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Another morning of training, with the regular pre training routine. A shortened version of film analysis so that we could get out on the pitch and get into it. Training wasn’t too extensive really, with a warm up of hand-ball, before going into 11v11 to help prepare for the match tomorrow.

After showering we headed into town for lunch and then off to get a cup of tea/coffee. There was 7 of us so it was good to just spend some relaxed time away from football. A quick stop at the supermarket before we headed home. Wardy and I also got haircuts. For me it was certainly time for a trim as it was getting very thick and bushy. A fresh look which always feels nice. The sun has been shining this afternoon which allowed to read my book outside for an hour or so.

A relaxed evening in which I continued to do research and contact people to see who can assist me and where I could go to seek out other opportunities.

Even though we got in late last night, we still had to be at the gym for 9am. We did our gym routine, then rolled out and stretched before we headed across to the field to begin training. For those of us who had played 90min in the friendly, we didn’t think we were going to train fully and just do recovery. We assumed wrong. A warm up, a few passing drills to get things ticking before a little possession rectangle and then numerous 7v7 games to finish.

Today was the day where I finally got answers regarding my future. Unfortunately after being here close to 2 months, I am not required and nor will I be required come January. These decisions are all part of football, and I’m sure there are many other opportunities out there for me. Now that I know, I can start planning and seeking out what other opportunities I may have. The time spent with Derry City FC has been very valuable for my experience and I will use it in my future opportunities. While I figure out my next move I will still be training with the team.

My afternoon at home was nothing too exciting as I began to lay out options and things I needed to get sorted and know, before I began to seek out new opportunities. As always, a good conversations with the parents helps.

Before I went to sleep, I was able to catch the first half of the Olympic game between the NZ White Ferns and the USA Womens National Team. NZ competed, but the USA showed their class.

Today Wardy and I got to asleep in as we were playing in a friendly match later on, while Conor had to go and do recovery with the team at 10am. The day was not filled with too much excitement. I did a few errands, did some more research and just relaxed.

Wardy and I headed off to meet the rest of the lads who were playing in the friendly that night to travel down in a minivan. Our trip was disrupted due to what seemed to be a bad crash and we were diverted. Eventually we got there. The game was against Magaherafelt Sky Blues FCThe pitch was narrow, but very long. The grass was cut but still long. Our team consisted of all the subs from the night before against Limerick, some youth players, and myself. It was a difficult game to fully get into, but it was more about not making mistakes and doing the simple things right for me. The pitch was making some things difficult but we adapted to the conditions. It was a good challenge nonetheless and good to get solid minutes under the belt. We went into half time up 2-0, when it should have been a few more. At half time we were told to be more ruthless and put them away and dominate more, which we did to an extent. Our keeper only had to make one save. We won the game 6-0. Most our goals came from set piece play. I managed to put two in the back of the net via my head. Always nice to score goals, but its the whole performance that matters.

We showered in what had to have been one of the smallest changing rooms I have ever been in and then went down to a local bar for some food before we headed on home.

Today was the semi final of the EA Cup against Limerick. The day was fairly casual and laid back. Got a few things done around the house, read a bit of my book, but mostly just relaxed. The boys dropped me off at the stadium as they headed to the hotel for the pre match stuff. I was pretty early, but eventually others that were doing extra work before the game showed up. We did our rolling out and then he youth team coach had set up some speed and power exercises on the training ground for us. After a warm up we were straight into it. The work was tough, short, sharp explosive sprinting and turning. I was certainly blowing, but it was needed thats for sure. Our work was done and we headed in for a shower.

The team had warmed up, got their last little pep talk and then headed out for the game. We grabbed a cup of tea and then headed into the stands. It was a frustrating game to watch. Yes, Limerick are in the league below Derry, however they only got relegated last year and are right in line for promotion this year, so they were a bad side at all.

Derry tried to put them under pressure but it just wasn’t cohesive enough and they were able to break us down too often. They scored fairly early in the first half and that is how it stayed. Both teams had good opportunities to score more but both keepers made some excellent saves.

Limericks keeper, Freddy Hall, graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2010, so we had a connection. I was able to grab him before he got back on the bus and we had a quick chat which was good. Very nice down to earth guy.

 

We headed for home finally to get some much needed sleep.

Roll, stretch, mobility, video analysis and eventually we were on the field. A sharp warm up before we went into some attacking phases of play which lead into an 11v11 game to practice a few things that Kenny wanted the team to work on. Before finishing with set pieces, which ended up dragging on for a fair while. When they were finally done and the boys went for a stretch, I went to do some of my own extra running. It is becoming more and more important for me to raise my fitness levels, because I am not playing 90 minutes each week, and also if I am to go away from Derry I need to be fit and ready for whatever team. So I was about 75% of the way through the extra work I had decided to do when Donal and 3 of the other younger lads were setting up some sprinting things. I jumped in that knowing that extra work would always be beneficial, and just put the head down and got on with it. We were out there for another 15 minutes before we were finally done. After a fairly light session, I felt like I took something away from the session for my own personal benefit.

Wardy and I stopped at the supermarket to get food before we headed on home. While I was at the supermarket, a friend from my high school, Garin College, Katy Sinnott sent me a message as she was driving through Derry on her way back over to the East coast. We had been in touch earlier that week after she found out I was in Ireland, as I wasn’t aware she was, and I let her know where I was. So it turned out that she was driving through Derry and she picked me up and we went for a cup of tea/coffee and a catch up. It’s crazy how small and connected this world is. It had been at least 4 years since I had last seen her and there is always lots to talk about especially good old high school times and what all our friends were up to. It was a lovely afternoon. The sun had come out so we went for a walk across the Peace Bridge, before she dropped me home and then headed on her way. She lives about 90 minutes away working as an Au Pair for a family, who happens to have various holiday houses around Ireland. I have next weekend off, and depending on how things go this week, I may finally get to see a bit of the country and possibly stay at one of the holiday houses. We shall see.

I fairly uneventful evening with a nice FaceTime chat with Shannon who begins her second week at Yale New Haven hospital. Her first official shift in the Pediatric Emergency Department isn’t until Tuesday however as it has all been orientation and education so far.

 

Early morning for all. The team didn’t arrive back until 1.30/2am last night, so for them it was even earlier. Fortunate enough, management had brought a few boxes of cereal, some loaves of bread and tea and coffee so that everyone could begin their mornings right after a short night. A 30 minute video analysis of EA Cup opponents, Limerick FC for the semi final on Monday before the players were split. Those who played last night stayed and did recovery, massage, ice baths, treatment etc. and then the subs, myself and two others went out and trained. We started with a passing drill, then some possession, a bit of crossing and finishing, and then finished off with passing sequences leading up to finishing. A fairly productive morning and good to get the legs going. Although my ankle was on my mind, I did not feel it during the session at all which was nice.

A nice shower and icing of the ankle before we headed home. I was able to watch more of the Blackcaps vs Zimbabwe test match, and also the Super Rugby Semi Final between the Lions and Highlanders. A little more reading of my book and then I headed outside just to see what I could do/keep busy with around the house. As much as I wish we had a lawn mower so that we could tidy the place up, we don’t so for now all I could do was weed one of the boxes out there. Nothing productive is growing in there, but at least weeding it gave me something to do and made a difference to the look of it.

I kept myself fairly busy in the evening, with the sun finally coming out also. I enjoyed a very good dinner. The sunset was just as lovely too. Watched a show on tele and then sat outside and read a chapter in the dimming light. It was finally clear enough that there were stars out, which I always enjoy gazing at!

Today was game day, however this time I wasn’t traveling with the team to Sligo. Wardy and Conor left the house to meet at the hotel at 2pm before they departed. I had the afternoon to myself where I got a few errands done down at the local post office in Carrigans and had a restful afternoon. The ankle wasn’t too sore and I was able to comfortably walk around.

The Derry game against Sligo was on TV, however the T.V. in the house didn’t have the channel, but I managed to find a stream online. It wasn’t the greatest performance as neither team really grabbed ahold of the game. Derry had some very good chances, but not enough of them to put them away. Sligo also had a few good chances. 0-0 was probably a fair outcome, however it is not the result Derry would have hoped as the team continues to push and keeps its spot for European Competition next season.

Once the game was over I was able to have my weekly catch up with my parents via FaceTime. For the last 4 years I have been away from New Zealand, I have been able to either Facetime or Skype them at least once a week to catch up and fill them in on all the happenings. As always it was great to see and talk to them. Funnily enough, during our talk they bought me a book for my kindle which I got for my birthday, however they are still technically challenged sometimes. Eventually I received the gift email of a book and I was able to add it to my kindle. The book is Fully Committed: The Ben Sigmund Story. Ben was a footballer from back home who took a fairly different path to becoming a pro, but being a true Kiwi, he continued through tough times and found the passion for the game again which often alluded him. It is a story that as I read, I continuously relate to, and therefore it is often difficult to put down. Before I went to bed I read at least 5 chapters.

This morning dawned another raining morning. Not much changes there. The regular pre training routine along with a 30 minute video analysis session. Once we got on the field and warmed up we were split up. The match day squad of 18 went off and did their thing preparing for Sligo Rovers, while the rest of us, mostly youth players, went off and did our training session under the eye of the youth coach. The session consisted of possession, mixed with two sets of running to make sure we got the fitness needed because we weren’t consistently playing matches on the weekend. During one of the possession games I unfortunately rolled my ankle pretty sharply, but a little bit of time and I was on my feet. It certainly was tender and I had to tread lightly and watch my turns. Once we finished training I went straight to the Physio just to get it checked and make sure that it wasn’t any major ligaments or anything. Ice and rest will do it good.

We came home after training and stayed home for the afternoon and into the evening. My Visa research, and part time job research continued. The rest of our evening was uneventful.

 

Today the routine was flipped. We were in the gym this morning to do our workout, foam rolling and stretch before we headed back to the training ground for training. I enjoy this a lot more, because the body isn’t fatigued when going into the gym and I prefer that to allow me to push myself. Plus it allows us to be done once we finish training.

Our training today had new drills which was good. Some passing drills to get the legs going and then a passing drill that really got the head going and made everyone have to think, which is important. It was important everyone was switched on for the next drill which was challenging and focused on possession through channels. These drills added a new dimension to training and was certainly different to the regular passing and possession we had been doing fairly often. Training finished with a 9v9 game to goal before we were done for the day.

I spent my afternoon researching visas and the various types to make sure that if opportunity does arise, I am ready to get that sorted. I also began the lookout for part time jobs that I could pick up a few hours with to make a bit of extra money and utilize my spare time. Hopefully I can speak to some of the local lads who may know of some opportunities there.

Cooked up a pretty decent pasta bake and chilled out on the couch this evening. Was treated to some nice colors from the sunset too.