I’m from Cork and after our game on Saturday I went home to Ireland and watched the second half of the match against Gibraltar, in Dublin.

I know a couple of lads in the team and it was great to see them out there and winning. I know it was only Gibraltar but 7-0 is still very good. Those games can be tricky and it is all about attitude. The boys’ attitude that day was spot on.

I have played up to under-21 level and my dream is to play senior level for Ireland. I just have to focus on playing well and hopefully in the future I get the chance to represent my country.

I’ve been in England for just over five years, since I was 16 and spotted playing for my local team Greenwood FC, but I’ve never got homesick. I have just been driven and focused to do well in the game.

At Greenwood we won the All-Ireland final. For a club of our size to have won a national trophy was unbelievable.

I came over to Sunderland after being spotted playing in the Kennedy Cup back in Ireland. Once I went on trial to them all of a sudden more teams came in and I had trials at Chelsea, Blackburn and Leicester, there was a bit of interest, but Sunderland felt like home and they were sound.

I signed at the same time as a couple of Northern Irish lads and we got on great. I learned so much there. It’s a top club, with top facilities and I thoroughly enjoyed my five years there. I made friends there for the rest of my life and it was a great time.

My dad was a legend in the game of Gaelic football but he encouraged me to come over here and play soccer.

Gaelic football is huge back home and that, soccer and hurling were my three best sports as a youngster. I couldn’t separate them.

My dad won all you can win over there. He won the All-Ireland four times in a row and was captain of the five-in-a-row team but they lost that one, in total he won six All-Irelands.

Back in Ireland, Gaelic football isn’t professional and the lads all work and it is hard, especially if you get an injury. It is a great sport though but my father said, ‘if I was you, I would be on the plane’. That’s what I did.

It’s a decision I am buzzing to have made. I have been all over the world with soccer and I have had some great memories so far.

Read John Egan's full column in this week's Medway Messenger