Speaking to Craig Farquhar’s former teammates and managers, certain themes emerge: an appreciation for his ferocious pace, his presence, his willingness to learn and, perhaps most of all, the absolute belief that the 20-year-old has what he has. is takes succeed in professional games.
Farquhar swapped the League of Ireland for the Premier League on Tuesday, securing a move to Crystal Palace after barely six months in full-time football with Larne and less than a year after his senior Ballymena United debut.
Those involved with the Sky Blues knew that special talent was emerging from their academy, as when Kofi Balmer progressed before having the exact same career as Farquhar a few years ago.
“The first thing I noticed was his presence,” says former Ballymena U20 assistant coach and manager Kingsley Burrows. – He was as aggressive in training as he was in the game and he took no prisoners.
Craig Farquhar joined Crystal Palace from Larne on Tuesday. PIC: CPFCCraig Farquhar joined Crystal Palace from Larne on Tuesday. PIC: CPFC
Craig Farquhar joined Crystal Palace from Larne on Tuesday. PHOTO: CPFC
andquot;I had him when I was 17 or 18, I think, and there was a guy who played like he was 20.
“I only had him for about three months this season because he was on loan to Dundela.
Niall Currie’s short-term loan deal with Duns in January 2022 was Farquhar’s first taste of senior football. He played in 12 championship games at Wilgar Park in a team that also included Rhys Annett and Ryan McKay, who later moved to the arena full-time with Linfield.
“He did a great job for us,” recalls club captain Jay Magee. “Craig had everything – height, strength, speed and he could take the ball off his back and play.
“He played on the right and you could tell he had a bit of him. You knew he had it.
And so were we Rhys and Ryan, and you could just tell by their attitudes and manner that these kids had it. You knew they would end up in the top flight or even across the water.”
Farquhar, who was named U20 captain for 2022/23 following Burrows’ return, played 23 times for Ballymena’s reserves before being called up by by David Jeffrey in the last game of the 3rd game on Tuesday night at the end of February minutes off the bench -0 loss to Larne
Another substitute appearance against the Crusaders this weekend followed and there was no looking back as Farquhar became a regular part of the Irish. Cup final team.
“On his training debut you could tell he was a very good player,” says current Ballymena star Scot Whiteside. “I played with Craig when I was back in the 20s, so I knew how good he was and what he was capable of.”
“We had a few injuries and so Craig just happened to get his chance”
“When he got the chance, he took it and started every game and got better all the time.”
For the second year in a row with the Crusaders in a Windsor Park showdown, Farquhar struck in a 2-0 semi-final win at Larne Seaview and set a record for his maiden goal for the Sky Blues.
“I never remember celebrating a goal like I did when Craig scored, laughs Burrows. “We were behind the goal and we were jumping up and down and going crazy”
“I must have caught myself, because I celebrated how my son won!
Farquhar caught the eye of opposition boss Tiernan Lynch, who brought him to Larne this summer and provided a springboard that helped secure a dream move.
“He’s a kid I think he has a chance.” Lynch said. “I think he has a little bit of everything”
“He’s got a nasty streak, he can play, he’s aggressive and I think he just needs to add to his game, he needs to communicate a little better and grow himself… this opportunity will do that.”
Balmer Comparison easy considering they went from Ballymena youth stars to Selhurst Park via Inver Park and played with both, Whiteside believes the duo have success in England in their own right,” he added. “Kofi was a versatile player and you could play him anywhere and he wouldn’t look out of place.
“Craig is six foot 5 and dominates in the air and you can see that playing at such a young age.
“He runs both boxes, a real threat from sets.
“He has speed, height, good ball – everything a modern centre-half has. I have no doubt he will succeed.”
With Farquhar joining Sean Moore (West Ham) and Terry Devlin (Portsmouth) in securing the League of Ireland premiership over the past seven months, Tomas Cosgrove is confident that more local talent can develop if you give them the chance.
“You want to see more and more of them go,” he said of Larne’s youth. “I think there are a few more in the youth teams who will come forward and that’s great to see.
“There was a lot more attention on the League of Ireland and the boys came through and showed they were more than good enough”
