Aaron O'Driscoll: 'Everyone has made me feel very welcome'

Aaron O'Driscoll

Aaron O'Driscoll Credit: Gerry Shanahan (ETPhotos)

Since Aaron O’Driscoll arrived at Longford Town, at the start of the season, on loan from Mansfield Town, he has been a rock at the heart of the Midlanders’ defence. Last Saturday night the defender got his first goal of the season in their 5-0 win over Bangor GG in the First Round of the FAI Cup.

O’Driscoll was delighted to get on the scoresheet and is hoping it’s the first of many. He said: “I was due a goal, to be fair. It was great to get one in the end. I want to get my head on more corners. It’s the first of many, hopefully.”

The Dub credited his father Maurice for the goal. Maurice was a defender who enjoyed spells with St. Pat’s and Bohemians. Aaron admitted the goal wasn’t one from the training ground. “The back garden,” he joked. My da was saying “This is what you have to do now. You start here.” To be fair I did and scored. I have to give a bit of credit to him.” 

The FAI Cup win for Town was their first win since the opening league game of the season against Derry City. As well as scoring five goals, they kept a clean sheet. O’Driscoll said: “We have been looking for a win since the first game of the season. Any win, whoever it was against, hopefully it gives a bit of momentum for the Derry game. That’s the main thing.”

The Town have been boosted by the return of Callum Warfield who was out injured for a number of months. He made his return against Bohemians in Town’s previous game and was on the scoresheet Saturday against Bangor GG. O’Driscoll said: “A big shout-out to Callum, he’s had a tough time. He’s only back fully training two or three weeks and it was a great goal. Great to see.”

O’Driscoll is enjoying his football at the moment with the Town. The club were delighted to extend his loan deal until the end of the season and he’s happy to be playing. He said: “I’m really enjoying it. I’m staying on for the rest of the season. Everyone has made me feel very welcome. I’m playing every week. They are a good bunch of lads. It’s great.”

The defender has two new team-mates, as manager Daire Doyle brought in players in the hope that Town’s fortunes can change. O’Driscoll said: “They have made a big difference. They are good players. Obviously, coming from Rovers.”

Town are bottom of the Premier Division table at the moment, eight points behind ninth place Waterford. There are 15 league games to go and O’Driscoll knows what Town have to do; starting with their home game against Derry City. He said: “We have to have our heads on for Derry. It’s a massive game. Everyone is responsible. We need to stick together for the next half of the season and maybe get a cup run.”

 

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