Sean’s star is on the rise

ON Saturday night the Australian under-20 soccer team completed their World Cup campaign in Egypt when they lost 3-1 against Brazil - most Limerick people may not realise however that one of their own featured for the Socceroos.
Although he did not travel with the senior squad for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland at Thomond Park in August Sean Rooney, whose father is originally from Limerick, represents one of the rising stars down under.
Sean Rooney’s father John, originally from the Hyde Road, played for Hyde Rangers before emigrating to Sydney in the 1970s.
Unfortunately John Rooney passed away before he could see his son grow into the international star he has become. Sean’s uncle Harry, who still lives in Limerick, says that Sean is very much aware of his roots: “Oh, we are all very proud of Sean. Although he is playing for Australia we feel he is representing Ireland out there in Egypt and if his father John was still alive he would be so proud of his son.
“Every time Sean plays a game our thoughts are with him, we’re all very proud of what he has achieved.”
During the Socceroos under-20 World Cup campaign 19-year-old Sean Rooney was introduced as a substitute against the Czech Republic (lost 1-2), started against Costa Rica (lost 0-3) and was also introduced as a second half substitute against Brazil on Saturday evening.
Sean Rooney, who signed for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League earlier this year from the Blacktown City Demons, has been grabbing all the headlines of late in Australian soccer.
Sean Rooney, who was top scorer in the Australian youths league last year, was the toast of Newcastle last May when his last-gasp goal (94th minute) against Beijing Guoan helped propel the Jets towards the knock-out stages of the Asian Champions League.
Although the Newcastle Jets were then knocked out by Korean club the Pohang Steelers, who featured Brazil’s Denilson, Rooney’s performances thus far in the A-League have earned the young striker international attention - Four Four Two rate Rooney as “a quality prospect” while he also enjoyed a trial at West Ham United earlier this year.
The promising striker is only contracted until the end of the Newcastle Jets’ current ACL campaign, but club coach Gary van Egmond revealed recently that he is more than eager for Rooney to sign a new contract with the club.
Although Limerick FC lost 2-0 to the Wexford Youths on Friday night the Limerick FC under-20s have all but sealed their place in the knock-out phase of the competition following their 2-0 win over Waterford United at the Pike Field on Sunday afternoon - Jason Hughes and David Nguki plundered the goals which earned the Super Blues all three points.
Limerick FC will complete their group phase campaign against Cork City (away) on Sunday, October 18 while the quarter-finals have been provisionally fixed for Sunday, October 25.
Meanwhile Limerick FC host Kildare County this Friday night in Jackman Park - kick-off for that league game is at 7.45pm.

Brian McDonnell