Darren Prendergast

Name: Darren Prendergast Team: Rovers II (First Division) Age

20 Height: 172cm Weight: 69kg Darren, can you begin by telling us how long you have been playing for Shamrock Rovers? I’ve been at Shamrock Rovers since January 2017. I joined from Edenderry Town and my first year was under Stephen Rice. The next year after that I was with Aidan Price and then Stephen Rice and now Aidan Price again.

Whereabouts are you from

I am from Monasterevin, County Kildare. You seem to be a versatile type of player; in what positions have you played for the club? I’ve played everywhere at the back, centre back, left back, right back and CDM.

What is your own favourite position

I think CDM because you have more involvement with the game and you set the pace of the game. When I’m watching matches myself I’m more inclined to look at what the midfielders are doing. I think that’s my favourite position.

Who was it like working under your first coach at Rovers

It was so different training from your local team. The professionalism of all the coaches. Stephen Rice tactically brought new stuff into your mind and changed your view of the game.

How did Edenderry feel about it at the time you left

I think they were happy at the time but obviously they were disappointed losing me but overall they were happy with the progress I had made. Are there any players from your first team still with the club that was here when you joined? Evan Smithers and Jordan Tallon are the two players that I played with at the start. They have progressed with me. I’m best mates with them and it’s great to see they are still here. You were on the team that beat Bohs last November to win the Enda McGuill Cup; what were your thoughts on that achievement? It was great because it was my first trophy at Shamrock Rovers. A lot of the players had been waiting so long to win something and it was great to finally get it, especially against Bohs at their ground. The possibility of Shamrock Rovers entering a second team into the First Division was being discussed at that time; did you think you might have played your final game for the club that day? Yeah, I think that’s what the thoughts were in the dressing room that it would be the last time we would see each other, play together anyway. We were delighted to think that we might have another chance to keep playing at Shamrock Rovers but we were thinking that would be our last game. I think the emotions in the dressing room from the coaches as well as the players that it might be our last game to win something for the club I think just drove us on. There were some emotional scenes between players and family members after the game, was that because many of thought you might never play again together? I think so because the parents got along great and so did the players. The parents were great supporting us the years we were there; I think they too thought it was the last time they were going to see each other and that drove their emotions up. They travelled all over the country, especially last year and even when we played Derry away in the cup we weren’t expecting anyone to be there but the majority of parents were there and that gave us a boost.

How do you feel your form is this year

It’s hard to know because there has been a lack of games. I think I am progressing and I would like to think my form is still up. What’s it like working with experienced guys such as Aidan Price and Steven Gray? They were more defensive players as well so it’s easier for me to learn off them. They see the way I am looking at matches and they give me great feedback. What’s the experience like training and playing with the First Division team compared to the U19s? You see the intensity straight away. The quick decision making is the biggest thing you see and the lack of mistakes. There are no mistakes from any player and the passing is just incredible. The intensity is the first thing that hits you, it’s now like you are playing a match.

Are you attending college or studying for anything at the moment

I am currently in Maynooth in my second year. I am studying Business and Accounting.

How do you chill out when you not playing or training

I usually just hang around with my mates. I watch football matches and I try and get out as much as I can, just for walks or play football in the park or just have a chat. I listen to music and watch TV and that’s mostly what I do.