Collopy optimistic about new season
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It would be understandable if the players of Limerick FC went into the new season with a sense of anxiety. Despite the shock departure of manager Mike Kerley two weeks before the start of the new campaign and the loss of last season’s top goal scorer, Gary Sheahan, Limerick’s talented goalkeeper Brian Collopy is remaining upbeat at the start of the 2009 season.
Talking to extratime.ie, he said: “I’m really looking forward to the new season because there are such a good number of quality teams this year and it will make for a great season and hopefully a good one for Limerick. It will be very competitive this season.”
When questioned on the mood in the Limerick squad after Mike Kerley’s resignation the Irish U-18 international admits it was initially a setback.
“It was a bit of a blow to lose Mike two weeks before the new season but the mood in the squad now is very good. In football, managers come and go. Every player with Limerick is just concentrating on the football side of things and just focusing on getting the win Friday night.”
It seems that Brian Collopy’s optimism is shared among the rest of the Limerick squad.
“I am very optimistic about the season because we finished so strongly last year and we intend to start this season the same way we ended last year by pushing for top of the table.”
It is widely acknowledged that this season’s First Division is going to be very competitive and Brian Collopy shares this view before the start of the new season.
“Well there are a number of good teams this year such as Fingal, Shels, Waterford and us. Being honest it could be anyone's league this year, but hopefully us.”
One of the main aims the 18-year-old has is to hold down a more regular first team place this season.
“It would be nice to get a bit more experience in the League of Ireland, hopefully I will get a few games under my belt this season, and even if I'm not playing as long as the team is getting results that’s what matters.”
If Limerick FC can continue their form from the end of last season, Brian Collopy believes they can go a step further and push for promotion this season.
“I can see us pushing for promotion this season, there is a good spirit around training and we have some very talented players at the club so there is no reason why we can't be pushing for top or the play-offs this year.”
The majority of last season’s squad has signed for the 2009 season and when asked who has impressed him in pre-season training, Collopy said: “Everyone has really impressed me in pre-season. Everyone is fighting for their place in the team. The likes of Brian O Callaghan, Tommy Barrett, Paddy Purcell and Wayne Colbert have bags of experience which really helps the young lads in the squad. The intensity of training has impressed me the most. Despite the departure of Mike two weeks before the start of the season, all the lads got the head down and knew what had to be done for ourselves during the critical time of not having a manager.”
When asked was it realistic for Limerick FC supporters to expect a push for promotion this season, the young goalkeeper responded in an optimistic mood.
“We have the squad to do so this season, there is a mixture of experience and youth in the team and everyone at Limerick Football Club wants to be pushing for promotion so hopefully the fans will get behind us this year and drive us on like the end of last season.”
There is no doubt that the future is bright for the young goalkeeper but when asked about the future of Limerick FC, Brian Collopy responded in a positive manner.
He said: “Hopefully back in the Markets Field and in the Premier Division because that’s where Limerick needs to be because there is such great talent in Limerick football.”
“I just hope for a successful season with Limerick and hope to get a run of games in the team. Hopefully I will get another chance to play for Ireland because it’s such an honour and hope to be challenging for the title this season.”
Talking to extratime.ie, he said: “I’m really looking forward to the new season because there are such a good number of quality teams this year and it will make for a great season and hopefully a good one for Limerick. It will be very competitive this season.”
When questioned on the mood in the Limerick squad after Mike Kerley’s resignation the Irish U-18 international admits it was initially a setback.
“It was a bit of a blow to lose Mike two weeks before the new season but the mood in the squad now is very good. In football, managers come and go. Every player with Limerick is just concentrating on the football side of things and just focusing on getting the win Friday night.”
It seems that Brian Collopy’s optimism is shared among the rest of the Limerick squad.
“I am very optimistic about the season because we finished so strongly last year and we intend to start this season the same way we ended last year by pushing for top of the table.”
It is widely acknowledged that this season’s First Division is going to be very competitive and Brian Collopy shares this view before the start of the new season.
“Well there are a number of good teams this year such as Fingal, Shels, Waterford and us. Being honest it could be anyone's league this year, but hopefully us.”
One of the main aims the 18-year-old has is to hold down a more regular first team place this season.
“It would be nice to get a bit more experience in the League of Ireland, hopefully I will get a few games under my belt this season, and even if I'm not playing as long as the team is getting results that’s what matters.”
If Limerick FC can continue their form from the end of last season, Brian Collopy believes they can go a step further and push for promotion this season.
“I can see us pushing for promotion this season, there is a good spirit around training and we have some very talented players at the club so there is no reason why we can't be pushing for top or the play-offs this year.”
The majority of last season’s squad has signed for the 2009 season and when asked who has impressed him in pre-season training, Collopy said: “Everyone has really impressed me in pre-season. Everyone is fighting for their place in the team. The likes of Brian O Callaghan, Tommy Barrett, Paddy Purcell and Wayne Colbert have bags of experience which really helps the young lads in the squad. The intensity of training has impressed me the most. Despite the departure of Mike two weeks before the start of the season, all the lads got the head down and knew what had to be done for ourselves during the critical time of not having a manager.”
When asked was it realistic for Limerick FC supporters to expect a push for promotion this season, the young goalkeeper responded in an optimistic mood.
“We have the squad to do so this season, there is a mixture of experience and youth in the team and everyone at Limerick Football Club wants to be pushing for promotion so hopefully the fans will get behind us this year and drive us on like the end of last season.”
There is no doubt that the future is bright for the young goalkeeper but when asked about the future of Limerick FC, Brian Collopy responded in a positive manner.
He said: “Hopefully back in the Markets Field and in the Premier Division because that’s where Limerick needs to be because there is such great talent in Limerick football.”
“I just hope for a successful season with Limerick and hope to get a run of games in the team. Hopefully I will get another chance to play for Ireland because it’s such an honour and hope to be challenging for the title this season.”
About David Byrne
is a freelance sports reporter based in Limerick who has been following the League of Ireland for as long as he can remember. As an avid Limerick supporter his earliest memory of the League was … View Full Profile