Penalty hero Jimmy Corcoran hoping to help Preston North End reach quarter-finals of FA Youth Cup

Jimmy Corcoran warming-up with the Preston squad before the New Year's Day game at Rotherham

The Lilywhites kids have beaten Charlton Athletic and Norwich City to reach this stage, both clubs boasting a higher category of academy than PNE.

Norwich are a category-one academy but North End beat them 3-0 on a snowy night at Deepdale last month with goals from Adam O’Reilly, Lewis Earl and Louis Potts.

In December’s third-round clash with Charlton, Preston won on penalties after the game has finished 2-2.

Preston youth team goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran in action against Norwich City in the FA Youth Cup

Goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran saved two spot-kicks in the shoot-out that night and the Irish starlet is enjoying the cup run.

Corcoran is a first-year scholar with North End and has played for the Republic of Ireland at Under-17s.

Like several others in the youth team, he has experienced training with the first team this season.

Looking ahead to the clash with Bury, Corcoran told the Post: “They are in our league and we know it will be a tough game.

“But if we play as well on the night as we know we can do, we will give ourselves a good chance.

“We played very well in the last round against Norwich.

“In that game we had a very young back four – we had an Under-16 at left-back and two first years at centre-half, so to keep a clean sheet against a category-one side was great.”

Corcoran, who turned 17 last week, was spotted by PNE playing in Dublin.

He came over to train a few times before starting his scholarship last summer.

“I come from Meath, out in the country, and a couple of years ago I signed for Cherry Orchard,” said Corcoran.

“It meant a lot of travelling on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for training and games, so I’ve a lot to thank my parents for.

“A Preston scout over in Ireland saw me play and they offered me a contract.”

The winners of Friday night's clash (7pm) have a home tie against either Liverpool or Wigan Athletic in the last eight.

Season ticket holders from both clubs can get in free to the game, while it is £4 for adults on the turnstiles, £2 concessions and free for Under-11s when accompanied by an adult.

Bury's youth team coach is former PNE defender Ryan Kidd who was part of North End's Second Division title-winning side in the 1999/2000 season.