Seamus Conneely’s position as the best right-back in the League of Ireland has been obvious to supporters at Terryland Park for a couple of seasons now but in the last year he has regularly featured in Ireland U-21 and U-23 squads. In fact he is usually the sole representative from The Airtricity League in the U-21 squad. Seamus’s versatility reminds me of Paul Madeley, often referred to as The Rolls Royce of Leeds United! The former Leeds great wore every shirt number but the goalkeeper’s and given the fact that he has already played in both full-back berths, centre-back, sweeper and across midfield Seamus is well on course to emulate that! 

 
Mike Geraghty: Hi Seamus, as a Galway native what’s it like playing for your home-town team?

Seamus Conneely: It’s great. I think the fans enjoy having a good amount of home-town players so it’s nice that we have quite a few this year. Without the players from elsewhere though we just couldn’t be competitive.
 
 
MG: Does it feel strange being one of the longest-serving players at Galway United at such a young age?

SC: Definitely. I do feel for the fans who get to know many players only for them to leave at the end of each season. They virtually have to get to know a brand new team every March.
 
 
MG: Connemaradonna is quite a nickname to live up to….. Any pressure?

SC: It’s nice to have a nickname like that but the comparison isn’t 100% accurate I think!!
 
 
MG: You have lined out at fullback, centre-back and mid-field, where do you prefer to play?

SC: Right back is my favourite position but I don’t mind filling in elsewhere. It’s better than sitting on the bench.
 
 
MG: What was it like playing for Ireland U-21’s and is it unusual at times to be the only home-based player in the squad?

SC: Playing for the U-21’s was a great experience. It was a little unnerving being the only League of Ireland player in the squad but the lads were welcoming. I do think that there are other young players in this league good enough to be included though.
 
 
MG: Do you have any ambitions to play cross-channel?

SC: Yes. I think every player wants to play at the highest level.

 
MG: You have played under a handful of different managers for Galway United how would you contrast their styles?

SC: I really enjoyed playing under Jeff Kenna. He was a very good man manager and the training sessions were very enjoyable. Fozzy was very particular and made sure everyone knew their job during games. Sean Connor is an extremely good speaker and really motivates the players.
 
 
MG: Who is your favourite player and which other team do you support?

SC: I support Newcastle. My favourite player of all time is Les Ferdinand. Jonas Guttierez is my favourite player in today’s team.
 
 
MG: Have you modelled your own game on any particular players?

SC: I liked the way Seamus Coleman played when we played Sligo under Kenna. I saw that he got forward a lot more than I did and have tried to do that more since that game.
 
 
MG: Which players have impressed you most in the League of Ireland?

SC: Connor Powell is a great left back. Jason Byrne is also another great player and very difficult to play against. Jay O’Shea and John Russell are the best players I’ve played alongside.
 
 
MG: Would you like to play in an All-Ireland League?

SC: I think it would be a good idea if only for the fact that there’d be less chance of us being in a relegation dogfight!!

Mike Geraghty (mgwords.com)

(Mike Geraghty is the PA operator in Terryland Park and a regular contributor to the matchday programme).