Barrett eager to rediscover his form
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Shane Barrett will be lining out for his fourth League of Ireland club when he makes his debut for Sporting Fingal this year, but he insists that he just wants to get back playing regularly.
The former Longford Town ace had built up quite a reputation as a killer marksman when he joined Drogheda United in 2006. But his time at United Park has hampered by injury.
During a Setanta Sports Cup match in 2007, he suffered damage to the cruciate ligament, the medial ligament and the cartilage in his right knee. It was a massive blow and one that he has yet to fully recover from.
He impressed in certain games for Drogheda last season, but he now wants to kick on, get back to full fitness and remind people why he was once so highly rated.
"I played about 12 games for Drogheda, so in that sense I’ve been back playing. But I haven’t played a full season yet. So the only way to get you full fitness is when you’ve a full pre-season behind you and you are playing games," said Barrett.
"I’m 28, it would be nice if it was [a re-birth in my career]. I’m just taking it day-by-day. It would be nice to get back to the fitness level I was at before I got injured. But I suppose fate has a hand in that as well.
"I never set targets in relation to goals and games. I suppose I find it works out best when I’m enjoying my football. Not to put too much pressure on myself, just go out and enjoy playing. I tend to find that’s when you play your best."
Barrett knows that it won't be easy to hold down a regular starting place for The Ravens considering the likes of Glen Crowe, Eamon Zayed and Gary O'Neill are also competing for a place up front.
However, he feels that he can play out wide as well as up front, which suits the 4-3-3 formation that Sporting favoured for large periods of last season.
"In relation to the competition, there are some good strikers here, some good wingers so it will be tough to get into the team.," he said.
"My best position is on the wing, left or right. I tend to find I can cross the ball and have a good engine in me and I can use that."
The former Longford Town ace had built up quite a reputation as a killer marksman when he joined Drogheda United in 2006. But his time at United Park has hampered by injury.
During a Setanta Sports Cup match in 2007, he suffered damage to the cruciate ligament, the medial ligament and the cartilage in his right knee. It was a massive blow and one that he has yet to fully recover from.
He impressed in certain games for Drogheda last season, but he now wants to kick on, get back to full fitness and remind people why he was once so highly rated.
"I played about 12 games for Drogheda, so in that sense I’ve been back playing. But I haven’t played a full season yet. So the only way to get you full fitness is when you’ve a full pre-season behind you and you are playing games," said Barrett.
"I’m 28, it would be nice if it was [a re-birth in my career]. I’m just taking it day-by-day. It would be nice to get back to the fitness level I was at before I got injured. But I suppose fate has a hand in that as well.
"I never set targets in relation to goals and games. I suppose I find it works out best when I’m enjoying my football. Not to put too much pressure on myself, just go out and enjoy playing. I tend to find that’s when you play your best."
Barrett knows that it won't be easy to hold down a regular starting place for The Ravens considering the likes of Glen Crowe, Eamon Zayed and Gary O'Neill are also competing for a place up front.
However, he feels that he can play out wide as well as up front, which suits the 4-3-3 formation that Sporting favoured for large periods of last season.
"In relation to the competition, there are some good strikers here, some good wingers so it will be tough to get into the team.," he said.
"My best position is on the wing, left or right. I tend to find I can cross the ball and have a good engine in me and I can use that."
