Drogs midfielder lets it all out

Brendan McGill has enjoyed a well-travelled career, so Extratime caught up with the Drogheda United midfielder to quiz him on how he ended up in United Park.

Having started his professional career with Sunderland, McGill enjoyed spells with Carlisle United, Gretna, Bohemians and Barrow Town before linking up with Drogheda last season.

Sunderland were doing really well when you signed for them in 1998.

Yeah I really enjoyed my time there but it was very hard to break into the first-team back then so I was glad to move to Carlisle. I was able to hold down a regular place in the first-team there for the best part of four years.

What Irish players were at Sunderland when you signed for them?

Thomas Butler (Swansea City) and Cliff Byrne (Scunthorpe United) were there when I signed.

Have you always played as a right-sided midfielder?

Yes most of the time but I've also played a fair bit on the left side as well. It doesn't bother me. Once I'm playing that's the main thing for me!

What kind of players did you play with for Ireland at underage-level?

I played with the likes of John O'Shea, Andy Reid and Graham Barrett.

What was it like for you at Carlisle?

John Courtney took over as chairman and really saved the club from going under. We were relegated to the Conference but then were promoted for two successive seasons. I really enjoyed my time there and my family settled very well.

When I was there we were either top of the table chasing for promotion or battling relegation at the bottom of the table, but with all the Irish lads at the club, there was always a good atmosphere.

After Carlisle you signed for Gretna in Scotland?

Gretna was a real roller-coaster of a ride, getting promoted first from Division 2, then again from Division 1 to the Scottish Premier League to the situation today where the club no longer exists. It was a very difficult ending not just for the players but a lot of staff and people behind the scenes. It was great at the start but it's not a place I'd have many happy memories from.

You probably don't have many fond memories of playing Derry City in the UEFA Cup?

That was a nightmare alright. It started off even enough as it was 1-1 at half-time in the first leg, but they went on to score three spectacular goals in the second half which meant the tie was dead and buried. I wasn't surprised to see them holding the likes of Paris St. Germain to a 0-0 draw in the next round as they had an excellent side back then.

Where did you most enjoy your football when playing abroad?

I'd have to say Carlisle. I loved playing first team football on a regular basis and we loved living in the area, a bit like Drogheda with great support for its football team.

Where did you play your schoolboy football before going to Sunderland?

I played all the way up with Rivervalley Rangers in Swords. My parents always told me that if I was good enough, I'd be noticed wherever I played.

Apart from the football what else keeps you busy?

Mainly my family. We have a boy and a girl and they certainly keep us on our toes. I'm also doing a course in Accountancy.

Would you agree that Drogheda have some improvements to make after conceding so many so early in the season?

Yes, the players too are very disappointed and really want to do ourselves justice. You gear yourself up all week to play on a Friday night. We are just as gutted as the fans. The motto is we win together, we lose together.

We have a tough task ahead of us. We need to stamp out the mistakes we are making. That goes for everyone in the squad, from 1 to 18. We're in this together as a unit. I think it's going to be one of those leagues where any one of the ten teams can beat each other.