Where are they now? (Former academy player Aaron Mceneff):

In a new series of articles in which I’ll be writing over the course of the season, I’ll be looking at where some of our former academy players are playing now, and how they have progressed in the game. The first player I’ll be looking at is a player who I’ve seen play on numerous occasions since he left Spurs in 2015, 22 year old midfielder Aaron Mceneff has gone on to establish himself as one of the league of Ireland’s finest midfielders since his release from the lilywhites back inJune of 2015. Mceneff joined Spurs on a two year scholarship back in August 2012 from Northern Irish club Institute. Over the following three seasons Mceneff played many games for both our under 18’s and under 21’s, the midfielder who was coached for a time by former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood, reminded Sherwood of a young Roy Keane. Unfortunately Mceneff never got to fulfil his true potential with Spurs, with injuries not helping matters. Still I believe Mceneff could very well have made it with Spurs were it not for a series of factors (injury being one of them) including such big competition for the midfield spot. Since joining the candystripes in 2015, Mceneff has developed hugely as a footballer becoming an integral part of the league of Ireland side. I was always a fan of Mceneff at Spurs but it was after a Derry game just under two seasons back when I realised what a talent the former Spurs man was. It was a game involving Derry city and Shamrock rovers, Mceneff dictated the midfield his passing and decision making both top notch he had an air of confidence about his game.

The Irishman has developed a real goal scoring quality to his game, with a thumping long range shot and an excellent penalty record, Mceneff has seven league goals for Derry this season. He has established himself as one of the teams most influential players, and I’m sure he will continue to improve at the Irish club. Im sure we will see Aaron back in English football at sometime in the future as he continues to flourish with Derry city, on a different note Aaron’s brother Jordan who was at one time on our books as an under 14 has signed a two year scholarship with Arsenal, another very talented and skilful player. Spurs have helped develop a lot of Irish youth over the past few seasons, with Kenneth Mcevoy, Tom McDermott and Aaron Mceneff among the most recent, but the one to watch out for over the coming seasons is highly rated Dubliner and Spurs under 16 striker Troy Parrot. I wish Aaron all the very best for the remainder of his season with Derry. COYS