Conor Bradley: Seeing NI player score for Liverpool a 'special moment'

Liverpool fans from Northern Ireland have described witnessing Conor Bradley score his first goal for the club as a truly special moment.

Conor Bradley is the first senior men's player from Northern Ireland to score a goal for the Reds in 70 years.

Two fans from Bangor, County Down, at Anfield said seeing Bradley's shot hit the back of the net was fantastic.

Bradley, who is from Aghyaran, County Tyrone, has impressed since coming into the starting Liverpool line-up.

The 20-year-old scored his first goal for the club, as well as providing two assists on the night, in a 4-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday.

Andy Bell and Thomas Campbell said seeing Conor Bradley's right-footed shot rifle past Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic in the 39th minute was an unbelievable experience.

"When it went it in it was just one of the best moments and filled me with pride," Andy told BBC News NI.

"He's just turning into a real all-rounder of a player and what an exciting player he will be for Liverpool and Northern Ireland."

Andy said seeing so many young players in the Northern Ireland squad breaking through and excelling is really encouraging.

"You have players like Shea Charles, Dan Ballard, even Trai Hume - another right-back who plays for Sunderland - all performing really well and that will only benefit the national side," Andy said.

"Especially when you have quality players like Steven Davis retiring, it's really encouraging to see these players come through and hopefully excelling for Northern Ireland for the future."

Bradley's dazzling performance received a standing ovation from the Liverpool faithful when he went off in the second half to be replaced by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Bradley's journey to the Premier League started a world away from the bright lights of English football's top flight, in Aghyaran - a hamlet in west County Tyrone.

It is about six miles from the town of Castlederg and 30 miles from Northern Ireland's second city, Londonderry.

His stock has risen quickly in the 10 years since his home club's coaches first marvelled at his talent, working through the youth ranks at the Merseyside giants before excelling during a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers in League One.

He has since become a regular in the senior Northern Ireland squad, amassing 13 caps at senior level.

"It's a very proud moment, something I dreamed of for a long time," Bradley told TNT Sports after the game.

"It feels like I'm in a dream. It's unbelievable."

Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand described Bradley as "phenomenal", while ex-Rangers and Scotland international Ally McCoist described him as "a breath of fresh air".

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp also heaped praised on the young right-back, describing Bradley's player of the match performance as "pretty special".

He joked afterwards in his post-match interview with TNT Sport that a few weeks ago when he was on holiday some Bolton fans had asked if they could have Bradley back.

"It's too late," he joked.

Conor's former school, Omagh Christian Brothers School (CBS), took to social media to praise the County Tyrone's native's performance.

His former History teacher and Gaelic Football coach at Omagh CBS Pat McNabb told BBC Radio Foyle's Mark Patterson Show he was delighted for his success and he had showed huge talent at an early age.

"His attitude, his work rate, his covering of ground on the pitch, his insatiable appetite to get on the ball - everything you see with Liverpool now - was all there then," Mr McNabb said.

Mr McNabb said Conor was incredibly humble and even receiving so much praise, would always have his feet on the ground.

"I think everyone is incredibly proud of him, a huge amount of credit has to go to his parents and the whole community in Aghyaran."

Mr McNabb said Conor Bradley could have undoubtedly made a fantastic addition to Tyrone's senior men's squad.

"Undoubtedly he could've made county - he's a loss to Tyrone GAA - but that's life."