Category: Football

Today was the day where routine would really begin for me. Up early, well fed and then off to training.

The session began similar to Thursday’s, with a roll out and stretch session first, before we were back to the locker room and onto the pitch. Training began with a warm up, and then a passing drill with assistant coach, Donal O’Brien. The passing drills are a great opportunity for me to focus on the little important things in my game, most of which are the simple aspects, footwork, connection, and first touch. From the passing drill we then went into some speed work, co-ordination, and explosive work with a ball. It was an intense 5 minutes of work, however what it really focused on was co-ordination with speed of play, box jumps to heading a ball and ladder work to passing a ball. It got the mind ticking over that’s for sure.

After this work was done it was now onto playing football. Two touch possession in small teams. These drills really show how much faster the speed of play is compared to previous teams and leagues I have played in. But what’s more important to allow for the speed of play is the off the ball movement. It is explosive, it is continuous, and it is tactical. The off the ball movement is so key, especially in these small sided possession games, because it allows you to find the spaces to keep the ball and to connect with your team mates. From here, we went into an 8v8 game, which really allows for the players to put in the work previously worked on. The rule is either 2 touches or less than 2 seconds on the ball. It makes for such a fast paced game, but more importantly, faster decision making. This is an aspect of my game that is always developing. Making decisions faster ensures that I know my options before I even receive the ball and then I can dictate my touch to allow for my use of the options. But this game was also a chance for me to show my defensive capabilities. Defensive headers, clearances, blocks, and tackles were all on display here, along with my continuous communication.

Another good session was in the books and we then had an hour and a half before we were to be in the gym. A good work out with the body still feeling strong and then it was off to my third and final accommodation finally. I am now staying with Keith Ward and Connor McCormack.

Today was the beginning of my two week trial at Derry. I was dropped at the ground by Mr. McKeever and was on the field soon after.

The session today was in preparation for training tomorrow but also looking ahead to their first game back in the league after a midseason break this Friday. The session began with a warm up and a few running drills to get the legs moving again. The rain came down just for the running and soon cleared up. It did however make the surface slick for the passing drills. The passing drills were new to me however they were nothing too out of the ordinary and fairly straight forward to ensure quality and consistency. The players were then divided into two teams where they played possession first before playing 5v5 to goal. I felt comfortable in my play once again, however I am consistently learning and adjusting little things in my game to improve my performance. My confidence is slowly building, and I am also making sure to apply all my skills and ability to my game.

It has been a good beginning on the field for me, however I know there is much more improvement to be made.

I am now staying with members of the team who have really made me feel welcome.

Today was game day. I was picked up by First Team coach, Brian Donahey and travelled to Belfast with him. Our conversations were of various topics, but it was also a chance for me to express my intent on being in Ireland. It gave Donahey a good understanding of my situation and what I am was after.
I arrived to the stadium as the sun was going down, leaving a nice glow across Solitude, Cliftonville’s Stadium name. I was greeted by the kit man who smartly made a comment saying “you’re the Australian one aren’t ya?”. It was a welcoming feeling for me. I was given the #14 kit to wear. Warm ups occurred and soon enough the game was underway. This was my first real look at the quality of football that is played in both Northern Ireland Premier League, and the Irish Premier League, as Cliftonville competes in the NIPL and Derry City competes in the latter.

Cliftonville took the lead after 14min and never relinquished it. The sun set below the far end stand and I entered the game after 60min. Playing at Center Back, I ensured the team didn’t let through anything and helped hold onto the win for Cliftonville. It was great preparation for the team heading into a new season, and it was a solid introduction to Irish Football for me. 

I was able to get an extra session in with Derry before my trial really begins next week. When I first arrived into Derry, my host Greg McKeever took me on a little tour of the city and visited The Brandywell, Derry’s Stadium and training ground. I was introduced to manager Kenny Shiels. Shiels asked if I could come in before next week and Thursday worked, so here I was getting in an extra session.

I arrived at the ground and went into the managers office where I met the strength and conditioning coach Pearce Lafferty. Discussion took place about my physical condition, which is not far off peak fitness due to my extensive training that I have done in the last 4 weeks prior to traveling to Ireland. Lafferty then took me down to the locker room and introduced me to the players.

The Derry environment was professional, it was well set up, the players were welcoming, and the training was structured. At 9am we headed across to the hall to foam roll, stretch and do mobility exercises. After about 30 minutes we headed back to the locker room to prepare for training. Boots on and out onto the field. I was given a heart rate monitor and a GPS system which would allow them to track my movements, speeds, output etc. It was a damp training session with continuous dribble which made the surface slick. After some plyometric work and passing drills it was into possession and small sided games. I once again played confidently and consistently, however I had to adjust to the style of play and the players I am now surrounded by. The mentality is completely different to his previous teams. Players have football brains and they understand each and every purposeful move and pass made. This can only be beneficial to my game and will allow me to develop more as a player. I came out of the session happy with my performance although I am aware of some areas that I can tidy up on in the coming weeks on trial.

The players were given about an hours break to travel across the river to the team gym. Lafferty then took the players through a work out in which he wanted to fatigue the players to see the response he got from the players in the game tomorrow. I felt the workout was good with my body still feeling strong from the work I put in prior to my travels. The only problem I incurred was mathematically now having to change from pounds to kilograms with my weights.

Day one with Derry City was now in the books and it was a good beginning to a long few weeks with the team.

My first football experience would be with Northern Irish Premier League side, Cliftonville FC based in Belfast. I travelled back to Belfast from Derry that afternoon to take part in Cliftonville’s final training session before their pre season friendly against Irish Premier League side Finn Harps FC.

As it is Cliftonville’s pre season, the session contained various running aspects, along with ball work and possession. The session ended with a 7v7 small sided game. I felt comfortable throughout the session, as my mid season fitness from playing with Connecticut United FC assisted. I was focused throughout the session and played with consistency, which allowed me to come out of the session happy with my performance.