I first started playing Gaelic Football at the age of six when I joined Round Towers
the local team. I played with them for six years. During that time I was on a
championship winning team and league cup winning team. I always played at
centre half back, a position I learned fcrom my brother Paul who still,
to this day plays for Round Towers. My best memory of those days would be
winning the Division Two Championship and Cup in the same season. I was
selected as player of the tournament in a Gaelic Football blitz in Coolock
when I was only eight. You can read about some of my exploits on the Round
Towers web site.
During the time I was playing Gaelic Football, I found a new passion for playing
soccer. I joined Bluebell United from Inchicore. I was playing three years above
my age togging out for the under-10's side at the age of only seven. During my
time there, I played up front. After a year I left as Bluebell were in the "C" league
and I was asked to join Templeogue United, an "A" team. During my time
there, I won the "A" league and the league cup. I won player of the year for two
consecutive years and then, when the opportunity came to join a Premier team,
Crumlin United, I took it. I was twelve. At Crumlin United, I won three Premier
titles, two league cups and two all-Irelands and also got a number of different trials
with clubs from England and Scotland. I went to West Ham United, Glasgow
Rangers and Nottingham Forest. It was a great experience and one that
enlightened me into the world of professional football across the sea. I am due to
go to Newcastle in the coming months for further trials.
I was twelve when I came to Moyle Park. I took my sporting interests with me and
played for the First year soccer team where I was captain for the year. I also
played for the First year Gaelic Football team where I was coached by Johnny
Roebuck. I didn't play for the school teams in second year due to outside
commitments. However, in third year, I played soccer for the under-16's
coached by Mr Kenny where I finished as the top goal scorer on the team. We got
to the quarter final of the schools' cup.
Now that I am in 5th year I play for the under-18's Gaelic and soccer teams as well
as the under-16 Gaelic and soccer teams. I continue to play soccer for Crumlin
United. This summer I was selected by the Irish coach, Vincent Butler, to
compete in the Galway Cup with the Irish development squad. We finished
runners-up after playing a number of well known English sides such as Newcastle
United, Leeds United, Ipswich Town (read a report here) and Sheffield United.
We played Leicester in the final. I got injured after a tackle and, sadly, had to
come off.
I would love to play professional soccer in England when I leave school. Given the
experience I have so far, I think I would make a success of it.
