An Interview with Seamus Coleman
Killybegs local Seamus Coleman joined Sligo Rovers in 2006. He featured as a sub during that season, but from 2007 onwards he found himself featuring regularly, and rightfully so with the form he was in. Bombing up the wing and getting in crosses, it was like having another winger. His ever improving form in 2008 caught the eye of a number of teams such as Celtic and Birmingham, but Everton won the race for his signature. One of the lucky few to go over to England and break into the first team, Coleman has been in sparkling form on the right this season, scoring 6 goals and popping up with many crucial assists. 2011 has also seen Seamie make his International debut for the Republic of Ireland
Seamie playing for Ireland
Photo from Sportsfile.com
On growing up…
At school, I think the same as every kid, you’d go in to school in the morning, you’d pick your teams and then they'd be the teams for break time, lunch time and you hated losing.
Then you'd go home and you'd be straight out playing football. I lived in a housing estate, so whatever sport was on the TV at the time would be played out in the play areas. But football was all year round.
Everyone was competitive where I lived and to say there were a couple of fights between the kids growing up on the estate would be an understatement. The estate was split because there was a circle of houses, where I lived, but at the bottom of a hill.
When it came to football, we called ourselves the Killers, and the kids from the hill were the All Stars. And they were battles believe me. It was taken so seriously. We'd have transfers and everything. The other team would buy someone for 50p and they'd leave and play for the other team. We had trophies. We organised it all amongst ourselves.
But nobody liked to lose and there was nowhere to hide, and I think that helped me. It was more competitive than our organised game on the Saturday to be honest, because it was no holds barred and you had to be up for that. We're all friends now and we still talk about those matches. The Killers v the All Stars was a bit like our daily Merseyside derby really.
On gaelic football…
Gaelic football was my preference when I was younger and if the games clashed with football I would always go to my gaelic game. We had a lot of success growing up and won a lot of competitions. And it was always better organised too.
That's when I said I was going to give soccer a go and leave the gaelic football behind. I haven't really looked back since. And obviously I don't regret it at all.
My brother still plays with the gaelic team and I still keep an eye on how they're doing. It's still a part of my life.
On learning his trade at Sligo Rovers/in the League of Ireland
I enjoyed that part of it. I missed out on all the coaching that a lot of lads get from a young age and I’m still playing catch up in that department. But I learned an awful lot from the manager and the players at Sligo and I wouldn’t change it.
On move to Everton…
I was driving in to training one day and the manager rang me to say Sligo had accepted a bid. I was over the moon, but at the same time a little nervous about leaving home and all that.
On training with the reserves…
I was by no means ready for the first team, not even to train with them. But I remember the first couple of reserve games I did quite well. That gave me confidence.
Facilities-wise, I remember thinking it was unbelievable. And training was a complete step up. I got my head down and worked hard, and I didn't get behind in that department. But it definitely took me a while to get used to the speed of the football.
On his debut in Benfica…
Now I wouldn't change it. We got beat, but the experience was something I'll never forget - the stadium and the atmosphere was something else.
It was all a bit surreal to me. I knew we had a few injuries, but I didn't think I'd be playing. When I was told, it was difficult to comprehend. Earlier that year I had been preparing for pre-season training with Sligo and there I was being told I was going to make my debut for Everton against Benfica in Europe.
Whatever the result, I can still look back now and say that in itself was a great achievement.
On his first home Premier League appearance against Spurs…
That Tottenham game put the Benfica one out of my mind really. Growing up, even in the school yard, I was determined and aggressive, and when I go out on the pitch I don't look at who I'm playing against.
I could have been back in Sligo during that Tottenham game and I would have done the exact same thing. I didn't look around and think, that's Aaron Lennon or whoever - I just treated it as 90 minutes of football.
The atmosphere was good and I got on the ball early and made a few things happen. The crowd then got behind me and I had a great game, played a part in both goals, and that was the start for me in my Everton career really.
On his loan spell at Blackpool…
Going to Blackpool was massive for me. I went there just to get some games and, as every game went by, I got more confident.
What really helped me was getting to the play-offs and realising how important those games were and what they meant.
I came back feeling I had done well at Blackpool. I wouldn’t say I came back a better player because I am still learning – every day in training I am still learning and hoping to get better. But I would say I came back more confident - and that was the difference.
On his form this season…
That was my aim when I came back from Blackpool - to get into the team. I didn't think I'd play as many games as I have done and to be playing right midfield is a bit different, but it's been great and unexpected really.
That Fulham game was perhaps the second time I'd played right wing in my life, so it has taken a while, but I've slowly gotten used to it. It's not an easy role, but I like to attack and I'm delighted to be playing.
I've probably noticed in the last couple of weeks that it has been a bit harder, because when I get the ball there are perhaps two people trying to stop me now. I need to learn how to deal with that.
I know we didn't win the game but in that second or two as the ball hit the net it was a great feeling. That was probably the highlight so far for me.
On playing for Ireland…
To play at Under-21 level was great for me and my family because representing my country was something I always wanted to do. But to make my debut for the seniors really was a childhood dream come true. Hopefully there will be more to come.
On his targets going forward…
It's still there a little bit, that feeling that it’s all a bit surreal. I've said to myself that I've got to get rid of that because you can't always think that way.
At the same time, I don't want to get used to it. I still want to have that little feeling of being in awe, because you can never take your place for granted then.
I want to always go out and try my best and I don't want to feel like I'm a first 11 player, because the next week you can have a bad game or be dropped.
For Everton, I just want to stay in and around the team and, internationally, I want to become a regular at some stage, whether that be in the short term or the long term.
It won’t be easy, but that has to be my aim now.
Thanks to the Evertonian (Everton’s official club magazine) for conducting this interview.
