Everyone is hungry for success and we view this year as a good opportunity - Seymore
FRIDAY’S clash with Finn Harps will mark the beginning of the latest chapter in the career of Will Seymore.
The 27-year-old, who joined Sligo Rovers from US side Reno 1868 in December, is primed to make his competitive debut for the club at Finn Park.
Having earned significant experience in the US and in the UK, Seymore takes to the field for the first time in the League of Ireland – and he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m excited,” Seymore told the Sligo Champion.
“Pre-season has been going well, I’ve settled well with my teammates and I’m really enjoying living here in Sligo.
There has been a period of adjustment for the midfielder to the style of play in Ireland, after spending time at the Vancouver Whitecaps between 2015 and 2017 before linking up with former Rovers player Richie Ryan in the Cincinnati midfield in 2018. Seymore joined Rovers after an 18-month stint at Reno 1868.
Having arrived in December, Seymore has had a chance to assess the differences between the game in Ireland and elsewhere – and says the Irish game has proven to be a challenge, but it is one he is adjusting to.
“The football here has been good. It’s pretty technical over here - I think in the States the players are more like athletes, but their skill level isn’t that high. The games and the intensity is higher here and the physicality has taken some getting used to. In the
States, there may be more fouls called than over here.”
The injury to key defender John Mahon has blighted Rovers’ plans for the new season, but Seymore says that while the players in the squad are disappointed for their teammate, they know he will come back stronger.
“It’s been tough,” he says of Mahon’s injury. “He’s a great player and a great lad as well, so it’s been tough. Guys in the squad are gutted for him, but we know he’ll work hard to get back and come back stronger.”
Reflecting on the off-season as a whole, Seymore is positive about Rovers’ prospects in 2020.
“We have been preparing really well, and the general mood is to achieve something. Everyone is hungry for success and we view this year as a good opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to getting going, we are excited. We are pretty confident in how we play and we hope to progress that through the season.
“The other players in the squad are confident and once we get the first game in we will get a better idea of where we are at, and we will aim to get better with every match.”