'Young kid' Seamus Coleman starting to fulfil his promise for Everton FC

IN 1939 Sligo Rovers pulled off a major coup when they coaxed Dixie Dean across the Irish Sea. At 32, the former Everton striker's best days were behind him. Still, it was the deal of the century for Irish football. On his arrival, the Railway Pub in Sligo town centre was said to be crammed with wondrous locals, clamouring to catch a glimpse of the legendary player. He scored 10 goals in seven games for the Connacht club and history had been made.Some 70 years later Everton's and Sligo's worlds collided again, only this time there was no grand unveiling. Seamus Coleman slipped into Finch Farm last January with little fanfare after David Moyes dipped into the petty cash to pay Sligo Rovers £150,000 for the Republic-of-Ireland U21 international. Should the unassuming Donegal defender live up to the expectation that suddenly surrounds him following an eye-catching man-of-the-match display against Tottenham at the weekend he will be a snip at the price. It may not be on a par with Dean's brief foray to the Emerald Isle, but deal of the decade? You never know.Coleman's rise from obscurity began three years ago when he was spotted by former Sligo manager, Sean Connor, who took his team to the then teenager's hometown of Killybegs for a pre-season friendly against amateur side St Catherine's.The story goes that Connor was also using the trip to look at property in the area. Instead, he returned to Sligo with a different kind of asset. "With 20 minutes to go, St Catherine's put this young lad on at centre-half and I knew straight away he had something," recalls Connor."It was only 20 minutes but he was flying into tackles, driving forward and displaying this fantastic energy. "By the end we'd won 4-0 but there was only one thing on my mind. I had to sign this kid. "I didn't leave the ground until he'd agreed to sign. "The piece of paper he signed wasn't even a proper contract. I just wanted him to sign something there and then before we could get a proper contract in front of him a few days later."

Source: Liverpool_Echo