Teenage kicks for Bohs star Davidson

The flying 19-year-old has wasted no time in making an impression among the Amber Army faithful and last week members of the Spirit of ‘76 Supporters’ Club voted him their player of the month for September.

The Dubliner, brought in on a one-year loan from League of Ireland outfit Bohemian FC, is treading a road well travelled by a string of players from the Republic of Ireland who signed for Carrick in the second half of last season. The quartet of midfielder Thomas Hyland, striker Shane Dolan, (now at Donegal Celtic), commanding centre-back Philip Byrne and ‘keeper Paul Murphy all formed the spine of the team which battled in vain to help Rangers beat the drop.

Davidson is an exciting prospect, and he’s fearless on the flank. An attacking winger who loves to take defenders on, he’s quick with the ball at his feet and his accuracy from crosses is, more often than not, on the money.

In the summer his boss Michael Hughes touted him as “a cracking little player who reminds me of Paul Heatley, being pacey, tricky, delivering the ball and scoring goals.”

The goals have already arrived. He popped up with a late winner in the league away at The Welders when a draw appeared to be on the cards, and he waltzed his way around Wilbourne Park and scored in the recent 4-0 rout over Islandmagee in the Steel and Sons Cup. He also netted in Tuesday night’s 4-3 defeat to Crudaders in the League Cup.

“I’m loving it at Carrick. I’ve settled in really well, all the lads are sound and I get on with every single one of them,” he said.

“I think I have been in good form lately but I thought I had a bit of a bad game in our last league match against Dergview. I was a little disappointed with myself after that one but, other than that, my performances have been up to standard.

“I was on the first-team squad for Bohs but I wasn’t getting in the eleven. We played Carrick in a friendly in the summer. Michael Hughes asked Aaron (Callaghan) about me and he said he would send me up on loan.”

Davidson travels up by coach each Saturday, but that doesn’t bother the teenager. “I really love playing so the journey doesn’t bother me.”

And he’s enjoying the role Hughes has given him and believes everyone connected with the club could be in for a memorable season. “I love attacking and cutting in and scoring goals. I think we have the team to win the League and the Cups we’re in. We could do a double or maybe the treble; we definitely have the ability.

“Gary (Haveron) has a good football brain and in midfield Conor (McCloskey) and (Aaron) Harmon are great players. Kyle Owens is very strong at the back and Robinson is good in goal - he has pulled off some amazing saves already this year. All round, I think we have a great team.”

Report by John Gillespie | Twitter: @Times_Sport