by readingbedding »
28 Aug 2008 12:58
Former electrician Dave Mooney is hoping he can give Reading even more of a spark up front.
The new £200,000 signing from Cork City made his living as a sparky while playing for Longford and Shamrock Rovers.
But he is now keen to make his mark in the English Championship playing alongside the likes of established international stars like Kevin Doyle, Bobby Convey and Ibrahima Sonko.
Mooney said: “To be given an opportunity is good. From the moment I spoke with people from the club it just felt the right club for me.
“It happened over night. I didn’t really have that much choice in moving as the club (Cork) is in receivership.
“But Reading is a massive club. When you see the lads that have come here and developed then it was just a good opportunity for me.”
Mooney’s future has been a subject of much debate in Ireland over the past 12 months after his success with the Rebels.
He finished the Eircom League’s top scorer last season and had already rattled in 20 goals in 29 matches this term before his switch to Madejski Stadium.
And he said: “Last year was more stressful. I was only a part-time player until February as I was an electrician.
“But since then I have just concentrated on my football and done everything right.
“I enjoyed my time there (at Cork). It was only a short stint, but it was really enjoyable. It’s a family run club, similar to Reading and it bodes well for the future.”
Mooney made his Royals debut in Tuesday night’s 5-1 demolition of Luton Town when he came on as a sub with 30 minutes to go.
Royals were down to 10 men for much of the time as Reading had already used all three of their permitted subs and Julian Kelly left the field with a shoulder injury.
Mooney said: “We went down to 10 men soon after I came on so there was a bit of running there, but it was good to get on.
“It was just a matter of running, but I think the boys played really well and it could have been seven or eight.
“It was good to sample the atmosphere and integrate with the boys."