This week the Player’s Voice series sees the turn of attacker Gavin Hodgins. The former Shelbourne man arrived at the start of this season after spending part of the previous campaign on loan with Irish League club Glenavon.
So far this season Hodgins has scored four and assisted two and we began by discussing how life has been since moving to the Harps.
“I have enjoyed it up here since coming in, really enjoying living up here and playing at the minute everyone has been top class with me since I have come in.
A lot of players across the League of Ireland have experience playing north of the border in the Irish League. Being so close together the expectation is for similarities to appear in both domestic leagues. For Hodgins, there is a clear competitive edge that the League of Ireland offers.
“I think both of them are similar with the physicality. But in the Irish league there are favourites to win games but in our league anyone can beat anyone.”
Hodgins, having scored four, is Harps second most dangerous attacker behind Dara McGuinness who has netted six so far. I asked what exactly does it feel like for a forward to grab a goal during a game.
“Personally for me scoring is my favourite thing in football. That, and winning, I just hope in the second half of the season I can contribute with more goals.”
As a striker, playing under one of the League of Ireland’s most lethal strikers in history must offer a unique experience when in an attacking role. I asked Gavin how playing under Kevin McHugh has been since he’s taken the reins.
“I’m really enjoying playing under Kev- the confidence and how much he pushes us forwards and the freedom he gives us to try to make something happen. This is very good and enjoyable to play under.
Football offers so many chances to create lifelong memories across a career. Hodgins being 19-years-old has a long career ahead of him but I was curious what his playing highlights have been so far.
“I’d say my favourite football memory is making my League of Ireland debut in Dalymount or my first underage Ireland call up.”
Finally, a usual segment in Player’s Voice, it is always fascinating to find out who the players on the pitch deem their best teammate or toughest opponent. In Hodgins’ experience it is a player who has become a dependable name in the English Football League.
“The best player I have played with is Jack Moylan. When I was at Shels he was in my opinion the best player in the league. Seeing how hard he worked in training and in games was unbelievable.”