Kearney owes it to his mum
Hayes & Yeading starlet thankful for mother’s sacrifices
The teenage striker, who signed a new contract with United back in May, scored his sixth goal of preseason in Saturday morning’s 3-0 friendly win over Didcot Town on the 3G at Beaconsfield Road.
This latest stepping stone to what he hopes will be a professional deal one day would not have been possible without the sacrifices made by his mum Jennifer.
Born in Limerick, Kearney first came over to England with mum when he was five, but returned to the Emerald Isle aged 10, quickly establishing himself as a force at both Gaelic football and hurling.
However, knowing football was where her son’s sporting heart really lay, mum brought him back to England in his early teens to pursue his dreams.
“I was doing really well in Gaelic football and hurling, playing for the county in the U18s when I was only 13,” said Kearney.
“But my mum knew football was my real passion and that I had a better chance of getting somewhere with it in England.
“So I do owe my mum. Neither her or my dad have ever been able to bring me to football and I have always had to do it by myself, but my mum made that big decision when we were in Ireland to sacrifice her life.
“She might have had a better life in Ireland, but she thought of me and hopefully I can repay her.”
His pre-season exploits added to 31 youth team goals last term, not to mention his double from off the bench in the final game of last season at Gosport, suggest he has more than started the journey of paying the debt.
Kearney was more than happy with his latest finish, but with a first XI shirt to secure for the start of the Southern Premier campaign next month, was just as concerned with the several others that got away.
“I love a volley and it just sat up nicely again for me,” he added. “I could easily have had another one at least and I get really angry when I don’t score the goals I should because they get you in the manager’s head more.
“I would have taken this goal tally before pre-season started, but I know I can get more. It just comes down to getting played. I believe in myself in front of goal at any level.”