Hayes & Harlington Gazette

Lesson learned the hard way

Teen Kearney says his bad boy days are behind him FOOTBALL

- By Jon Batham tms-sport@trinitymir­ror.com

NO MORE BUST-UPS:

Aged just 18, the United striker is already turning heads after nine pre-season goals earned him a firstteam shirt for the Southern League campaign.

He claimed his first league goal of the season in the 2-2 draw at Cambridge City earlier this month.

Limerick-born Kearney appears to be on an upward curve, but revealed he is already in second chance territory after being released by QPR two seasons ago following manager.

Still dreaming of a career in the profession­al game, he believes the setback of his own making may prove to be a blessing in the longterm.

He said: “I got signed by QPR and was scoring for the under-18s when I was 16. Then I had an argument with the manager, so I got released.

“Football is all about opinions, but at the end of the day you should not be rude to your manager and I learnt that the hard way, but that helps make you the person you are today and I know never to do that in the future.

“I get less angry about things on the pitch now. If a player hits me I don’t react and it has developed me.”

However, for less angry do not read soft touch as the youngster is a bust-up with his more than able to stand up for or himself, especially among his is team-mates, particular­ly if there e are goals to be had.

He knows goals are his stock k in trade, so when at a recent pre- season game the opportunit­y forr a penalty came along, Kearney y was more than happy to fight his corner and grab the ball.

He added: “There was an older striker than me on the pitch, but I want to try and cement my spot and I just love scoring goals, so I just put my foot down. At the end of the day I’m a striker and a penalty is an easy goal isn’t it.”

Hayes & Yeading were due to help Slough Town officially open their new Arbour Park ground on Bank Holiday Monday by taking part in the first fixture at the stadium.

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 ??  ?? n Dylan Kearney walks out at Hayes & Yeading United
n Dylan Kearney walks out at Hayes & Yeading United

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