Former Elche defender Paul Mahony signs for FC Torrevieja
http://theemeraldexiles.com Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:55:13 GMT
Paul Mahony, who won a Republic of Ireland Under 19 cap earlier this year, has signed for Spanish Tercera Division side FC Torrevieja. The defender, who played for the Elche youth team last season, left the Primera Division …
Mahony, originally from Walkinstown but who has lived in Spain since he was 10 years old, was called up to Paul Doolin’s Republic of Ireland Under 19 selection in March after he e-mailed the Football Association of Ireland to alert them of his eligibility.
Then playing with Elche CF’s Under 19 side, the left back made his debut in Ireland’s 1-0 win over Gibraltar, alongside Carel Tiofack, who was also based in Spain at time.
Having decided to leave Spain in order to try his luck in England, Mahony terminated his contract with Elche in the summer and spent three weeks on trial at Nottingham Forest.
But his spell at Forest was marred by injury, leading to a return to Spain and signing for Tercera Division side FC Torrevieja.
“I got injured on the first day at Forest so it all went pear shaped. I should be going back in January and I’ve got a few options back there,” he told The Emerald Exiles.
“Torrevieja are in the Tercera division. Its a decent level to stay at for now. Its big news locally and I’m in all the newspapers. There’s write ups about me and all that,” he says, not altogether used to any level of attention.
Having travelled with his new team for their away match at Pinoso on Saturday afternoon, a regsistration issue meant his debut was delayed.
“I got there and it turned out my name wasn’t registered into the league yet, so I couldn’t play. I’m available from now though so I’ll be OK for the weekend.”
FC Torrevieja host Novelda this Saturday at the Estadio Municipal Vicente Garcia, where Mahony is likely to make his debut.
