McCAREY UP FOR CHALLENGE OF ST PAT'S

**Magicme** · 10/08/2009, 12:03 PM

McCAREY UP FOR CHALLENGE OF ST PAT’S – by Julie-Ann Sherlock

One of the most naturally talented players to come out of the Monaghan United Juvenile set up, Aaron McCarey, has been pulling on the number 1 jersey regularly for his club at senior level despite being only 17 years old. McCarey has risen through the juvenile ranks and has always punched above his weight having played a year or 2 above his age level in recent years as his ability and stature have grown rapidly.

United’s FAI League of Ireland team manager Mick Cooke signed the young goalkeeper to the senior squad back in January as a back up to Brendan Kennedy, Ronan McGann and Charile Treacy with a view to giving him a few games to help speed up his development. Illness and injury allowed McCarey an opportunity to show what he was made of and he has made himself a regular feature of the squad and has proven that he has what it takes to play against the best the League’s First Division has to offer.

“I was totally shocked the other week when an hour before the game against Waterford, Mick told me I would be in goals. Waterford are looking like they will be promoted and this was a big game for us” McCarey said “I was delighted to get between the posts. I have kept 4 clean sheets in the last 4 games with the help of a well organised back four and I hope that we can continue to do well”.
As the youngest member of United’s squad McCarey is delighted to be getting such a good opportunity to play for his club. “We face St Patrick’s Athletic in the FAI Ford Cup next Friday (14th August) and I would love if Mick put me in goals. It would be such a great experience to play against one of Ireland’s biggest teams and a good test for me against a team who could be in the group stages of the Europa Cup”

Aaron hopes that the cup run can continue and is hoping that St Pat’s recent busy weeks may give Mons a chance to advance. “St Pat’s have the Premier Division and their European games going on and we have a good chance to cause an upset as they may be feeling tired and we have been playing well. There is a great buzz in the squad now after the blip early in the season and training with Pat McGibbon has been excellent and Brendan Kennedy really knows his stuff and he also puts me through my paces so I am learning a lot under them”

Aaron has pulled on the Ireland jersey at underage level for many years now and hopes that he can continue to feature in future squads. “Things are quiet on the International front at the moment but I am hoping that I will feature in the Under 18 squads for friendlies next year and I know the experience I am getting in the League will stand to me and hopefully make me a better player”

Competition for the number 1 jersey at Monaghan United is strong but so is Aaron. Ambition, talent & dedication wrapped up in a 17 year old is a heady mix. Watch out world!

**Magicme** · 15/08/2009, 12:39 AM

And boy was he up for it! Well done Aaron. 17 yrs old and won man of the match against St Pats. Dead proud of him.

**Martinho II** · 15/08/2009, 8:19 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

And boy was he up for it! Well done Aaron. 17 yrs old and won man of the match against St Pats. Dead proud of him.

it will be interesting what he will be like when we play ye in two weeks? many scouts out to see the boy? and are you his agent by any chance? you swear you were on commission!!

**Dodge** · 15/08/2009, 8:33 PM

Didn't realise he was only that age when looking at him last night. Seemed so confident and assured. A guy in the bar afterwards reckons he's off to Wolves.

5 clean sheets ina row is excellent at any level

**Magicme** · 15/08/2009, 8:43 PM

Wolves have been sniffing but not sure what the story is yet. He was due to sign for Southampton before their financial problems and now they are not signing any young players. He was training with Dundee when they were over here so there is a good bit of interest in him, its just a matter of time I think before someone signs him.

Marty I wish I was his agent, should be a bit of money to make on him! I have known him since he was about 12yrs old and he is not only really talented but a lovely fella and all at the club are very proud of him and his Republic of Ireland achievements and are delighted that he has made the grade at senior level at a young age.

Oh and Dodge, am very disappointed in you! You never introduced yourself to me and have been dying to put a face to the name.

**Dodge** · 15/08/2009, 8:52 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

Oh and Dodge, am very disappointed in you! You never introduced yourself to me and have been dying to put a face to the name.

I'm the shy type. Plus I like to keep a little mystery in my life

**Magicme** · 15/08/2009, 9:02 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I'm the shy type. Plus I like to keep a little mystery in my life

Meh. Will get soccerc to unveil you sometime for me!

**Martinho II** · 16/08/2009, 6:35 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

Wolves have been sniffing but not sure what the story is yet. He was due to sign for Southampton before their financial problems and now they are not signing any young players. He was training with Dundee when they were over here so there is a good bit of interest in him, its just a matter of time I think before someone signs him.

Marty I wish I was his agent, should be a bit of money to make on him! I have known him since he was about 12yrs old and he is not only really talented but a lovely fella and all at the club are very proud of him and his Republic of Ireland achievements and are delighted that he has made the grade at senior level at a young age.

Oh and Dodge, am very disappointed in you! You never introduced yourself to me and have been dying to put a face to the name.

ah thats nice about mccarey instead of busby babes we will call you magicmes babes!!

**Magicme** · 16/08/2009, 6:49 PM

Ha ha. No way. The womens team almost got the nickname Witchies Warriors so can do without another nickname!

**monutdfc** · 17/08/2009, 8:03 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

I have known him since he was about 12yrs old and he is not only really talented but a lovely fella and all at the club are very proud of him and his Republic of Ireland achievements and are delighted that he has made the grade at senior level at a young age.

That's the thing, Aaron has been around the club since he was knee high, even before he was playing underage; he's like a member of the family.

**Magicme** · 18/08/2009, 12:11 PM

And thats what makes you extra proud of his achievements. He is a Mon.

**Ash** · 18/08/2009, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by Magicme

And thats what makes you extra proud of his achievements. He is a Mon.

Is that Nordie speak for he's a man

**Magicme** · 18/08/2009, 3:12 PM

Ha ha. Aye!

**aidz1** · 16/09/2009, 3:18 PM

is it true he has signed for some club in england??

**Longfordian** · 16/09/2009, 3:31 PM

Heard from somebody who was asked to come in and coach him recently that he was off to Wolves, whether that's on trial or a transfer I don't know.

**pineapple stu** · 16/09/2009, 4:10 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Didn't realise he was only that age when looking at him last night.

Same after watching him against us.

Seemed so confident and assured.

Can't agree with this, though (obviously, we were watching different games). Spilled a couple of shots which were straight at him and with power. Pulled off a couple of good (camera-happy) saves, but his handling was suspect overall.

But if he gets a move upwards, best of luck to him.

**Magicme** · 17/09/2009, 3:43 PM

Originally Posted by aidz1

is it true he has signed for some club in england??

No, not yet.

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Heard from somebody who was asked to come in and coach him recently that he was off to Wolves, whether that's on trial or a transfer I don't know.

He was over at Blackburn and Wolves over 2 weeks on trial and both clubs are keeping an eye on him. A Charlton scout was also at the St Pats game in Richmond and there are 1/2 other clubs keeping him under their watchful eyes so who knows.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Same after watching him against us.

Can't agree with this, though (obviously, we were watching different games). Spilled a couple of shots which were straight at him and with power. Pulled off a couple of good (camera-happy) saves, but his handling was suspect overall.

But if he gets a move upwards, best of luck to him.

Everyone has an off day and to be fair to him, he had just been through 3 massive weeks, 2 weeks of trials and 4 games including the game against Pats. He is usually a very competent young man!