Published: Thursday, 28th August, 2008 11:00
Mooney's a bright spark
By Anthony Smith
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DAVE Mooney wants to provide the missing spark in Reading’s attack – after quitting his electrician’s job just six months ago.
The £200,000 signing was still a part-time player with Longford Town where he won Ireland’s Golden Boot with 19 goals in 2007.
That put a number of top English clubs on red alert and he was offered a contract by Blackburn Rovers and the chance to join Crystal Palace, who visit the Madejski Stadium this Saturday.
But a move never materialised and he ended up heading south to sign for Cork City on a three year deal in February.
It was only then that he turned fully-professional and his career took off with 15 goals in 22 games for the Rebels – prompting Royals boss Steve Coppell to pounce.
Mooney, who made his debut in Tuesday’s 5-1 Carling Cup victory on Tuesday night, explained: “Last year was stressful because I was still a part-time player in Dublin working as an electrician - I’ve only been full-time since February.
“Since then I’ve just concentrated on my football, done everything right and thankfully I got my rewards with a move to Reading.
“Palace were interested but it just didn’t feel right at the time. I also went to one or two Premier League clubs for a look around but we couldn’t agree a deal.
“To be honest, I was a bit peeved when it didn’t happen. I had a couple of months to think about it before I signed for Cork but since then I’ve just concentrated on football and ignore the press attention.”
And he admitted: “To have been given another opportunity at Reading is great. I’m a bit older and wiser now and from the moment I spoke to people here I knew it was the right club to join.
“To be honest, the whole thing happened almost overnight. I got a phone call on the Monday to say I had been sold and that was the first I heard about it.
“I didn’t have much of say because Cork had gone into examinership (receivership) but Reading is a massive club and the lads who came over before me have done really well. I’ve come here to learn. I’ve talked to the coaches and I know they can develop me as a player.
“But I still have to pinch myself that it’s all happening to me. It’s down to hard work and there’s a lot more of that ahead. I’m willing to do it, I’m always eager to learn. Reading don’t really sign the £6 million players, they like to develop their own.”
It is thought Reading picked up Mooney for a snip of his true value as Premier Division side Cork were eager to sell to ease mounting debts of £1 million.
“The circumstances were unfortunate but I really enjoyed my time at Cork, even though it was a short stint,” insisted Mooney. “It’s a family club like Reading, the people were great and it was very friendly.
“I loved playing there but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity Reading offered me.”
Mooney travelled to Charlton last weekend and watched Reading slump to a 4-2 defeat. He then made his debut against Luton on Tuesday after coming off the bench for the last 30 minutes.
“It was nice to get on and sample the atmosphere,” he said. “We went down to 10 men not long after so I had to do a bit of running. But I had a few nice touches and enjoyed it.
“The way Noel Hunt and Shane Long played I think they could be in the starting line-up against Crystal Palace this Saturday. I thought they were exceptional which bodes well.”
Mooney says he will take a little time to adjust to English football but he is already encouraged by what he has seen.
“The Championship is a bit quicker than the League of Ireland and the players a bit stronger,” he explained. “But that is something that will hopefully come over time. I’ve signed a three year deal so time is on my side.
“I was expecting us to go to Charlton and get a result but maybe they were better on the day.
“Back home I saw a lot of Championship football on the television but it’s only when you see it live that you appreciate the pace.
“We had a lot of chances at the Valley and, if we had taken them, we would have put them to the sword. Maybe that’s something we can look at.”
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