Ex-Celtic star on ditching GAA for soccer and playing with Virgil Van Dijk
Former Celtic defender Eoghan O'Connell has disclosed that he needed convincing to abandon Gaelic football in order to sign for the Hoops.However, the Irishman credits that sporting foundation with helping him sustain a lengthy and prosperous career in football.Neil Lennon moved to secure the young Irishman's signature in January 2014, though during the following three and a half years he managed only 13 appearances for the club overall, having spent periods on loan at Oldham, Walsall and his native Cork City.O'Connell - currently playing for EFL League One outfit Barnsley - credits his parents with playing a pivotal role in persuading him to change sports.Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, he said: "To be honest, I was always kind of more of a Gaelic player than a footballer.", reports the Daily Record."It was more that a lot of the lads who were going over at my age had always been fans, whereas my (decision) was more of a conversation with my parents along the lines of 'I might as well give this a blast' and see what happens."Fifteen years later, I am still hanging on. Growing up and being in that environment with a Gaelic and hurling background, it's kind of put me in good stead and obviously I still keep a huge eye on that and my club back home."O'Connell netted an own-goal for Celtic in only his second outing during a 1-0 defeat to Inverness, but earned praise from Brendan Rodgers as 'outstanding' following his Champions League debut in a 1-1 qualifying draw with FC Astana in July 2016. The centre back later appeared for the Hoops in their sobering 7-0 defeat to Barcelona that season, stepping in for Erik Sviatchenko during the final 22 minutes of play at the Camp Nou.O'Connell, who departed the Celts to sign with Bury in 2017, also had the privilege of playing alongside future Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk. In an interview last year, he shared how he had encouraged the towering Dutchman to consider a move to Anfield rather than Southampton first.He reminisced: "For me he is the best centre-back in the world, an unbelievable player. When [Van Dijk] first signed for Celtic, I remember going out on to the training ground and being blown away by the size of the guy."He's just a huge man. When the talk started about him leaving and he went to Southampton, I was urging him to go to Liverpool even then."Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond
