Cathal Dervan, Editor
Richard Dunne was asked more than once about Troy Parrott’s imminent move to Real Betis at a media event in Dublin on Wednesday and his answers were insightful as you’d expect - but it was a story told off camera that probably told more about the extra ingredient needed to make it to the top of professional football.
Dunne was back at his Home Farm roots to announce details of a new collaboration between the north Dublin club and the French academy he founded with his wife Helen just outside Monaco.
As part of the new arrangement, one of the graduates from the FMC Elite Academy will be offered the chance to further their education on and off the field with Home Farm DCU, the new entity offering young players National League football at Whitehall Stadium and access to Third Level studies at Dublin City University.
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Hair raising moments…
It’s an opportunity that wasn’t open to Dunne when he last stood in the Home Farm clubhouse as a 15-year-old, there for a presentation from his only schoolboy club ahead of a move to Everton that spawned a career 515 first team appearances across Everton, Manchester City, Aston Villa and QPR and, of course, 80 international caps for Ireland.
Dunne didn’t know that’s how it would work out when he took that chance to sign for Everton. It was all a trip into the unknown, an intriguing trip that included pre-season with the Toffees academy when he was still 15, a return home ahead of a trip for a family holiday to the United States and then a one-way flight, on his own, back to England to begin the greatest adventure of his life.
He travelled alone that day with no comfort blanket and no fear, ready to take on the big, bad world and fight for the chance to make it as a pro. Dunne, as tales from Moscow recalled in Home Farm will prove, was never afraid of the fight. And never afraid to take the chance.
Troy Parrott is exactly the same. Labelled the new Robbie Keane at far too young an age by lazy keyboards, he has taken the rejection at Spurs and come out fighting. Loans at Millwall, Ipswich, MK Dons and Preston never offered the hope that English football could offer redemption so he switched his focus and took off for Holland.
Another loan at Excelsior was followed by the move to AZ Alkmaar and the 30 goals in 59 games, a bit better than a goal every two games, that have restored his reputation and his confidence.
Now he’s off to the Champions League and La Liga with Real Betis, a club overshadowed by Arsenal for their recent friendly in Dublin but the team that hammered the English champions at the Aviva Stadium.
Are Real Betis the perfect fit now for Budapest hero Troy as many Irish pundits are suggesting? It’s too early to say but the omens are good. Like Alkmaar in Holland, Betis are not A listers in Spanish football.
They appear to be a club grounded in reality with a real sense of belonging amongst their loyal fan base. And they will offer Troy calmness and opportunity in the beautiful city of Seville.
That an Irishman, the now legendary Patrick O’Connell, helped them to their only Spanish league title back in 1935 won’t be lost on Troy as he takes the latest path least expected in his fledgling career.
There’s nothing to suggest Troy Parrott will produce another Budapest style miracle and inspire Real Betis to La Liga glory next May but he deserves credit for giving it a try - better to be basking in Spanish sunshine than mucking around in the Championship on a wet Tuesday night with West Ham or their likes.
AROUND THE HEADLINES
Shamrock Rovers to consult Arsenal over Victor Ozhianvuna ahead of Conference League playoffs - Irish Times
Women’s FAI Cup: Cork face uphill battle in FAI Cup semi-final against Shelbourne - RTE Sport
Ireland legend hails ‘intelligent’ Troy Parrott’s La Liga move & likens him to all-time Irish great - Irish Sun
Damaged pitch forces PSG to switch season opener - BBC Sport
Derry City ‘in no rush’ to appoint permanent manager says Mark Connolly - Derry Journal
WSL champions Man City lead chase for Bohs teenager Aoibhe Brennan- Irish Examiner
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Ireland legend Richard Dunne was back at his boyhood club Home Farm on Wednesday and chatted around new pathways for young Irish footballers.
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