The gentleman of Wicklow soccer
20 Questions 1 – Where are you in the world right now and what’s happening in your life?
I’m in Arklow, on lockdown like most people, just waiting on what’s going to happen next.
2 – Before the restrictions came in how was your season going and how do you think things were going to work out?
I started with Arklow Town but they folded so I’m playing with Arklow Celtic now. League form isn’t great but we are still in the cups, and with a bit of luck we can go on a run in one of them. They are a great bunch of lads (in Arklow Celtic) and they deserve a bit of success. Keeping two teams going in this day and age is a great achievement. But I don’t know what way the season will go now. Maybe it’s finished or they’ll do the cups. It will be a case of play it by ear.
3 – How damaging do you think Covid-19 emergency could be for the Wicklow League?
It will be very damaging to the whole country in terms of jobs and eveything. When we beat it and hopefully that’s very soon, we should let the dust settle and then the league can assess the situation.
4 – What would you like to see the Wicklow League become and have you any suggestions as to how they will get there?
I’d like the League to grow and become something like it used to be.
5– Paint us a picture of your early years, school, hobbies, sports, guiding figures.
Always loved football, be it kicking it against the wall of the house, down in Brittas to the pitch with the local lads or with the Dubs in the summer in the caravan park. I wasn’t very interested in school but I stuck at it.
Played GAA most of the time for Barndarrig too. Gave it up for a few years but went back and play on the second team.
6– You’ve represented a number of clubs in your career, can you name them and explain your nomadic tendencies?
BBK, St. Patrick’s, Wicklow Town, Wicklow Rovers, Rathnew, Ashford, Arklow Town, Arklow Celtic, Dearg Celtic.
It seems like a lot but that’s over 20-odd years. Some folded and stuff like that but really I just wanted to football, simple as.
7– Toughest game you ever played in and why?
Probably against Rathnew in the Wicklow Cup final. They beat us 3-2. Really it was a wake-up call for Ashford at the time. They showed us that day how to win it and it stood to us.
8 – Wicklow League player you most admire, and why?
Not just because I am playing with now but Edwin Walker, playing as long as myself and is still mad for it. Great clubman and
Wicklow League player. Stone crazy as well!
9 – Professional player you most admire, and why?
Roy Keane – the will to win was and still is something special.
10 – Favourite venue in Wicklow, and why?
Lamberton. Won the Wicklow Cup there on penos against Newtown. I was captain and it was like Ashford’s first one. A very, very proud moment for me.
11 – Best game you ever played, and why?
See above.
12 – First major win and describe the feeling?
Winning the Premier with Ashford unbeaten. It was a great feeling because we put in a real effort that year and winning the league was a great reward.
13 – Funniest teammate and why?
Dean Mooney. The lad is on another planet.
14 – Toughest opponent, and why?
Jason Devlin. Competiive, tough, fair (most of the time) and a gentleman.
15 – Big match day – anything unusual, were you a creature of habit, any superstitions, were you nervous, completely calm, distant, talkative?
Nothing unusual, just mad to get going. I’m not very patient and hate the waiting around.
16 – The dressing room – what sort of dude were you?
In the dressing room I would have been fairly level headed and trying to keep everyone calm.
17 – Best memory from your life in football?
My best memory is all the lads I’ve met, played with and became friends with over the years. The days and nights out after a win or a loss are memories you keep.
18 – You’ve just turned 40, any advice to your 18-year-old self if you could send him a note back through time?
Train a bit more, have one less pint on Saturday night. And you don’t need that fag at half-time!
19 – What’s the dream for Andrew Reilly?
Play for another bit, and hopefully my young fella will be starting then so I’ll follow him around.
20 – In the sporting pages of history, how will Andrew Reilly be remembered?
Someone who loved a game of football and all that goes with it.