Evan Farrell talks to us about his Forth Celtic past and going forward with Wexford FC.
Q: First full season with the mens Wexford FC team just finished, How did you find the experience?
EF: Signing for the 1st team at 17 years of age for me personally was a great achievement. My aim from when I joined the club at u-15 was to one day play with the men's team. The difference between playing academy football to 1st team is massive. Underage its all about players development and learning the game, but with the men's team it's all about results. Week in week out you have to perform. It's been a season of 2 halves for me. We started off the season under Brian and Harry and then there was the change of management and Ian and Lorcan have come in. I learned a lot from Harry Kenny but I feel my game has improved even more under Ian and Lorcan. All in all its been a great 1st season with the mens 1st team for me personally.
Q: You scored your first goal in the final game of the season how did you feel?
EF: Honestly, it was such a great feeling. I just remember Thomas picking up the ball on the wing and looking up. So I made my run from deep and managed to get my head to it just before the keeper and flick my header over him and into the net. I've been scoring goals all season for the 19s and I was praying I'd get one for the mens. I've had a few assists but to finally score was great, for it to be the winning goal and to do it in front of 600 people in Ferrycarrig Park made it all the more special.
Q: Talk to us about your Forth Celtic history and what you remember of playing with the club?
EF: I loved my time at Forth Celtic. The club were great for me. They gave me the opportunity to play football with a smile on my face. The managers I played under at the club were fantastic. Noel Kelly was my first ever manager and he always made us feel like we could never do anything wrong. He also encouraged me to play a year up under Neal Dempsey and Chris Casey. They trusted me enough to put me in their team also. I won a couple of league titles an we were unlucky in a few Cup finals in my time there. Forth Celtic were very much behind my decision to progress to League of Ireland football, the managers encouraged me to give it a go and told me if it didn't work out that I'd always be welcome back. Actually every year in my off season I go back and train with them which is brilliant, I love going back to train with the lads.
Q: What's next for Evan Farrel and where do you see yourself in five years time?
EF: Well my season has just ended with Wexford FC mens and u-19s. I recently just started college at Carlow IT. Im studying sports management and coaching. I'm also playing for the college team. Our league just started last week. We got off to a great start with a 4-0 win. I managed to score and get an assist. My aim will now be to keep my good form going so that when the time comes for Wexford FC to sign their players for next season, hopefully the manager will give me a call.
Hopefully having finished college with my degree. I'd love to be playing Premier Division football (ideally with Wexford FC) I'd just like to be doing what I love and to do it while getting paid would be even better.
Q: A Lot of kids would like to know, how do you find the balance between college work and training and which takes priority in your eyes?
EF: I found the best way to balance both was to plan ahead. I have a wall planner in my bedroom and I fill out each week with my schedule. Training days, study times and rest days. The secret is to jot let things build up on you, especially homework. I would go to school, come home do a bit of homework, have dinner, go training, come back home and if needed to finish any homework I would. I always kept my weekends free. It allowed me time for my matches and most importantly time to just relax and meet up with my friends. My family have been great also. They support me in everything I do. Nothing is guaranteed in life so to have a good education behind you is important. To get that while doing something that you love is a bonus.
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