What does it mean to be one of the first professional signings in Chattanooga Red Wolves SC’s history?
First and foremost, I’m absolutely delighted to be here. It didn’t take long to convince me that this is the club that I wanted to call home for the foreseeable future. One of the major pulling factors that brought about my signature was the fact that this is a brand new club bringing professional soccer to the people of Chattanooga for the very first time.
What are you most looking forward to about playing for Coach Hankinson again?
Another massive reason for me coming here was because of Coach Hankinson. Tim is a winner; he demands success and sets professional standards high. We know each other well from our time together with Indy Eleven, where we helped create history that still holds through to this day. Coach Hankinson knows what to expect from me and he sets high standards and goals for me to meet, henceforth bringing out the best in me.
How would you describe your style of play?
Imagine if you put the best footballing attributes of Messi, Ronaldo and Mohamed Salah together…well that’s not me!! I like to score goals—actually I LOVE to score goals. I would describe myself as a traditional number 9 who loves to get on the end of things in the box and put it away. Hard work in soccer is a given as a professional. Hold up play, clever movement off the ball and linking up things from middle third to final third are major aspects of my play, but ultimately soccer is about putting the ball in the back of the net. So put simply, I’m a goalscorer.
When did you know soccer was what you wanted to pursue? Did you always want to be a professional footballer?
In Dublin, Ireland, where I grew up, soccer is in our DNA. Ever since I could walk, all I wanted to do was kick a ball, and it wasn’t long before kicking it in the back of the net gave me an unmatched sense of euphoria. Despite going to college and getting my degree in business and then venturing to university to receive my Masters in finance, it was always a dream of mine to be a professional soccer player. I signed my first professional contract when I was 17 years of age with Leicester City FC in England.
Is there an iconic player that you’ve looked up to throughout your career?
There’s been numerous players that I have loved to watch over the years. However one player that sticks out amongst all others is Ronaldo, the Brazilian “phenomeno”. He was a proper goalscorer who could also do it all—dribble, run, pass, score—and he did it with such ease and grace. And I loved that he faced adversity through a couple of career threatening knee injuries but came back to prove himself and win the World Cup and Ballon D’or.
Most people don’t know that you have your UEFA B coaching qualification. You even coached Ball State women’s team during the 2017 season. What do you enjoy about the coaching side of the game?
I completed my Uefa B this time last year. It was an amazing experience, and I look forward to starting my Uefa A coaching qualification possibly later in 2019 and also the USSF coaching qualifications. I’ve always been interested in the coaching side of the game, and it is something that I will fully pursue once my legs tell me it’s time. Coaching the girls at Ball State was an unforgettable experience. I learned a lot from Ball State Head Coach Craig Roberts on not only the coaching side of things on the pitch but also off the pitch too. Putting ideas into your players minds on the training pitch and seeing them come to fruition on game day is one of the most enjoyable sides of coaching.
What made a move to Chattanooga the right one for you at this point of your career?
In life, you have trust your gut instinct, and as soon as I thought about Chattanooga, I felt it was right. As you get a little older and become more of a veteran in the professional soccer world, you need challenges mentally that translate to both your mind and body. As I mentioned before, it is extremely appealing to be apart of the Red Wolves’ first ever season and the first time pro soccer has made it to Chattanooga.
With 2019 being USL League One’s debut season, what are you most excited about? What are your expectations for the 2019 season?
Having played USL last season with Charlotte independence, I have seen how exciting USL play can be. Being apart of the inaugural USL League One’s season is super exciting in itself. One of the things I’m really looking forward to is playing against some of the brand new teams like FC Tucson, Madison Pro, Greenville Triumph and FC Dallas.
First and foremost, expectations on the pitch are simple, win the whole thing and become the first team to win the USL League One Championship. Personally, I’ll not hide from the fact and put it out there by telling you that I want to be the first League One golden boot winner. Off the pitch, I hope we can all pull together, grasp the imaginations of the Chattanooga community through hard work, fun and entertainment and make pro soccer a success.
How are you prepping for your time here?
I was already in Chattanooga for a few days checking out the place before I flew home to Ireland. I absolutely loved the outdoor scene there and got some tips on places to live there from some very friendly and helpful locals. Also, having just finished my season in the USL less than a month ago, I got home to Ireland recently to rest and recuperate both mentally and physically before starting an intensive “pre” pre-season eight-week program with my strength and conditioning coach back home, Kevin Foley. I’ve worked with him closely for the last three pre-seasons, and he has done a phenomenal job getting me physically ready. I love getting home to Dublin and spending time with my family here especially around Christmas time and New Years, and they are already prepping for trips to see me next year in Chattown.
You’re arriving from USL’s Charlotte Independence, where you’ve spent the past season. What makes USL competition different?
Honestly from what I saw, USL strives to push pro soccer forward in America. There has been a lot of debates and issues with soccer here in America but USL has stayed away from all that and continued, improved and executed a new exciting vision. The competitive aspect and all-round entertainment in USL competition is also there to be seen on a weekly basis and for me, it is the best value for pro soccer in America.
Pregame song?
Easily the toughest question to answer so far!!! Too many to name but I’ll have to choose either Juicy by Notorious BIG or Paint the Town Green by The Script.
Request: can we play Paint the Town Green for St.Paddy’s Day in Chattanooga?
You’ve played for teams in countries all over the globe. What value does international experience bring for professional players in your opinion?
For me, playing in different countries for different teams in different soccer cultures and environments is invaluable. You can’t teach it. Players and coaches from different soccer cultures have their own unique way and style of doing things. The knowledge and experience you pick up along the way add to your soccer IQ arsenal.
Follow-up: where is the most interesting place you’ve played?
Iran. I played in Iran in 2012 and 2013 for what possibly is the biggest team in all of Asia, Perspolis. Politics aside, what an interesting country filled with so much culture, spirit and friendliness. The team I played for have a gigantic following, and it was an experience that will live forever with me.
Favorite historic soccer moment?
In 2012, in my first ever game in Iran, in one of the biggest Derby matches in the whole world attended by 90,000 fans and watched by millions at home, we were 2-0 down with 10 minutes to go on the clock and down to 10 men. I came on as a second half substitute and scored 3 goals in the last 10 minutes to win 3-2.
You have been given many nicknames throughout your career. What’s your favorite?
Lol, i’ve been given a few—some I can’t mention!!! But the one that has stuck with me the longest and what I still get called mostly is “Big Z.” In the soccer world, most teammates call me Big Z.
Éamon is joining Chattanooga Red Wolves SC for the club’s 2019 Inaugural Season. Keep up with Éamon on Twitter and Instagram.
