Adam O'Reilly reckons he is finally catching a break after a slew of setbacks.
And the Preston North End midfielder has revealed there could be scope to extend his loan deal with St Pat’s beyond the summer and to the end of the season.
Cork man O’Reilly, 20, didn’t start the first three league games of the season but impressed in the derby win over Shamrock Rovers.
And he retained his place for Friday’s 2-0 success away to Finn Harps which left the Saints joint top of the table going into tonight's home clash with UCD.
This is O’Reilly’s sixth loan spell away from Preston - he was at Waterford for the first-half of last season - where he is under contract until the summer of 2023.
O’Reilly said: “People looking in would think I haven't had many setbacks but I could count about 40.
“It hasn't been easy but the good thing is I’ve become resilient. That helps me to put the performances in and can benefit me where people notice it.
“The main setback for me was my debut for Preston. I was 17 and thought ‘this is it, my career is kicking off’.
“You see young boys these days making a debut and they're off, but It didn't happen so I've got to keep working hard.
“It's something that's in the back of my head, imagining what would have happened if I'd done one thing different in that debut, would things have been different?
O’Reilly continued: “Growing up, everyone wants to be a footballer and I've given up so much for it.
“But I’ve learned to take it in my stride and that’s what has helped me become the player I am now.”
Jamie Lennon’s foot injury opened the door for O’Reilly to break into the St Pat’s team and he has impressed.
“I was looking forward to getting over here and playing games,” he said. “I knew the league a little bit after being with Waterford last year, but it’s getting better and better.
“I'm here to make a name for myself because I still want to make an impact in English football. That’s the main goal to go back there.”
But asked what would represent a good season with the Saints, O’Reilly refused to cap his ambitions.
“The perfect season is to win everything. That's what you've got to aim towards because everyone in the squad has a winning mentality.”
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