Loan Celts

O’Connell is old beyond his years

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Jon Whitney had to double check Eoghan O’Connell’s birth certificate after the loan Celt made his Walsall debut on Saturday.

After two training sessions and in his first club start for four months the bhoy from Cork put in a mature performance as League One leaders Sheffield United were crushed 4-1.

The third tier of English football isn’t for the faint hearted but a year on from a brief injury interrupted loan to Oldham O’Connell showed that he is ready for the challenge.

I thought the big man at the back was excellent against Sheffield United,” Whitney told the Express & Star. “He grew into the game and showed why we brought him in.

I think he put in a really commanding display and Jimmy (O’Connor) got stronger from it and Matty (Preston) got stronger from it as well.

We worked on the back three on Thursday. We spent our time working on shape and triggers but I brought him in because he is a 21-year-old playing with a 31-year-old’s head on his shoulders. He plays beyond his years.”

Saturday’s win leaves Walsall nine points adrift of sixth placed Fleetwood Town who are occupying the sixth and final play-off place.

With 60 points still to play for a late run into promotion contention can’t be dismissed with Witney looking up the table rather than down.

On Saturday Walsall are at home to Bristol Rovers who are five points above them in the League One table.

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