New Bhoy Carey an instant hit at Bohs
Wednesday April 15 2009
THEY raided the League of Ireland twice last year to take two of the brightest wing wizards away so it's only fair that Glasgow Celtic gave something back and Bohemians have been the beneficiaries.
Last Saturday, the star of the show for the Gypsies in a derby stroll against St Patrick's Athletic was 19-year-old Graham Carey from Blanchardstown, on loan at Dalymount from Parkhead until July. His purposeful display was capped by a fine second-half goal.
The left-sided youth, who is already in the Irish U-21 international picture, has suffered bad luck in his bid to make the breakthrough he so desperately desires with his parent club. A serious knee injury resulted in a long spell on the sidelines at a crucial stage of his development.
Considering the recruitment process at Celtic is ongoing, such setbacks can prove costly. Never mind the first team, getting a game in the reserves is a challenge for a wide player with ex-Derry City men Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn settling into life in Scotland at that level, waiting for opportunities behind established figures like Aiden McGeady, Shunsuke Nakamura, and also Shaun Maloney and newcomer Willo Flood.
In that context, taking the opportunity to return to Ireland and play some matches after missing out on so much was a necessary step in his development even if it was a wrench to accept that things with the Bhoys weren't just working out.
"It's been nice to get home, I'm just from down the road at Blanchardstown and I've enjoyed it a lot -- I'm with the family as well which is nice," he says.
"But I'd rather be over there, vying for my place in the reserves and the first team but I know this is going to make me a better player and if the worst comes to worst (at Celtic) then hopefully I'll have gained a lot of experience from coming here.
"John McLaughlan, my old youth team coach at Celtic, has been coming over to watch all the home games so hopefully I can impress and get a new contract there," he adds.
However, Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon indicated at the weekend that he would be looking to extend Carey's stay in Phibsborough beyond July and has spoken to Celtic about that.
"He's got a great attitude and he's only a kid," said Fenlon. "The injury was a bad one but he's come back from it and the two games last week (Galway and St Pat's) were the first he'd started in nearly a year."
The player himself is relieved to have proved he can make an impact when selected from the outset as opposed to a super-sub role.
"I've been surprised by my fitness," admits Carey. "When you start it's a lot easier to get to know the league. I think I've got the gist of it."
As he gets into the groove, helpless full-backs can expect to suffer the consequences.
- Daniel McDonnell
