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The Kevin Cassidy Interview
When I think of Kevin Cassidy I think of the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. I followed the fortunes of the host nation avidly that summer and my favourite player was Mario Kempes. The swarthy Argentinean scored twice on three occasions and helped his country lift the trophy on home soil. I couldn’t believe it when Cas turned out up front in a Galway United side sporting similar blue and white striped shirts at Terryland. The crowd thought Galway United had pulled off the greatest transfer shock of all time! Though he made his mark at centre-back playing 368 times for The Tribesmen, Cas still managed to score 31 goals in a career spanning 17 years! I wanted to find out what he was up to now:
Are you still actively involved in football?
Yes. Coaching the Galway and district league U 13s along with Tony Collins (ex Galway Utd.) and Padraig Kenny of Salthill Devon. Thoroughly enjoying the experience and the chance to give something back to my native county.
Do you ever go to Terryland these days?
Unfortunately no… because of my own commitments it is difficult for me to get to the games.
What’s your best memory of your spell there?
Lots of good memories but I would honestly say it’s the friendships that I made there that I will treasure the most.
Who were the best players you played with and against?
Eamon Deacy stood out along with some others, Carl Humphries from Cork also... but at the risk of leaving some of them out by mistake I will just say they were top of the pile. Against, the late Jackie Jameson of Bohs was an excellent and gifted forward… to be honest. Most of the forwards were a handful for me.
How do you compare the game in The League of Ireland with when you played?
The tactics and formations seem to be the key now. Along with the core fitness that they appear to work on, which adds to the speed of the games…but I'm not sure the standard has improved.
How did you get into football and who were your biggest influence?
My brother Brian was a good soccer player and encouraged me at an early age to play…I joined Claddagh Rovers…and from there I had good advice and encouragement from Billy Carr…John Herrick….and Tony Mannion at different stages of my career. They all had the patience of a saint.
Are you in favour of an All-Ireland League?
Yes, but with a few more teams involved in the Premier division and a home and away format only…not as it stands now with teams playing each other 3 times…
Why do you think Football doesn’t receive the same support as GAA or Rugby in Galway?
GAA is part of our culture and was always seen as an outlet for villages, towns, areas in the city and so on…so it was natural it would be supported so well. Rugby has suffered in it’s time too, just ask the city clubs. But it has recovered thank god and is thriving now… So maybe the common denominator is marketing Soccer in the city needs to become more attuned with the public… I know the club has made efforts to integrate into the community, but it does not appear to have worked to the degree that was hoped for… A new approach is needed, and not gimmicks, but a real connection.
How did it feel lining out with your former team-mates against Celtic in the Legends match last year?
Tiring…so unfit compared to when we played for real, but what a great evening for us. Gave us the chance to meet again and go over old stories and games. Probably one of the nicer moments in recent soccer times for me.
Is Galway big enough for three teams in the League of Ireland?
No. Galway Utd. are struggling to fill seats at the moment and they would be seen as the established club. There are just not enough players locally of the required standard to compete at national level for 3 local teams on an equal footing. Players are being brought in to fill a need from outside the county; the knock on effect is that local junior football is suffering by having the better players going to the 1st division and the u19s or whatever and being lost in this way to the local game. BUT…it has to be acknowledged that each new club is entitled to accept the invitation to participate in the L.O.I. and they have developed a slipway into this league for the players at the clubs. This has to be applauded and I agree that the clubs in question have the good of the players in mind… My personal opinion is that the support. such as it is…will now be diluted even more, but who knows what the future will bring.
Thanks Cas.
Mike Geraghty, mgwords.com |
