Bit O’Magic from Russell makes it a memorable debut

THERE’S some 6,000km and the entire breadth of the Atlantic Ocean separating Drogheda United FC from Sean Russell’s most recent club, Louisville City.

But the 23-year-old Dubliner showed on his debut that distance is no object, after scoring with a stunning long-range volley, and already he has begun to repay the faith shown in him by Drogs boss Pete Mahon.

Not that the trip to Sligo went entirely to plan, as Rhys McCabe’s strike ensured it was ‘only’ a point for the Boynesiders who remain at the foot of the Premier Division table.

‘It’s always good to get off with a goal and I think it was probably an entertaining game for people watching, but it would have been ideal if it had been a win,’ Russell (pictured) began.

‘I think I score more from there than anywhere closer. I’ve scored one for Limerick before from about that distance. The ball sat up perfectly and it’s one of those where you just try and get a good technique on it and thankfully it went in.’

While there was a tinge of disappointment that Drogheda hadn’t managed to hold onto their lead - they nearly sneaked a winner right at the death - Russell admitted that the progress was most welcome after recent results.

‘That’s a good Sligo team and to be honest they’ve shown a lot of quality tonight and we’ve done well to deal with it at times. We haven’t lost the match and there’s a lot of games to go and a lot of things can happen.

‘I think there’s definitely some positives to take from the game, for sure.’

Having shipped 19 goals in their last five games, including the Ipswich friendly, Russell was delighted that the Drogheda defence stood up to the Bit O’Red and successfully defended 14 corners along the way.

‘It was a great test for them,’ he reflected. ‘Stephen [McGuinness] has pulled off some wonder saves and these are important games coming up and it’s important that lads are going into them with confidence as well, and that will do the defence no harm, for sure.’

As for the circumstances of his arrival, Russell wasn’t slow in signing on the dotted line after failing to adjust to life in the United States with Kentucky side Louisville City.

‘I came back from America and wanted to get back playing straightaway because I really missed the league here,’ he explained. ‘There was one or two things [other offers] floating about, but Pete [Mahon] showed good interest from the start and after talking to him I felt like I wanted to play for Drogheda.

‘I haven’t played 90 minutes probably in three or four months, but I got a good 65 minutes against a decent Ipswich team last week and felt a lot fitter tonight. Match fitness is about getting out there and getting the minutes in and thankfully Pete has kept faith in me tonight and I’m happy with that. Now I just have to try and repay him with my performances.’

Russell insisted that the atmosphere in the camp even prior to Saturday wasn’t too downbeat, and the squad still fefeel they can drag Drogheda awaway from relegation danger.

‘I don’t think the team’s in a position to feel sorry for itself,’ he pointed out. ‘You’re not going to give yourself any chance by fefeeling sorry for yourself. Since enjoyedI’veI’be comeit andin theit’s a traininggood group has been really good, I’ve really oof lads.

‘We’ve got everything to help us get out of this situation, as lolong as we keep going and kkeep building. We can’t take ththis week as ‘oh, well, we got a draw’. Hopefully we can build on it and if we do that we have a great chance.’

Next up is a trip to second-bottom Galway on Friday and for Russell it’s about the squad taking their performance to the next level.

‘It doesn’t matter who we play - we’ve got to go into every game thinking we can win it.

‘Galway is a big game, but we’ve just to focus on this week’s training and go into it with the same mindset as we did last night [at training]. Hopefully we can develop our performance further.’