full of praise for the young star and hold him in high esteem acknowledging he was a joy to coach and they were always impressed by his attitude, commitment, athleticism and skill.
"We owe a lot to his coaches, across Lámh Dhearg, Celtic Boys and Cliftonville," Lorraine adds. "A very special mention goes in particular Nicola Gorman during his time at Cliftonville. She took no extra payment and took Shea on a one-to-one basis and she really helped his development over many years of his time there, but she was really instrumental in his development and getting him first team ready before eventually moving to Celtic.
"He's been off on international duty and will be part of the Northern Ireland U19s too which is a monumental achievement as he is one of the youngest in that squad.
"It has been a really great experience so far, and to be honest I'm hoping it is just the beginning for him.”
October 16th is the day that Shea McGarry will officially pen his name to a Celtic professional contract and that will be an historic moment. That date will undoubtedly be a proud day for his family, but it will also be a proud day for the West Belfast community as one of their own dawns the famous green and white hoops.
