Crowe - Heary a perfect leader

League of Ireland legend Glen Crowe hailed friend and former teammate Owen Heary as one of the domestic game’s greats and as a “perfect” leader.

Crowe, who played alongside Heary during successful spells at both Shelbourne and then Bohemians, was speaking at his old Dalymount Park stomping ground after Heary’s tribute game about their time together.

“Owen was a truly exceptional player. You don’t win seven league titles otherwise and the cups that go with that and the standard of competitions he has played in too all prove it,” Crowe said of his former teammate.

“He always gave 110%, he never left anything in the dressing room and everything was left on the pitch and as a captain, the whole team followed his example. I would say he is the perfect captain.

“I think he has a natural aggression about him too but it is controlled and is channelled in the right way,” continued Crowe. “He would always be competitive and demand it of the men around him and because he was willing to do it, teammates were too.”

During the game itself, Crowe had the strains of ‘New York, New York’ echoing around the ground one last time after hitting the back of the net in a 5-1 victory for the Gypsies XI against a Shelbourne equivalent made up of former players and he thoroughly enjoyed being back.

With Heary now set to try his hand at management of Bohs, the ex-Irish international has tipped him to be an instant hit in the role.

“The game was a good occasion, it was a great to get a goal and a nice turnout too and I thought it was hugely enjoyable and Owen is definitely someone who deserves that,” he continued. “His playing days now being finished, it was a great way to send him off and into the managerial side of things.

“That is something I see him being successful at and almost from when I first signed for Shels you could sense that in him that he would go down that side of it. All of the experience he has from his playing days too I think will make him a great success of it.

“He has also played under and learned from some great managers and as far as I’m concerned he will be a success.”

The 35-year-old has now returned to St Mochtas to see out his playing days in the Leinster Senior League, the first ever club he played for at U7 level and he says he is still loving the game.

“I’m still playing senior league just for the local team, back to where it all began for me 28 or so years ago, and I’m still enjoying it which is the main thing,” he added. When asked about potentially following the path trodden by Heary into coaching, he admitted that it is not something that has yet crossed his mind but is also something he would not rule out.

“Coaching isn’t really something that I’ve thought about myself to be honest and maybe is something I will look into when I feel the time is right.

“I do little bits and pieces but it is something I would look at maybe when I’m finished as it is difficult at the moment while I’m still playing.”