Driven by Coach Deano's Vision: Jack Harrington’s Journey to CBU CAPERS

Jack Harrington knew what he was signing up for when Head Coach Deano Morley's passion for the program brought him to CBU CAPERS. 

The 6"1' Irishman had studied #1 Daniel Clarke's rise and knew the National title-winning keeper's performances had put him on the radar of Canadian Premier League franchise Halifax Wanderers. 

Yet Jack, who starred for the Irish FA's national school's international team, also recognised that Daniel was heading into his senior year and there could be a vacancy on the horizon after Clarke's graduation. "I'm not saying I'm happy to sit on the bench, but I have enough experience behind me now not to let my head go," stresses Jack. "I've done that as a younger keeper when I thought I should be first choice, but I know my role for now. I help the boys after practice if they want to stay behind for finishing and I let Danny have a rest. After all, he's the best keeper in U SPORTS in Canada at the moment and we need him…and I'm going to be the second best! 

"Seriously, with the likes of myself, Harvey Hughes and Evan Cunningham on this team who have been around full-time football I feel you learn how to be a good person for the team. It's about always having the right mentality and bringing that to help the CAPERS program and everyone in that locker room." 

When you ask Coach Morley about what attracted him to the prospect of recruiting shot-stopper Jack the words "pedigree" and "background" ring true. Harrington grew up as a player in his homeland in a top-level Academy being coached by the legendary Damien Duff who starred for Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Newcastle United and won 100 caps for the boys in green. 

"Jack has been developed well and has experience playing at the international youth level," says Deano. "We see in him a goalkeeper who can take over the reins and lead us forward over the next few years." 

Harrington, still just 20 and now studying for a degree in Sport and Physical Activity Leadership at CBU, has packed a lot of football into a career of highs and lows, thrilling saves and injuries to bring him to this challenge. Already he's a big presence in the CAPERS locker room, with a ready wit and a catalogue of one-liners that's matched by his hunger for hard work every day he steps on the training field. 

"He's a cracking personality who has leadership abilities and is a terrific communicator," enthuses Deano. "He has already been a brilliant addition to the dressing room. Jack is a highly motivated individual who wants to better himself and I know he will achieve his academic goals because he is driven." 

Back home in the little town of Dunshaughlin, population just under 7,000 situated 29kms outside of Ireland's capital Dublin, the young Harrington played all three big sports. For the uninitiated that means soccer, rugby and Gaelic football or GAA. He admits there were never any childhood dreams of being a goalkeeper! 

 "There was a time clash and rugby went because of that," smiles Jack. "Then I was at a try-out for soccer playing outfield and they threw me in goal, and I didn't want to play there! I just got put there and I stayed and eventually made it to Shelbourne who are in the Irish Premier League, and I was in their Academy right up to U17s. 

"I was lucky there to work under the Ireland international Damien Duff who was our coach, an icon and also the assistant manager of the national team. He was some coach. I was terrified of him, but I was desperate to play for him all at the same time. I worked with Damien and his fellow Irish international Alan Quinn there and they taught me so much about my distribution as a keeper and how I could be a part of the build-up." 

Failure to make the Shelbourne U19s squad was a bump in the road and Jack opted to sign for Dundalk where injuries too often interrupted his progress. When he was fit, though, he was training with the first team as a teenager and learning so much every day. In time, however, he felt his career was "drifting" and took a chance on a step down the ladder into the Irish First Division at Longford Town. 

"Looking back, I had a little arrogance, thinking I could romp it there," Jack admits candidly. "I tried to overwork to prove a point and get my chance and I didn't look after my body correctly, but you learn. The first year we narrowly missed play-offs, the second year we nosedived and when I got to the transfer window, I was hating it and I felt it was time to go." 

"I went to our nearest rivals Athlone on loan and that didn't go down well with the fans! Believe it or not, though, there was an international and multi-cultural locker room in deepest Ireland. From America to Jamaica to Portugal, El Salvador and Guatemala there are players from everywhere just as there are here in Cape Breton. It taught me how to listen to peoples' stories, how to find common ground and get on with players from all over the world." 

Now settling into his first season in the AUS, Jack has been hugely impressed by the level of athleticism in the Conference. The goalkeeper with the passing skills of a polished outfield player knows he is in a different soccer environment with new challenges. 

"There are so many good athletes whereas at home we possibly have more technicians on the field," he reasons. "If I take a heavy touch on a back-pass I will get done, I don't have a second. I have made the right decision. I was stagnating in Ireland and Deano passionately telling me the history of the CAPERS was a huge selling point. I looked at the two National titles and I wanted some of that, then you get here and see the Hall of Fame and I want my name up there on those walls." 

"Everyone here hates losing. I am around people who are fully invested in winning whether it is five-a-side or a possession game. You would have to be crazy not to want a piece of all this. The National rings so many around me wear sometimes are cool and yes I want one but more than that I just want to be surrounded by winners."