Word From Across the Water

Published on: 19th February, 2009

Word From Across the Water  | read this item

As seven of last season’s Under 15 Premier team signed for clubs in the UK, we thought that we would try and catch up with them and see how things are going.

First to move was Robert Brady who signed a scholarship for a year with Manchester United. At the end of that contract he was offered and signed professional forms for the Reds and is currently playing with their Reserves.

He settled in well when he went to Manchester and found himself thrown in at the deep end when he played for the Reserves straight away. Following that he starred with the U18s in the Milk Cup and FA Youth Cup where he picked up an injury that kept him out of the Rep of Ireland team and a chance to meet his old SKB mates. Now fully recovered he is starting to make a claim for a regular spot in the Reserves and don’t be too surprised to see his name on the Senior teamsheet in the next year or so.

Anthony Bolger was the youngest player ever to be offered a professional contract by Aberdeen in Scotland. It appears to have been a very wise choice. Currently playing with the U17s and U19s – he is top scorer in the U17s Scottish League. He has been getting a regular call up to the Reserves and expects to break through there shortly. He was the only foreign lad at Aberdeen but took to the whole club like a duck to water – he puts that down to the various trips he made with the Saints since he was a very young player. With his good humour and ability to charm all in his path he has made friends quickly. He has just completed the first part of his coaching badge. He did have his Dad worried at the beginning when the landlady in the house he resides told Anthony’s Dad over the phone that she was a very strict Presbyterian who disapproved of TV and the Internet and would not allow them in the house! His Dad was concerned that young Anthony would suffer homesickness because of this and so got a flight and went to talk to the landlady – what a surprise he had as it turned out that Anthony was in the background as she made the initial call telling her what to say!!

Ethan Mannion went to West Brom during July just in time for pre season training. Right from the start he loved it and had no problems settling in. He currently shares with another Irish lad from Limerick and an Aussie. He is very highly thought of at the club and plays for both the U16s and U18s. He has made good friends with his team mates and after Christmas was looking forward to getting back to the club.

Jeffrey Hendrick was looking forward to his move to Derby County and when he got there he found that it was all he had hoped for. He was sharing a house with 10 other lads up to Christmas, there are a number of Irish lads with the club that he knew from his travels with the U16s and U17s Rep of Ireland squads. He currently plays midfield with the U18s and just before Christmas was called up to the Reserve team squad for a cup game. He did find the full time training hard at the beginning but loves it now. He is in college doing 3A levels and is also doing his first year coaching badge so overall he’s been kept busy. We would like to congratulate him

Readers Comments