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Diarmuid O’Carroll is Motherwell’s new Under 18s manager.

The 32-year-old replaces Darren O’Dea, who left for Celtic earlier this month.

As a player, O’Carroll started life at Celtic, but despite a loan to Ross County in 2007 and an Under 21 cap for the Republic of Ireland, he never made the breakthrough in the east end of Glasgow.

He spent a year at Morecambe and another at Airdrie, before signing a short-term deal with Valur in Iceland.

He returned to the UK in 2011 and spent the next seven years of his career in Northern Ireland, turning out for the likes of Glenavon, Cliftonville and Crusaders.

At almost all his clubs, Diarmuid has been involved in some element of coaching and it was whilst in Northern Ireland that he started his coaching education with the IFA, where he is now waiting to start his UEFA Pro Licence course.

Most recently, as well as been a UEFA B licence coach educator, O’Carroll has been working in Las Vegas.

“I’m really happy to be at Motherwell,” O’Carroll said: “I’m joining a great coaching staff and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“Once the opportunity arose, I knew it was one I wanted to take. This club has an exceptional pedigree of developing young talent, and I hope to play my part in helping the next generation come through.”

Motherwell manager Stephen Robinson added: “Diarmuid is an excellent addition and we are very much looking forward to working with him.

“We conducted a robust process with the appointment, which included a practical session on the park with our players, and we are excited by what he can bring to the group.”

Jamie Semple netted a double as Motherwell defeated Dunfermline Athletic 2-0 in the SPFL Reserve League Cup.

The midfielder grabbed a goal in either half, as the Steelmen dominated the game at Broadwood Stadium to claim their second win in the group stage.

Maurice Ross again called upon a number of first team players. Trevor Carson, Bevis Mugabi, Barry Maguire, Casper Sloth and Mark O’Hara all featured, while Christy Manzinga also featured in attack.

After both sides traded possession in the opening exchanges, the hosts started to gain momentum halfway through the first half and took the lead with 10 minutes remaining.

Ross MacIver’s cross from the right was met by Semple in the box, bundling home to open the scoring.

Semple headed against the crossbar early on in the second half, with O’Hara and Manzinga also having chances to extend the lead.

Then, with five minutes remaining, the game was put to bed. Semple found space on the edge of the box and fired in, although the visiting keeper will feel aggrieved to have not kept it out.

Motherwell: Carson, Cornelius, Hussain, Mugabi, Brown, Maguire, O’Hara, Sloth, MacIver, Semple, Manzinga.

Subs: Connolly, Starrs, Williamson, Muir, Kettings.

Motherwell take on Dunfermline Athletic on Monday afternoon in the SPFL Reserve League Cup.

Maurice Ross’ side already have a victory in the competition this season, winning their first group match 4-1 against Greenock Morton.

Kick off at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld is at 2pm.

PJ Morrison has been loaned to Cowdenbeath for one week on an emergency loan.

The goalkeeper will join the League Two side after injuries in the Blue Brazil’s current squad.

Cowdenbeath, who have won three on the bounce, travel to face Queen’s Park on Saturday.

Motherwell surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 with Hamilton Academical in the Reserve League on Monday.

Casper Sloth’s well-taken first half goal had Maurice Ross’ side ahead at the break, before Christy Manzinga’s cross was turned into the net thanks to an own goal from Ciaran McKenna early in the second.

But Jamie Hamilton’s double, both headed efforts from set plays, ensured the visitors left with a share of the spoils.

A host of first team players got minutes at Broadwood Stadium. Trevor Carson, Bevis Mugabi, Christian Ilic, Barry Maguire and the aforementioned Sloth all featured, with some getting the full 90 under their belts.

It took just five minutes for Motherwell to take the lead. Dean Cornelius, starting at right back, got down the flank and crossed for Ilic. The Croatian quickly laid the ball into the path of Sloth just outside the area, and he put his laces through the bouncing ball to find the bottom left corner of the net.

A back-and-forth fixture then looked to be firmly in the Steelmen’s grasp seven minutes into the second period. The powerful run of Manzinga took him from middle to right, before firing the ball in low and hard to the six yard box.

There were no Motherwell takers but, despite calls from his goalkeeper who had come to gather, McKenna inadvertently steered the ball into his own net.

Thirteen minutes later, Accies were back in the game. Defender Hamilton rose at the back post on the left side to power home a header from a perfectly-weighted free kick.

Motherwell struggled to create chances and, at the death, had their lead taken from them. A carbon copy free kick from the other side was met by Jamie Hamilton, who placed his header past Carson to take the draw.

Motherwell: Carson, Cornelius, Mugabi, Devine (McDonald), Hussain, Maguire (Brown), Sloth, Semple, MacIver, Ilic, Manzinga (Starrs).

Subs: Connolly, Williamson, Muir, Kettings.

Motherwell’s reserve side take on Hamilton Academical in the SPFL Reserve League on Monday afternoon.

Kick off at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld is at 2pm.

Motherwell’s reserve side made it back-to-back wins over Greenock Morton in a 2-0 victory on Monday.

Jermaine Hylton and Findlay Cook got the goals for the Steelmen in the SPFL Reserve League, following on from the 4-1 win in the Reserve League Cup last week.

Christy Manzinga featured as he continues his push towards the first team, having been sidelined with a hamstring injury prior to signing.

Casper Sloth also featured at Broadwood, as he steps up his recovery.

Hylton netted in the first half, receiving the pass from Dean Cornelius, fooling his marker with a stepover before firing home.

Substitute Cook then got the second midway through the second half, with his shot from just inside the area being deflected over the goalkeeper and into the net.

Motherwell: Morrison, Brown, Devine, Hussain, McDonald, Cornelius, Sloth, Kettings, MacIver, Hylton, Manzinga.

Subs: Connolly, Starrs, Williamson, Muir, Cook.

Motherwell’s reserves host Greenock Morton on Monday in the SPFL Reserve League.

Christy Manzinga and Casper Sloth are expected to feature for Maurice Ross’ side, as they take on the Ton for the second week in a row.

The young Steelmen were 4-1 winners at Cappielow in the Reserve League Cup last week.

Kick off at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld is at 2pm.

Motherwell opened their Reserve League Cup Group A campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Morton at Cappielow.

Goals from Yussuf Hussain, Ross MacIver and a Christian Ilic double ensured last year’s finalists got off to the perfect start.

Maurice Ross was able to call on the likes of Ilic and Craig Tanner for the cup tie, whist Livingstone, Barry Maguire, David Devine and Dean Cornelius also have top-team experience.

Motherwell made a positive start to the match with a low Ilic shot and a MacIver effort over the bar setting the early tone for the afternoon.

The hosts didn’t heed that warning though as the Steelmen got themselves ahead with their next attack.

An impressive passing combination allowed Tanner to collect deep in Morton territory. He turned well before whipping a ball across goal where Ilic was on hand to head home from close range.

The Steelmen had a golden opportunity to double their advantage ten minutes later, when Ilic was brought down inside the box for a penalty.

Cole Starrs stepped up, but his low effort was expertly turned away by Sam Ramsbottom in the home goal.

‘Well continued to dominate and the second was inevitable. It came via a set-piece just before the half hour mark, Tanner’s dipping corner was prodded home at the back post by Hussain.

Tanner was proving a threat from deep and he almost got his name amongst the scorers himself, his shot deflected on route after good hold up play by Starrs inside the area.

He was in the mix again shortly after, twisting and turning in the box only for his low shot to be turned away by Ramsbottom.

Just before the break, Ilic had a wonderful chance to make it three, when he found himself one-on-one with Ramsbottom. The Morton keeper did well to stand up and got a vital block before it was hooked clear.

The second half started much as the same the first ended, with the Fir Parkers on top. Tanner’s low pass had Starrs haring away from the last ‘Ton defender, but Ramsbottom was again equal to the low shot.

Incredibly, with their first real attack of the afternoon, Morton reduced the arrears by one. A long, hopeful punt over the top had Shaun Rodgers racing clear. He used the bounce of the ball to loop it smartly over Morrison and into the net.

Motherwell recovered from that bow and could and perhaps should’ve reestablished their two goal advantage, but Starrs could only turn a Tanner corner wide of target under no pressure.

Findlay Cook was introduced in place of Starrs for the last ten minutes and his first touch was to send a fizzing shot over the cross bar from the edge of the box.

‘Well wrapped up the game in the dying minutes when Ross MacIver got on the end of a Livingstone cross from the left to bundle home at the second attempt, before Ilic grabbed his second of the game, slamming home after Cornelius’ tempting ball from the left.

Motherwell: Morrison, Brown (McDonald), Livingstone, Hussain, Devine, Maguire, Cornelius, MacIver, Tanner, Ilic, Starrs (Cook)

Subs Not Used: Connolly, Muir, Kettings, Williamson

Motherwell are in SPFL Reserve Cup action on Tuesday, as we travel to take on Greenock Morton.

Maurice Ross’ side kicked off their league campaign with a battling 3-3 draw at Ross County last week, with Dean Cornelius scoring two and Craig Tanner also netting.

Kick off at Cappielow is at 2pm.