UCD MANAGER MARTIN RUSSELL hopes that Paul Corry will be an inspiration to others after the midfielder signed off on a cross-channel switch to Sheffield Wednesday.
With the transfer window about to close for the summer, Wednesday boss Dave Jones stepped in to bring Corry to the Championship for an undisclosed sum.
It was a long-awaited move for the 21-year-old Dubliner who turned down contracts with both Burnley and Nottingham Forest as a youth so that he could stay in Ireland and focus on his education.
Corry, who signed a three-year contract, has been on the Owls’ radar for some time after he caught Jones’s eye with his impressive performances in the Airtricity League. He goes straight into the first team squad at Hillsborough where he will wear number 21.
Corry made over 100 appearances for UCD and was an ever-present for the Students during their 2011 league campaign. He played 17 times this season, scoring once and earning himself a call-up to Noel King’s U21 squad for their recent European Championship qualifier against Turkey.
“I’m delighted to have got the move,” he said in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s been something I’ve been working towards for a number of years but felt my education was also important, but I’m delighted it’s happened.
I’ve had a great few years at UCD and made some life long friends as well as played top level football in Ireland’s Premier League.I’d like to thank all the players and staff at UCD and manager Martin Russell. I will be looking out for their result every weekend and look forward to returning to The Bowl to watch a game whenever I can.
Our form of late has been good and I’m sure the lads can get a few more points and stay in the Premier Division which they deserve to do.
Manager Martin Russell said: “I know he values the philosophy that the club beholds, and his move for me demonstrates that you can continue your footballing aspirations without sacrificing your education.
“Far too many Irish players leave too early for too little. When I originally signed Paul I told him that UCD was the best option for a lad his age and I hope more like him will follow in his steps in the future.
“It’s not easy to lose someone of Paul’s calibre, but it now gives others an opportunity to progress, and this has been a feature at the club for a long time. All the lads will miss Paul, but can also use his rise up the football as a source of inspiration.”