Daragh Kavanagh's positive personality has traveled from Australia to Billings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, November 3, 2015 By: Guido Riffeser, MSUB Media Relations Intern Daragh Kavanagh’s positive personality has traveled from Australia to Billings

Competing in his final season for MSUB, men’s soccer senior Daragh Kavanagh boosts team morale with his contagious personality.

MSUB SPORTS – Traveling has always been a very important and influential part of Daragh Kavanagh’s life. Born in Perth, the capital of Western Australia, Kavanagh spent the first five years of his life in Ireland, because both his parents are Irish. Then he moved back to the sandy beaches of Australia with his family. Now Kavanagh is completing his last semester at Montana State University Billings and he plans on continuing to explore new places around the world. “I definitely want to do more traveling,” Kavanagh said about his future plans. “I like to see new places, meet people, and learn about different cultures.”

Kavanagh’s latest adventure in Billings was brought about by his passion for soccer, as he suited up for the Yellowjackets’ men’s soccer team in the spring of 2014. Over the past two seasons, he has developed into a key role player in the midfield for MSUB, competing in 22 matches since the beginning of last season.

PASSION FOR SOCCER Soccer was the first sport that Kavanagh played. “I started kicking the ball around when I was two, competitively when I was five or six,” he said. From an early age it was Kavanagh’s dream to become a professional soccer player. The main influence on that dream was Kavanagh’s grandfather, who was a professional goalkeeper and had some appearances on the Irish National Team. He showed Kavanagh videos of him playing soccer and was a great inspiration. Every day after Kavanagh was done with school he went to the field to play soccer with his friends. His parents realized that he had a strong ability to play the game, so they decided to put Kavanagh into academies, where he had great coaches and grew as a player.

Kavanagh hopped around clubs throughout Perth. His main club where he has been, however, was Stirling Lions, where he grew through the U-18 to reserve and first team. “I always had a professional mindset to go far in soccer,” said Kavanagh. “I wanted to play in the English Premier League, but I realized that it was very difficult to get there.”

Kavanagh once again moved to Ireland playing for Shamrock Rovers F.C. His coach there put him in contact with MSUB’s head coach Alex Balog. “His quality on the ball that I saw on the video stood out when I saw him play in Australia at a very good level,” Balog said. “Also, I saw his eagerness to come to MSUB. He was very motivated and on top of his paperwork. He wanted to come as fast as possible.”

The idea to come to the United States fascinated Kavanagh because of the growth of soccer in America. “After speaking to Alex, he advertised the program very well, telling me how the team works well together and has a nice style of play.

Also, Billings is a lovely place to be to play football,” said Kavanagh about his decision to come to MSUB. Kavanagh joined MSUB in the spring of 2014 and made a very good impact right away. “Daragh is someone who gives everything that he has. He will get stuck in, he has quality on the ball, and has a good soccer brain,” said Balog. In his first season with the Yellowjackets, Kavanagh played in 12 matches contributing to the six wins on the season. “My favorite moment of the season was when we played Western Washington University on the road. We beat them 1-0 and I saved a ball right on the line to keep the lead and it was a really ecstatic feeling to play in front of so many fans,” Kavanagh said.

This season Kavanagh stepped up as a leader of the program increasing his playing time and scoring his first collegiate goal against Seattle Pacific. With the ‘Jackets trailing late against the Falcons, Kavanagh got his right foot on a free-kick cross by Julian Toenges and pushed home MSUB’s lone goal of the match.

LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS Kavanagh’s family has been his rock throughout his life, as his parents and siblings have supported him mentally, emotionally, and financially. “It was very difficult to leave my parents, my little sister, my friends and my country.

However, it wasn’t too hard to overcome these challenges because the players on the team, their families and the coaching staff helped me settle in and made it a lot easier for me,” Kavanagh said.

A few of Kavanagh’s closest friends are Sam Butterworth and Cameron Lee. “I lived with them for the last year. They helped me a lot when I first got to Billings and I bonded right away with them. I can gladly call them lifelong friends.

Living with them has been very fun,” Kavanagh said with a smile on his face.

“Daragh and I bonded instantly,” said senior captain Lee. “We share a lot of the same cultural values, because we are both from the southern hemisphere. We both share the same sense of humor, we both have similar interests, and we can relate to each other a lot. He will certainly be a lifelong friend.”

Kavanagh’s positive and loveable personality make him one of the most amiable players on the team.

“Daragh is a genuine lad that likes to have a laugh. When he first got here, Cam and I were living in the dorms and Daragh used to come up to our room to hang out. We clicked immediately,” said Butterworth.

At MSUB Kavanagh met Rhys Lambert, who is also from Australia. “It’s been a pleasure to have another player from Australia here. It definitely made it easier for both of us,” Lambert commented on having a fellow countryman as a teammate.

Kavanagh with his father Des and teammate Cameron Lee.

Both filling the role of center midfielder, Lambert and Kavanagh have played next to each other many times. “When you play alongside Daragh you know exactly what you are going to get,” said Lambert.

“He is the kind of guy that gives 110 percent, he has quality on the ball and can see some passes that other players can’t see. It’s a joy to play in the midfield with someone like him, because he battles for every ball and wins most of the challenges.”

Kavanagh likes to hang out with his friends and teammates, and have conversations with them about life in general. His hobby in Billings besides hanging out with friends is snowboarding.

ROLE MODEL Kavanagh is certainly a role model at MSUB. “Freshmen can learn from him to never give up in his attitude,” said Balog. “He is someone who gives everything that he has. His attitude has been an example for everyone. The way he has behaved has been outstanding and that is a blessing for the coaching staff.”

Though Kavanagh’s stop in Billings is nearing an end, he has prepared himself well for the next journey his life will take him on. Among the most valuable things he has learned are to love the game, love his teammates, and appreciate the chances and privileges given.

“The MSUB men’s soccer program is definitely one of the most organized sporting teams I have been part of in my career. The way everything is done is very structured and professional. Alex and Thomas (Chameraud) have done an extremely good job forming this program not only on the field but also off the field making a huge impact in the community. The way the program runs, it doesn’t only develop us as players but also as people. I feel I personally changed since I have been here maturity wise and the way I handle myself in day-to-day living. It’s been an honor,” said Kavanagh on his experience at MSUB. Where his future journey will take him is uncertain. What is certain is that Kavanagh and his personality will be missed at MSUB. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--