Background
McCusker was born in Maghera and attended Street Patrick"s College there.
McCusker was born in Maghera and attended Street Patrick"s College there.
He played club football with Watty Graham"s Global Assembly Cache Glen until retiring in 2007. McCusker was part of Derry"s 1993 All-Ireland Championship winning side, as well as the 1993 and 1998 Ulster Championship winning teams. He earned a reputation for his ability to play in either defence or attack.
Regarded as one of the best Derry minor players of all time, McCusker was called up at age 17 to the Derry"s senior team during the 1988 National Football League by then manager Tom Scullion.
McCusker made his Derry senior debut that year against Armagh and scored a goal in that match to save Derry from relegation. He was part of Derry"s 1993 Ulster Championship and All-Ireland winning team, which defeated Cork in the final.
McCusker added a second Ulster Championship medal in 1998. McCusker and Derry finished runners-up to Offaly in the 1998 National League decider.
In September 2008 McCusker was appointed part of a special selection committee set up by the Derry County Board, to interview the candidates for the vacant Derry Senior, Under 21 and Minor managers" positions in both football and hurling.
Following the committee"s recommendations, Damian Cassidy was formally ratified as new Derry Senior football manager at the county board meeting on 7 October. He played club football up until 2007 when a serious leg break finished his career. Fergal McCusker also had a brief stint playing soccer for Ballyclare Comrades F.C.