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Keeping his
options open
Goalkeeper Darren Quigley has stood out as UCD’s outstanding player so far this eircom League season. Ben Blake spoke to him last week about his good run of form, playing for Ireland and moving to England.
UCD have in recent months, earned the label of undisputed ‘draw specialists’ in the eircom League Premier Division.
And glancing at the stats, there is much evidence to back-up the substance of this nickname. Sharing the spoils in eight of their last ten encounters, five of them have seen College play out nil-all stalemates.
While their lack of firepower up front has been well documented and remains a persistent problem, a positive synopsis can be extracted from these results. That is their tendency to keep clean-sheets, both home and away.
While the back four can take much satisfaction from their achievements, the lion’s share of the credit must go to the man whose primary job it is to prevent goals. The individual known as the last line of defence. The shot-stopper, the goal-tender or simply just, the ‘keeper'.
Darren Quigley has this season, been receiving rave reviews for his actions between the posts for the students. Producing several man of the match displays, his performance against Derry City last month stood out in particular. Superbly saving a penalty, he was also on-hand to keep the opposition at bay and bring their hundred percent home record in the league to an end.
Dissecting his own form, he points out his desire to continue playing on the international stage as his incentive, “I feel I’ve been doing really well recently. I had two or
three blips during the year, where I was really disappointed to cost the team a few points. Lately though, when I got back from Galway after not playing (in Ireland’s recent 1-0 defeat to Belgium) for the Under 21’s because of suspension, I was gutted. So I worked really hard to up my form and up my game to make sure I’m in the next squad and make sure I get a game.”
Since arriving at Belfield in 2004, the 20-year old has been a constant rock for the side. Signing from Kildare County as understudy to Neil Gallagher, he soon claimed the number one shirt midway through that season, despite Gallagher keeping nine clean sheets in eleven games.
As previously mentioned, Quigley’s obvious talent has seen his consistent involvement in the Ireland set-up. Progressing right up through the underage ranks, he is these days battling it out with Birmingham City’s Colin Doyle in the Under 21 squad. The Shankhill youngster cites his place in a green jersey as an integral part in furthering his career.
“It’s huge. It’s so important for myself to be in the international squad. Playing at UCD has really helped me. I could be in England as a second, third, or fourth choice keeper and I wouldn’t be getting a look in. So, playing first team football here has been more beneficial for me.”
With a number of players in recent times making a thriving transition from the eircom League across the waters to the Championship and even the Premiership, vigilant managers are tending to keep a close eye on the progression of this country’s hottest prospects. Quigley is no exception.
During the English transfer window, the likes of Reading boss Steve Coppell and recently-vacated Charlton Athletic chief Alan Curbishley have visited Belfield park to take a closer look at the UCD man. He seems unfazed by the endless, circulating rumours, and just wants to get on with what he does best.
“As I’m under contract, the club doesn’t have to come and tell me if anyone has approached them, and they have said nothing. I’ll just keep my head down. You hear that there are big-name managers at games, but they could be there to look at any of the 22 players on the pitch. So all you can do is keep your head down and make sure they will be going away knowing there is a good goalkeeper or a talented midfielder at UCD.”
Quigley is no stranger to life at a top English club. Snapped up some years ago by Manchester City as a raw 15-year old, his dream move didn’t quite pan out as he had hoped. He explains, “I was only there three weeks when I broke my arm. So, that meant I was out for 5 months. During that time, I found it extremely difficult to settle in. Then when I eventually got back training, I didn’t want to be there. I just wanted to be back home. So I came
back and did my Leaving Cert.”
His unlucky experience hasn’t however put him off returning to the bigtime. With five years (two of which he has played as the first-team ‘keeper for a club in Ireland’s top division) under his belt, Quigley feels he now possesses the maturity and confidence to deal with the added pressure. If the opportunity did arise, there seems to be no doubt that he would jump at the chance to give it another go.
“My contract is up at UCD in November, so I’ll see what happens then and take my future from there. Obviously I’d like to go back to England, that’s the big aim, the big goal. To hopefully get a contract in England and take things further on the international stage as well.”
If however, a move abroad doesn’t materialise, Quigley doesn’t see it as a massive problem. He will deal with it. Speaking about next season’s restructuring, he outlines UCD’s aims.
“We’re just trying to concentrate on getting as high up the table, so we have a case to put against the FAI. For instance, if we finish sixth, seventh, we can’t be relegated for non-footballing issues.
“It would be a disgrace if UCD were dropped because we only have a small number of fans. We are actually one of the few teams in the bottom half of the table that try and play attractive football. Whereas you have the likes of Longford Town, Bray Wanderers or Waterford United who basically kick the ball long.”
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