SENTINELCELTS

In the absence of any proper football or proper footballing news, I’ve managed to convince myself that falling back twice upon one of my favourite pastimes, nostalgia, then previewing the Aberdeen game come Saturday is the best way to approach the week.
Your collective response, will tell if this was the correct decision, and I promise I’ll try and learn from it.

My first blast from the past this week had several things slanting in his favour straight off the bat. But as fate conspired, he ended up one of the ultimate ‘with if?’ men.
He was born into a very sporting family, his grandfather a local legend for his achievements in the local sports, he grew up in a Celtic heartland, and after shining as a young football player on the available International stage found himself face to face with an ex-Celt turned scout who without hesitation whisked him off to Parkhead for a trial, and without hesitation he was snapped up.
The dream was alive, the right bhoy had been spotted and signed, and when he soon found himself under the tutelage of the greatest Irish manager of his generation, a force of nature with an incredible knack plus the medals to back his words up, the lad had the world at his feet apparently with the only question being ‘he’s good but how far will he go?’.
The answer still saddens me, nowhere much at all.
Chastise if you wish, but I shall always consider him the Irish version of John Kennedy, real true potential who saw a fulfilling possibly great career in the game halted by that dreaded word, injury.
Have you guessed who it is yet?

Martin could be sentimental at times, but when it came to his job he was ruthless, he certainly didn’t buy Lenny because he was from Lurgan rather he did the job well and consistently well. So it would be wrong to state that Martin kept him around because of ‘who he was’, he wouldn’t have played 12 times in Martin’s first year team if the gaffer didn’t genuinely believe he offered something, hell he wouldn’t have made the bench and as his subsequent career path shows he left as soon as he wasn’t wanted anymore. No, Martin never played him through pity or sentimentality, I will not accept that viewpoint at all.
But Martin signed another Irishman, and given Lambert was a stalwart plus the new Lurganman and a young Bulgarian had grasped his chance, he didn’t become a first team regular for Celtic and (correctly in my opinion) agreed to go out on loan when Martin had made his mind up. If you can’t get a chance to impress the boss at home, take a chance you’ll get a chance elsewhere, our current Captain is the epitome of that philosophy.

One move away became two, became three, four etc, and before you know it he’s a veteran who sparkles when available, which became rarer and rarer, for instance the club that actually bought him from Celtic saw him break his leg twice in 18 months after paying up a fee.
And basically that was that, he shifted around but top flight football had both passed him by plus he with the fact he couldn’t be relied upon he was given a choice, retirement or local team. He opted for the latter, and became a figurehead of sorts, there with advice for others, sometimes helping guide another’s career.
He certainly wasn’t taking the game for granted but rather offered something back, for instance he wasn’t a great goal scorer by any stretch of the imagination  but occasionally a scorer of great goals.
I’ve seen him net the first time almost halfway line clear the keeper goal, I saw him bang in a free kick and an overhead, believe me or not he actually was a good player, when fit and ready.
It’s somewhat ironic, but a couple years later a fellow Irishman on the periphery was given a chance and grabbed it with both hands becoming a starter then having his head turned by brighter lights and much heftier wages. He also went on to have a checkered, injury disrupted career.

Look folks, please indulge me, but it gladdens the old cockles to see Irish players in the Hoops fullstop. Right now Liam is doing us proud, I’d argue he’s the most improved player under the last couple of seasons, but whether it be Lennon, Tully, both Keanes, or the blessed Anton Rogan (who lived the dream) or even another Sligo man like Sean himself,,,I personally like to see a fellow Irishman representing the Hoops because at the very end of the day every single one of us completely understands the heritage, tradition, and responsibility placed you whenst that sacred act occurs. It’s my dream to see an Irishman not only lead the team out, but take charge on the field, and lead our beloved club to glory.
Colin Healy just was not that man, but I shall surely not blame him personally, and I sincerely hope you don’t either.
Just like JK he offered the perfect transition, and just like JK his body fell foul.

By Mahe