Conor Brann: 'It's tough being a No 2 but when you get a chance you've just got to take it'

Brann was in a battle with David Odumosu during the relegation battle but ended the term as first-choice, 11 league games and the four FAI Cup stopovers to Sunday banked.

BATTLE OF THE KEEPERS: Conor Brann has been patient and battle his way to the number one keeper spot. Picture: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Whereas a goalkeeper’s career should begin to soar from 21, that threshold was when Cork City’s Conor Brann thought it was time to stop.

He’s glad the bout of disillusionment passed because he’ll start Sunday’s FAI Cup final as Ger Nash’s No 1.

The Galway native went into his 21st birthday as a free agent just after being released by Swindon Town, making do with an offer to train with City without any wages, neither was there a guarantee of future employment as the First Division champions closed out their season.

Those months travelling the five-hour commute by road with his Dad from Kilconieron to Bishopstown tested the mental fortitude of a stopper highly rated in his teens. The longer he went unemployed, the more doubts seeped in.

“It was the lack of security,” he admits, providing an insight about the precarious nature of domestic football.

“I never had a back-up plan. I’d always gone with football and, if I did quit, then I'd worry about it then. I just went with the flow.” 

Eventually the contract arrived from manager Tim Clancy in December but the desired game-time didn’t materialise until the summer.

Tein Troost dominated the custodian’s spot until he returned to Netherlands but new boss Nash opted to recruit David Odumosu once the July window opened.

Brann would battle with the newcomer during the relegation battle but ended the term as first-choice, 11 league games and the four FAI Cup stopovers to Sunday banked.

“It's tough being a No 2 but when you get a chance you've just got to take it,” Brann explained about his elevation.

“Every day I just want to push myself and see how much better I can get. But also to enjoy this week’s build-up and the final itself.

“It’s just nice to be playing and even nicer to end the season with a Cup medal.” 

His busy season continues when he squares up against the best team in the country, Shamrock Rovers. The Hoops are striving for their first double for 38 years.

Brann has planned for all eventualities, including the final extending to extra-time and penalties.

He’s got a goalkeeping coach in Mark McNulty whose heroics in the 2017 shootout clinched the double.

“I'm okay with penalties,” he asserted.

“In my one previous shootout, playing for Galway United away to Sligo in the U20 Cup quarter-final, I saved two.

“I remember watching the FAI Cup finals when Nults played. The first time I met him, I recalled those finals. It was weird when I came in. We’ll be speaking this week about what I can take from him for the final.

“I’m still a young goalkeeper but Nults played into his 40s. When you're young, it's just about getting the experience and being patient, which I think I've done.” 

Swindon was his destination after a promising underage career with Galway, Athlone Town and Limerick became a prelude to a higher stage.

Although his ambition of establishing himself within the UK system didn’t unfold, those lessons were crucial to his progress this season.

“I learnt a lot about myself from moving away so young,” said the only child.

“I worked with different people, ‘keepers coming in on loan from the Championship, but Swindon’s goalkeeping coach, Steve Mildenhall as well, was massive for me. He'd played like 500 EFL games.

“Then I was up against strikers like Charlie Austin in training every day. Johnny Williams went to the World Cup with Wales.

“Injuring my knee in the warm-down after a game at Stockport sidelined me for almost seven months. It was a difficult time and I came home but it was still a brilliant experience.” 

Cork City fans were relieved too that home comforts were calling for the strapping stopper.