Every young footballer craves a shot at the glory game in England. Over the past two and a half years Seamus Conneely absorbed all the lessons that life in the League of Ireland brings, but now is an appropriate time to start inking a new chapter in his sporting tale.
Conneely had delivered consistently between the white chalk lines for Galway United and there was a certain inevitably that a cross channel outfit would pounce eventually. In these dark economic times clubs outside the top flight in the Football League are furiously struggling to stay afloat so securing a contract is a considerable feat for Conneely, who impressed during two trial stints with Sheffield United.
When an 18-month deal was offered, Conneely signed during Christmas week. “I think it is the right time for me to test myself in England. A couple of years ago I probably would have suffered from homesickness and I think when you are a bit older you can deal with things a little bit better. If the move had happened before this I think it may have taken me a lot longer to adjust.
“This is a great opportunity for me now though to prove that I can make at as a professional footballer and I just have to keep working hard really. I think that is all I can do and hopefully I will get a bit of luck, but I am under no illusions and I will work as hard as I can to be the best player I can be.”
Conneely’s versatility in the maroon of Galway United earned him many admirers. Whether as a dashing right back, a solid centre half or a busy midfielder Conneely was always prominent, but there was one eye-catching cameo when Bohemians’ title challenge was terminated at Terryland Park on October 22. Conneely’s polished midfield promptings nudged Galway to a shock success and also made the NUIG graduate take stock.
“To be honest I think now if anybody asks me what position I play I will reply defensive midfielder. I am lucky that I have experience playing in different positions for Galway United, but in England I think I will try to concentrate on playing in the centre of the park. Don’t get me wrong either I will play in whatever position I am selected in by the manager, but I reckon that it is in the middle of the park that I will try to have a career in England and that is what I want to achieve.”
So when Conneely went to the Steel city for a couple of weeks training, the Sheffield United coaches were impressed. Even though manager Gary Speed departed to become the new boss of Wales, caretaker John Carver captured Conneely’s signature. The experienced Mickey Adams, a man with family ties in Ballygar and who has brought several teams to Galway during his career, is now in charge.
“I played in a behind closed doors friendly at Bramall Lane against Chesterfield. I played in the centre of midfield for 65 minutes in the game and I did alright. I’ve been training with the first team a lot and I suppose that is a good sign.
“The first team though have had a very busy schedule over the Christmas playing loads of games. When they have trained I have been with them, but on the days they have been doing only warm downs I have trained with the academy team because I need as many sessions to get up to the required pace.
“John Carver was the caretaker when I signed and Sam Ellis was the assistant. They have both left since Mickey Adams came in, but the rest of the backroom staff is still the same so there has been an element of continuity at the club.
“I haven’t spoken with Mickey Adams at length, but he spoke about bringing Port Vale to Galway last year to me when they played a friendly against Mervue United and he said that he knew about the area. He has been friendly to me and I just have to make sure that I am noticed by doing the right things in training and in the games when I am given a chance.”
Conneely is currently living in a hotel with another Irish winter recruit David McAllister, who had a productive 2010 with St Patrick’s Athletic. Sheffield United are currently finding suitable accommodation for the newcomers, and Conneely is delighted to be training with compatriots Stephen Quinn and Mark Yeates on a daily basis.
There has been no shortage of training ground toil, and Conneely is relishing the challenge. “I’ve been doing a lot of fitness work and because of the break in the Irish season I have a bit of catching up to do, but I am enjoying the footballing side of things and it is brilliant to be out training everyday in this environment. I came over on the 29th of December and it has been tough adjusting to everything, but I feel that I am settling in okay and I am encouraged by the way things are going. I am just waiting on my international clearance to go through so I will be eligible for the games. It was supposed to go through on New Years Day, but there has been a little bit of a delay because of the way the days fell in the calendar. I don’t mind really because the extra few days are giving me a chance to acclimatise and I think that I am doing that. All I can do is keep working hard and hopefully I will get a chance in the first team.” When that opportunity presents itself the Republic of Ireland under -21 international will be ready, willing, and able. Conneely’s adventure is continuing to motor along smoothly.
