An Interview with Roy O'Donovan

It’s a long way from Cork to Australia, but Roy O’Donovan finds himself here after pursuing a dream, which guided him down an unconventional path. 

Signing for Coventry City at 15, Roy spent three years unable to break into the Midlands outfit’s first-team. Snapped up by Cork City FC in 2005, the youngster initially featured on the right-wing before a switch up front: “Damien Richardson felt the team needed a spark on the right. Playing there gave me a good grounding.”

The club also starred in the UEFA Cup, eliminating Lithuanians FK Ekranas and Sweden’s Djurgardens IF before succumbing to SK Slavia Prague: “I celebrated my birthday on our first European trip ... The next night I scored and we won 2-0.”

Clinching the Premier Division, Munster Senior Cup, nominated for SWAI Player of the Season, domestic football must have seemed a doddle to a 19-year old: “Like all young players, I went through indifferent form, losing my place. We might have made it look easy, but as a team we were doing everything right.”

Champions League football ensued, but the club relinquished their title: “It was frustrating we couldn’t do what Dundalk is doing now and cement a place as the top team.”

Representing the Republic of Ireland at U-19, U-21 and B levels, O’Donovan believes selection for the senior squad’s 2007 summer trip to the USA should have arisen: “I had 20-odd goals. There was about 15 pull-outs and places up for grabs, but it was terrific seeing Joe Gamble and Alan Bennett playing.”

English Premiership side Fulham almost signed the in-form attacker, until a fellow Corkonian made contact: “Fulham was a done deal. Before I went for a medical, Roy Keane rang and turned my head to go to Sunderland.”

A League of Ireland transfer record at the time, Roy strived to shine amongst a huge squad in a ruthless environment: “Sunderland was different … So cut-throat. There was probably 35 first-team pros. It wasn’t a happy dressing room because everybody wanted to be involved.”

An auspicious maiden season preceded a disillusioning loan spell at Craig Levein’s Dundee United: “The first day, I wanted to come back. I’ve never had it since, but he and I didn’t click. I wasn’t happy going to work.”   

A recall before Christmas and then a loan period at Championship side Blackpool in January, where regardless of surgery to remove his appendix, O’Donovan enjoyed football again: “I was glad to be playing and had the option to go on loan the next year, which I probably should have.”

2009/2010 saw Roy loaned out to both Southend United and Hartlepool United (netting a hat-trick for the latter against the former). Hartlepool contained some familiar faces: Gamble, Dennis Behan and Leon McSweeney, his old Cork City teammates. During the summer, O’Donovan returned to his first English club, penning a three-year contract for new Coventry manager, Aidy Boothroyd: “They say ‘you should never go back’, but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to right some wrongs.”

Recuperating from a broken metatarsal in January 2012, Roy was loaned out again, to Hibernian, where he witnessed a Scottish Cup final defeat to Heart of Midlothian: “They were the better team on the day. I played in the derby six weeks previous, at Tynecastle. There’s an edge leading up to it: banging on the bus, police escort … A genuine hatred.”

At the beginning of 2013, Boothroyd, by then Northampton Town’s manager, signed his former striker on a free transfer. A promising season ended with heartache, as the Cobblers lost to Bradford City in the play-off final.

“We were 2nd or 3rd until April, but couldn’t get over the line. Bradford had us beaten after 20 minutes, but playing at Wembley was brilliant.”

In O’Donovan’s 2nd season, Northampton’s form plummeted and he underwent double hernia surgery: “Aidy’s budget was cut, we lost the spine of our team and he got his marching orders. Every good season I’ve had seems to be followed by an injury-prone one.”

Early 2014, a chat with another Leesider, resulted in a move to Brunei DPMM FC, in Singapore’s S.League: “I got a phone call from George O’Callaghan, who’d played there and was trying to become an agent. It was a great chance ... A culture shock, but fantastic to play in a diverse society.”

Capturing the Singapore League Cup and pipped for the S.League, a photo of O’Donovan on Malaysian club Sabah FA’s website was seen by Brunei’s crown prince, who withdrew a contract extension: “George had a coaching role in Malaysia and they thought I was going to sign there, which was never the case, but I still got in trouble.”

A free transfer to Indonesian side Mitra Kukar FC culminated in disaster, with FIFA suspending the domestic season: “After playing in Asia, I said I might as well stay there. A new Super League started, but it wasn’t ready to be what it wanted to be.”

Five months without football until this May and finally a two-year deal with the Australian Hyundai A-League’s Central Coast Mariners. The New South Wales club currently occupy rock-bottom position, but Roy’s upbeat about the future.

“Unfortunately, we’re leaking goals, but we’re scoring … There’s definitely ability in the team.”

Prior to November’s derby against Newcastle Jets, an O’Donovan quote portrayed the opposition as uninspiring. Taken out of context or mischief? “Both really ... They made out I said that Newcastle are dour. It wasn’t how I expressed it.”

Off-field, Roy and wife Ellen are relishing their latest surroundings: “We’re living in Terrigal, by the seafront and can just walk to the beach.”

Would he ever trade this lifestyle for a rain-soaked Turner’s Cross Stadium? “It’s in our heads to return home one day, but I wouldn’t play for Cork City unless I could contribute ... I’m grateful for what they gave me.”

Proven throughout O’Donovan’s career, a phone call at the right moment can lead a footballer anywhere.

You can read more of Dan’s Interviews below:

An Interview with Davin O'Neill

An Interview with John O'Rourke

Willie Bruton - A Rambler's Tale

Former Rangers 'keeper eager to impress on Leeside