Irish League club 'willing to take risks on young players' continuing proud record of developing talent
H&W Welders manager Paul Kee continues to prove his coaching class by developing a host of talented young players and believes the club’s recent record has made them an attractive option for the next generation of stars.
Brian Healy is just the latest example of someone who has taken their game to another level under Kee’s watchful eye, completing a top-flight transfer to Cliftonville on Thursday after scoring 22 goals in 23 Championship appearances.
Healy’s exit comes 12 months after Tiarnan O’Connor and Josh Kee sealed full-time moves to Larne, while Jordan McMullan, Oran O’Kane, Senan Devine and Jonny James, who are all currently plying their trade in the Premiership, have also spent time at the Welders over the past two seasons.
The departure of key men on such a consistent basis provides Kee with challenges as he tries to balance the best interests of players with those of the club, who hold promotion aspirations.
Kee has provided a platform for the likes of Lewis Patterson, a former Crusaders defender who has taken on Welders captaincy at 22, and ex-Linfield striker Ethan Devine – the 24-year-old has scored nine league goals this term.
When choosing their next destination, young players can look to a long list of successful examples and Kee admits their policy of promoting youth can be helpful in conversations.
"It does help because there's a lot of young players looking at us because we do give them opportunities,” he said. “We tend to take risks on young players, some work and some don't, but when you get a Senan Devine coming through and see him getting the headlines after the way he has been playing, it brings good attention to the team and players.
"I'm sure there's young players who look at the Welders and think 'that would be a good place for me to go'. We have a good group of young players who have worked hard and we now need to push on in the second half of the season.
"We've been able to do that (give a platform) over the last couple of years. We took Oran O'Kane from Dungannon Swifts where he was in and out, not a regular, and he got a move to Glenavon.
"Jordan McMullan came on loan from Ballymena and he's playing regularly for Glenavon. Josh and Tiarnan went to Larne.
"Senan being on loan isn't ideal but that's the nature of the business we're in. Brian Healy drew a lot of attention because of his goalscoring exploits and his all-round game has improved significantly. We're really pleased these young players are being recognised."
Kee’s Welders, who currently sit third in the Championship after last weekend’s emphatic 12-0 victory over Armagh City, travel to Premier Intermediate League high-flyers Moyola Park for an Irish Cup fifth round clash on Saturday.
The Welders have scored 61 goals in 24 league matches this term – 15 more than second-best Newington – while Moyola have also developed a reputation for prowess on the goal front.
Marty Smith’s side put 10 past Banbridge Town last weekend and currently sit top of Northern Ireland’s third-tier as they look to seal their spot in next season’s Championship.