Player Interview

PLAYER INTERVIEW: LTFC.ie sits down with #8 Dylan McGlade

Interview by James Donnelly

Last week’s 5-0 demolition of Wexford FC saw Town winger Dylan McGlade score the opening goal after just 3 minutes latching onto a cross from Kealan Dillon. LTFC.ie caught up with Dylan to get his thoughts.

“It felt great personally to get a goal as it’s something I’ve not always done and I think the attacking players need to do more.”

When asked about what he thought went right for the team last Saturday night he said:

“It felt good for all the lads to finally click on the pitch. I remember saying a few weeks ago that we’re creating the chances but not finishing them. That one game it’s just gonna click and we’ll score 5 or 6 against someone. The management always said work harder than the other team and earn the right to play and I feel we did that and moved the ball around like I know we can. The quality of the pitch at CCS was also a major factor.”

On the opening day of the season Longford and Shelbourne played out a scoreless draw in Tolka Park while the following fixture at City Calling Stadium resulted in a 3-1 for the Town. With Gary Cronin taking the helm on Friday night when Town go to Tolka to play McGlades old club, we asked Dylan on his thoughts on facing his former team.

“Shels are a very big and physical side and Owen has them organized really well. It will be a tough battle but I feel like if we can match them for work rate and earn the right to play then we have a very good chance. The pitch at Tolka is excellent too so that will play into our one touch passing game and I feel if we use our pace and get in between them then we can hurt them that way.”

Some results haven’t gone Longford’s way so far this season and we are currently sitting 5^th in the league behind Cabinteely, when asked about what motivates him through the tough games, Dylan said; “It has been tough and this league has always been a tough league. I think personally you just need to have confidence in your ability. We’re all good players and although some things aren’t going your way, you have to keep believing in yourself. Especially for attacking players like myself who like to get on the ball and run at people. Just because the defender might tackle you a couple of times, doesn’t mean you stop trying because that one time you get past him could be a goal scoring opportunity. If you miss a chance, you have to get it out of your head and believe that you’ll get the next one”.

This being Dylan’s first year at the club, I couldn’t not ask him about his time so far at Longford Town and how he felt about his performances so far; “To be honest, I have high standards for myself and I don’t think my performances have been anywhere near as good as what I know I am capable of. I really want this year to be a big year for both the club and myself so hopefully at the end of the season, it ends up like that.”

I ended our chat by asking him to tell me his favourite thing about the club and his response was something I think we can all agree with…

“Potential probably and the club as a whole. The year Longford got promoted again, I was in my first year with Shels and you could see the potential. The club was getting good crowds. The stadium is excellent, the pitch is great quality and the club looks after you. Hopefully the club can keep building and the team can keep improving”.

PLAYER INTERVIEW: LTFC.ie sits down with 17 Year old Local Star Aodh Dervin

Interview by James Donnelly

At the tender age of only 17 years old, local lad Aodh Dervin made his home league debut last Saturday night at City Calling Stadium. Replacing Town Captain Kevin O’Connor, Aodh came on in the 81^st minute during a 5-0 thrashing of Wexford FC. I sat down with him to ask about how the big moment felt.

“Yeah it felt very good! I wasn’t expecting it all and it shows hard work gets you places. Hopefully the first of many league appearances”

Aodh rose through the ranks of the recently redeveloped underage system at the club, captaining the U19 squad which he is still currently a member of. When asked about the step up from U19 to Senior level, he said:

“It’s hard work to get to the level of where you want to be. I was lucky that everyone helped me and have been great to me since I made the step up.”

Aodh, alongside Dan Beya and Tristan Noack-Hofmann are 3 of the youngest in the first team this year.

“They have all been a huge help. Tristan brings me to training and has helped me adapt from going up and down from the 19s to the Seniors and how to keep my head.”

When asked what Senior players help him the most, he replied:

“I pick up a lot from Dean Zambra, Kealan Dillon and Paul Skinner. They’re good with me. They’ll let me know when I’m wrong and tell me what to do. Gaz (Gary Cronin) is great too. He’s very good to talk to.”

Showing his maturity and perhaps not wanting to leave the squad out, he then said:

“I pick up pieces of information off everyones game to help me improve more and more.”

Before the likes of Aodh, Dan Beya and Tristan Noack-Hofmann, the last local to line out for the Red and Black was Michael Lee. When asked about the lack of local talent in the squad and if it was down to management, Aodh said:

“It’s in your own hands, I feel it’s about how hard you work. There’s a lot of locals coming through that are well able if they keeping working hard, stay committed and do it for themselves.”

Finally, I asked Aodh if he had any advice for local players or anyone looking to break through and sign for the first team;

“What I’ve picked up, is that you’ll be more respected for working as hard as you can and take up the pieces of information that are useful for you as a player”.

Plain and simple. Work hard and earn your spot. Aodh has certainly done that.

With the likes of Aodh, Dan and Tristan showing that there is room for locals if they put the hard work in, accompanied with the restructuring of LTFC’s underage system, the future is bright for Longford football.