Figueira will only get better and better at Candystripes: Devine
it wasn’t great. Since I was a kid I was always very competitive. I relished the physical side of the game but it has changed now. You can hardly touch a player. When I first broke into the Cliftonville side, tackles were common but now it’s dying away. I’ve moved back to centre-half which means less running about and staying out of trouble.
Q Can you tell us about your wedding?
A
I was married to Olivia in June, in Ibiza. We were away for two weeks and our honeymoon started on Boxing Day, we went to Australia for three weeks. That was a really nice trip, it’s a different world out there. I have a 10-year-old son, Mark junior. He’s a tough football player, a defender who plays for Cliftonville. As long as he’s enjoying his football I’m happy, he has potential and is playing in good teams. Sometimes he comes along to watch me play. Thankfully, I’ve mellowed out!
Q Has Olivia been a big support?
A
She keeps me on a tight rope! My family have been very supportive. I wouldn’t be playing football if it wasn’t for my dad Joe’s encouragement, he’s the main reason I’ve stuck at it. He never missed a match and although he’s busy with work he still likes to watch me play. Mum Michelle attended the big games.
I live a quiet and happy life now. Jim O’Hanlon and Francis McCaffrey also attended the wedding, we had a great time with friends and family. The wedding in Ibiza made sense because we met there four years before the date we married. Olivia is from the Shore Road area and we love going to Ibiza and taking in the beautiful sights as you drive around it. We’ve great memories from the wedding but time goes by so quickly. I was nervous about speaking at it but it all went well. Our photos ended up in an Ibiza bridal book!
Q
You’re still only 30-years-old and happy at Belfast Celtic, but do you feel you could still play in the Premiership or Championship?
A
I think I could as long as I stay fit. I do watch games and think I could manage it. The question is which club would give me a chance? I’ve already played for a few! It would have to be as a centre-half possibly. I think that suits my game but in my younger years I ended up in midfield. You never lose that competitive edge and the fire in the belly.
Q You worked with Tommy Breslin at Cliftonville. How upset were you at his passing?
A
I was upset, Tommy was an absolute gentleman — one of the best men we have seen in the Irish League. His record speaks for itself but he was also great company, he knew how to enjoy himself while challenging others to improve. Tommy was a top manager and good laugh.
Q What are your goals, football-wise?
A
I’d like to lift Belfast Celtic as high as I can. I think the potential is there. We have played Premier Intermediate sides and I firmly believe we can hold our own in that league.
Q How close were you to quitting football?
A
I was going to stop last year after St James’ but the Celtic move is a fresh start, just what I needed. I’ve thought about quitting a few times but I’ve managed to talk myself out of it. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve made many friends in the game. Even a few enemies became friends! No one is my friend on the pitch and it should be that way, but it’s just a competitive 90 minutes. I’m still involved in football so the journey continues!
DECLAN Devine is hoping that Walter Figueira can come back to haunt his old team when Derry City face Waterford at the RSC this evening.
The 24-year-old was a star for Alan Reynolds’ team last season but has since moved to the Brandywell and scored his first goal for his new club in the victory over Bohemians last Friday.
Figueira has also been nominated for the SSE Player of the Month award for February and Devine feels that after a good start, the Londoner can only improve.
“He’ll be a very good player for the club and he will only get better here,” he said.
“He can give you different roles and he excites people. He’s a player who can be creative and he’s also got goals in him. I’m delighted for him that we have him here and I’m delighted that he’s playing in a red and white shirt and not a blue shirt against us. He’s up for Player of the Month and fair play to him.”
The Candystripes got their first win on the board at the third time of asking last week, beating Bohemians 2-0, and Devine is hoping that with the first victory out of the way, his team can start to get into their stride.
“I think this group will evolve and get better,” he continued. “The key for this moment in time is to make sure we get as many points on the board as we can in the early games and then continue to strive to get your style of play and your players knowing everything about each other.
“It’s pretty much impossible to do that in an eight-week period. It’s a 40-week season and as the weeks go by we have to make sure that we continue to get better.”
Derry have failed to win in Waterford since 2007, but could well be the favourites tonight as Reynolds’ side have lost their last two games at the RSC.
Devine, who could be without Ciaran Coll (knee) and Ally Gilchrist (concussion), is taking nothing for granted.
“You could go through the Waterford team and there’s a lot of talent in there and a lot of experience, but there’s also a lot of players who can hurt you if you’re not right so we’re under no illusions,” he stated.
“It’s going to be a big battle down here. It’s our first game on grass so it has the makings of a fantastic game. I know Alan Reynolds very well and he will be very determined that they don’t lose three home games in a row.
“It’s not about the beautiful game to be honest.
“I’d rather go to Waterford which is a difficult venue and be able to dig out a brilliant win than be very expansive and pretty and lovely on the ball and come away with a 1-0 defeat.”