by Damian Dolan  

Adrian Moyles is used to being thrown in at the deep end. He was just 18 when made his first start for London at corner forward against Galway in the 2009 Connacht Championship quarter-final at Ruislip, and nine years on nothing's changed. 

An attacking player by nature, Moyles' performances at half back for the Exiles in the National League this year have been nothing short of a revelation. 

It's proved to be an inspired switch which has allowed Moyles to draw upon his soccer background - he was on the books of Chelsea, QPR and Brentford and represented the Republic of Ireland at every age level from Under 15 to Under 21. 

"It's come on quite nicely - it feels comfortable," Moyles told the Irish World. 

"Ciaran's [London manager Ciaran Deely] concept for football is a bit left field. It's very different from your standard Gaelic football manager. 

"It [the move to wing back] came about from a discussion [with Deely] as to how you can utilise your experience from other sports I've played a lot of football in my time and played that role, so it's looking at combining those behaviours into this," he added. 

Despite his new defensive responsibilities, those attacking instincts certainly haven't deserted him. 

Indeed, in the Exiles' opening three games against Carlow, Wicklow and Limerick, Moyles has chipped in with 0-7 (5f). 

Moyles' Republic of Ireland peers included James McCarthy, but like others who have flourished in the GAA after spells in soccer, he has no regrets. 

"Good memories, but I wouldn't say I miss it. I had a good run at it," said Moyles, who captained St Kiernan's to a first-ever London senior title in 2016.

"You form some fantastic life experiences in your formative years. You did and experienced things which your average 17 or 19-year-old wouldn't even dream of."

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