Goalkeeper Mervyn Travers will be a key player for the Wicklow senior football team in 2009. The Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney clubman - who has been on the books of soccer giants Leeds United and Sheffield United - is in his third year back in GAA ranks and is looking forward to doing his bit for legendary manager Mick O'Dwyer. To point out that Garden County custodian Mervyn Travers is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in gaelic football would surely be an exercise in understatement. The Arklow man may be only setting out on his intercounty career but, having served his time cross-channel with the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield United, he brings an abundance of professional talent to what is still an amateur sport. Mervyn moved to England when he was just 15 and represented both The Whites and The Blades as well as various Irish international youth teams. The now 26-year-old came home four years ago and got involved immediately with his hometown club - Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney. Since then, he has caught the attention of the county selectors, including the greatest manager in GAA history, and has established himself as Wicklow's No.1. Referring to the incredible experience of playing professional soccer in England, the partner in Travers & Co. Insurances Ltd. notes: "It was unbelievable, both from a coaching point of view and getting the opportunity to work with top coaches, as well as the experience of playing in major venues in front of huge crowds. It was a valuable experience for sure." Though Wicklow may be in Division Four at present, Mervyn believes they are moving in the right direction under their legendary supremo. "We won the Tommy Murphy Cup in 2007 and last year we recorded our first-ever championship win in Croke Park - against our great rivals Kildare - as well as getting back to another Tommy Murphy Cup final. We like to think we're getting there." And how does Micko compare to the scores of other coaches, trainers and managers the Arklow stopper has worked with during his career? "His record speaks for itself. He has achieved incredible things in the game and he always maintains an optimistic outlook. That's one of the striking things about him - there's no negativity whatsoever. Everything is completely positive - the training and the build-up to the games, the team talks... He tells us to work to our own strengths and not to worry about the opposition. It sounds simple but it seems to work wonders." Unfortunately, Mervyn's elevation onto the Wicklow premier XV was tinged with great sadness as he has the honour of succeeding the late and sadly-missed Blessington 'keeper Raymond 'Rasher' Daniels. Reflecting on his senior intercounty debut in April 2007, he recalls: "It was a national league game against Sligo in Aughrim when poor Ray picked up an injury and I came on as a sub. I then got my first start against Offaly in the Tommy Murphy Cup that year." What are Wicklow's goals for 2009? "Ultimately, the championship is our main priority and everything is geared towards May 24 when we have Longford in the first round in Portlaoise. Obviously, we'll be looking for a good league campaign before that and hopefully promotion to Division Three to help build up confidence. But we feel that we can give the Leinster championship a good rattle this year and that's our primary target." What are the main difference between goalkeeping in soccer and gaelic football? "In soccer, you would have that bit more involvement from open play. In gaelic, everybody has the advantage of using their hands and you have to deal with a lot of high balls coming in around the square, with a big full forward invariably breathing down your neck. Kicking is also a big part of it, in gaelic, while you get a lot more protection in soccer." Mervyn had brief stints with Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers and Arklow Town after coming home but couldn't give League of Ireland soccer enough of his time due to work commitments. Instead, he has become more and more entrenched in the GAA in Arklow and the Garden County. Away from the playing field, Mervyn is a director of Travers & Co. Insurances Ltd. in conjunction with his brother Aaron Travers. Based in Arklow town, the company was founded by their late father Frank, who also played football for Wicklow. Travers & Co Insurances is a renowned insurance, mortgage and life & pensions brokerage. Mervyn runs the mortgage / life, pensions and investment side of the business. The company provides solutions in all aspects of insurance - private, health, commercial and business. They have access to all lenders and insurance companies, providing professional and independent advice. Though the majority of clients are from the local catchment of Wicklow, Wexford and Dublin, Travers & Co. provides a nationwide service, which is increasing coverage-wise all the time thanks in part to the business being generated by the company's new website, www.traversinsurances.ie. 2009 is going to be a big year for Wicklow footballers as they aim for league promotion and a place in the latter stages of the Leinster championship. It will not be easy, but Mick O'Dwyer's men are certainly up to the challenge. Tweet

Most Read Stories