Injuries, Unwanted Records and The Future: Graham Gartland speaks to Extratime

In addition to capturing the Scottish First Division, Graham Gartland also won every Irish domestic trophy as a player, despite only having a little over 200 senior appearances to his name. It's hard to imagine what he could have achieved if injuries and retirement at 30 didn’t curb his career.

Early spells with Barnsley and Dundee United saw the young central defender fail to make the breakthrough at either club, which affected his self-belief: “Barnsley shook me the most because everything was going grand and one day you get called in and released. That haunted me for a couple of years and I didn’t deal with it well when I went to Dundee United. When I came home, my head was all over the place.”

On return, Graham signed for Longford Town – a club who not only succeeded in three cup finals in two seasons, but one where squad members looked out for each other: “They built me up by knocking the bravado out of me. I came in with a fake confidence, but underneath I was hurting.

"The older lads would be the first ones to help. They had jobs and families, but they gave it everything. Most of the young lads in that team went on to have good careers in the league. It gave us a good grounding, in that you helped the ones coming up as well.”

In 2005, the Dubliner joined Drogheda United, where he won the Premier Division, FAI Cup and two Setanta Sports Cups in his four years at the club. European ties remain memorable for Graham, as he scored three times, but also holds the dubious honour of becoming the first player in UEFA Cup history to miss two penalties during the same shootout.

“One of the goals was a header and the other two were with my right foot from about two and five yards out, but you don’t get extra for better efforts. I’ve never made a joke about the missed penalties. Others have, but I wouldn’t because it would be disrespectful to the other players. It’s not nice having it or something I wanted. You get the highs and lows in football and that was one of the low ones.” 

Drogheda’s accomplishments were abruptly ended when they entered examinership in late 2008. A financial decline so rapid that they turned down a £250,000 sum for Gartland from Ipswich Town only six months previous.

“I got an Ireland B cap away to Scotland and the Ipswich scout was there. He told me they were going to put in a bid for me, but I had two years left on my contract. The offer went in, nothing happened and six months later Drogheda went into administration. It was a hard one to take. In hindsight, the club should have accepted the bid, but I wasn’t in a position to say that you have to take it.”

Under freedom of contract, Graham arrived at St. Johnstone, but almost immediately, an injury prolonged his debut: “I kept myself fit over Christmas. I was on the bench for a cup game, told I’d be playing Saturday, but that Friday I done my medial. I didn’t really get going until the summer.”

During Gartland’s maiden season in Perthshire, the Saints won the Scottish First Division. He only managed seven appearances, but still rejoiced at the club’s achievement, despite his limited contribution.

“I celebrated, as I didn’t want to be seen as someone who didn’t care because I didn’t play, but I did care. I felt part of it, but not as much as I wanted.”

Injuries affected Graham again for 2011/12 and, without featuring that season, he left McDiarmid Park by mutual consent that January: “That summer I did my medial in training. I came back really strong and Derek McInnes said he’d play me when needed. When he left, I wanted to go and agreed a compensation package.”

The Tallaght native signed for his local club Shamrock Rovers, but feels that joining them earlier in his career would have been beneficial to both parties: “Playing for Rovers is special because you’re from the area. Physically, I wasn’t right and you’re trying to show people you care because it’s your home club.

"It ends up being counterproductive. When I came here, I was pushing my body to the limit, but it just wasn’t able. Mentally, it was draining because you try hard, but I’m privileged to say that I played for Shamrock Rovers.”

Gartland’s final League of Ireland season ended with his new club Shelbourne relegated to the First Division in 2013: “It was devastating and a difficult year. I knew it was coming to an end and constantly doubted whether I should still be playing.

"There were lads coming in part-time and it was hard to justify saying to them: ‘you have to do better’ because of the wages. There were kids in that team and I tried to help as many of them as I could, but it was tough.”

Regardless of all the on-field success, does Graham regret that faith didn’t deal him a better hand where continuity and longevity are concerned? “At Drogheda, I had nearly four years featuring in every game, but as soon as I went to Scotland, the injuries came. A lot of them were impact injuries because that’s just the way I played. For the trophies I won, I should have a lot more appearances.”

Currently Shamrock Rovers’ academy coach and community officer, while also a UEFA A Licence holder, where does Gartland see himself in the near future? “I’m looking to do the Elite Youth Licence in either Ireland or Scotland. My ambition is to produce players in Ireland, make an impact and try to be the best youth coach around.”