Cian Dillon

Where are you from?

I’m from Citywest, just around the corner from Roadstone.

How long are you with Rovers?

Since we were training at The Spawell, so that’s about seven years now, I was 10 or 11 then.

What has been your best moment playing for Rovers so far?

Probably scoring my first goal in Tallaght Stadium with the Under 19s against Shelbourne this year and also the scoring the winner in the Under 12 Cup final against St. Kevin’s. Another favourite moment was playing against Alkmaar in the UEFA Under 19 Champions League last year for the Under 19s at the stadium.

How is the season going for you personally?

It’s been going well. I have been scoring a lot of goals, I have 23 at the moment out of a target out of high 20s or 30. I have got a few assists as well.

How about your team, what’s it been like for them?

Not as we wanted. We are doing well in the Cup - we have Waterford in the semi-final this weekend. As for the league, we had a bad start to the Elite Phase and it wasn’t what we wanted.

What sort of a game are you expecting against Waterford?

We will have played them in the league the week before the Cup game. I expect it will be very tough, especially playing against them in their ground.

You were on the Rovers/Ashfield College TY course last year. What would you say to the students of this year based on your experience?

It goes by in a flash so take every day as an opportunity to get better and stronger and know more about your technical stuff, the way you eat and take on board what you are being taught.

If you don’t become a footballer what else might you like to do?

I would like to go into the area of strength and conditioning, to be an equipment trainer or to be involved the way Pat Deans is in the gym programme and the way he is around the club. He does a very good job with us.

You have played several times this year with the Under 19s. What has that experience been like for you?

I haven’t started a competitive game for them yet but I have been coming off the bench and trying to make the best of any opportunity I get. I try to make an impact in every game I come on. I have scored twice in the games I have come on for them.

Have you found a big difference between Under 17s and Under 19s?

Yeah, it’s a lot quicker and you are playing with men at that age. Communication is a big thing as well; they are so much better at it than the 17s.

Your dad is a referee. Would you ever see yourself becoming a referee?

Yeah, it looks fun.

Would you see the referee’s role better because of your dad?

In some ways I would. I would have some questions about a rule maybe and I would ask him about it, he would be able to tell me and from him refereeing games even he would see it a different way. He used to see something one way but now he sees it from the referee’s point of view as well.

Do you go to first-team games in the stadium?

I go to every home game. I used to go to the South Stand but the flags would be in the way so I started going to the East Stand.

Who is your favourite Rovers player?

No surprise, it’s Rory Gaffney.

We know you are a big fan so we have two final questions to test your knowledge of the history of the club. Firstly, can you tell us what year Rovers were formed?

They were formed in 1899.

Have you ever heard of Bob Fullam?

Yeah, he is a club legend. He was a great captain in the 1920s and 1930s.