There are many things about professional football that irk and frustrate me. This is not in any way a statement of discontent; indeed it is quite the opposite as it implies that as wonderful as I find the game, the realisation that there are even more improvements available creates a keen sense of anticipation for me. On the other hand, there are many aspects of my profession, or my previous profession to be more precise that afford me enormous gratification. And one of the most appealing of these occurred last Saturday afternoon in Turner's Cross.

Testimonial

I took the train to Cork last weekend to participate in Neal Horgan's testimonial game and I was genuinely impressed at how well organised the event was and the reaction it provoked from the Cork City faithful. This feature of professional football, honouring one of its players in such a unique fashion, is a very personal way of recording the compliments of all the people who rightfully wish to acknowledge the tremendous contribution of this long serving player.

Neal Horgan is the latest in an impressive list of Cork footballers that have, down the years, served their game and their community with grace and dignity.

West Ham

While at Gillingham FC I had my own testimonial game against a West Ham United team that contained names such as Moore, Hurst, Lampard and Redknapp. It was an evening I will never forget and while the finance generated alleviated the pressure of my departure from full-time football to a great extent, it was more the tone of the event that nourished my sense of professional satisfaction.

I had put in ten hard years at Gillingham. I had been reasonably well paid during that time but I had also shown a significant loyalty to the club that at times had been somewhat taken for granted. But that is the way of professional football and one simply has to get on with it.

Underrated

Neal Horgan has been one of the most underrated players in The League of Ireland during the last decade. His amazing consistency allied to the quiet and undemonstrative way he plays, has I feel, not been fully recorded by the media in general. He is one of those players who generate enormous respect within the game and during my three years in charge I found his exemplary attitude of professionalism to be one of the mainstays of the success we had as a team.

“Hoggy” is very reflective as an individual. He is thoughtful and even philosophical in the manner in which he applies himself to his trade.

As a manager I invest much time in talking to players under my stewardship. I believe in finding out who the person is under the playing kit. This fascinating area of sport is capable of engendering much harmony and understanding and these two emotions are extremely important in creating the team spirit so conducive to enjoyment and success.

In my world, success without enjoyment is a hollow achievement. Of course, success brings its own sense of satisfaction, but the real enjoyment stretches far beyond merely winning trophies. The joy contained in committing oneself to the ongoing challenge of maximising every aspect of ones talent in the pursuit of success is where the most immense satisfaction lies.

Attitude

Hence, I like to surround myself with players who possess a wholesome attitude to their profession and to their fellow players and supporters.

While I understand and accept that some individuals will always see themselves as more important than the team, I have found that this particular type of player has a tendency to frequently change clubs and invariably fails to realise true potential and is never the recipient of a testimonial game.

The bedrock of a good club, whether professional or otherwise is based on players like Neal Horgan and thankfully there were many more like him at CCFC.

Regret

The greatest regret of my professional life is that, in the immediate aftermath of the 2005 League winning season, there was no finance available to invest in the team at what I feel was the most significant point in the history of the club.

Had this not been the case, I truly believe that we would have created a golden era that would have lived in the memories of many people for a very long time indeed.

Regrets however, are simply issues of circumstances that invariably increase the resolve of determined individuals. Allowing regrets to mar thoughts of the past is tantamount to admitting ones failure to understand what life is about and who one is as an individual.

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