Mary Hannigantalks to the Everton defender who is expected to make his international debut tomorrow night
SÉAMUS COLEMAN is, he admits, living in pinch-me territory these days, yesterday morning’s sports pages another reminder for the 22-year-old from Killybegs, who is likely to make his senior international debut against Norway tomorrow, of just how far he’s come in a short space of time.
“I saw a photo of me in the paper with (Cesc) Fabregas – it’s a bit surreal considering I was back at Sligo Rovers just 18 months ago, it’s a bit mad,” he said.
The image, showing Coleman making a now familiar surging run up the right wing, leaving the Arsenal captain in his wake, was from Sunday’s game at Goodison Park, his 13th consecutive appearance for the Premier League club this season.
Back in Dublin, while he was on Everton duty, his former club was on its way to victory in the FAI Cup final, Coleman bemused by the updates he received on Sligo goalkeeper Ciarán Kelly’s heroics during the penalty shoot-out.
“I got four texts saying Ciarán saved a penalty and I was thinking ‘that can’t be right’. I thought someone was winding me up, to be honest. Saving four was unbelievable. I’m delighted for all the lads and Paul Cook (Sligo’s manager). I’ve sent text messages but I haven’t spoken to them yet – I’m sure they’re the worse for wear at the minute.”
He has only happy memories of his time with the club, who he joined after impressing then manager Seán Connor when playing for St Catherine’s of Killybegs in a pre-season friendly against Sligo.
“Without him I wouldn’t probably be where I am,” he said. “It was a lucky break for me. I was there when I was 18 and played in some big games. It was a competitive league. I played 50 odd times for Sligo, I think it helped me a lot going over.”
And then Everton came calling, Willie McStay, another former Sligo manager, alerting David Moyes to the youngster’s potential. Ten months after arriving in England he made his debut for the club, in October of last year, although the occasion proved to be a less than happy one – they lost 5-0 to Benfica in the Europa League.
His league debut, though, was unforgettable, coming on as a substitute against Tottenham, creating both Everton goals, when they were 2-0 down, and winning the man-of-the-match award.
There followed a loan move to Blackpool where he played a major part in their successful promotion push last season. “That spell helped me an awful lot,” he said. “I went back to Everton more confident. The manager (Ian Holloway) was brilliant. He’s a character. He makes you feel like you’re one of the best players in the league, he just gives everybody that confidence.”
“He’s a wonderful young fella who will be a top-quality attacking right-back,” said Holloway recently. “He thanked me for helping him during his loan spell but it is me who should be thanking him because I don’t think he will ever fully realise how much he helped us. I’m delighted to have played a tiny part in his life.”
That mutual affection explained why, earlier this month, Coleman refused to celebrate his first goal for Everton against, of all people, Blackpool. “Deep down I wanted to run over and slide on my knees, or something, because it was my first, but I just thought I didn’t want to rub it in their faces because they had been so good to me.”
This season Moyes has used Coleman on the right of midfield, rather than in defence, a role still new to the player. “I would say I feel more comfortable at right-back at the minute because I’m still learning the role in midfield, but I’m enjoying it, I’ll play anywhere. I probably see myself as an attacking right-back, maybe sometimes too attacking – I need to learn when to go and not to go, that kind of stuff.”
Giovanni Trapattoni seems to see you more as a defender? “Well, he’s the manager, I’ll play anywhere if I get any time at all,” he said.
With the Italian confirming that Coleman will make his debut at some point against Norway, the player will, he says, be pinching himself again come tomorrow night. And after receiving his first call-up to the squad last month the initiations are, at least, over. “I was made to sing a song. It was something off a TV show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I was nervous, to say the least.” Why that song? “I used to be glued to it when I was young, so I knew every word of it. It went down well actually.
“I was nervous coming in because some of the players I’d be watching on television. And I didn’t really know too many of them. But I feel more comfortable now.”
Lots of changes in your life? “Yeah, it has been different. I’m getting more and more noticed, more media stuff as well. So yeah, I have seen the change – but it hasn’t changed me. I just keep my head down and get on with it.”
