Category: Blog

After a fun night celebrating Aaron’s birthday, the coach had made a wise decision to push back yoga until 12 instead of 10am. The session was very good and I could certainly feel it in the body, but it was a good pain. It was then time for ice baths, and although I didn’t even play on Friday I put my legs in for 5 minutes. 

Finally we were on our way home. A productive afternoon at home, followed by a fantastic dinner created by myself, and then ending with the Euro final. Not the most entertaining game to watch, but still a great spectacle to end a great tournament. Now that it’s over, what am I going to do with myself?! 

Nothing too exciting to report today other than being bogged down by a cold. However I was able to enjoy the Men’s semi finals at Wimbledon before I headed into the Brandywell as the first team was playing another friendly. I wasn’t involved this time as it was most their starting line up and regular bench in the squad. However I went along, chatted in the changing sheds with staff and players and then watched the game with a few of the injured players. It wasn’t the greatest of games and Derry should have dominated a lot more than they did. At the end of the day it was 90min for many of the lads, and they won 2-0.

Another regular morning for Derry City. Arrived around 8.45am and soon headed over for foam roll, stretch and mobility. Surprisingly enough after playing my first full 90min in nearly a month my legs weren’t too heavy or sore at all. If I did have any niggles or soreness from the night before, the foam rolling certainly helped to work that out of the body.

Training was expect to be recovery for some of us who had played considerable minutes the night before, however it wasn’t that way. A regular warm up, then some 4v2 and 5v2 possession grids to focus on sharpness and concentration. From here we were split into 3 teams to play 7v7 to go, with 7 players around the outside. It is always the restrictions that challenge the players in these games. It was 2 touch on the inside with a one touch finish, and for the players spread around the outside, they only had one touch. So it really works the mind and execution is crucial, especially when playing to the outside players to allow them to even be able to play a ball first time effectively. The games are always competitive which creates a good training environment. We cooled down, and that was training done for another day. The squad was named who play in the friendly on Friday, however I wasn’t included, because it is their regular first team players.

After training the manager asked if I could speak with him, so once I got showered I headed up to his office. He was very open and honest to me about the situation. He gave very positive feedback from my performance in the game last night, but also in the development I have made even in the short three weeks that I have been here. Although this was positive, the manager is in a situation where he doesn’t want to sign a player who is unlikely to get consistent and regular game time. So his recommendation is that I sign with a Northern Ireland Premier League team, in which I should get consistent game time, and I would be able to be monitored by Derry staff during my time at that team. His intentions with this are so that I gain experience at this level by playing consistently, and then he would hopefully bring me back to Derry City in January at the beginning of their preseason. No specific details have been confirmed just yet however in the coming days I shall have more information regarding this opportunity.

Five of us then headed out for lunch and then a walk along the waterfront where a few of the boats from Clipper Round the World were on the river. Clipper Round the World is one of the “biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other. With no previous sailing experience necessary, it’s a record breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht.” Across the weekend there will be more boats, venders and market type food venders along the waterfront, with only a few their today. I may visit it on the weekend also. After our walk we then headed back to the bowling alley where we played another 2 games of bowling. This time I redeemed myself from my previously poor performance, placing 2nd in both games. Eventually we headed for home.

Well the big day has finally arrived. Well maybe not that big, but an important day nonetheless. I made sure that I was well fed and hydrated throughout the day before our friendly game. I spent the day watching some great tennis matches and just relaxing.

Wardy and I headed into the ground at 5.45pm. The manager spoke to us about what he expected from the game, gave the sides that would be playing each half and then we went out and warmed up. A few first team regulars were playing so they could get some game time, and one of them was Wardy, another was captain and fellow center back, Ryan McBride. It was good to play next to him because he sets the standard really. The warm up went well, of course a few nerves, but at the end of the day, football is football and I just had to go out and play my natural game.

The first half was fairly quiet, as we kept most of the possession, but just couldn’t find that crucial final pass. I was getting used to a different type of shape in the backline, and adjusting to how the players around me play, but also how the opposition was playing. Midway through the first half we won a corner, and the big boys went up. The ball was played over the far post where I was to head it back across the goal, where Ryan was to finish it off. We went into half time 1-0 up. A short half time with no talk really. The new players that were coming on got their instructions and we went back out. About 4 players stayed on from the first half team. The second half ran the same course of the first, however it took some time for the new players to settle into the same rhythm. I also had a new center back partner, Scott, and a new left back, Gareth. So once again I was having to adapt to them and continue playing. We kept possession fairly well once again and I continued in my solid play. Only one really miscued pass, but other than that, very consistent. We scored again in the first 10min of the second half. I played a long ball to the left winger who had come off his wing and he flicked it on for the striker to finish past the goalkeeper. And then another 15min later we scored again. This time I had the ball just inside my own half on the left hand side, played a switch ball across to the right side where the right back got in behind their left back, took a touch and finished. It was a very well struck ball, and it got many comments from the lads and staff congratulating me. So although, my position is about stopping goals predominantly, which we also did today, I had a foot in all three goals we scored which was a nice feeling. 

All in all, I was happy with my game, how I played, and confident in my performance. Yes, I’m not perfect, so their was a mishap here or there and a bit of lack of execution, but the more I settle and play at this level, the better it will be for my game. Time for a shower and a quick watch of the semi final between Wales and Portugal before we headed home for the night.

First of all, Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends. I was fortunate enough to celebrate this holiday for the last 3 summers, and these celebrations are still great memories 🙂

Today marked the beginning of a very important week for me. This week is an added week with Derry, and I will be playing in at least one friendly if not two friendlies this week. My performance in those games will be very defining in the decision the manager will eventually make. So it is important for me to have another good week in training.

The session started like all others did, foam roll, mobility, and stretching. From here, we split off, with the 18 involved in the game went and did analysis from the game and the performance, while the other 8 of us went and put our boots on and went onto the field. We warmed up with Pearce and then did some plyometric work, then went into a 4v4 game, before Donal arrived from the other groups meeting and ran a passing drill for us. Our group then had to wait around for the other group to do the warm up, plyos and passing drill, before we all joined together to play 2 touch possession for what seemed like forever. When we thought we were finally done, we did more. The final segment of training was three different stations, 5v5 to goal, 4v4 possession, and 3 different types of running exercises. This was the longest session since I have been here and most likely the hardest too. The possession grids became difficult with fatigue and the wet conditions, but it was a challenge mentally too as some of the players got on my back with decision making, but I just kept on going. Finally we were done after being on the field for 2.30hrs.

We showered and then went and grabbed a bit of lunch, before we were back and took a big photo with 250 kids who were doing a summer holiday program. It was a loud few minutes with kids screaming like they do, but then we were out of there and off to the gym. The gym session went well, but just like training, when we thought we were done, there was more. 2 4min extra sets of various exercises. Oh joy!

Finally we were done, with the body barely hanging on, and thankfully a day off tomorrow. And during our gym session, the manager came in and gave the list of the team for the Wednesday friendly against Limavady. I will be playing in that game, along with a mixture of older and younger players. It will be a good opportunity to finally play and hopefully show what I can do on the game field, and give him a more developed picture of who I as a player.

Home for the afternoon to relax, watch a bit of tennis, and rest up!

A semi drama filled morning, with Wardy waking Connor and I up an hour earlier than we needed to. Yoga was at 10, meeting at 9.45am. Instead of waking at 9.15, Wardy came into both of our rooms and woke us up to get ready and go to Yoga. I said to him, yoga is at 10, and he was like yea I know, but for some reason he didn’t realize it was 8.15am and not 9.15. Connor didn’t even look at his phone and got everything and we got in the car. I had tried to say something, but by now I had assumed things had been changed and yoga was now at 9am. It wasn’t! We got into town and we were supposed to pick up Dean, and it wasn’t until Connor looked at his phone to ring Dean and said, it’s 8.30, what are we doing here. We killed the time by going to Harry, AB and Jordan’s house.

Yoga was another good workout but very good for the body. Yes it’s challenging but I know it’s helpful for sure. Sometimes it’s difficult for the lads to keep focused in there, but we get there eventually. Onto the ice baths and then home. The ice baths were freezing today for some reason and I come out of there so numb I can barely sense touch to my legs. Oh well, much needed recovery.

Once I has home, I made myself some nice lunch and then sat on the couch to watch the end of the Tsonga vs. Isner Wimbledon match. I started watching at 4-4 in the 5th set, and I ended up staying on the couch for about two hours as the game finally finished at 19-17. The three of us lads and Connors girlfriend headed out for Sunday dinner at a nice restaurant/bar. Unfortunately, the service was poor, with us waiting at least 30min for our drinks, and then it was another 30 odd minutes before our meals came. The food was good, but the service just tainted the evening a little bit. Nonetheless, it was nice to have a meal and chat.

Onward home to watch the final Quarterfinal, France and Iceland, and unfortunately, the fairytale ended for Iceland. 

Today was game day. A long casual morning at home before we all headed into town. They dropped me off at the ground before they went to the hotel for the pre match. I spent time just chatting with the physio and kit man and a couple of the injured players before I went out onto the training pitch. Shaun is a goal keeper recovering from a shoulder injury and we warmed up together before doing our own different work. I did 20min of running and then some ball work. Of course for the hour that we were out there, it decided to absolutely pour down, and at one stage I was running in hail stones. My clothes weighed an extra few pounds by then end. As always, it was good to get some extra work in, because I’m sure staff and players were taking notice.

Once Shaun and I finished with some long passing, we went back into the changing sheds and showered while they got ready. We said our good lucks, and off they went. I went up stairs to get a cup of tea and before my tea was even done, they were down 1-0. And soon enough it was 2-0. And by the 30th minute of the game Derry was down to ten men. The game ended 5-0. Not a great showing at all and just tough circumstances for the team. Rough mood in the changing sheds after the game however the manager did bring everyone together and spoke for a few minutes. It was all valuable words that he shared and important he did, because it is his job in how the staff, players etc. react to the result.

Eventually, it was finally time to head home and start a new day!

Training today ran the same path as previous training sessions. So it was nothing spectacular or special.

I thought now would be a good time to give my readers a little more insight into Derry City FC. DCFC is a professional football team the plays in the League of Irelands Premier Division. The club is actually based in Derry, Northern Ireland, and is the only team from Northern Ireland competing in the league. Their home field is the Brandywell Stadium,

which is also a greyhound racing track. The Brandywell has hosted many big teams over the years, with a pre season friendly one year against Barcelona. It has been said that the support for the team fluctuates often, with crowds coming and going season by season, however it only takes one good season for the large crowds to return, with the ground able to hold approx. 7,700 fans.

Now that I have been here for close to two weeks, I have a clear understanding of the rhythm and routine week in week out. The season consists of approximately 40 games per year including cup games. Because of this, player freshness, injury prevention, and muscle treatment is key to sustaining the team consistently throughout the year. Here is what a regular week will look like:

• Sunday: Yoga, Ice baths
• Monday: Foam roll/Mobility, Training, Gym
• Tuesday: Off / Team community service or public appearance
• Wednesday: Foam Roll/mobility, Video analysis, Training, Gym, Ice baths
• Thursday: Foam roll/Mobility, Video analysis, Training
• Friday: Game
• Saturday: Off

The routine isn’t too bad at all, with 3 full training sessions a week in there to keep the team ticking over and preparing for the upcoming opposition. And for me at this stage not taking part in games, instead of the game on Friday, I will head in early again and get some work in on the training pitch while the teams warms up and prepare for the game. The game will be a great spectacle with Derry needing to win to stay in the title race and close the 9 point gap on Dundalk.

So far, it’s been a good two weeks, and I’m very glad my time here with Derry City will continue longer.

Back to training today. It was massage day so we spent a good 45min in the locker room before we headed over to foam roll and stretch. Then we did video analysis, and finally got onto the pitch, a lot later than usual. And of course, it was raining. But actually raining today, not drizzling with it clearing after 2omin and then drizzling again. It rained consistently the whole session. Made for a very slick surface and a few guys on their asses during training.

A gentle warm up, some basic passing drills, and bit of speed and footwork and then we split up. The likely 11 and another 11 players possible to play went away and did functional training with the manager, focused on shape and pressure systems they plan to use against league leaders Dundalk this Friday. The rest of us, and a few goalkeepers went with Donal and played 3v3+1 or 4v4+1 possession games. It was fairly intense work with a good competitive side to it. Yes, this type of thing is getting repetitive, however consistency is key and so it’s really just about putting the head down and working hard during the session. Once we were done and the other players had finished we split into 3 teams of 9 to finish off with a few 5min games. The field was condensed and the conditions were still wet, but it was nice to play and get out there. At the end of training the manager asked for myself and a few other players to head up to his office after we showered.

I headed up to the managers office and made myself a cup of tea while he finished off lunch and then I headed in. It was another good opportunity to get on the same page about my intentions and what I am looking for really. He was open and appreciative and understood everything and he was also pleased with me and the way I have fit into the team environment and how well I get along with the boys, because for him that is very important. So that was a very positive thing. And he had also seen some good stuff out on the field, but still wants to see me in a game environment because it’s a completely different situation, so he’s asked if I can stay around longer and hopefully get involved in a friendly game in the coming weeks. All positive things really, and I am happy to continue training in the professional environment, challenging myself and developing myself as a player. It’s all about gaining experience for me at this stage of my career. So this was another refreshing talk, which I’m sure will make me more comfortable and settled at training which will be good, and when my opportunities come, I just have to make sure I take them.

Once I finished meeting with him I headed with Harry for some lunch and then off to the gym. Another strength, speed and injury prevention session. Body is feeling pretty strong, which is always a nice feeling. Then it was time for ice baths. Today was the coldest ice bath I think I have ever had, going waste deep, with the jets on the whole time. Home to shower and then have a casual night in!