O'KANE

Taking the leap from a reserve to a first team at any level is always going to take some time to adjust. For Joe O’Kane, the phrase ‘duck to water’ is one that can quite easily be aimed at the young attacking midfielder.

Manager Simon Thomas promoted O’Kane to the first team after good performances and a glowing reference from reserve manager Eammon Kearney, it was only a matter of time before he earned his first appearance.

O’Kane commented “while it may of been challenging, Simon and Tom both showed patience with me, and allowed me to settle in with the squad last season. Since my first game back with the first team this season, my confidence has grown throughout each appearance, and hopefully, this has been reflected in my performances”

When asked about the reserve and first team changing rooms, Joe stated “both sets of teams have a strong management team and a great group of players, who all set high targets for both the club and themselves. In terms of changing room atmosphere, there isn’t much difference as everyone knows when to have a laugh and when to switch on for a game”.

“There is great quality and competition in this team, so it was always going to be tough to secure a place in the starting 11. However, all the boys showed faith in me, and helped me grow into a more established player in the squad. Whilst this is the case, it’s still important for me to fight to my place in training and games each week, to prove to Simon and Tom that I deserve a starting spot on game days.”

In repaying the faith shown in him, Joe went on “scoring my first goal since being back with the first team, was a great feeling, as I got to repay the faith that Simon and Tom showed me.

However, this is a team game, and securing 3 points each week or progressing through the cups feels amazing. Hopefully, we can get ourselves into a cup final which will repay all the time and effort for everyone involved in the club”

It was only right to ask if Joe had a close teamate such is grassroots football. Joe stated “I have a good relationship with all the boys in the team. However, my favourite team-mate who I’ve known for many years has to be Owen Wells. He is a a great lad and goalkeeper, who has ability to secure his position in the squad, and push on to have a good non-league footballing career”

“This is one of, if not the strongest squad I’ve been part of, where every single player has the ability to be part of the starting 11 each week. Whilst not all of our results have reflected this, we are still in the latter stages of two cup competitions, and have the chance of finishing high up in the table.”

To finish it was good to understand if anyone had a positive influence on his football. “Many people have had a positive impact on my recent footballing career which if it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be playing. These include Eamon Kearney, Tom Harding, and Simon Thomas, where they have continued to show faith in me, despite my lack of consistency.

“Another influential character who has been present in my footballing career since I can remember is my grandad Jim, who has always supported me, and shows up to my games, however far away they are”

We’re rightly pleased to have Joe with us at Catholic United and we hope we can do all we can to help continue his flourishing football career.