Galway's 'Mr Reliable' Colm Horgan targets further consistency

Colm Horgan has become Galway United's Mr. Reliable over the past two seasons, during which he has only missed two games, and at the young age of 21 will start this season as an experienced 'vet.'

Horgan made his League of Ireland debut on his sixteenth birthday, for Salthill Devon, away to Monaghan. Salthill Devon is where he started his football with the under 9's and his developmental years were spent at Drom in a variety of teams.

Representative football beckoned when he was 14 and he represented Ireland's development squad in the Galway Cup – wearing the green of his country proudly on his ground.

Further recognition would come at under-16 and under-17 level as well as playing with the Under 19's in a tournament in Turkey. Additionally, Horgan played on the Irish Schools team for two seasons, captaining the side in the second.

It was hardly surprising then that he would step on the League of Ireland stage at a young age – for him it was just another development step. One of the signs of an outstanding player is that they always manage to step up performance and move the next level, almost seamlessly, and Colm Horgan is one of those guys.

Speaking to Horgan, who is generally a quiet-spoken individual, you do get a sense of a young man with a purpose and commitment that is well thought out. For many young footballers the advice is always to have a 'Plan B,' usually an educational path should the football route prove unsuccessful.

Horgan's 'Plan B' is neatly tucked away in his inside pocket – a commerce degree from NUIG , allowing him to concentrate on playing fulltime with Galway United, albeit on part-time terms.

“We started back pre-season about a month ago, training several times a week and mixing pitch work with gym sessions" he explains. They played their opening pre-season game on Saturday last, beating UCD 2-0, using a large number of players in the process.

Horgan explains that there is a massive difference between playing in the First Division and the Premier: "[the] speed of thought as well as the pace of the game, fitness and having to play the full 90 minutes.”

Stronger, faster, fitter, as you would expect at the higher level.

Right full-back is Horgan's preferred position, but he has played on the left on numerous occasions too – the kind of versatility that Denis Irwin showed in his heyday. The toughest direct opponent he has faced , he says, was Conan Byrne of St Patrick's Athletic.

High praise indeed, seing as he has played at least seven times against his brother Daryl, who has been a star for Dundalk over the last two seasons.

It's a nice segue into speculating about the 'Horgan DNA' as young brother Kevin, a goalkeeper is also in the Galway United Squad, while, younger still, Chris plays with Salthill Devon's under-17 League of Ireland side.

At this stage, Horgan can't wait to get the season started, away to St Pat's on March 4th. “We need to target taking points off the big teams” he says, they being the sides who finished in the top four last season.

As the new season beckons, Horgan along with his teams mates at Galway United have goals to achieve.

“Personally I want to keep a high level of consistency, help us keep more clean sheets and get forward for more assists - maybe even grab a few goals.”

Two seasons back Colm was clearly the best full back in the First division and last season was as good as any in the Premier League.

For now he is concentrating fully on his football, seeing where it takes him. The ultimate destination may be cross-channel – you wouldn't bet against it!