Dessie Baker: 'I couldn't get any higher than winning the league with my hometown club'

It’s highly unusual for a footballer to win silverware with every club they’ve represented but, from youth level at Manchester United to hometown side Shamrock Rovers, Dessie Baker has achieved this feat.

As a trainee with Manchester United, Baker was announced as 1995’s FAI Youth Player of the Year and part of a hugely successful group of youngsters, who went on to capture the FA Youth Cup and Youth League, but still missed out on a professional contract at Old Trafford.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t work out and it was disappointing at the time,” Baker told extratime.ie.

“They rang around different clubs for me to go to, but after Man Utd, a lower side just isn’t the same.”

The young attacker returned home, joining Shelbourne in the summer of 1996 and the following year notched the opener in the Republic of Ireland’s 2-1 bronze-medal victory over Ghana at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

“I remember it like it was yesterday – one of the proudest moments of my career. My mother had a few friends and relatives over the house to watch the game. She went out to make the tea and all she heard was screaming and shouting from the front room when I scored.”

On the domestic scene, Dessie would go on to experience several triumphant years with Shels, including the capture of three Premier Divisions and two FAI Cups.

However, particular mention is reserved for the 1999/00 top flight title, earned alongside younger brother Richie, under manager Dermot Keely.

“Richie was only coming into the squad at that stage. Dermot knew he was a good footballer and took him in. It made it more special – especially for my parents, when we won the league together.”

Another standout, but for different reasons, was when the Reds were awarded the 2001/02 Premier Division, following champions St Patrick’s Athletic’s 15-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player.

“You can’t change what happened. It’s unfortunate, but at the end of the day, we still won it.”

At the end of that season, Dermot Keely retired and Pat Fenlon took over as boss, which coincided in a prolonged period of frustration for Baker, who saw little first-team action.

“It was terrible. Throughout my career, I’d never had serious injuries before, but then was out with my ankle for almost a year.

“Pat brought in Jason Byrne and Glen Crowe. It’s very hard to push ahead of these players when you’ve been out for so long.”

The Dubliner was eventually handed a lifeline by a familiar face in early 2004.

“Alan Mathews was a coach at Shels and when he asked me to go to Longford Town, it kick-started my career again. We had great players and I enjoyed my time there.”

Baker’s medal count increased during his first season with the midlands outfit, who secured both domestic cups in fine style.

2007 witnessed another FAI Cup final, but an already relegated Longford went down 0-1 to Cork City, denying them consolation at the end of a miserable year.

That winter, Baker’s prospects improved when his local team Shamrock Rovers signed him for the upcoming campaign.

“I know I played for Shels for several years, but I’m a Tallaght lad. The new stadium was just being built and everyone was talking about Shamrock Rovers again.”

Despite a good start to 2008, Baker and manager Pat Scully fell out, leading to a loan spell at promotion-chasing Dundalk for the remainder of the season.

“It was my decision to go. We had a disagreement. Pat had his ways and I mine.

“If I wasn’t going to play football, there was no point in staying there that year. When you have the trust of a gaffer, then you’ll get the best out of a player.”

Bolstered by Dessie’s arrival, the Lilywhites went on to clinch the First Division title, at the expense of his former side Shelbourne on the final night’s round of league fixtures.

“I scored some important goals for the club, but was only there a couple of months. It’s hard to feel part of the celebrations when you know that you won’t be around the following year. I just went to play football and try to help them in some way.”

On return to the Hoops, the Tallaght native regained a starting berth under new manager Michael O’Neill, finishing the season as 2009 Premier Division runners-up.

The next year he maintained his remarkable record of collecting silverware when they went one better and, despite suffering numerous injuries, Baker couldn’t have bowed out of League of Ireland football better than sharing this accomplishment with his local team.

“I knew with four or five games to go that if we won the league, it would be my last year. To win the title in Bray with Rovers was really special for me.

“I couldn’t get any higher than doing it with my hometown club. Sharing that feeling with the fans because I knew what it meant to them. It was the perfect send-off.”

Since departing the highest domestic divisions, Baker has undertaken various roles with Offaly side Edenderry Town, but hasn’t ruled out a reappearance as a coach, once properly qualified.

“I wanted to sample coaching at a lower level – away from the League of Ireland.

“I looked after the U-17s this season and was involved with the first team a couple of years ago, when we played Derry City in the FAI Cup.

“Now I’ve got some experience, the next step is to go and get my badges.”