McAllister relishing the challenges ahead
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Dave McAllister and his Shelbourne team mates face the most decisive week in theirs and the club's future over the coming week.
As fate would have it, table topping Shels will face the three clubs breathing down their neck in consecutive games as the season reaches its climax.
First up for Shelbourne they entertain a resurgent UCD on Friday night. This match is followed up with a game on Tuesday against ultra consistent Waterford - this second top of the table clash is both teams vital game in hand.
The tough away trip to an in-form Waterford is followed hot on its heels by another massive game as Shelbourne travel to Sporting Fingal.
The beauty of the fixture list has meant that promotion is within Shelbourne's grasp, but equally there can be no room for slip ups.
McAllister feels confident when looking forward to the games despite a slight wobble in recent weeks:
"The last round of games against these teams yielded nine points and a repeat of that would obviously be brilliant. It's the old adage that it's all to play for and there is no doubt that we'll be ready for the challenge come match day. It really is about focusing on one game at a time and not thinking too far ahead."
The door has come slightly ajar in the past month or so with Shels at one point looking certainties to go up.
Unexpected results, such as losing at home to Wexford, closely followed by a last gasp leveller for Limerick in a pulsating 3-3 draw, has kept the title destination and promotion to the top tier in the balance.
But McAllister is not reaching for the panic button just yet:
"Playing for Shelbourne you are always going to be viewed as a scalp. So for the smaller teams, no matter what run of form they are on, they will always lift it against us. I'm not complaining, that's the nature of the game and we have to apply ourselves correctly regardless of the opposition."
At the same time the skilful winger pays tribute to the teams who are competing for the lucrative promotion:
"Our slip ups would have been unnoticeable had it not been for the excellent form of the teams below us. You have to credit the consistency they have shown, it's made for one of the closest, unpredictable First Divisions in many years. But at the end of the day its still there for us and we are dying for the next week or so."
With experienced boss Dermot Keely at the helm the Rush native reiterates there is no time for thinking of what might have been:
"The mood around the camp is positive, the gaffer would have it no other way. He is an amazing motivator and you go out ready to win a war after his team talks. That is the most important thing for any side - to be in the right frame of mind."
McAllister himself has performed admirably this term having initially arrived on loan in the middle of last season from Drogheda United. The creative 20-year-old has had a significant impact on his side's fortunes. So far this year he has netted 13 goals with numerous assists to boot. No mean return for the young winger.
Having initially started his playing career for Rush Athletic, he was noted by Home Farm in a friendly at the age of ten. They approached him about signing up and his father, who was manager of Rush at the time, encouraged him to go on and better himself.
He spent three years at the famous club before moving on to the Bohemians underage set up. Again he feels he continued to benefit from the quality of coaching that was afforded to him:
"There were some really good players at Bohs at the time and the whole experience of playing against the best home-grown talent obviously helped bring on my game. From there I got the chance to move on to Drogheda United U-21's where again there was a considerable step up."
Upon moving to the Drogs the strength of the squad at the time was unquestionable as they had just won the league. This, although great exposure, proved to be a hindrance in a way as first team opportunities were at a premium.
"I didn't have too many complaints as Paul [Doolin] had so many options in both centre midfield and out wide that I didn't get many chances there."
The versatile creator has spent most of his years playing in the centre of midfield but has proved an unmitigated success playing on either flank for Shelbourne this term.
Talent seemingly runs throughout the family, regardless of discipline, as his elder brother Fintan plumped for cricket after spending several years with Home Farm FC. He has represented Ireland and is on his way to play the game in New Zealand for six months in a bid to further his game.
His two younger brothers, Barry and Paul, have also shown similar traits in Gaelic football and hurling, Paul being included in the Leinster underage panel for the latter.
David himself is a fiercely competitive and focused individual whose primary aim at the present time is obviously helping his club reach the Premier Division:
"At the start of every season I set myself personal targets and hopefully when I sit down and open up the envelope I will have reached those goals. I want to play League of Ireland Premier Division with Shels next season and all my efforts will be helping us achieve that. Nothing else is being thought of at the moment."
If it were to happen McAllister believes the correct structure is in place this time around to put the club on a solid footing:
"The present board have been fantastic, we have learned from the mistakes made in the past and this time around we are producing a sustainable environment from which we can push on. The gambles taken previously haven't paid off and we have done a great job at steadying the ship."
The League of Ireland is in choppy waters at the present time and McAllister is hoping the league as an entity starts making headlines for all the right reasons instead of the mixed bag of good and bad that have plagued it in the past few years:
"The scandals and rumours that are going about regarding gambling and clubs struggling to honour their contracts is no good for anyone. People tend to forget that this league has, and is producing top quality players."
The emergence of Keith Fahey at Birmingham City is a prime example of what can materialise when players keep performing domestically. McAllister believes that this is a great boost for everyone involved with the league but is equally bemused by the absence of any League of Ireland players in the full international squad:
"Brian Murphy has consistently performed to an extremely high standard and who knows where his career will end up. When you see some reserve or lower English league keepers in ahead of him it's quite bewildering. Equally some of the players who have been in and around the fringes of the squad in recent years are either playing a few leagues below the Premiership or not playing week in week out."
He added: "It's something that maybe should be addressed but that's up to the powers that be."
For the time being McAllister is preparing himself for potentially the biggest week of his career and it would be no surprise if he had a decisive role in any of the upcoming games. Either way the future looks bright for this mercurial talent and as team mate Robbie Hedderman aptly surmised:
"He's a great lad who has terrific qualities. The fact he is so young he will undoubtedly get better and better and has a bright future ahead of him."
As fate would have it, table topping Shels will face the three clubs breathing down their neck in consecutive games as the season reaches its climax.
First up for Shelbourne they entertain a resurgent UCD on Friday night. This match is followed up with a game on Tuesday against ultra consistent Waterford - this second top of the table clash is both teams vital game in hand.
The tough away trip to an in-form Waterford is followed hot on its heels by another massive game as Shelbourne travel to Sporting Fingal.
The beauty of the fixture list has meant that promotion is within Shelbourne's grasp, but equally there can be no room for slip ups.
McAllister feels confident when looking forward to the games despite a slight wobble in recent weeks:
"The last round of games against these teams yielded nine points and a repeat of that would obviously be brilliant. It's the old adage that it's all to play for and there is no doubt that we'll be ready for the challenge come match day. It really is about focusing on one game at a time and not thinking too far ahead."
The door has come slightly ajar in the past month or so with Shels at one point looking certainties to go up.
Unexpected results, such as losing at home to Wexford, closely followed by a last gasp leveller for Limerick in a pulsating 3-3 draw, has kept the title destination and promotion to the top tier in the balance.
But McAllister is not reaching for the panic button just yet:
"Playing for Shelbourne you are always going to be viewed as a scalp. So for the smaller teams, no matter what run of form they are on, they will always lift it against us. I'm not complaining, that's the nature of the game and we have to apply ourselves correctly regardless of the opposition."
At the same time the skilful winger pays tribute to the teams who are competing for the lucrative promotion:
"Our slip ups would have been unnoticeable had it not been for the excellent form of the teams below us. You have to credit the consistency they have shown, it's made for one of the closest, unpredictable First Divisions in many years. But at the end of the day its still there for us and we are dying for the next week or so."
With experienced boss Dermot Keely at the helm the Rush native reiterates there is no time for thinking of what might have been:
"The mood around the camp is positive, the gaffer would have it no other way. He is an amazing motivator and you go out ready to win a war after his team talks. That is the most important thing for any side - to be in the right frame of mind."
McAllister himself has performed admirably this term having initially arrived on loan in the middle of last season from Drogheda United. The creative 20-year-old has had a significant impact on his side's fortunes. So far this year he has netted 13 goals with numerous assists to boot. No mean return for the young winger.
Having initially started his playing career for Rush Athletic, he was noted by Home Farm in a friendly at the age of ten. They approached him about signing up and his father, who was manager of Rush at the time, encouraged him to go on and better himself.
He spent three years at the famous club before moving on to the Bohemians underage set up. Again he feels he continued to benefit from the quality of coaching that was afforded to him:
"There were some really good players at Bohs at the time and the whole experience of playing against the best home-grown talent obviously helped bring on my game. From there I got the chance to move on to Drogheda United U-21's where again there was a considerable step up."
Upon moving to the Drogs the strength of the squad at the time was unquestionable as they had just won the league. This, although great exposure, proved to be a hindrance in a way as first team opportunities were at a premium.
"I didn't have too many complaints as Paul [Doolin] had so many options in both centre midfield and out wide that I didn't get many chances there."
The versatile creator has spent most of his years playing in the centre of midfield but has proved an unmitigated success playing on either flank for Shelbourne this term.
Talent seemingly runs throughout the family, regardless of discipline, as his elder brother Fintan plumped for cricket after spending several years with Home Farm FC. He has represented Ireland and is on his way to play the game in New Zealand for six months in a bid to further his game.
His two younger brothers, Barry and Paul, have also shown similar traits in Gaelic football and hurling, Paul being included in the Leinster underage panel for the latter.
David himself is a fiercely competitive and focused individual whose primary aim at the present time is obviously helping his club reach the Premier Division:
"At the start of every season I set myself personal targets and hopefully when I sit down and open up the envelope I will have reached those goals. I want to play League of Ireland Premier Division with Shels next season and all my efforts will be helping us achieve that. Nothing else is being thought of at the moment."
If it were to happen McAllister believes the correct structure is in place this time around to put the club on a solid footing:
"The present board have been fantastic, we have learned from the mistakes made in the past and this time around we are producing a sustainable environment from which we can push on. The gambles taken previously haven't paid off and we have done a great job at steadying the ship."
The League of Ireland is in choppy waters at the present time and McAllister is hoping the league as an entity starts making headlines for all the right reasons instead of the mixed bag of good and bad that have plagued it in the past few years:
"The scandals and rumours that are going about regarding gambling and clubs struggling to honour their contracts is no good for anyone. People tend to forget that this league has, and is producing top quality players."
The emergence of Keith Fahey at Birmingham City is a prime example of what can materialise when players keep performing domestically. McAllister believes that this is a great boost for everyone involved with the league but is equally bemused by the absence of any League of Ireland players in the full international squad:
"Brian Murphy has consistently performed to an extremely high standard and who knows where his career will end up. When you see some reserve or lower English league keepers in ahead of him it's quite bewildering. Equally some of the players who have been in and around the fringes of the squad in recent years are either playing a few leagues below the Premiership or not playing week in week out."
He added: "It's something that maybe should be addressed but that's up to the powers that be."
For the time being McAllister is preparing himself for potentially the biggest week of his career and it would be no surprise if he had a decisive role in any of the upcoming games. Either way the future looks bright for this mercurial talent and as team mate Robbie Hedderman aptly surmised:
"He's a great lad who has terrific qualities. The fact he is so young he will undoubtedly get better and better and has a bright future ahead of him."
