Striker Danny Furlong is set to play his first game for the team tomorrow against Team Wellington at David Farrington Park in Wellington. The 27-year-old has been in Dunedin for two weeks and becomes available to play tomorrow, having completed a 30-day stand-down period after his last game in Ireland. Furlong, the all-time leading goal-scorer at his hometown Wexford Youths club, will add some much-needed firepower to Southern, which has scored just three goals in six games.
"Scoring goals is probably the hardest thing to do, so once I get one maybe that will take the monkey off my back and give me a bit of confidence, too," he said.
Southern had recruited five Irishmen before the season began and it was through that connection Furlong was recruited.
"I played with Andy [Mulligan] and I was good friends with Andy back home. Before they left I said to him as a joke ‘if you’s need a striker, give me a shout’.
"This season, I think it was two or three days left in our season, he just sent me a text saying ‘would you still be up for it?’.
"I was a little bit shocked. I didn’t think it would come that soon. I had to take the chance. It was something I turned down when I was 19 — I could’ve gone to America and I’ve always regretted not going."
Furlong was finding his feet with his new team, which has yet to win a game this season, while also working as a coach through the week for Football South.
"They’re a great bunch of lads. As soon as I went in they made me feel welcome. There’s some very good players. It’s just a matter of getting everyone playing on the same page. Even just seeing the last two games I think there’s definitely been a lot of progress.
"It might take a while, but once we get one win it could change the mentality massively and bring a bit of positivity into the group."
Furlong had been involved with coach Paul O’Reilly during a two-year stint at university and had great praise for him.
"I think Paul’s knowledge of the game is unbelievable. His development of players back home is second to none and you can even see that now. He’s working with players.
"Some managers just tend to try to get results, whereas Paul is actually trying to get players and make them all better as well. So we’re all buying into it and hopefully the results will start to come out way."
It would take a big effort to topple the defending champion Team Wellington which lies in third on the league table. The side boasts quality throughout, including three of the South’s best products of recent years in Cameron Howieson, Joel Stevens and Tom Jackson.
Furlong’s presence would add a threat up front for Southern, as would lively Irishman Eric Molloy, who returns from injury. Captain Harley Rodeka was still injured, while there was a question mark over Mulligan.
The game kicks off at 2pm.
Southern United v Team Wellington
David Farrington Park, Sunday 2pm
Southern United: Liam Little, Conor O’Keeffe, Cam Higgins, Stephen Last, Jude Fitzpatrick, Danny Ledwith, Michael Hogan, Eric Molloy, Ross Howard, Andy Mulligan, Danny Furlong, Sam Collier, Sam Cosgrave, Cam McPhail, Tennessee Kinghorn
Team Wellington (from): Scott Basalaj, Justin Gulley, Omrie Saoele, Guillermo Moretti, Bill Robertson, Taylor Schrijvers, Leonardo Villa, Cole Peverley, Tom Jackson, Cameron Howieson, Mario Barcia, Andy Bevin, Ryan Holden, Billy Scott, Joel Stevens, Ben Harris, Sam Blackburn, Nicolas Zamrano, Josh Margetts, Niko Kirwan, James McPeake.
