FRIDAY MAY 3 2013

ES the popular Kerryman who spent five years at Celtic, played a bit of football in Iceland and, according to one of Joe Gormleys tweets, controlled a pint of Magners on his chest. He also likes to growl at opposing goalkeepers. Cliftonville loves Diarmuid OCarroll and Diarmuid OCarroll loves Cliftonville. Its easy to understand the love that flows from the terraces to the pitch and back again. The Reds faithful worship wholehearted types. OCarroll always punches in the miles and theres a touch of class about his forward play. When the ball is pumped forward to the 25-year-old, it invariably sticks to his chest or feet like velcro. He admits he doesnt possess the scoring knack of Joe The Goal Gormley or the dancing feet of Liam Boyce, but his contribution since Christmas has been immeasurable. So much so that he has become an indispensable member of Tommy Breslins starting line-up. On the field, OCarroll is an imposing figure. Indeed, part of his on-field charm is to growl at opposing keepers when they make clearances. But when the former Kerry GAA underage star stepped out of Tuesday nights light training session at Solitude to be interviewed, he didnt appear half as big or imposing. OCarroll makes for easy company and the Killarney brogue remains as strong as ever. He has fond memories of his time at Celtic and the nurturing talents of the late Tommy Burns. But he also reveals that two years ago he was on the verge of quitting. A year or two ago I wanted to chuck football completely, he says matter-of-factly. I wouldnt have played five-a-side for you. I just got disillusioned... Being a full-time footballer, he says, is brilliant in theory but when youre doing it every day and you take it to heart and stuff it could be stressful enough, and I just thought it wasnt worth the hassle and it was annoying me and frustrating me. But Im enjoying it now and I look forward to coming to training, which is different from what it used to be. OCarroll played Gaelic football for his local club Dr Crokes and the Kerry minors, but soccer was his first love. He starred in the Republic of Ireland underage teams and was offered contracts with Man City, Aston Villa and Burnley by the age of 16. But when Celtic came calling, OCarrolls mind was made up. I loved Celtic. Tommy Burns was the man who signed me. He was head of the youth team at the time. He was a great man. Sadly, he passed away but he was a legend. Ill always remember him. Even now, if things go wrong and Id be beating myself up, Id remember what things he would say to me. There were four of us who went

Im delighted I didnt chuck it because I get the chance to play with these boys here theyre fearless and they enjoy it. It reminds me of the way I was a few years ago
Diarmuid OCarroll
CARROLL met a Belfast girl and is now living north of the city a couple of corner-kicks away from Solitude. He ended up at Glenavon last year where he first encountered Packie McAllister, now Donegal Celtic manager. It was when Packie McAllister started coaching us at Glenavon he got me loving it again. Technically, the sessions he put on were brilliant, really entertaining, really enjoyable. If I didnt play on a Saturday I was still enjoying myself during the week. And thats what made me come here. I know Packie gave Tommy a reference for me. Give Packie a big job and hell do fantastic no doubt about it. OCarroll surveys the training session taking place on Solitudes artificial surface. He cant speak highly enough of the camaraderie and talent in Breslins squad ahead of tomorrows Irish Cup final with Glentoran. Im delighted I didnt chuck it because I get the chance to play with these boys here theyre fearless and they enjoy it. It reminds me of the way I was a few years ago. Thats what makes you happy. OCarroll adds: The two boys up front [Joe Gormley and Liam Boyce] are exceptional talents. I say this to everyone the same as Conor Devlin and James Knowles these boys can play at whatever level they want. They are that good. Take Conor Devlin: Ive played with some goalkeepers. Hes 21, like. Goalkeepers dont reach their peak until theyre 27 or 28. To see if you were to watch this session, everybodys joking about and maybe we should be more professional at times. But if you watch Conor hes here after training for over a half-an-hour, working on his game. Hes different class, just different class. Its time to wrap up this interview. OCarroll is chomping at the bit. He wants to join in the five-a-side taking place a few yards away. Affectionately known as big Dermy, the happy Kerryman is ready to do some growling come Saturday...

OCARROLL SMILEY: Cliftonville forward Diarmuid OCarroll celebrates after the Reds finally lifted the Gibson Cup last weekend, and he is hoping to pick up more silverware tomorrow Picture: Pacemaker

He spent five years at Celtic, took his footballing talents to Reykjavik for a spell, but Diarmuid OCarroll has finally found his home-from-home at Solitude. Brendan Crossan caught up with Cliftonvilles Kerry star ahead of tomorrows Irish Cup final...
over Darren ODea and two other Dublin boys. We all lived together. Tommy really looked after us, he nurtured us. To be fair, everyone was great with us at Celtic. It was fantastic, a great experience and Id recommend it to anybody. It just didnt work out for me in playing first team football. After four years with the Celtic reserves, OCarroll felt it was time to move on. Its strange, he says, you get so far and then there is that last little bit. Thats why I was keen to play for Morecambe so I could play first team every week, which I did more often than not. I played in the FA Cup and all that. He later moved to Airdrie United where he linked up with current Reds team-mate Marc Smyth before being offered the chance to play a bit of football in Reykjavik, Iceland. By that stage, OCarrolls passion for the game was waning. I kept moving for different reasons. Who gets the chance to live in Reykjavik for four months? You got 24 hours of sunlight. Id go again. But at the time my head probably wasnt in it.

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