YOU can take Killian Phillips out of Kilbarrack but you can not take Kilbarrack out of Killian Phillips.
He may be in a profession where peers holiday in Dubai rather than Dublin, but the St Mirren man is only going one place when his season ends.
Phillips declared: “There’s no better place in the world than Kilbarrack, I will be back sleeping on my ma’s couch on Wednesday.
“It’s Kilbarrack for me now. I might cross the Liffey a couple of times but that’s my holidays, I just want to go home, see everyone and get ready for pre-season.”
When he does return to St Mirren – the Buddies triggered an option to buy him from Crystal Palace following his loan – he will now have a new word attached to his name – ‘Ireland’s’..
Whatever happens in the rest of his career, the 23-year-old will always be an Ireland international after coming off the bench in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Senegal.
He said: ”It was probably the best feeling of my life, it was everything I wanted to do when growing up so it’s a dream come true.
“I was a bit nervous coming in, obviously a lot of players that I’ve watched over the years and supported in this stadium. So I probably froze a bit during the week.
“I think out there I was calm, I had a couple of deep breaths when I first came on, I was probably a little overwhelmed when I first run on.
“It’s just a game of ball, and at the end of day, that’s the way I look at it.”
Phillips impressed during his 23 minutes and took it all in afterwards as he sought out his personal fan club who got the Dart across the city to watch their local hero.
He continued: “I think there was bleedin’ 70 to 100 here. The support that I get in my local area and from family and friends means the world to me.
“I have such a great support system, a lot of people who looked after me over the years, coached me, I have to thank all of them now.
“I believe I am the first international from Kilbarrack so that’s something I can bring to the grave with me.
“I’m sure I will be sitting in the pub in 20 or 30 years’ time saying it to everyone who walks in.”
The area is probably best known outside Dublin 5 as where the movie ‘The Snapper’ was filmed.
And like any suburb, there are temptations and pitfalls to be avoided.
He continued: “It means the world to me, and I hope it gives the kids in Kilbarrack something to look up to as well…
“That you don’t have to go down the roads of… you know yourself, you know what goes on in Kilbarrack, you don’t have to do that, if you have a dream and you work hard every day you can do it.
“I am just a kid from Kilbarrack whose dream came true and the kids at the club now (Kilbarrack United) have someone to look up to.
“It’s easier now to dream that dream as someone has done it, I am so proud because my community backs me so much.”
And his own story should inspire as his route from Kilbarrack to the Aviva Stadium was far from straightforward.
The 23-year-old explained: “I was turned down by League of Ireland clubs when I was 17 but that’s football and the beauty of the game, there’s no linear progression.
“I was playing Sunday league at 17.”
At that time, he was also on the FAI Fingal County Council TY Course where he was named Player of the Year and was soon picked up by Drogheda United’s academy.
And he credited the support there from current Longford Town boss Wayne Groves there as helping him on the road to where he is now.
He continued: “Everyone at Drogheda… Tim (Clancy), Kev (Doherty), Wayne Groves, they played a big part in developing me, they were the first managers who believed in me.
“I’d have quit football a few years ago if I hadn’t met Wayne Groves when I did, he was the first person to believe in me so I owe him so much.
“And Tim and Kev, who gave me my professional debut as well. Without them I wouldn’t be here.
“I am here now and I’d hope to inspire a younger generation, never give up and if you work as hard as I do, sacrifice as much as I did, you get the rewards.”
IRELAND REGULAR
But now Phillips wants to show that he can become a fixture in the Ireland team.
His call-up and debut came after an impressive season with St Mirren where he was player of the year, but also because Hallgrímsson believes he offers something different.
Standing 6ft 3in, his big frame and athleticism make him a different sort of Ireland’s other midfield option.
Phillips continued: “I spoke to him on the phone a few weeks before I got called up, he just spoke to me about the season, how I was playing.
“It was a private conversation – but he told me exactly what he expected from me.
“Probably something different. A lot of presence in midfield, I can get around the pitch fairly handy. I can win a lot of duels as well.
“So obviously something that the gaffer thinks I can do well and something different I can bring to the team, so when I am called upon that’s what I will do.
“That’s what I try to bring when I play for my country. That’s what I will bring to play for my country.”
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