Football

Football
Seamus’ delight at Sam success

The cole face ... Ireland's Séamus Coleman clashes with the North's Josh Carson
By OWEN COWZER
Published: 13 hrs ago
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SÉAMUS COLEMAN could have been winning matches with Jim McGuinness this summer.
But he reckons he could one day play soccer under the Donegal boss.
McGuinness has been linked with a switch from GAA to soccer with Liverpool orCeltic after Donegal claimed the Sam Maguire last month.
And Everton defender Coleman — who could have been part of the Donegal All-Ireland winning team had he chosen a different career path — believes McGuinness has what it takes to make the switch.
Coleman said: “He has done a great job and hopefully if he doesn’t make a move to one of the clubs, he can win another All-Ireland. I’d say that wouldbe his ambition.
“You can see the love he has for football and sport, it’s something else and it would be great to see if he got a role with one of the football clubs, he could turn his hand to it no problem.
“It’s the type of man he is. I’d rather he came to Everton! I’ll have a word with him!
“Obviously he’s got a good eye for tactics as well, I know it’s Gaelic but I’m sure he could turn hishand to soccer because he’s done a great job for Donegal.
“I think two years ago there’s no way Donegal would have won the All-Ireland without him, he’s changed all the players. He’s got something special about him.
“Playing Gaelic, I would have come across him a lot. He was over at a game last year or two years ago.
“I saw him in the summer time down in his local town too. I spoke to Jim afew times and honestly he’s a great, great man.
“He invited me to training and that kind of thing. He’s a great man and I’ve great respect for him.”
Coleman played both soccer and Gaelic football as a teenager and had the talent to excel in both.
In 2006, when playing soccer for St Catherine’s and Gaelic football for the all-conquering Killybegs minor team, he received a call-up for the Donegalminors at the same time as he got a call from Sligo Rovers.
He chose a move to The Showgrounds and the rest is history.
And despite seeing Donegal lift the Sam Maguire last month, Coleman has no regrets.
He explained: “I’m a massive Donegal fan and keep in touch with the lads, and there’s no happier man to see them win. They’ve been a big inspiration for everyone in Donegal.
“Michael Murphy isa great captain and for the young people in Donegal, he’s a great role model.
“I’m happy as a fan but this is my dream, to be a Premier League footballer and it was probably Michael and the lads’ dream to win an All-Ireland. I’m delighted for them.
“When I came to minor level I had to choose between Sligo and Donegal, so I picked Sligo and I never, ever regretted that decision because I’ve beenlucky with the life I picked.
“I get to play in the Premier League and I get to play for my country. I’m very happy but the lads who play for Donegal deserve a lot of credit because of the work they put in. I’m happy and I’m sure they’re happy as well.”
Coleman still speaks with a few of the players and grew up battling in club games against Chíll Chartha’s Mark McHugh.
He said: “I playedagainst a few of the players, there’s a few who are with the club next to us. They’re with the rival club 10 minutes away.
“And there’s Michael Murphy and Karl Lacey. Ah, you’d know them all, they’re all close by and all good lads. I’m delighted for them.”
But Coleman’s summer was not all so enjoyable as he had to settle for watching Ireland’s Euro 2012 campaign in the pub.
He admits although he isover the disappointment of not making Giovanni Trapattoni’s squad and is now hoping to have everyone raising their glasses to him against Germany.
The 23-year-old is aiming to get the nod at right-back against Germany as injuries to Richard Dunne and Seán St Ledger force Trap to re-jig his back four.
Coleman said: “It was very disappointing, to be honest.
“Everyone wanted to be picked in the...