Sligo Rovers' Regan Donelon: 'Football is a short career, so you have to dream big'

At the age of 24, Sligo Rovers full-back Regan Donelon has made over 100 senior League of Ireland appearances.

Donelon’s ascent to the League of Ireland has seen the Galwegian play for Shelbourne’s youth set-up before joining Sligo Rovers under-19 side from Dublin schoolboy side Stella Maris.

The former Finn Harps loanee has gone on to assert himself as one of the key members of the Bit O’Red’s side since making his debut in 2014.

Recently, Donelon caught up with extratime.com reporter Tom Byrne to discuss his footballing career to date, and what the future may hold for him in the coming years.

What was your earliest football memory, and who was your idol growing up?

“My earliest football memory would be playing in the back garden with my older brother, just passing, shooting, crossing and doing things like that. Going to Old Trafford for the first time with my dad was unbelievable also. My idol growing up was probably Paul Scholes, the way he can pass and read the game made me like him a lot.”

Where did you start playing youth football and what age did you start to realise you had a talent for the game?

“I started playing football with Dunmore as a young lad, and then I went to Cloonfad as well. I always used to play in older age groups. I then went to Dublin to play football for Shelbourne’s underage set-up and that's probably when I realised, I could mix it with some of the better players around the country.”

As you mentioned, you played underage football in your hometown of Dunmore in County Galway. Did you have much success with the club and what were your memories of growing up in the town?

“We had a lot of success with Dunmore, it was great too because you’d be playing with your mates and it was good fun.

“Dunmore is a small town, so not too much happens from day to day. But I'd always remember going down to the local pitch and playing with mates for hours and hours.”

What age were you when you first went to Shelbourne? How were you scouted by their academy? It must have been a big change moving to a club the size of Shelbourne.

“I was 10 or 11 I'd say when I first went up to Shelbourne, a man called Mehal Murphy brought me up and I had a training session, and then I signed straight after!

“It was a lot different to local football; the standard at even that age was high enough. We used to go away to different countries at the end of our league season and play competitions abroad.”

How was it trying to fit in schoolwork on top of your training regime? At a young age it must have been a big commitment?

“That was tough especially when I was doing my Leaving Cert. I had to train once a week in Dublin, which was a Tuesday. Then play a game on a Sunday.

“I missed out on a good bit of study and every Tuesday I'd miss my last class which was maths, a subject I am brutal at!”

When did Sligo first make contact with you and how did your move there come about?

“I was actually with a team called Stella Maris in Dublin; this was my last year of schoolboy football in the DDSL. My dad used to deliver foods to Sligo, and he got chatting to Maurice Monaghan about Sligo Rovers, Maurice was involved with Sligo at the time.

“He gave my dad the name of the under-19s manager of Sligo, who was Gavin Dykes, and then I went up for a training session and signed after that. I loved my first year with the under-19s. A year later I signed my first contract with the first team.”

You made your debut for Sligo in the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2014. At that age, did you expect to go on to earn over 100 appearances for Sligo to date in the top division of Ireland?

“To be honest I didn't really know what to expect after that. Since my debut, I've had over 7 managers, so I've been lucky that all of them pretty much took a liking to me.

“It could have easily gone the opposite way with so many managers, not everyone is going to like you as a player, so I'm grateful to have played over 100 games!”

You had a loan move to Finn Harps in 2015, how did you find the experience of moving club and would you say the loan move helped you progress as a player?

“I was really excited about going out on loan, especially at a young age. There were two left backs at Sligo at the time, so it probably made sense to go on loan. I used to still train with Sligo every day, then I'd go to Finn Harps every Wednesday to train with them.

“In all honesty, I don’t think I got too much out of the loan move; I didn't play as much as I would have wanted. Harps started really well that year, so that was probably one reason why I didn't play as much as I would like.

“But I could never fault any of the lads on or off the pitch, or the management staff, especially Ollie Horgan. He is a real nice man on and off the pitch. Everyone involved with the club made you feel very welcome.”

You then became a regular for the Sligo team once you came back from your loan move. Coming up against top class wingers as a left back must have improved your game greatly throughout the years. Who would you say are some of the toughest opponents you have marked throughout your time as a footballer?

“Yeah I suppose you had to adapt quick to the level of the league or you’d be found out and would lose your place in the team. Every game brought its own challenge.

“Every winger is different, some play on the inside, others love to stay as wide as possible. I loved playing up against Conan Byrne who was with St Pat's, he was a good player and never stopped running.

“Karl Sheppard was also a tough player to come up against, similar to Byrne; he had trickery, pace and was fit! They are also very experienced, so at times it was tough playing against them!”

Who are some of the best players you have played with throughout the years?

“I would have played with some very good players as a young lad in Dublin; I was involved in the DDSL squads, so there were some very good players in that group! A good few lads would have gone on to sign for clubs in the UK.

“My time with Sligo, I have seen a lot of players come and go. David Cawley is a very good player; I think he is unbelievable! Kieran Sadlier is another one who is at Doncaster now.

“Tim Clancy, a centre back who was very skilful and a clever player, he helped me when I was first starting to get my run in the team, he played beside me.

“Raf Cretaro another top professional who again is a very good player. The list could go on and on.”

Set pieces are a big part of your game, how do you practice on improving your set pieces week in week out?

“Yeah I suppose set pieces are a big part of my game, we do practice corners and set pieces in training maybe two or three times a week.

“At the end of training, sometimes I'd gather a few balls and practice a few free kicks. It's a lot different when there is a five-man wall in front of you though. I think a lot of it is luck too, to be fair!”

What are your top highlights from the time you have spent with Sligo to date?

“I suppose making my debut was a good memory for me. The buzz was unreal! Also travelling to Lithuania and Norway to be part of a squad to play in the Europa League qualifiers, at a young age it was great to be involved in something like that.

“Winning at Rosenborg in Norway in the first leg was a great buzz. Scoring my first goal v Shamrock Rovers was a great feeling also. And getting to the FAI Cup semi-final v Dundalk last season, I thought we were unlucky on the day and the atmosphere was crazy. The show grounds were full!”

What are your team’s goals for the rest of the season and your goals personally?

“Team goals would be to try and win as many games as possible and climb up the table. Take game by game and go from there. Anyone can beat anyone on the day, also a few wins on the bounce and you could be well up the table.

“Obviously, everyone wants to be challenging for leagues, cups and European spots. Personal goals would be to play as much as possible, do well, keep chipping in with assists, and maybe one or two goals along the way!”

At 24, you still have many years ahead of you playing football. What are your goals for the rest of your career?

“I think the majority of players want to see how far they can push themselves in terms of standards. So, I'd love to get the chance to play in an even more competitive league to challenge and push myself further.

“My goal for the next few years is to continue to push myself even more and to see where it can take me.  Football is a short career, so you have to dream big!”