It has been an interesting spell for Galway United U19 goalkeeper Conor Brann. In the reckoning for a talented Republic of Ireland U19 squad, Brann made a significant impression with Brendan O’Connor’s outfit throughout this year.
Brann regularly trained with John Caulfield’s first team, but weekends are busy for the St Raphael’s College student. On Saturday mornings Brann is forging a reputation as an emerging referee in the Galway FA underage leagues too.
So how and why did Brann start taking charge of underage games while still a teenager? “On a Saturday morning, I knew playing League of Ireland and being in school, it is hard to get a job because games are on a Sunday,” he responds.
“You cannot really get a one day job so Dad said to get into refereeing, that it was handy money on a Saturday. So I did the course and from there every Saturday I do games.”
There is a sense of fulfilment too which adds an extra layer of satisfaction. “I actually really enjoy it - you get out of the house doing something and you meet the local lads, even the young lads would be coming up to you in school saying 'that is my referee', it is really good,” Brann says.
“The lack of referees around here is ridiculous. There aren't many young referees out there. Just do the referees course, it isn't that expensive.”
A keen football follower Brann is generally home near Loughrea to watch matches from elsewhere too. “I am home for a three o'clock kick off in the Premier League,” he laughs. “I get it over and done with in the morning, 100 per cent I would say it to young people of 18 or 19 out there, do a referee course on a Saturday you will be happy out.
“I've definitely improved. Before you would be nervous refereeing a game. Those young lads they would be giving you abuse, you have to take it, the managers and everything - it is football.”
For now, though, Brann has no significant ambition to advance on the refereeing circuit despite the significant experience already accumulated. “I am happy doing the Saturdays for now, concentrating on the football and school, it is on the side if I ever need it,” he says.
Still only 18 Brann has forged quite a sporting adventure. “When I was 10 or 11 I joined Mervue, I played with Mervue for one or two seasons,” he explains.
“Then I left Mervue and joined Salthill. I think at U13 or U14 we played the Macron Cup, we had very strong squad. We drew with Leeds 1-1, we lost to Leixlip 3-1, but we had a good tournament.
“I left Salthill to join Athlone, I knew the League of Ireland was coming, I knew that is what I wanted to do, to play at the highest level. I was with Athlone for two seasons, they had two teams. One would play in the League of Ireland and I basically joined the B team, they played in the First Division up in Dublin. So you would actually be playing against the best teams up around Dublin, the Rovers, the Bohs, the Leixlips - all of them.
“In my second year in Athlone I was in the League of Ireland squad. We had a good season, we didn't get into the elite phase, we were in the shield.”
Limerick FC U17s was Brann’s next squad. “We had a good season there, we had a serious team, a really good team, but with the problems Limerick had a few boys were sick of it,” he recalls.
“Most of the players that were there in the first season left. For the second season then we had a completely different team, we had players that never played in the League of Ireland. To be fair the lads did well, we finished well.”
Galway United eventually came calling. “After my second year with Limerick I knew they didn't have an U19s team so I wanted to go somewhere,” he adds. “Luckily Brendan O'Connor rang me to ask me would I join his U19s team for the upcoming season with Galway United.”
The past 12 months has been rewarding for Brann, who has relished the opportunities to train with Caulfield’s first team at Drom. “Going up with the first team was a really good experience, especially because Luca [Ami] the goalkeeping coach helped me so much, training with them and with Brendan's U19s,” he says.
“The first team was such a big step up because it is first team football, it is men's football. The difference between U19s and men's football it is just different. Some people might not think it is that, but you are playing against men.”
Valuable lessons are being learned with Brann aware about the importance of sheer hard graft . “I'd be missing days in school, I would be training,” he adds. “I would be coming into school, the lads would be 'where were you, training in the morning at nine o'clock?' That is what Galway United is with the first team, the dedication you have to give is top class.
“I have a few lads texting me asking me about football, just play with your local and if you want to go further go to the open trials. You can see what the level is then because the boys playing at that level still have to go to the trials. You can see what the level is there and then.”
Developing further as a goalkeeper is what Brann wants to do. When United reconvene for pre-season on January 10 Brann would relish being involved, but a balance must be struck between football and education.
“Hopefully,” Brann says about getting more chances to train with United’s flagship side. “First of all I have to concentrate on the Leaving Cert.
“Play well with the U19s that is first of all what you have to do and then if you get the call up to the first team you have to go to prove you can train there. Hopefully I can train as much as I did this year and I would be happy.”
The promising Brann is making a contribution in the west as both a player and official.
**Listen to the full interview with Conor Brann on this week's 'Cian on Sport' podcast available on Soundcloud, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
