Irish Player signs for Dutch league team

**drummerboy** · 09/08/2007, 8:28 AM

http://www.moyleparkppfc.com/content/view/35/1/

There are not many Irish footballers plying their trade on continental Europe but last Friday morning Clondalkin�s Ian Maher travelled to Rotterdam to begin his new career with Leonidas. Speaking exclusively to the Clondalkin Gazette�s John Barrington Maher said � This is a great chance for me to pursue a career in football, it�s something I�ve always wanted and thought it has passed me by when I was released by St Patrick�s Athletic�.

Maher was on the books of St Patrick�s Athletic for four seasons and managed a number of first team appearances before loan spells at Shamrock Rovers and Kildare County. However, last November he was released and was promptly snapped up by Cherry Orchard manager Joe Somerville for the Ballyfermot clubs Leinster Senior League side.

The 21-year-old from Dunawley applied himself and was rewarded when the Orchard went on to pick up the title. It was his performances at the Orchard that sparked Leonidas� interest and the Dutch approached the club seeking his services.

It was a second chance for the young Clondalkin man as he agreed as a 17-year-old to sign for Sparta Rotterdam but their relegation put paid to that opportunity.

�I was due to sign for Sparta four years ago�, Maher continued, �but they were relegated that season and some problems developed within the club and the deal was called off.�

�St Patrick�s Athletic came in for me and I spent four seasons there rising up through the under 21�s to the senior team and then I was sent on loan to Shamrock Rovers and Kildare County. My contract expired at the end of last season and was not renewed�

�Joe Somerville was on the phone to me straight away and I didn�t hesitate to sign for Cherry Orchard, a club I played for at schoolboy level, moving there from Bawnogue Boys when I was 12.�

�He [Joe] deserves a lot of credit, he gave me the chance and I feel I learned lots from him and my game improved. We had a great season and I really enjoyed the midfield role, it was hard work but very satisfying.

Leonidas are regarded as a feeder club of Sparta Rotterdam, similar to the way Ireland international David Connolly who, while at Feyenoord, played with their feeder outfit, Excelsior.

�I am really looking forward to the challenge. The club chairman flew over to do the deal and it was all done and dusted last Monday in Jury�s Hotel. I start training with my new club on Monday and I am really looking forward to it and I know it�s going to mean working hard.�

�The Dutch league season doesn�t start until September , they have their cup competition first so I expect to be thrown in the deep end as there is a tournament this weekend �, he laughed.

A metal worker by trade, Ian was fulsome in his praise of his employers NK Fencing for their support and understanding while he also had a special word for his family and girlfriend saying � It�ll be hard to leave but they are 100% behind me and I appreciate that a lot.�

**gustavo** · 09/08/2007, 8:33 AM

Good to see Irish players playing abroad somewhere other than the U.K hope it goes well for him

**drinkfeckarse** · 09/08/2007, 9:00 AM

What division are they in though? It sounds as if they're not in the top division so the money will hardly be great. I know it's not all about the cash but you need to be able to survive.

**Dodge** · 09/08/2007, 9:01 AM

Originally Posted by drinkfeckarse

What division are they in though? It sounds as if they're not in the top division so the money will hardly be great. I know it's not all about the cash but you need to be able to survive.

They're an "amatuer" team playing in a regional league

**Sheridan** · 09/08/2007, 10:15 AM

Yeah, they have links to Ireland and often play here in pre-season. They hosted Bray on a brief Dutch tour a couple of years back. But they're basically an amateur bottom of the First Division/LSL standard team and their relationship with Sparta is by no means analogous to that of Excelsior and Feyernoord. Good luck to the lad though, I seem to remember him having a fine game against Shams in the cup semi-final last year and that will do for me.

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Speaking exclusively to the Clondalkin Gazette�s John Barrington Maher said

Heh, wonder how they scooped La Gazzetta dello Sport for that one.

**Dodge** · 09/08/2007, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

I seem to remember him having a fine game against Shams in the cup semi-final last year and that will do for me

Must be thinking of someone else. He was on loan at Shamrock and Kildare for last season.

**drinkfeckarse** · 09/08/2007, 11:05 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

They're an "amatuer" team playing in a regional league

Very strange decision then. He leaves one amateur team for another? I can understand it if it was to broaden his horizons and see another culture etc but to try and say it's a football decision is just bizarre.

No different to me saying I moved to Scotland for football reasons just because I pick up some expenses and some free gear. He's obviously going to have to work there so to say "it's a great chance" is misleading. Best of luck to him but to me it's just a story about a fella emigrating who'll play for the local amateur team.

**soccerc** · 09/08/2007, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Sheridan

Heh, wonder how they scooped La Gazzetta dello Sport for that one.

The devil is in the detail, which is not in the article.

Further the analogy of the Excelsior/ Feyenoord was used to explain the system prevailing in Holland to a local audience not au-fait with footballing matters.

**Dodge** · 09/08/2007, 12:26 PM

Should've mentioned it no longer exists and they're completely separate now...

**TheBoss** · 09/08/2007, 1:26 PM

It is effectively 4th Division in Holland.

Two players from in their team played in Ireland - Yalmard Kusten (Sligo Rovers) and Jermaine Sandvliet (Drogheda United). Also Galway United signed Michael Yeboah Mensah from them aswell.

**sligoman** · 09/08/2007, 1:47 PM

Wonder will Stan give him a call up, now that he's playing in Holland?

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Yalmard Kusten (Sligo Rovers)

He was with Limerick too, that's where we signed him from.

**superfrank** · 09/08/2007, 5:16 PM

They hammered us 4-1 in a friendly a few years ago.

I agree with gus, it's nice to see a player move further abroad than the other half of the British Isles even if it is amateur terms.

**onephillyhughes** · 09/08/2007, 5:17 PM

Did someone else go to play in Holland a few years ago? Can't think of a name but I seem to remember something.

**Dodge** · 09/08/2007, 6:13 PM

Mick Byrne played for Den HAag in the top division

**Lim till i die** · 09/08/2007, 7:25 PM

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Yalmard Kusten (Sligo Rovers) .

Jaysus, nice to know he's still knocking around

Decent player and a decent bloke

SLK will be thrilled

**bennocelt** · 09/08/2007, 8:18 PM

Originally Posted by superfrank

I agree with gus, it's nice to see a player move further abroad than the other half of the British Isles even if it is amateur terms.

the isle of man?

Have lived in Holland, great place to live, and I guess this decision must have been more to do with lifestyle than for footballing reasons

Also the football in holland when I was there was **** poor, only the top 3 teams..........Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord were decent, and regularly beat the rest 4 or 5-0, but it seems to be changing a bit now