Wrexham star Eoghan O’Connell reveals he almost pursued career in Gaelic football before embarking on journey to Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney’s side

The 29-year-old began his career at Celtic in 2014 and is now 10 years into playing professional football. But it could have been very different if the former Republic of Ireland under-21 international had continued to press ahead with the famous Irish sport.

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  WHAT EOGHAN O’CONNELL SAID

  He told SportsBoom: “I never played rugby when I was younger, but I played Gaelic football and hurling. I had to make the choice about which sport I wanted to progress in and I picked football. I wouldn’t say that was always the case when I was younger though. I was always more of a Gaelic player in my head if I’m honest. The way it worked up, Celtic were the first club I ever went on trial with and I ended up signing there. It was quite a quick process. It was a pretty quick decision. I went over to Scotland to give it my best shot. I’ve obviously moved on from there, but 15 years later I’m still playing so it’s been a bit of a ride.”

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  If the defender didn’t get into football, he would never have played for Celtic, Charlton Athletic or helped Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham secure back-to-back promotions out of the Nations League. And yet more success could be on the way as the Red Dragons aim to get out of League One at the first time of asking.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  O’Connell’s Wrexham, who sit second in League One after playing 10 matches this season, travel to mid-table Rotherham United on Saturday, before hosting Huddersfield Town next Tuesday.