Football player James McClean has expressed his gratitude to the neighborhood where he grew up for giving him the courage to pursue his footballing dreams.
The star, who was born in Creggan, earned his 100th cap for the Republic of Ireland on Monday against Gibraltar.
He is just the seventh player to represent the Republic in 100 matches.
McClean said to BBC Radio Foyle, "I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for everything I learned growing up in Creggan.
Later on today, a celebration will be held in the Derry neighborhood on the street where McClean once honed his footballing prowess to honor his 100 caps.
He assured The North West Today program that he would be there and that it would be nice to speak with and see the locals once more.
"I'm proud to call Creggan my home," he continued. They are happy with me as well.
They feel invested in my career, and I value that so much. That's a great, grounded way to be, and I'm one of them. Creggan deserves all of my gratitude. ".
It's not the first time Creggan has recognized one of its footballing sons.
In Creggan, a massive McClean mural adorns a Central Drive wall. Barcelona has a Messi mural, Naples has a Maradona mural.
He still finds it strange that it is a tribute.
"I'll never get accustomed to passing the mural in Creggan as I walk. I used to kick a ball around the Creggan shops when I was a kid, and here I am on the end of a wall.
For my family to pass by every day is strange, but also very special.
Since leaving his hometown club Derry City, McClean, now 34, has had a long career in England, playing for Sunderland, Stoke, Wigan Athletic, and West Bromwich Albion.
The 34-year-old experienced abuse, which is well-known. It has been a career not without difficulties.
According to him, it is on a "different scale" than what other players deal with. He claimed that his upbringing had helped him cope with the worst of it.
Most often, it's water off a duck's back. Your surroundings have shaped who you are. Strong and resilient, Creggan. That describes who I am as a person.
"In a good place right now - and content," says Ireland's newest football centurion.
As for going back to the place where it all began, he is not ruling it out.
"I've always been honest when I say that Derry City is where I want to finish my career. There isn't a timeline for that as of yet. ".
"You never rule things out because you never know what's around the corner," he continued.
