logo
‘Best job in the world' - well travelled Galway United star celebrates award win

‘Best job in the world' - well travelled Galway United star celebrates award win

Galway United striker Moses Dyer has played in his home country of New Zealand, Norway, Canada and the USA, but the 'mad' League of Ireland is by far his favourite destination so far.
The 11-time capped forward has made quite the impression in his time at Eamonn Deacy Park so far.
His eight goals in 14 appearances have helped earn him the SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month award for March - ahead of Drogheda United's Warren Davis and Jack Byrne of Shamrock Rovers.
Asked about his travels, he said: 'Yeah, I started out in Norway. I did a year and a half there and then I spent about five years in North America between Canada and the US, and a lot of different clubs, so yeah, it's been different.
'It's been a long journey, but Ireland is definitely my favourite place so far.'
Click this link or scan the QR code to receive the latest League of Ireland news and top stories from the Irish Mirror. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
As well as the jet-lag, Dyer found it difficult adjusting to grass pitches, especially when the early-season downpours turned many of the League of Ireland surfaces into quagmires.
'It was definitely tough, yeah. I've been playing on turf and I hate turf, but it took me a while to get used to the grass,' he said.
'The games are mad. The fans are mad in this league. So it was tough to get used to. And different style of play.
'You're coming to a new country, everything is different. But I just kept training, kept my head down and I believed that I could, even the first few games, I think it took me five games to score.
'And every game I'd be disappointed, but I knew I could score in this league. And now it's come off, so it's rewarding.'
According to Dyer, one of the perks of his profession is the opportunity to travel the world and see so many new places.
'I've had the best job in the world. There's nothing more to say really, it's the best thing ever. That's why I've come to Ireland.
'I never thought I'd ever come to Ireland and now I'm playing here, living in Galway.
'The landscape is very similar (to New Zealand). Galway is a beach town so every time the sun is out I'm there.'
As for his first Player of the Month award, he said: 'I'm feeling good, yeah. It's good to get nominated twice. Last month, April, was probably my best month so yeah, it was good.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Ryan Manning's reinvention key to Ireland's improvements under Hallgrimsson
Ryan Manning's reinvention key to Ireland's improvements under Hallgrimsson

The 42

time3 hours ago

  • The 42

Ryan Manning's reinvention key to Ireland's improvements under Hallgrimsson

HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON HAS effected a gradual improvement in the team he has inherited by making a couple of major changes. Ireland played a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 for the vast majority of Stephen Kenny's tenure, and his successor has retained a version of this when Ireland have possession, though his back three looks more like a 3-4-2-1. Without the ball, Ireland line up in a fairly standard 4-4-2. The player who best sums up Ireland's newfound flexibility is Ryan Manning. When Manning first caught the eye as a player with Galway United and with the Irish underage teams, he was a pure creator, playing in advanced attacking areas, usually as a No.10. Under Russell Martin, first at Swansea and then at Southampton, Manning began retreating back up the pitch, playing left wing-back, then left-back and, occasionally, as the left centre-back at a back three. That Manning would end up as a centre back flabbergasted those who worked with him years earlier in Ireland. Kenny gave Manning his senior Irish debut against Bulgaria in 2020, and subsequently used him primarily as a left-back and left wing-back. With Enda Stevens and Robbie Brady dogged by injuries, Manning had openings to make the position his own, but never did. In 11 caps under Kenny, Manning completed 90 minutes only three times. Advertisement Hallgrimsson, though, has unlocked Manning's best performances in an Irish jersey by going back to the future: he sees Manning as a creative attacking player, and not a left-back. And so against Senegal on Friday night, Manning started as the left winger in Ireland's, on-paper, 4-4-2. But once Ireland had the ball, Manning drifted in-field to play as one of two number 10s, with Robbie Brady pushing higher to play at left wing-back. His link-up play with Brady is key to how Ireland want to play. Manning is unafraid to drop deep into midfield to collect possession when Ireland are working their way across from the opposite flank, from where he can link up with Brady, who can whip crosses into the box or find a runner in behind. (Hallgrimsson primarily asks his starting forward to run in behind rather than dropping off: it's why Adam Idah and Troy Parrott have been picked for this role with Evan Ferguson picked in a slightly deeper role.) And given Manning's experience at left-back, Brady can attack knowing he has cover behind him should the move break down. (Stopping counter-attacks is a massive area of improvement under Hallgrimsson, as we covered in March.) Ireland's combination play down the left flank yielded their first goal against Bulgaria in Plovdiv earlier this year, and it was Manning who created Ireland's goal against Senegal, deftly flicking the ball back into the box for Nathan Collins to nod on to Kasey McAteer, after Senegal half-cleared an Irish corner. 'He is a genuine good player but the best thing for me is that he can play more than one position', says Hallgrimsson of Manning. 'That helps us a lot in how we want to play. We want players to take action and then [for others] to fill up and react to that position. Him and Robbie have done a good job playing together. 'He is growing in this role that we have given him, he is getting to start game after game now so you can see his understanding of the tactics. He is a player who can create and is quick. For me also when Robbie is higher he can drop in and be the left back so that is really a good positive thing, their cooperation has been really good.' It was notable that once Manning was withdrawn against Senegal midway through the second half, Ireland grew more deep: they missed his quality and security on the ball, and ultimately fell into a low block. Defending from that low block remains a concern under Hallgrimsson: they have kept only one clean sheet under their new manager, at home to Finland, and that game required Caoimhín Kelleher to save a penalty. 'We are conceding goals from crosses too many times and in this case we were too passive in the cross', said Hallgrimsson about Senegal's late equaliser. 'We didn't attack the ball when the cross came and it has happened before. That is a slight confidence thing.' That facet of the game has to be improved upon by the time World Cup qualifying campaign begins in September, and a key target for Tuesday's friendly in Luxembourg will be to keep a clean sheet. Manning, meanwhile, was not the only Irish player asked to play a different role for Ireland on Friday night. Though Adam Idah plays up front for Celtic too, his job spec for Ireland is very different to that which is designed by Brendan Rodgers. 'Adam deserved to start', said Hallgrimsson, 'and he did a solid performance, his workrate was I thought better than often before. 'Because we need a lot of defending from our strikers and he's just not used to it at Celtic when they have their possession at say 60/70/80 percent in games. So the space he needs to work on in games is small. It's a switch and hopefully players are learning more and more and he is growing. He knows what we expect so that's a positive sign.' There are abundant positive signs, with Ryan Manning's recent performances chief among them.

‘I'll be sleeping on my ma's couch' - Killian Phillips summer plans after debut
‘I'll be sleeping on my ma's couch' - Killian Phillips summer plans after debut

Irish Daily Mirror

time8 hours ago

  • Irish Daily Mirror

‘I'll be sleeping on my ma's couch' - Killian Phillips summer plans after debut

From Sunday league at 17 to international football six years later… to sleeping on his ma's couch next Wednesday? That's where Ireland's latest star Killian Phillips plans to get some rest when he returns home from next Tuesday's game against Luxembourg. It's been quite the journey for the Kilbarrack native, who admits he was almost lost to the game after a series of rejections from League of Ireland clubs. In the wake of his senior debut in last Friday's 1-1 draw with Senegal, Phillips recalled how he was on the verge of quitting before Drogheda United knocked on his door in 2020. There, he worked under Tim Clancy, Kevin Doherty and Wayne Groves, the current Longford Town manager who was previously a coach with the Boynesiders. He then made the move in 2022 to Crystal Palace, and last season a successful loan spell at Scottish Premiership side St Mirren convinced Heimir Hallgrímsson to call him up for the summer friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg. Now that he has secured a permanent move to the Saints, he is ready to make his mark once again in the Scottish top-flight, so that he can add to his dream debut. 'I was turned down by League of Ireland clubs when I was 17 but that's football and the beauty of the game, there's no linear progression, you can do it whatever way you want,' said Phillips. 'I was playing Sunday league at 17, I am here now and I'd hope to inspire a younger generation, never give up and if you work as hard as I do, sacrifice as much as I did, you get the rewards. 'Everyone at Drogheda... Tim, Kev, Wayne Groves, they played a big part in developing me. 'They were the first managers who believed in me. I'd have quit football a few years ago if I hadn't met Wayne Groves when I did. 'He was the first person to believe in me so I owe him so much, and Tim and Kev, who gave me my professional debut as well, without them I wouldn't be here.' As for his summer plans, there won't be any glitzy holidays that many in Phillips' orbit take in during the close-season. 'They (his St Mirren teammates) are all away in the sun but there's no better place in the world than Kilbarrack, I will be back sleeping on my ma's couch on Wednesday,' he said. 'It's Kilbarrack for me now, I might cross the Liffey a couple of times but that's my holidays, I just want to go home, see everyone and get ready for pre-season.' Phillips described Friday's international breakthrough - when he came off the bench in the 66th minute - as 'probably the best feeling of my life.' He added: 'It was everything I wanted to do when growing up, so it's a dream come true.' Afterwards, he raced over to greet his family and friends in the stands - and he had quite the personal fanclub. 'I think there was bleedin' 70 to 100 here,' he said. 'You probably heard them when I was coming on. 'The support that I get in my local area and from family and friends means the world to me. I have such a great support system, a lot of people who looked after me over the years, coached me, I have to thank all of them now. 'I believe I am the first international from Kilbarrack so that's something I can bring to the grave with me. 'I'm sure I will be sitting in the pub in 20 or 30 years' time saying it to everyone who walks in. 'It means the world to me, and I hope it gives the kids in Kilbarrack something to look up to as well, that you don't have to go down the roads of... you know yourself, you know what goes on in Kilbarrack, you don't have to do that. 'If you have a dream and you work hard every day you can do it. 'I am just a kid from Kilbarrack whose dream came true and the kids at the club now (Kilbarrack United) have someone to look up to. 'It's easier now to dream that dream as someone has done it, I am so proud because my community backs me so much.' Looking ahead to Tuesday night, he said: 'I'd love to start and play more minutes, build on the performance against Senegal. 'If that's starting or off the bench I just want to build on it and show that I can play international football and stay in his mind for the World Cup qualifiers in the autumn.'

Leinster Senior League to Republic of Ireland debut - 'Sacrifice as much as I did, you get the rewards'
Leinster Senior League to Republic of Ireland debut - 'Sacrifice as much as I did, you get the rewards'

The 42

time12 hours ago

  • The 42

Leinster Senior League to Republic of Ireland debut - 'Sacrifice as much as I did, you get the rewards'

THIS HAS ALREADY been a summer of a lifetime for Killian Phillips. The 23-year-old became the first Dubliner from Kilbarrack to play for the senior men's team when he made his Republic of Ireland debut off the bench against Senegal on Friday night. 'That's something I can bring to the grave with me,' he said, speaking after one of his initial interviews with RTÉ went viral as viewers heaped praise on him (below). "I don't just want to be a one-cap wonder" Republic of Ireland debutant Killian Phillips speaks to @Corktod about the "proudest moment" of his life to date after coming on against Senegal #COYBIG #IRLSEN — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) June 6, 2025 Phillips wants to get another taste of action away to Luxembourg on Tuesday night and then he can look forward to savouring a different kind of holiday destination to most of his St Mirren teammates. 'They are all away in the sun but there's no better place in the world than Kilbarrack, I will be back sleeping on my Ma's couch on Wednesday. It's Kilbarrack for me now, I might cross the Liffey a couple of times but that's my holidays, I just want to go home, see everyone and get ready for pre-season.' Advertisement The corner of north Dublin means a lot to Phillips. At 17 he was representing Kilbarrack United in the Leinster Senior League, the club just a short walk from his home. Six years on he is a full international, the latest stop on an incredible journey after Drogheda United gave him his opportunity in the League of Ireland and Crystal Palace brought him to the UK. Paddy McCarthy, now on Heimir Hallgrímsson's coaching staff, was his manager with the Premier League club's Under-23s. A loan spell with Shrewsbury Town was followed by a move to Scotland, where his emergence continued to the point that Hallgrímsson wanted to see the all-action midfielder up close and personal as plans for the World Cup qualifiers in September continue. 'I was turned down by League of Ireland clubs when I was 17 but that's football and the beauty of the game, there's no linear progression, you can do it whatever way you want, I was playing Sunday league at 17, I am here now and I'd hope to inspire a younger generation. Never give up and if you work as hard as I do, sacrifice as much as I did, you get the rewards,' Phillips said, reflecting further on breaking the glass ceiling for footballers from his area, one he is extremely proud of. Phillips in action. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO 'I think there was bleedin' 70 to 100 [from Kilbarrack] here. You probably heard them when I was coming on, the support that I get in my local area and from family and friends means the world to me, I have such a great support system, a lot of people who looked after me over the years, coached me, I have to thank all of them now. 'I'm sure I will be sitting in the pub in 20 or 30 years' time saying it to everyone who walks in. It means the world to me, and I hope it gives the kids in Kilbarrack something to look up to as well, that you don't have to go down the roads of… you know yourself, you know what goes on in Kilbarrack, you don't have to do that, if you have a dream and you work hard every day you can do it. 'I am just a kid from Kilbarrack whose dream came true and the kids at the club now [Kilbarrack United] have someone to look up to, it's easier now to dream that dream as someone has done it, I am so proud because my community backs me so much.' Despite his combative approach on the pitch he admitted that he needed time to settle in to the new surroundings among more established internationals. Phillips with manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO 'I froze a bit at times, I was a bit nervous coming in, obviously a lot of players that I've watched over the years and supported in this stadium, I came to this stadium to support the boys. So I probably froze a bit during the week, I think out there I was calm, I had a couple of deep breaths when I first came on, I was probably a little overwhelmed when I first run on. I thought it was a decent performance, yeah. 'It's just a game of ball, and at the end of day, that's the way I look at it, every single game, my international debut or a Scottish Premiership game, that is my mentality every time, I just stripped it back and played another game of football.' He told RTÉ that he didn't want to be 'a one-cap wonder' and can now turn attention to Luxembourg on Tuesday. 'I'd love to start and play more minutes, build on the performance against Senegal, if that's starting or off the bench I just want to build on it and show that I can play international football and stay in his (the manager's) mind for the World Cup qualifiers in the autumn.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store