Rovers the right fit for Corry

Former UCD man Paul Corry was one of four players introduced to the media as a Shamrock Rovers player on Friday morning. However Corry has been with the Hoops since September. He was using that time to get back to fitness after injury difficulties curtailed his time over in England. While other clubs were looking to sign the 25-year-old midfielder, he had seen enough in his time training with Stephen Bradley and Stephen McPhail to know he wanted to play in Tallaght in 2017.

“I was in training with Shamrock Rovers for the last five weeks of the season,” said Corry speaking to extratime.ie. “I was using that as a base to finish off my rehab and to get training again.  I just liked the feel of the place and the people.

“I know Stephen McPhail from my time at Sheffield Wednesday. I know Bradser (Stephen Bradley) from playing against him and from my time in and around Shamrock Rovers. I like his views on the game and how he likes to play. It suits me.

“I think when you sign for a club it is important to have people like that, that you feel you warm to and who value you as a player.  It just had the right fit for me. I’d interest obviously from the majority of teams in the league, but this one just had the right fit at this present time.”

Corry, since leaving Belfield in 2012, endured a difficult spell in the UK after having an initial good start with Sheffield Wednesday. He subsequently went to Tranmere Rovers and Carlisle United, both on loan before moving to Northampton Town for the 2015/16 season where he picked up a serious knee injury.

“I’ve probably had two frustrating years at Sheffield Wednesday and then last year, I obviously had a bad knee injury which put me out, so it’s been the guts of three years coming round for me.”

Despite his torrid time in England, Corry believes following countless hours of rehab that his knee is 100% and that he is ready to play at the top level once again.

“I’m just now mentally preparing myself for the season ahead and physically getting myself in the best shape I can possible. I’m just gearing myself towards January and pre-season and am really looking forward to getting going.

“My knee is 100% now.  I was lucky. I was in good hands, probably the best surgeon in the UK and probably the best surgeon in Europe as well, so I was lucky in that sense. I put a lot of long, hard hours into physiotherapy, working with the physio and rehab specialist. It’s been difficult but I’ve put the time in, so hopefully that’ll reward me now coming into this season.”

Before leaving for Sheffield Wednesday, Corry enjoyed three years playing under Martin Russell at UCD where he won the 2009 First Division title.  The midfielder believes he is a better player now than he was when he departed for England and insists he is ready for the forthcoming challenges.

“I played with UCD for three years from when I was 18 right up to 21.  I know what the league is about. I know that I’m more than capable of playing at this level. I’m probably a much better player now than I was when I left.  I’ve got better experience behind me. I’ve learned from people that I’ve trained and played with in the UK.”

Having had a troublesome time in England, Corry believed it was time for a fresh start for him. “I don’t think it’s relevant whether it was in the UK or whether it was back here in Ireland.  It’s just a fresh start and I’m ready to get going again.  It’s been frustrating that I’ve not played games consistently when I was in the UK.

“I think that’s my main aim here, to play week in week out and get this club back to where it probably should be, up around the top of the league competing for things and competing for titles. I think I can bring a lot to the table in that sense.

“You look at the training ground that’s going up, there’s going to be a new stand as well.  It just has the feel of a football club. The facilities are top notch, everything is just put in place for you to be the top pro that you can be. 

“That’s maybe not the same with every club in the league, but in terms of being a player for Shamrock Rovers, I can have no complaints really. Everything is put in front of you, so it is up to you to reap the rewards from that and make yourself the best player you can be.”