Darragh Sheridan on RTE Radio 1

[MyTown]

I know most of you are either listening to Ray Darcy or some other station, so this is to let you know Galway native and ex Galway United player Darragh Sheridan did a short slot with Ryan Tubridy on RTE Radio 1 this morning about the trauma of “not making it” as a professional footballer in England.

He seemed to be in shock at the appalling standard of facilities and coaching in the domestic game on his return home.

He outlined what he saw as his shame at coming home with his ‘tail-between-his-legs’ and how he eventually got a contract at Bray (at the time they were Premier League, we were First Division) where he felt he wasn’t getting opportunities. And then he bit the bullet by joining his home town club.

He told of how for the first three months back in Galway, he stayed away from the main shopping areas and night clubs rather than confront his so-called failure across the water. Eventually in a night club somebody came straight up to him and labelled him a failure and a nothing footballer. Darragh told the Tubridy audience that following a frank exchange of views, he pointed out to his accuser that he didn’t seem to have achieved much either.

He had major praise for Don O’Riordan (one of the best managers I came across in the game), but said it was further education that was his salvation. Without it he would have nothing. He urged parents of would-be professional footballers not to leave Ireland before completing the Leaving Certificate and said 99.9% of guys don’t make it as professional footballers and further education is their key to finding a meaningful place for themselves afterwards.

Darragh’s parents were great supporters of the club for a good twenty years or more, but I haven’t seen them too much in recent times.

[WoodquayBoy]

They are there quite regularly, and I saw Darragh at one of the games at the end of the season, Deryr or Bray, can't remember which.

[corbyeire]

dont know if i caught all the interview - but he seemed straight up about his whole experience

[gufct]

John and Bridie are at nearly all home games great supporters always were long before Darragh and Declan played for us.

[GuisaSaigon]

Fair play to Darragh. I know not "making it" across the water was very disheartening for him, after such success at schoolboy levels. Hope he is doing well now, sound guy and Galway United fan like ourselves.

[Martinho II]

have great respect for darragh from his time with us.. he was instrumental in getting sean dillon shane barrett in joining us when he helped run the reap course with eoin hand of the fai in gettin footballers home from the uk in having a decent education along with full time football here in Ireland...

wots he up to nowadays???

[Paddyfield]

His parents are at most of the home games. His brother Declan also had a stint at the Club but was caught up in his studies to become an accountant.

Darragh was at United Park when we lost the promotion play-off to Drogs

[Martinho II]

remember darragh sheridan scored a cracker of a goal for us four years ago in drogheda! he never really scored much for us im afraid.