Former Coleraine striker David McDaid believes teenage sensation Senan Devine could be “the next big player” to earn a dream move across the water from the Irish League after his sensational start to the Premiership season.

Aged just 19, Devine has been one of the standout performers in Northern Ireland's top-flight so far this term, bringing his goal tally to three in four matches with a brace in last weekend's win over Crusaders.

Devine starred during a loan spell with H&W Welders last season, scoring eight league goals before being recalled by Coleraine in January with manager Ruaidhri Higgins confident he was ready for the step up.

Higgins has placed full trust in Northern Ireland U19 international Devine, who has repaid that faith by producing a number of impressive displays to help his side move top of the Premiership table.

placeholder image — Coleraine’s Senan Devine (right) celebrates after scoring against Crusaders. (Photo by INPHO/Stephen Hamilton)

With an increased spotlight being placed on the Irish League’s top young talent by clubs in England and Scotland, Devine’s form will undoubtedly be attracting attention from across the water, and McDaid believes he has what it takes to make that transition.

"I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be the next big player to go across,” said McDaid. “I know he’s slim in stature in terms of when you look at England and it's all athletes and stuff like that, but Senan is strong.

"He's definitely built his physicality over the summer, he's more robust now than he was a year-and-a-half ago and full-time has helped a lot.

"Junior (Mendes), the strength and conditioning coach at Coleraine, he's absolutely unbelievable, one of the best I've seen, if not the best.

"I think being in this full-time environment, there's no reason why he couldn't be the next one to go across.

"I've actually done the commentary in two of Coleraine’s live games against Portadown and Crusaders on Saturday...Senan’s development has been rapid over the last year, year-and-a-half, which is great to see.

"I think seeing the likes of Joel Cooper every day, and how they apply themselves, has really stuck with Senan and is probably one of the reasons why he has improved, because he's playing with better players.”

A consistent debate surrounds whether it's more beneficial for young players to move into elite academies at an early age or stay at home to gain senior experience before making a leap across the water.

The likes of Mark Sykes, Trai Hume and Terry Devlin, who all built up senior minutes in the Irish League, have enjoyed sustained success, and current Portstewart manager McDaid feels that’s generally the best path to take.

"I had this conversation when Chris Atherton left Glenavon to go over...I feel like players going over to play academy football don't progress as quickly as they do playing senior football,” added McDaid. "I just feel that when you have senior football under your belt, it stands you in better stead than playing academy football.

"Senan always had the IQ...I don’t think it's his quality that has improved, I think it's his belief that he belongs and he's proven he can do it.

"That's why it's so vital for young players to go out and play, get that belief and valuable experience that they are good enough.”