Football is everything to Cleary
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DAN CLEARY’S obsession with football runs deeper than most.
Rather than switch off when he’s not training or playing with five-in-a-row chasers Shamrock Rovers, he spends his spare evenings and weekend mornings on the sidelines in the Leinster Senior League.
The Hoops defender – who turns 28 today – set up a club called Old County with some friends six years ago.
He coaches with St Pat’s forward Jake Mulraney (below) and is speeding his way through the UEFA Licensing system.
“I don’t know anything else,” he said. “I left school when I was 14 or 15, went to England and it is all I know. I don’t really have an interest in anything else. I watch football every night, coach… my life is football.”
That doesn’t always go down well at home, admits Cleary, who was at Liverpool and Birmingham City before switching to Dundalk in 2018.
“The missus isn’t happy with it but I’m doing it four, five years now so she’s quite used to me going on the Tuesday evening, the odd Thursday and a Saturday,” he said.
“Me and Jake Mulraney are coaching there. We’re enjoying it. I’ve just done my badges, UEFA B. It’s a different side of football that I’ve always enjoyed, understanding the game.
“I play at the back so I’m looking up the pitch and have to understand most people’s roles so I quite enjoy coaching.”
Turning his attention to Rovers, Cleary won’t allow any panic to set in as the champions search – at the fourth time of asking this season – for their first win of the campaign tonight.
“I’m playing in the league for six years now and every year the league doesn’t really settle down until after 10 games,” he said.