Drennan wants Rovers to go all the way in Irn Bru Cup
HE admits he’s not a fan of Scotland’s treasured soft drink, Irn Bru, but Sligo Rovers striker Mikey Drennan was thrilled to pick up his own personalised bottles last Wednesday.
He’s the first League of Ireland player to pick up the ‘golden ball’ award, as fans voted on Twitter for Drennan as the player of the second round in the Irn Bru Cup, as his hat-trick saw Rovers overcome Livingston Colts in the second round.
As he was presented with the award by representatives of Irn Bru at The Showgrounds, Drennan told The Sligo Champion: “I didn’t actually know that it was on (player of the round competition) until two days after when someone said it to me. I didn’t know, I’m delighted to win it, it’s a great personal achievement but the main thing is that we got to the next round. Hopefully we can go on and win the tournament.”
The Bit O’Red will continue their journey in the ginger competition as they travel across the Irish Sea, looking to reach the quarter-final stages as they take on Motherwell Colts, while Bohemian take on English national league side, Sutton United.
It’s his first time playing in the competition, and Drennan is enjoying it so far.
“It’s been good. The travelling bit is going to be good, especially for the younger lads. They can get a bit of professionalism in and togetherness and see how it’s done. Hopefully they’ll get a bit of hunger and want to keep doing that.
“Especially, if most of the lads are staying next year it would be great to get everyone together. There’s a great dressing room here and I think it’s one of the best dressing rooms I’ve been in. It is great for team bonding, we’ll enjoy it.”
Gavin Whyte has previously won the award for Crusaders, but this is the first time a League of Ireland player has won such an accolade. “I didn’t know that until two days ago. For the Republic of Ireland, it’s a big achievement. We need to go and win it. There’s no point being half a**ed about it.” He added: “I don’t like Irn Bru. I’ll give it to one of the Scottish lads!”
The former Shamrock Rovers man joined Rovers this summer after spending two years playing junior football with this local side, Evergreen. He took a break from League of Ireland football in 2016 as a result of his depression, something he has been open about. So far, he has enjoyed his journey with Sligo Rovers, even more than he had expected.
“I’ve really enjoyed it here. I’ve settled in better than I thought I would. Usually I’d be wanting to go home (to Kilkenny), I haven’t gone home once yet. I’m really enjoying it here. It took me 6/7 games to get settled in, which probably isn’t ideal but it was good to get the minutes in and I’ve started scoring now so I think hopefully I can keep kicking on. The manager here is great.
“I know he gets a bit of stick, he’s a great manager and I don’t think it’s him, I don’t know what it is about playing here. Our away form is brilliant. If you get 3/4 wins at home you move up quickly. If we can do that next year it would be great.”
It took him a while to get going, but since settling in, Drennan has hit form. Scoring two in a vital win against Limerick, that hat-trick in the Irn Bru Cup and one against Pats, he is beginning to find his feet.
“I was getting a bit isolated and balls were being hit up. It wasn’t ideal. We’re keeping the same 11, a great midfield three, and we’re going well at the minute.
“At the start, I think I should have five or six more goals than I have now, but I think it’s just a matter of getting fit. That shouldn’t affect my finishing, I was a bit disappointed that way, that I couldn’t help the team more. My main aim is to score goals and if I’m here next year or wherever I am I’ll be aiming for double figures, 20 goals or that.
“A lot of it is about confidence. If you’re not getting the chances that’s when you start to worry. That’s the difference between now and probably six weeks ago. I’ve lost a bit of weight and I’m probably in the position where I’d be two yards back when we got a goal.”
The Kilkenny native feels he’s in a good place now, and going back to play junior football has been a big part of that.
“Going back to junior was good cause I was back with friends I played with when I was younger. It was that togetherness, being together with people I’ve known my whole life. You play your game and you go for a few pints afterwards on a Sunday. That was a good thing for me personally at the time, with the health just trying to get everything right.
“I feel much more mature now. At the time the manager (at Shamrock Rovers) was like ‘his head’s not right he can’t play’. At the time I did leave (Sham. Rovers) it was good for myself that I took that chance. I probably wouldn’t be here today if I didn’t do that. At that stage I had got really bad. I know how to deal with things better, my attitude is much better. Before that I’d go back and drink three cans and smoke fags and that’s the way I was going. I wasn’t in a good place. I’m happy where I am now.”
And now, he wants to see Rovers finish up the season as well as possible. Particularly at home.
“We have three home games left, We should get at least two wins just to give the fans something because it hasn’t been a happy place this year. If we can beat Cork away from home we can beat anyone. I think we’re maybe two, three players off that difference. Hopefully next year we’ll be pushing up and won’t be fighting relegation or be mid-table.”