Life has been a bit of a blur for Colin Falvey, as the new Otago United import hit the ground running when he arrived in New Zealand just over a week ago.
Within days, midfielder Falvey joined the Otago squad that narrowly lost 2-1 in Hawkes Bay, and the Irishman's performance impressed United's coaching staff.
Running parallel with his Otago commitments in the New Zealand Football Championship, Falvey has also been named as the new Mosgiel player coach for the Soccersouth Premier League, which starts next week.
Falvey (24) has an Irish FA coaching qualification, and had experience in the UK with Gillingham, Scunthorpe and Blackburn Rovers.
Born in the City of Cork, in the Republic of Ireland, Falvey captained the Eircom League of Ireland club Kilkenny City before coming to Dunedin.
Interested Otago fans turned up at De Carle park on Thursday to see Mosgiel play against the Otago Youth Development squad in a pre-season match.
Falvey looked a composed player against a Milk Cup side that eventually won 2-1, a result that pleased coach Roger Brooks as the OYDS team also prepares for SPL football.
Michael McGarry and coach sister Sally were on hand to help Falvey get to know the Mosgiel squad.
"They look a promising bunch of lads,'' said the Irishman, who will get another look at his new club under fire when it again plays the Milk Cup squad on Memorial park today at 1.30pm.
But more immediately, Falvey and the Otago United team face a stiff challenge tomorrow in the NZFC against a Wellington side that is flying high in third place, with a game in hand.
Terry Phelan said: "We would like to spoil their party. They are a good side, and it will not be easy, but if we are strong, patient and use the ball as I know we can we do it at training then we can get something out of this game.''
Wellington is on a six-win charge, and defensively is no slouch, since keeper Phil Imray has not conceded a goal in over nine and a-half hours of football.
Otago's first priority will also be to keep a tight defence for the full 90 minutes.
On five occasions this season, Otago has conceded a goal in the last 10 minutes in games in which it was level or leading.
If it had held on to those six available points, it would sit fifth on 18 points, ahead of Waikato (17) and just four behind Hawke's Bay (22).
But Mike Eisenhut's goal last week shows that Otago can still score, and if Wellington's "shut out'' record can be broken, the pressure will shift on to the home side and its ambition to reach second place in the NZFC.
