Big changes since special day in 2004
A lot has changed for Gary Messett since he first pulled on a green jersey in 2004. He has gained a fiancee and a daughter, tragically lost his father and gone from a 16-year-old headless chicken to the veteran midfield general on his way to 85 caps and 53 goals for the Boys in Green.
Messett captained the Irish CP team as they clinched third spot in the European Championships and it was a case of mission accomplished for Messett and his young team-mates who the Bray man admits look to him for guidance - something that he is happy to offer.
“I think that an awful lot of the younger players stood up to be counted. I think it was a huge benefit but it was probably the best squad I’ve ever gone over with and I think we did everyone proud and we did everything that was asked of us. We came back with a third place medal which is what we went over to achieve.
“I think as captain you have to lead by example on and off the pitch and as the games progressed on, my leadership kind of took over to an extent just to show the boys what to do and how to act in the match in terms of keeping the ball and stuff like that. It’s just experience.
“To be captain is a huge honour and I’m lucky to be in the position that I’m in and to be going over and representing Ireland.”
Messett is hoping that bronze medals at the Euros will be just the start of it. The ex-Glencormac United and St. Fergal’s ace knowa that this side has massive potential and - as he proved at this tournament with almost a goal per game - Messett is still as good as they come.
“Getting bronze was our goal going over. We haven’t won many medals since I’ve been involved in the last 14 years so that in itself is a great achievement. Knowing where we started from; to get to where we are now is a great achievement and we’re delighted with the bronze medals and the plan now is to push on and see where we can go.
“I was very happy with my own performances. My role has changed an awful lot in the last couple of years with the younger lads coming through. I’m not as focused now on getting forward and scoring goals as I used to be - I’m more about creating play and setting the tempo and helping the other lads get up the pitch. On a personal level, scoring the goal against Northern Ireland was probably in my top three of my career so far so that was a great moment.”
Messett was joined in the Netherlands by fiancee Hollie and daughter Poppie - who celebrated her second birthday whilst there - and having his family around him made it all the sweeter.
“The last few tournaments we had been in were in Brazil and Argentina so with being so close this year I had 11 family members over supporting me.
“That in itself was great and there were six more families there as well so there was a great togetherness around the squad on and off the pitch.
“We get on so well. It’s great to go over and represent your country and having the families over there with us did add to it. We played the Netherlands twice and they were the host nation but at some stages it felt like we were the host nation.”
Next up on Ireland’s radar is the World Cup in Madrid in 2019. Messett admits that the thought of hanging up his boots has crossed his mind with the juggling act of family, football and work beginning to take its toll on him.
“At the moment, yes (I’ll be in Madrid), but there’s an awful lot of sacrifice that goes into it. I have a daugher and my fiancee Hollie now and they’ve been so good to me and I just want to be able to be around them an awful lot more. Football is a great outlet for me but things change. “