The Canadian Connection

Yesterday Galway United signed the exotically named Canadian Dylan Sacramento from New Zealand's Hawke's Bay. What a random signing I hear you say. Except maybe it's not, bear with as I try to join the dots and highlight how many links there are to this signing throughout the league.

Let’s start the journey in New Zealand where Sacramento spent the winter period after negotiating a release from his home club, Valour FC of Winnipeg – the new home of ex-Sligo Rovers forward Daryl Fordyce. Sacramento's penultimate game for Hawke’s Bay saw Southern United, managed by ex IT Carlow lecturer Paul O’Reilly in opposition.

United, of course are the side which saw a number of ex-League of Ireland players depart to in the summer of 2016. In their December clash, former Wexford Youths Stephen Last and Conor O’Keeffe along with ex Limerick player Garbhán Coughlan and former Wexford Youths and Sligo Rovers defender Danny Ledwith were in opposition. Incidentally, Sacramento was booked for fouling Ledwith in the last minute.

Sacramento had originally signed for Valour FC in December 2018 as part of a double signing with former St Patrick’s Athletic goalkeeper Tyson Farago – another Winnipeg native. Farago had been signed by Liam Buckley- the current Sligo Rovers manager- on the recommendation of ex Saint, former Galway Utd forward Jake Keegan.

Keegan had been a teammate of Farago’s at FC Edmonton. Farago had also crossed paths with ex Bohs netminder American Chris Konopka who had been managed by Buckley at Sporting Fingal. (https://www.stpatsfc.com/profile.php?id=234)

Last season Buckley inherited a Sligo Rovers squad which included utility wideman Kris Twardek. Twardek had played underage for the Czech Republic at under-17 and under-19 level, however in 2017 he was called into the Canada under-20 squad for the under-20 CONCACAF Championships.

Another member of the squad was defender Kosovar Sadiki who joined Finn Harps this week, on loan from Hibernians in Scotland. While Twardek had represented the Czech Republic at under-17 level the same could not be said for his defensive teammate, Sadiki.

The imposing centre back was part of the Canadian U17 squad for the Mexican Cup of Nations in 2014 alongside ex Bray Wanderers and Wexford Youths goalkeeper Corey Chambers.

In 2016, Chambers- of Gorey Community College at the time- was a member of the Irish Schoolboys panel alongside Killian Brouder. Brouder is currently at Galway Utd, where his new teammate is Canadian Dylan Sacramento.

    About Tom O'Connor

    Dundalk based reporter following the league since Monaghan United’s goalless draw against Athlone Town in 1996. Special interest in education and underage football. Shortlisted for the 2018 FAI Communications Award for series on Life beyond … View Full Profile