Jack Watson - "We have played well in most games and then we've let ourselves down in others."

Jack Watson has seen it all. A technical midfielder, Watson has witnessed everything there is to experience in the First Division having started out in the second tier all the way back in 2014 with Shamrock Rovers B.

From European adventures to his present-day spell at the highly-ambitious Cabinteely, the 22-year-old midfielder caught up with extratime.ie to discuss his career to date at the top level of Irish football while also looking forward to a potentially season defining game on Friday night at the Markets Field in the FAI Cup 2nd Round.

Beginning his League of Ireland career back in 2014 with Shamrock Rovers B, Watson made his League of Ireland senior bow in a 2-1 defeat away to Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park.

Playing alongside the likes of the now Peterborough United ‘keeper Conor O’Malley, the former Arklow Town prodigy revealed that it was a brilliant experience being a part of such a talented group of young Hoops in the First Division.

“It was an eye opener for myself because it was the first time I played senior League of Ireland football. I played in the Leinster Senior League with Arklow Town before so I was used to the physical side of things but there was a step up into the First Division. We had a great team and it was unfortunate that we didn’t get another crack at it the year after.”

From there, Jack made the move to UCD. UCD, a place steeped in history as being the place for a League of Ireland youngster to learn his trade, Watson experienced it all at Belfield.

From a Europa League run to promotion heartbreak, the Carlow man learned all the ins-and-outs of a cut-throat footballing environment under the guidance of current Dundalk star Robbie Benson and mentor Pat Devlin in a two-year spell at the Dublin 4 venue.

“Pat (Devlin) brought me into UCD after my first year at League of Ireland level at Rovers. It was a brilliant set-up at UCD and everything was done so professionally. I played with the likes of Robbie Benson, Tomás Doyle and Mick Leahy that year and it was a great experience playing with the likes of those lads.

“Looking back on it, I would’ve obviously liked to have got more minutes.” Watson said on the European run.  

“The overall experience was brilliant. We played a top team in Dudelange of Luxembourg. To get through that first round in the way we did was special. Ryan Swan was brilliant for us that year and I think collectively as a team there was a real sense of togetherness. Unfortunately, in the second leg we came across a strong Slovakian side with World Cup experience, but it was fantastic to be involved in that type of a set-up.”



Following his departure from the Students, he made the short move down the N11 to his current employers Cabinteely.

“It’s been great so far.” He said. “I’ve been here two years, and this is my fourth year with Pat. He’s been great to me, he’s always been looking out for me, always pushing me to get even better and in every game, he’s always pushing me on to do even more. To have people like him behind you is always going to make you a better player.

“We’ve got a brilliant backroom staff at Cabinteely and over the last few years we’ve had some great coaches. Eddie Gormley, and Gary Dempsey, who’s just been brought in there in the last couple of weeks have been excellent. Unfortunately, this year we’ve let ourselves down in the league but if you look at the club, they’re on the up!”

Cabo, as mentioned by Watson, flattered to deceive for much of their 2018 season. Inconsistencies have cost the South Dubliners dearly as many performances have gone unrewarded.

Playing a pivotal role in the team, Watson, 22, admits that it has been their away form which has held the Stradbrook outfit back from at least a playoff push. 

“Looking at our form this year we’ve made Stradbrook a very difficult place to come to. On the road we’ve let ourselves down. We’ve taken all the top teams at home. Experience has cost us a few times, you could see that on Friday night against Drogheda and that’s probably the difference between ourselves and the top teams. We have played well in most games and then we’ve let ourselves down in others.”



Now in his fifth year at First Division level, the Cabinteely central midfield dynamo also noted on the improved competitiveness of the division in comparison to recent years. 

With each side capable of nabbing points off one another, Jack believes that any side can beat anyone on their day, as seen with Cabo’s record against the so-called best teams in the division.

“I think this year has been a lot different compared to the last few years. In my first year at UCD it was Wexford who went away with the league, then it was Limerick while Waterford had a great run the following year which got them the league and then you look at it this year with UCD, Harps, Drogheda and Shels all fighting it out for the title. When you look at our results against those teams there isn’t really that much of a difference.”

Looking forward to Friday at least, Cabinteely have a mouth-watering FAI Cup trip to Markets Field in prospect as Pat Devlin’s young guns will be out looking to save their  inconsistent season with a galvanising cup run.

“It would be excellent if we are to get a result down in Limerick on Friday night!” Watson declared.  

“We’re not going to get into the playoffs, so the cup is all we have now, and we’ve been saying that before our last cup game. This is probably going to be the highlight of our season. There’s no point in being afraid, we all know what we can do. If we go down there with the right mindset, we have a brilliant chance!”

And with just three games left in the league to play, Devlin’s talented midfield star spoke on the need for Cabo to go unbeaten between now and the end of play in the First Division to help right the wrongs of a disappointing league campaign.

“There’s three games left in the season and we don’t want to lose any of them. That’s the main target between now and the end. It would be nice to go on a cup run as well, spirits are high and we’re all looking forward to Friday night!”