Nico O'Reilly's meteoric rise to international stardom has left his former head teacher in awe. Paddy McMahon, head of St Patrick's RC Primary School in Collyhurst, Manchester, recalls how the pint-sized left-back was streets ahead of the rest even as a nipper, honing his skills on the pavement and perfecting his technique with every street kickabout.
The school still echoes with tales of O'Reilly's regular training sessions, which would see him take on up to 30 other lads in local 'cages' and on the streets. Manchester City star O'Reilly has often spoken about the influence of growing up in Collyhurst, where he was free to play anywhere – on the grass, on the streets or in makeshift cages – fueling his passion for sports and the great outdoors.
As England's World Cup campaign continues to captivate a nation, St Patrick's RC Primary School is basking in the reflected glory of its star pupil. For Paddy McMahon, seeing O'Reilly shine on the global stage is pure inspiration: 'It shows the kids that if they put their minds to it, anything is possible,' he declares. The school has long drilled into its pupils that there's no ceiling on their ambitions – and O'Reilly's success serves as a powerful reminder of this message.
With two England legends between them, St Patrick's RC Primary School can proudly boast an illustrious footballing heritage, courtesy of Nico O'Reilly and the late Nobby Stiles, who played for England in their 1966 World Cup-winning squad. McMahon beams with pride at the knowledge that another 'Collyhurst lad' has made it to the top, nearly 60 years after Stiles achieved greatness.
The school is firmly gripped by World Cup fever, with teachers turning a blind eye (just a little!) to late-night England matches and even offering a relaxed start to the week by showing game highlights. For many of these young fans, it's their first taste of the World Cup – and they're fully invested, cheering on O'Reilly and his team every step of the way.