Sean McDonald

Sean, tell us when did you join Shamrock Rovers?

I joined when I was 10 years old so maybe seven years ago. I played for the Under 11s and my first manager was Eoghan O’Meara.

Do you remember anything about your first day?

I remember my first training session, it was freezing - it was in the minuses. I just remember I couldn’t feel my hands or toes but I enjoyed the session.

Are there any players here now that were there then?

Harry Murray and Cian Kenna are probably the only players that are still here.

What position do you play in; have you always played there?

I have always played in centre mid. When I was a kid I used to play right back as well but centre mid is my main position.

Would you say you are a creative player?

Yes, I would like to think so.

Tell us your thoughts on being on the TY course last year.

The TY course was brilliant. I really enjoyed it; it was a good year for learning in the classroom and on the pitch. It was a good year to mature and to get better at football.

What’s the one single thing you liked most about the TY?

I would say the freedom of it. You probably get a bit more freedom than in your own school to do things with the lads and different stuff like that.

Looking back on last year, was the TY course what you imagined it would be?

Probably not. I wasn’t sure what it would be going into it but it was surprising in some aspects such as the training and each day kind of went day to day. Yeah, it was a bit different to what I thought it would be like. It was enjoyable and a good surprise.

How are you managing with your education now?

I went back to my own school but I do a day release on a Tuesday and Thursday if the lads are training in the morning. I come in and I train with them and do the gym as well and then I go to my own school for the second half of the day.

You have gone very quickly from U15s up to U20s. What’s your thoughts on that?

It’s been a big jump, especially playing in the Leinster Senior Cup against some lads who are like 30-years-old. It’s a big jump physically so I just have to adapt and learn to move the ball quicker. It’s a bit of a challenge but it’s a good one so you can learn to improve your football as well.

A bit of trivia for you: what is your favourite meal?

My mam and dad’s cooking is very good. My dad makes a good steak dinner. I would say steak and chips.

If your parents are away, can you cook for yourself?

I make a few dishes like pasta. I make good scrambled eggs on toast. Yeah, I can cook for myself.

Excluding UK clubs, if you got the opportunity to sign for a club abroad where would you like to go?

I would say Ajax because their academy is known worldwide as being really good or maybe Barcelona academy because of the warm weather in Spain.