Mark Travers: He’s One of Our Own
W e haven’t had many days to cherish in the
Aviva stadium lately when it comes to our
national team. However, one was provided
recently by local boy done good Mark Travers.
Mark took his place amongst the starting lineup
during Amhrán na bhFiann, in the September
victory over Bulgaria, it was certainly something
to savour for the entire Maynooth Community. With stints at Cherry Orchard and Shamrock
Rovers to follow, it wasn’t long before his
underage performances with Ireland caught
attention. Soon after he was signed by premier
league mainstay AFC Bournemouth. This
idealistic club with youthful and innovative
coaches is led by Eddie Howe and it is clear
Travers was in the right place to progress even
further.
To represent your country at the highest level is
a privilege known to just a few, but to represent
your country at the tender age of twenty is indeed
a privilege known to even fewer. It certainly is a
testament to the nothing short of meteoric rise of
Travers from football elite hopeful to thwarter of
the Hotspur. And that he did; when opportunity knocked, the
Maynooth man wasn’t found wanting. Travers
seized his opportunity against a Spurs side who
would go on to contest the European cup final. To
keep a clean sheet along with making several top
class saves on one’s debut certainly is the thing of
dreams. Dreams made a reality through his
application and hard work throughout his
development.
Having started out with Leixlip Utd, Travers
progressed to Lucan where he really honed his
ball playing ability, which has meant his ability
with the ball as a keeper has given Bournemouth
an added dimension. With Liverpool academy
graduate Conor Masterson amongst the Lucan
alumni, it is clear they have found a strong recipe
for developing our youth.
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Maynooth Education Campus
With the competition for the much coveted
number one national jersey fairly tenacious at the
moment, Travers staked a claim with a solid
night’s work where he showcased his ball playing
ability to McCarthy, as the Republic ran out 3-1
winners, eventually making way for other
goalkeeping hopeful Kieran O’Hara.
So, exciting times ahead for the young Maynooth
man it seems, for both club and country. One thing
is for sure, the former Maynooth student will give
the locality a few days to relish yet.