SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE SOCCER: PHILLY GORMAN INTERVIEW
Gorman extends League of Ireland career into 14th season by signing for Waterford
By Daire Walsh
BROWNSTOWN’S Philly Gorman kick-started a new chapter in his football career last Friday night, as he trained with his new club – Waterford United – for the very first time.
Following his departure from Athlone Town, the 34-year-old had been considering his next move very carefully, but he is now excited by the prospect of playing in the RSC this year.
“Yeah, just started Friday night with them. I am excited, new challenge I suppose, something different. I’ve been with Athlone for three years now. It’s nice to start somewhere fresh, and see what the season brings,” said Gorman, who made his League of Ireland debut in 2002.
Roddy Collins is currently in charge of Waterford, and the day after the 2015 campaign had come to an end, he contacted Gorman about the possibility of playing with the Munster men. Collins had previously managed the former Shelbourne striker during his time with Athlone, and this familiarity certainly appealed to Gorman.
“Roddy Collins is the manager down there now. The day the season finished, he rang me the next day. I was undecided if I was going to keep playing or not, and he was ringing me in between. He rang me a good few times, and I met up with him once or twice. He’s a good man to talk you around, to persuade you into things. He twisted my arm in the end.”
“I know what he’s all about, and he knows what I’m about. He can be flexible, and he’s a good manager to work for. I’ve a good understanding with him. Hopefully, we’ll just carry on the same this year.”
Last season was a difficult one for Waterford, as they only finished one point ahead of First Division basement side Cabinteely. However, it is less than four years ago that they found themselves in a promotion/relegation play-off with current top-flight kingpins Dundalk, and with the facilities in the Deise county amongst the best in Ireland, he gets the sense that they are eager for a return to the Premier Division.
“Yeah, I was only down there Friday night. It was my first training session, but even from that, and even from playing down there the last few years, the facilities down there are unbelievable. The pitch last year was the best pitch in the league by a mile, the condition it was in, and the training pitches are even better.”
“The facilities are great, they have the use of Waterford IT’s training ground. It is set-up to be in a division above, I think. Historically, they’re a very big club. They’ve had past glories, a bit like Athlone. They are a bit of a sleeping giant in that region. I’d say down there, they would see themselves as a Premier Division club, and that where they’re hoping to go back to.”
In terms of personal goals for the season ahead, Gorman is hopeful that he can reach double figures for his new employers. He has managed to reach this target in recent campaigns, and with strikers always being judged on the number of goals they score, he is aiming to do so once again.
“As a striker, I’d always have a target of at least hitting double figures. I’d be at least looking to get ten, and build on that, and hopefully a few more. You’d love to be playing well as well, but you’re basically judged on goals as a striker.”
“That’s your main criteria. That’s what I’d be looking for. I’d start like that every season, and hopefully get a few in the first few games. Settle things down, and you can ease yourself into it a little bit.”