Young Referee Attacked
An exclusive reaction to an alleged viscious assault on Roy Kavanagh.
An alleged assault that occurred over the Bank Holiday weekend in County Dublin within the Rep of Ireland has attracted vast media attention. A young referee by the name of Roy Kavanagh was allegedly attacked and kicked following an U15 schoolboy match by one of the teams coaches. We got some words from the referee in question Roy Kavanagh who is unable to make any comments via media outlets due to a pending legal case. Roy was allegedly kicked to the stomach, hand and leg during a vicious assault.
(An alleged vicious kick caused serious harm to Roy's body)
A shocking alleged story, a need for change of how some parents/coaches conduct themselves on the sideline of kids football games goes beyond this, this is one of many incidents to reach the media.
(Damaged caused to Roy's leg during the alleged assault)
We asked if Roy could speak about the incident, he responded
"I can make no comment on the incident Saturday due to a pending legal case, although I am overwhelmed and extremely grateful for peoples support I would ask people respect that I will be following this matter up with the authorities, details and naming of persons involved will be handled by the authorities"
We asked how Roy was feeling since the incident
"I can make no comment on the incident, however I am left with extensive bruising and I will admit that I am shocked and upset by what happened. I can't give any details on the incident. I just hope this can highlight the need to respect all involved in the game. We all try our best at the end of the day, referees included, it's just a game, these are kids, the referees are human to, there is no need no matter the circumstances to allow frustrations or emotions ruin something so many should and can enjoy, it should be about the kids at the end of the day"
You got up the following day to referee? that's an amazing show of courage, what a hero!
"I don't want to be seen as a hero at all ha, I got up the next day to referee because I don't believe any one person should stop you doing what you love, I had a game and I would never miss a game, I love doing this. The real hero's are people like the people at Broadford Rovers and Leixlip United football club who I refereed that morning (day after assault) and the people who came to my aid during the incident on Saturday (unable to name club or make comment), there are plenty like them in football!....The people at Broadford Rovers and Leixlip United welcomed me yesterday (day after alleged assault) and saw I was carrying injures, they told me to take my time and if I wanted to abandon the game I could and they would fully understand that, when I decided to continue with the game they assured me there would be no trouble and respect shown at all times. The game went ahead and was enjoyed by all in the true spirit of football, they even insisted on giving me a lift afterwards, that to me is the stories that should be highlighted, the good in football far outweigh the bad"
Here is the original Facebook post by Roy.
Fabian De Marco
You might recognize this man from YouTube. The inspirational Fabian De Marco has over 500 YouTube videos online in the hope they can inspire and motivate young footballers across the globe. We recently caught up with this highly motivational Australian coach for a chat to find out more about Fabian and what motivates him.
Why football, what sparked your interest in the game from a young age?
I remember as a young kid from as early as four years old sitting on the couch next to my Dad watching a game of football. I didn't understand much but i knew there was something fascinating about this game. As I grew older my dad would take me every now and then to watch a live game, from that moment onward I was hooked on the game. The roar of the crowd, the chanting, the singing, I was infected from an early age and I knew from that moment onward football was going to be a huge part of my life.
2. Did you play, and if so what was your playing career like?
As a youth player up until the age of sixteen I played at the highest level in the Australian Premier Youth League Competition. Technically I was always one of the better players in the squad but I always lacked a physical presence. I had poor fitness and I wasn't very quick. That said I did enjoy huge success in my youth playing days often being called to play with older age groups and I came very close to attaining a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport. A well know ex team mate of mine was none other than Tim Cahill (Former Everton Player) and current Australian national team player.
At the age of seventeen my discipline began to fade, I wasn't training in the off season, I was more concerned about buying a car and meeting girls than I was about my football. After returning to my club in poor shape for the new season I was released. I was so frustrated by that set back that I came to a decision not to pursue playing at the highest level, instead opting to play in a lower league where the training requirements were not as demanding and I could enjoy more free time. As the years went by I began to see a number of my ex team mates playing professionally, participating in Youth World Cups and I was left with this sickening feeling in my stomach thinking, what if? what if I had decided to continue playing at the highest level and remained focused and committed. .what if!!
3. Talk to us about your coaching career, what's the journey been like thus far?
I began my coaching career at thirty years of age coinciding with the launch of my football development academy called Galaxy Football School in Partnership with West Ham United International Academy. From there I began to learn my craft as a coach. I was privileged to be invited to London and spent time at West Ham United with the clubs Academy coaches and spent considerable time under the guidance of then West Ham Assistant Academy Director Paul Heffer. Paul offered some great insight and really provided an excellent foundation for me to begin working within youth football development. When I returned to Australia I started coaching a group of Youth Players aged between the ages 15yrs-18yrs. I had a certain development philosophy which I wanted to implement with my players which was centered around self belief.
4. Why coaching, what was your motivation to become a coach?
I strongly believe that I gave up a professional career at an early age because of a lack of self discipline, poor attitude and a lack of self belief. I originally started my coaching journey for one reason and only one reason, and that is to help as many youth footballers as possible realize their dream of becoming a professional footballer. If you were to go back and watch every single one of my 500+ coaching videos on YouTube you will see one continuous theme that flows through everything that I do. I am there to help the players fulfill their full potential, nothing more and nothing less!
5. Statistics show that most coaches within the professional game now days come from a professional playing background. What's your opinion on coaches with a non playing background at professional level vs coaches who have the experience of playing at that standard?
This is an interesting one because everything on paper would suggest that an ex professional footballer should be much better suited to coaching than a coach who hasn't got that experience. One thing that I have learned is that coaching is a completely different skill to playing. It requires dedication, passion, insight, intelligence, man management, motivation, an ability to communicate and deliver a message in the right way, a vision, a philosophy...the list goes on. You only need to look at coaches like Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger, Rafa Benitez, Andreas Villas Boas, Sven Goran Eriksson, Gerard Houllier and Arrigo Sacchi to name few who never established themselves as professional players at the highest level yet they are some of the most respected coaches in football. In my opinion it all comes down to the coaching mentality. If a coach believes that a professional playing background is vital to coaching success then it will be vital to his success. However if another coach believes that they are more than capable of success without the professional background it will not affect them in the slightest. Both will be correct!
6. Based on your own coaching experience, what advice would you give to young aspiring coaches?
For youth football it’s all about development of the players. The best advice I could give any youth coach is this, care more about your players than you do about your image. Care more about your players than you do about your reputation, care more about your players than you do about your results. I know you must be thinking, hang on a second Fab, without a good image, without an excellent reputation and without winning results I will never get a job again? Remember this, the success of your players is your business card, as a youth coach your only KPI should be the development and success of your players, this is not something you can fake either, players are very intelligent and can quickly figure out if you are sincere in your approach. When you are sincere and care about the player’s development above everything else they will respect you more and most importantly they will begin to believe in themselves more. For senior coaches out there, it's more about tactical awareness as opposed to individual development, you need to spend time on developing your own way of playing and building yourself a great team of coaches and players around you that best suit that philosophy. You need to breathe that vision into your staff and players. The more you believe, the more they believe.
7. Who is your football idol and why?
As a kid growing up playing football I always idolised Alessandro Del Piero, I am a huge Inter Milan fan so idolizing a player that played for Juventus was quite difficult at times, but Alessandro just played the game with such class, he was always a player that I looked up to. I also admired the Brazilian Ronaldo and Roberto Baggio. Now a days I tend to widen the scope of influencers in my life to people such as Napoleon Hill, Jim Rohn and Eric Thomas.
8. Can you recommend any books/dvd's?
I never actually read or watched DVD's or read football development books, I would usually just search YouTube and Facebook pages like Keepitonthedeck for new ideas and the only books I read were football drills manuals etc. In saying that I have read some books that have changed my life and I would highly recommend reading them. Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie, The Richest Man in Babylon by George S Clason, The Kybalion by The Three Initiates, The Science of Being Great by Wallace D Wattles Rich Dad and Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki.
9. If you could give only one piece of advice to a young aspiring footballer, what would that advice be?
For any player that aspires to become a professional I will give this advice. The journey to the top of anything is not going to be easy, are you prepared to sacrifice? Are you prepared to face rejection after rejection and keep coming back for more? Are you prepared to work harder than you have ever worked at anything before? Are you prepared to miss out on all the best parties and social events? Are you prepared to listen to criticism and constructive feedback even when you don't agree? Are you prepared to sit on the bench with no explanation as to why you are there? Are you prepared to be laughed at by people who don't believe in you? Are you prepared to do whatever you have to do in order to make it as a professional footballer? If you have answered yes to everything without doubt, then you will be successful. The problem with most players today is that they are so caught up in the hype and the glitz and glamour that they get lost in the grind and eventually lose their drive. Go into it knowing that no matter what they throw your way you will push through it and eventually claim your prize!
10. What does the future hold for Fabian De Marco in terms of coaching?
At this stage there are no plans to return to coaching, I am enjoying spending time with the family and living a pretty quite life at the moment. In saying that, I often think about my players and wish them the very best with their football careers. Just hearing about their successes each week is like an injection of satisfaction, knowing that my philosophy of always putting the players development first has had a huge impact on so many players lives a great feeling. My two boys will begin playing football in about 3 year’s time, I might return to coach their U6's side :)
Visit Fabian De Marco Facebook page CLICK HERE
Visit Fabian De Marco YouTube Channel CLICK HERE
Cory Galvin
Setbacks can break so many talented players and destroy careers, one minute you’re on top of the world playing for one of England’s most famous football clubs, then within the blink of an eye you can find yourself without a club and your whole world turned upside down. Football at the professional level is a business now days, and in a cut throat business it takes mental toughness, ambition and focus to progress. One such player with both a mental toughness and ambition is Cory Galvin.
Cory Galvin grew up on the north side of Cork City (Rep of Ireland) in a place called Dublin Hill. His journey into the world of football began at just five years of age when he signed for local club Leeds AFC. The next eight years provided many fond memories for the Cork native who mixed his football with various other Sports all within a stone’s throw from his home. By age thirteen a move to College Corinthians came about and football by then had well and truly become his sole focus.
Cory was part of a very successful Corinthians side who would go on to win every major honor possible with the exception of the National Cup during a two year period at the club, amazingly the side was beaten on just two occasions during that period of time!. By the end of 2010 (under 13’s) Cory was an established member of the Cork League selection panel who played at the prestigious Kennedy Cup tournament in Limerick. Attended by scouts from across the water the tournament provides a platform for young emerging talent to showcase their potential. Cory excelled and would be offered a number of trials with English clubs. One club in particular was keen to capture the signing of the technically gifted midfielder, Ipswich Town Football Club!
One year on from the Kennedy Cup and just fifteen years of age Cory made the move across the water to join Ipswich Town following three trials with the Suffolk outfit. He remained at the club over a four year period and would go on to be decorated with caps at International level for his Country at every age group from U15’s to U18’s all whilst benefiting greatly from the experience of playing within one of England’s most famous youth academy’s. A gifted player with a love for the game, the world was at his feet.
In the summer of 2015 Ipswich Town decided not to renew the youngster’s contract. Setbacks can be the making of many players if they are made of the right stuff, and judging by Cory’s progress and reaction since leaving Ipswich one suspect’s this is a decision that club may well live to regret in the future. Cory attended various trials back home in Ireland before eventually deciding a move to Waterford United and the opportunity to play under first team manager Roddy Collins was the right place to start a fresh. Keepitonthedeck.com recently caught up with Cory to speak about his experiences abroad and get some insight into what lies ahead for this talented footballer...
1. What does football mean to you Cory?
Football is my life, it’s something I have been obsessed with since I was very young. Even before I started playing the game at five years of age I always had a ball at my feet. I’m still obsessed with the game to this day, I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing than playing a match or training. I've dedicated my life to the game since I was very young. From a young age I was very focused on football and were I wanted to go, I still am, I train away from football in the gym regularly, watch and study the game, I look after myself, eat the right foods, it’s a lifestyle, one that I love. I recently seen a documentary about Freddie Roach, people will probably know him as Manny Pacquioa's boxing coach, he said " I live life to the fullest and living life to the fullest for me means spending 12 hours a day at the Wildcard" (His gym). I think you need that if you want to get to the top in any sport, a love and dedication for your chosen profession and a dedication to self improvement. You see it now with Conor McGregor, he loved MMA when he started doing it, he was obsessed with it and dedicated his life to it, and he’s now the world champion. It’s something I think you develop when you're really young, as a kid when you fall in love with the game and if you still have that love, passion and obsession for the game as you get older I think you have definitely got a chance of learning, improving and getting somewhere.
2. How did you become interested in the game and what are your earliest memories of playing?
I started playing just like the majority of kids at five to get involved in a team. You'd probably have to ask my mam or dad but I can remember all I did from a young age was play football. My earliest memory of being involved with a team was when I missed a penalty in training one day, we had the big orange traffic cones for goals at the time and we were playing on the back pitch down in Leeds, behind the astro, although I'm not sure if the astro was there at the time. I was probably six and I remember I hit the cone! In a game I still think it would have gone in though ha!
3. How did the move to Ipswich Town come about?
The move to Ipswich came about after the Kennedy Cup, it was the first trial I got and I went in the August I think it was. I went for a week with a few other Irish lads and we had a great time. I was fourteen. It turned out they had been watching me for quite a while before in games around Cork for my club and the Cork team, but I wasn't aware. They kept it quiet, whereas other scouts from other clubs had approached us already, I had no clue about Ipswich but as soon as the Kennedy Cup ended they were the first to get in touch and set a date. Going on trial can be a very boring experience but Ipswich was good fun, we stayed in the hotel with the scouts and we had a good laugh. The scouts were very good people and made sure the experience was a good one for all the lads going over. I went on trial only 2/3 times before they offered me a contract. It all happened very quickly really and before I knew it I was packing my bags and moving away from home. I couldn't wait to be honest, I just done my Junior Cert, I knew I didn't do so well in Junior Cert and I couldn't stick having to face another year of school, it happened fast but I liked it and it was exactly what I wanted so I was excited for it. If you offer a fifteen year old the chance to go and become a footballer and train everyday most will probably snap your hand off, I was no different.
4. What was your time in England like and how different was it from playing at home
My time in England was very different from home. The first six weeks or so were tough, it was hard but I never considered packing it in. Playing football was all I ever wanted to do and I had the chance, I knew I would have to get used to it and I did. I had very good support though, my mam and dad were very good and still are to this day, we're a close family and I have had their support in everything since I was very young. I moved to Ipswich on a Sunday and my dad was coming back over on the Friday for the weekend, that midweek I got called up to Ireland U16s and because I was too young to fly on my own I got to go home with my dad on the Sunday! I got a breather a few days at home in my own bed, got to see my friends and it helped. The academy manager at the time was brilliant too, along with the head of recruitment, they brought me to the club, both really looked out for me. It was a year in which I grew up a lot, my first year as an apprentice was very good, we got a new academy manager and the club changed a lot in a short space of time. It was a very different year to my first season at the club. I spent four months away from home at one stage and it was like water off a ducks back for me, I grew up a lot really and settled into it. I was enjoying my football too and that always helps. My final year at the club was the worst in a football sense because I think in terms of minutes I played about six or seven games in the U21 league all season, I barely played at all really and I was never injured, I just didn't get the opportunity to play, in one sense looking back it was surprisingly my most beneficial year. I learned more in a shorter space of time in my final year about the game and how it works, how it really is a business and how ruthless it is. I learned a lot and I really wouldn't change a second of it.
5. If you could offer one piece of advice to young aspiring footballers heading across the water to play, based on your own playing experiences in England, what would that advice be?
My advice would be to be your own man but be intelligent and be clever. Talk to your mam and dad, ask them for advice and keep a very small circle. Trust no one and just make sure that whatever happens you can look yourself in the mirror at the end of each day and not have to lie to yourself, be able to say that you worked hard and you did everything you could. Dedicate yourself to it, don't be a sheep and follow the crowd, football is a business and don't lose sight of the fact that you're over there to try make a career for yourself, for you, so work on yourself and work hard, do it for yourself, not for anyone else. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. You are never going to be happy if you let other people’s opinions bother you, go over and work hard, ask questions and learn. Control what you can control and be prepared for setbacks, things don't always turn out how you want or you may expect them to, just do what you can and wake up every day to work hard.
6. Who is your football idol, and why?
Roy Keane, always has been since a young age. He grew up only five minutes away, it’s an area all my friends are from. He had a dream and he clung to it, he worked hard, took setbacks in his stride from a young age and had a determination and work ethic that's to be admired. He was always idolised in our house back when he was playing for Manchester United.
7. What would a typical days training at Ipswich Town have been like?
A typical days training as an apprentice, we had to be in for 8:30am, training was around 10;30am but we would usually do pre activation stuff in the gym first, although that probably only started in my final two years at the club. We would get in at 8:30am and have some breakfast. Training was two hours and we would probably be in the gym after lunch at two o' clock, or else back out to do another football session. When I turned pro during my last season we never really did double sessions, training was 10:30am but we didn't have to be in till 9:45. My typical day would involve getting up around 8:30am and driving in, I was in everyday just before 9am and I would have my breakfast. I didn't like to eat that close to training and hate rushing so I liked to get in that bit earlier to eat and relax under no pressure. I would usually go to the gym around twenty past nine and do some stretching in the gym for a half an hour or so before training. I was usually on the training pitch with the rest of the lads around 10:15am kicking a ball around before training began. In the afternoons I would go back out myself and do some work on my own with a ball or go to the gym and do weights. The digs could be boring so I would stay in the training ground. In the evenings we had a cinema card thing which meant we could go to as many films as we wanted for £15 pound a month, so we spent most of our time in the cinema after training!
8. What’s the funniest thing you have seen within football?
The funniest thing I have seen in football, I'm not sure really but probably something Jimmy Bullard done when he was at Ipswich! I'm not sure I’m allowed talk about it on here though haha. Myself and some other young lads at the club have been thrown in the ice baths and bins by first team lads in our clothes, so that was probably funny aswell for whoever was watching it!
9. What has the transition from Ipswich to League of Ireland football been like? What's your overall opinion of the League of Ireland?
I hadn't much knowledge of the league of Ireland before I came home as they don't show the games on tv and I was never home, I just watched the premier league or La Liga games really. Since I came back I have been to lots of games and I think the standard is actually pretty good. One thing that stood out to me straight away is all the teams are trying to play the right way, they all seem to play 4/3/3 and try play through the thirds. I was at the Cork City vs Dundalk game in Turners Cross recently, there was probably eight thousand there so I think the league is beginning to get exposure again. It’s a good league to play in as a young player and I'm delighted I made the decision to come back. My transition has been very good, I'm really enjoying my football again because I hadn't enjoyed it in awhile, signing for Waterford and having the opportunity to be working with Roddy Collins is something I’m enjoying immensely. I'm working with a manager who has the exact same views on the game as I do and we are playing a style that we all believe in. Working with Roddy has been a breath of fresh air to be honest and he's given us all the confidence to believe in the system and style he wants to play and when you have that unwavering confidence in the style of play and we all trust each other with the ball, great things can happen and I think we are on the right track. Moving back to the League of Ireland has been very good for those reasons and I'm playing first team football at the end of the day.
10. Your dream wag (Football term for wife)?
Antonella Roccuzo is unreal, Messi's missus but Tom Cleverley's is up there too, Georgina Dorsett is her name I think! I think she models. They would be my top 2 anyway, either of them but I would probably pick Antonella if I ever had the choice! That being said I think anyone would be fairly happy with either.
11. In five years time where do you see yourself being?
I'm not thinking that far ahead to be honest and there's only so much you can control. I'm concentrating on the here and now and playing well in each game and working hard in training. I believe in myself and I'm very confident that I will get to where I want to be. I take confidence from how much work I put in to myself on and off the pitch.
Evan Galvin
Cork native Roy Keane is synonymous with football fans not only in his home town, but throughout Ireland and indeed places far afield. Cork, also known as “The Rebel County” has produced no shortage of internationally acclaimed footballers over the years, Denis Irwin, David Meyler, Liam Millar, Colin Healy, Damien Delaney, Frank O’Farrell and Noel Cantwell are just some examples of players who have gone on to represent their Country at international level.
Meet one of Cork’s up and coming talents who has just embarked upon what he hopes will be a long and successful career, 19 year old Waterford United midfielder Evan Galvin.
Cork native Roy Keane is synonymous with football fans not only in his home town, but throughout Ireland and indeed places far afield. Cork, also known as “The Rebel County” has produced no shortage of internationally acclaimed footballers over the years, Denis Irwin, David Meyler, Liam Millar, Colin Healy, Damien Delaney, Frank O’Farrell and Noel Cantwell are just some examples of players who have gone on to represent their Country at international level.
Meet one of Cork’s up and coming talents who has just embarked upon what he hopes will be a long and successful career, 19 year old Waterford United midfielder Evan Galvin.
Evan Galvin grew up in Dublin Hill, Cork, Ireland and played his schoolboy football for local club Leeds AFC from the tender age of five. Galvin remained at the club until he was thirteen years of age before deciding to join College Corinthians (another Cork club). The next three years were spent at College Corinthians were Galvin attended various trials at English football clubs. From the age of eleven Evan was involved in the Cork Schoolboy representative teams and by age fifteen was capped for the underage Rep of Ireland international side, he would go on to gain caps at Under 15’s, 16’s and 17’s.
The dynamic midfielder’s progress during his time at College Corinthians was closely tracked by Burnley Football Club. By under 16’s Burnley decided to offer Evan a two year scholarship deal. Evan spent the next two seasons playing under the terms of that scholarship deal before he was eventually offered his first professional contract at the Lancashire outfit.
Evan left Burnley in the summer of 2014 when the club decided not to renew his contract. A footballer with a superb attitude and motivation to succeed, this set back was never likely to dissuade the determined Cork man from pursuing a career within the game.
Returning to Ireland Evan began to seek a new club in the hope of gaining first team experience. Following trials at Longford Town, Cork City and Limerick FC, he eventually decided Waterford United and the potential to gain first team experience under manager Roddy Collins was a great opportunity, one he was delighted to take up.
Scoring on his league debut vs Cabinteely Evan has wasted little time making an impact at senior level in Southern Ireland. The youngster continues to grow from strength to strength with each passing game, displaying that same drive and desire to improve and develop he has shown throughout his career to date.
www.keepitonthedeck.com recently caught up with this exciting prospect to find out more with thanks to our 1-11 quick fire Q & A.
1. What does football mean to you?
Football is a very important part of my life and it takes up most of my time between travelling/preparing for games. It's something I'm very grateful to be doing full-time since I'm 16. I love learning and studying the game and I'll continue to learn for the rest of my life, the professional career is a very short one, I have different goals I want to achieve in that time, I want to be involved in the game for as long as I can.
2. How did you become interested in the game and what are your earliest memories of playing the game?
I’m not really sure how I became interested! My mam and dad are very supportive of me playing the game. Both my parents encouraged myself and my brother to play plenty of sports when we were younger, their support has always been of paramount importance to us and continues to be so to this day, football has always been number one, that’s the game I loved. My brother and I started to focus solely on football around thirteen or fourteen years of age. I can remember my very first day at Leeds AFC way back when I was starting out. I scored a penalty on the back pitch behind the clubhouse. We had two traffic cones as goals, mine hit the cone and went in. I was delighted with myself. I can remember a lot of times at Leeds as a kid, happy days and many happy memories at a great schoolboy football club.
3. How did the move to Burnley come about?
I was sixteen at the time and had been on trials at Ipswich Town, Cardiff City and Preston North End without anything materializing from any of those. So I was just playing for my club in Cork hoping to get another opportunity to go on trials elsewhere. Luckily enough I got that opportunity at Burnley Football Club. Around the time I got my trial at Burnley I remember I was also training with Cork City U19s despite being three years below that age category. I went to Burnley and was delighted to be offered a deal by the club. I left school at the end of 4th year and headed off to the UK. Thinking back I’m almost certain if no contract had of been forthcoming I would have ended up signing with Cork City.
4. What was your time in England like and how different was it from playing at home?
I enjoyed my time in England and learned a lot. It's completely different from Ireland. From a football perspective the pace of the game is quicker which takes time to adjust to. It becomes a business and no longer just simply playing a game with your friends. It was a real eye opener, welcome to the real world stuff. They are the main two differences in my opinion.
5. If you could offer one piece of advice to young aspiring footballers heading across the water to play, based on your own playing experiences in England, what would that advice be?
My advice would be to accept that you’re going to have plenty of setbacks, and plenty of people who will try and put you down, remember why you’re there and believe in yourself. Don't worry if you’re not fitting in with everyone, those that do get left behind. If people like you then great, if not who cares? Just be yourself and believe that you can excel in the environment you’re in. Work hard, listen to the good people around you and just focus on learning everyday! If you continuously learn you'll do well.
6. Who is your football idol, and why?
I try and learn from a lot of players, Xavi is my favourite player! Also Roy Keane is someone I look up too as he's from Cork. I love Xavi because of how he plays the game. He makes difficult things look simple. I'd love to get inside his head for a game and see what he's thinking. I enjoy watching him, trying to learn from watching him is an education in itself.
7. What would a typical day training at a professional football club be like?
At Burnley U-21 our typical day would be breakfast at around half nine everyday. Monday we would do a pre-hab session at around half ten for an hour or so. Lunch was at twelve and training at two. Tuesday was our match-day. Wednesday’s we normally had off. Thursday was a light training session and Friday/Saturday were more intense training days. Obviously you've other things going on during the week such as a gym session, video analysis but normally the intensity of our football sessions would be decided by the Sports Science staff. We were finished most days by about half one in the afternoon.
8. What’s the funniest thing you have seen within football?
Haha, that’s a tough one, I don't know really! Banter everyday is part and parcel of football so something funny happens nearly every day you’re in training! Nothing stands out.
9. What’s your best memory of playing the game to date?
My best memory was winning an Under-13 cup with the Cork Schoolboy's League Kennedy Cup squad. We went to Spain and won a trophy out there. We won 2-0 in the final and scored twice in the last two minutes. No better feeling than winning a cup final! My days playing Schoolboy's League football in Cork are the best memories. Paying €2 for the AstroTurf lights at training and €3 for the ref's fee on a Saturday haha...good times!
10. Your dream wag (Football term for wife)?
Back in the day it would have been Cheryl Cole! Messi's wife isn't bad either, I’ll probably go with her, sorry Leo haha.
11. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Playing at a very high level. Making plenty of money to give me and my family a great life and en route to achieving everything I want in the game.
