LET’S FIRST START OFF WITH THE FACT THAT YOU GREW UP IN IRELAND. TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR YOUTH?
Well, growing up in Ireland was tough there have been a lot of documented problems between Religions and a lot of friction and fighting among other things. This kept me focused when I was young because my dream was to become a professional soccer player and move away from there and live a life without worrying who’s around the corner or what area you were about to walk into.

WHEN DO YOU KNOW THAT FOOTBALL WAS A CAREER PATH FOR YOU?
I played in the North Ireland developmental team since I was 13 years old and that is where a lot of scouts were looking for talent and the next best thing. I had a lot of trials between the ages of 13 and 15 including Manchester City, Leeds United, Spurs, and eventually Wolverhampton Wanderers offered me a deal when I turned 15 so i jumped at that and signed for 2 years and an option.

I moved away when I was 16 and after my second year, my option year wasn’t picked up so I decided to come to America.

WHAT DID YOU CHOOSE AMERICA AS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF OPTIONS FOR YOU IN ENGLAND COMING FROM A PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMY LIKE WOLVERHAMPTON?
I’d been over to American when I was 12 years old playing in the USA Cup in Minnesota. I loved it here and so I didn’t even consider staying in England.

SO, WHAT HAPPENED, HOW DID YOU FIND A CLUB?
I personally set up a trial up with the Dallas Burn who were in the MLS at the time and Colin Clarke an Irishman was the coach. I was 17 at the time and I did reasonably well at the trial but Colin thought it was best if I played in the USL instead which would have been better for me at the time so he could keep an eye on me. Ironically 3 years later I’m playing against Puerto Rico for Carolina who I’d only signed a year with.

Colin had just got the job, and I told him to let me know if he needed an Irishman in Puerto Rico and that’s how i ended up here. It’s been the best decision for me, and Colin and Adrian Whitbread have helped me mature on the pitch as a professional and as a man off of the pitch so I’ll always be grateful to them for that.

IN YOUR FIRST YEAR WITH PUERTO RICO, YOU WON THE MVP OF THE LEAGUE; IT COULDN’T HAVE GONE MUCH BETTER COULD IT?
No, it was a great year for both me and the team. I got named MVP of the USL, led the league in assists and the team went all the way to the Championship game which we eventually lost to the Whitecaps 2-1 in Vancouver. We also made it to the CONCACAF Champions league semi-finals against Mexico’s Cruz Azul where we lost on penalty kicks but our year certainly put the USL and Puerto Rico on the world's soccer map.

SO WHAT DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU WERE NAMED MVP?
To be named MVP out of I don’t know how many players and some really good ones like Mac Kandji, Alfonso from Miami and many more was unexpected but much appreciated. Winning the trophy just taught me to aim high and work hard every day and I can achieve my goals and dreams.

WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP IN YOUR SOCCER CAREER?
My aim now is to leave the USL and get into stronger competition. I’ve been here for 6 seasons now and have achieved all I can except the championship but that will end an era for me by winning it this year.

I want to play at the next level and that’s the MLS, I know I have a number of teams watching me game by game and there was an offer made at the end of the transfer window but it was rejected by Puerto Rico. I’ll be a free agent after this season so I know that if I keep leading the team and play well, I’ll be okay.

WHERE DOES YOUR MOTIVATION COME FROM?
My family always driving me on and never allowing me to feel big-headed and never letting me feel too low but just to keep a good balance in my life. I have 3 brothers and my mother and father behind me 100 %. I’ve also got my son Jayda who is 3 now. I want him to grow up and be proud of his father and people to say to him that they remember his dad and that he was a good player and person!

SINCE PRE-GAME IS A LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE, LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE CHOICES. YOU TRAVEL A LOT AS A PLAYER BUT WHAT IS IT LIKE TO PLAY IN PUERTO RICO WHICH IS A HUGE TOURIST ATTRACTION?
Puerto Rico is beautiful and coming from cold wet Ireland I can’t complain. It’s a paradise, beaches with white sand, clear blue water and great food. I meet people from everywhere weekly because of the cruise ships and so many people coming to San Juan for a nice vacation.

There’s the rainforest Culebra which is one of the nicest beaches in the world, so there’s a lot of stuff to do here and the life style is so laid back, but the fans are awesome and support us on and off the field. I’ll always come back and I certainly advise people to visit PR!

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TOO?
I love music; I’m into hip hop and reggae, I very rarely watch television, the only show I watch is Entourage, but I love my music. It’s always on, in my house, on the plane, hotel room and before every game. I love Lil Wayne, Jay Z, Biggie, Kanye West and big into Movado, a reggae artist that’s the influence of my teammates from there.