Inside Conor Bradley’s remarkable rise: How Tyrone, Kirkby, and Bolton shaped Liverpool star
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In primary school, teachers remarked on his athletic ability, and by the age of eight, when playing for local club St Patrick’s, Bradley’s name was widely known in youth soccer circles.But it wasn’t until his early teenage years that coaches excitedly spoke about the prospect of a “move over the water.” By then, Bradley was playing for Dungannon United Youth and part of the Northern Ireland set-up.
“It was only Liverpool for Conor,” said Steafan Deery, Bradley’s former youth coach who first alerted Liverpool scout Cliff Ferguson to the player’s burgeoning talents as a nine-year-old.
There were other markers, and having started the season at Under-18 level, Bradley finished it playing predominantly for the Under-21s, while he featured in every minute from the fourth round onwards of Liverpool’s run to the FA Youth Cup final.
But the biggest testament to Bradley’s burgeoning talent was a first full senior international call-up in May 2021.
While to some that felt slightly premature, particularly given Bradley essentially bypassed the Under-18 and Under-21 groups, the IFA knew the time was right.
That the Republic of Ireland was interested in testing Bradley’s commitment to their northern counterparts may have hastened the decision somewhat, but the IFA, who had witnessed every step of the Liverpool youngster’s journey, believed sooner or later that he would be a star turn in the side.
“They were thick as thieves,” Evatt reminisced.
As the season progressed, Liverpool staff received glowing reports from Bradley, who routinely checked in at the AXA Training Centre
“I think he sorted tickets for half of Northern Ireland,” joked one Liverpool insider.
A phone call to a local reporter on the morning of the game, requesting whether it would be possible to obtain a stash of newspapers, emphasized how Bradley had come out of his shell