Dunleavy ready to live the Premiership dream
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
DONEGAL native Johnny Dunleavy is looking forward to life in the dizzy heights of the FA Barclaycard Premiership after putting pen to paper on a two-year professional contract with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of last week.
"It’s what every apprentice wants and dreams of to sign a professional deal and so obviously I’m delighted," Dunleavy beamed after coming through the academy at Molineaux to sign on the dotted line with the Mick McCarthy-managed team.
Wolves won automatic promotion to the Premiership a few weeks ago having clinched the Championship title and highly-rated centre-half Dunleavy is eyeing up the challenge with a level head that belies the youthful years. Dunleavy has been capped for the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy and underage level and this season was the captain of the Wolves U18 team.
“I’m just looking forward to next year now and trying to get in the gaffer’s eyes as much as possible during pre-season," he said.
“I’ve never had any regrets about coming to Wolves because I’ve loved every minute of my first two years here. It’s up to me to make the best of what I’ve got here now.
“The facilities are great and the people are great and I’ve just got to work hard and keep progressing to try and reach the first team.
“The club reaching the Premier League might make it more difficult for me in a way but at the end of the day everyone dreams of playing in the Premier League and if you work hard enough and believe in yourself you’ll get there eventually.”
Johnny suffered a medial knee ligament injury towards the end of Wolves’ season having previously played a major role for both the Academy and the Development squad which plays regular senior friendly games over the season. Now fit again, he is ready to come back strongly for pre-season and hoping to learn more from a boss who has reached the top as both player and manager with Republic of Ireland.
“The gaffer is obviously well known back home from his time as international player and manager,” says Johnny.
“The fact he had such a great career himself as a defender means I have so much I can learn from him and so any advice I get is very much appreciated and taken on board.
“He’s one of the most approachable gaffers you could ever meet. “There’s never any problem about talking to him and he’s always straight with you – if you’re not doing something right he’ll tell you and that sort of honesty really helps a player.
“He’s a great gaffer to work with and hopefully I can work with him plenty more in the future.”
Johnny, who initially chose Wolves despite strong interest from Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic, is the son of former Donegal GAA star Brendan and Martina Dunleavy, Lower Drumboe, Ballybofey.
"It’s what every apprentice wants and dreams of to sign a professional deal and so obviously I’m delighted," Dunleavy beamed after coming through the academy at Molineaux to sign on the dotted line with the Mick McCarthy-managed team.
Wolves won automatic promotion to the Premiership a few weeks ago having clinched the Championship title and highly-rated centre-half Dunleavy is eyeing up the challenge with a level head that belies the youthful years. Dunleavy has been capped for the Republic of Ireland at schoolboy and underage level and this season was the captain of the Wolves U18 team.
“I’m just looking forward to next year now and trying to get in the gaffer’s eyes as much as possible during pre-season," he said.
“I’ve never had any regrets about coming to Wolves because I’ve loved every minute of my first two years here. It’s up to me to make the best of what I’ve got here now.
“The facilities are great and the people are great and I’ve just got to work hard and keep progressing to try and reach the first team.
“The club reaching the Premier League might make it more difficult for me in a way but at the end of the day everyone dreams of playing in the Premier League and if you work hard enough and believe in yourself you’ll get there eventually.”
Johnny suffered a medial knee ligament injury towards the end of Wolves’ season having previously played a major role for both the Academy and the Development squad which plays regular senior friendly games over the season. Now fit again, he is ready to come back strongly for pre-season and hoping to learn more from a boss who has reached the top as both player and manager with Republic of Ireland.
“The gaffer is obviously well known back home from his time as international player and manager,” says Johnny.
“The fact he had such a great career himself as a defender means I have so much I can learn from him and so any advice I get is very much appreciated and taken on board.
“He’s one of the most approachable gaffers you could ever meet. “There’s never any problem about talking to him and he’s always straight with you – if you’re not doing something right he’ll tell you and that sort of honesty really helps a player.
“He’s a great gaffer to work with and hopefully I can work with him plenty more in the future.”
Johnny, who initially chose Wolves despite strong interest from Manchester United and Glasgow Celtic, is the son of former Donegal GAA star Brendan and Martina Dunleavy, Lower Drumboe, Ballybofey.
About Chris McNulty
Chris McNulty is one of extratime's Northwest correspondents, covering Finn Harps and Derry City. Has worked as a sports writer with the Donegal News since 2007. View Full Profile