New United signing Sean McDaid (SM) spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Paul Newton (PN) and James Phillips (JP) on Friday evening after this week penning a one-year contract at Brunton Park, the former Doncaster left-back looking forward to pre-season training already :
PN
24 hours in as a Carlisle United player, how does that feel?
SM
It feels really good, I had a good day up at the club yesterday, I met everyone and it was a really good atmosphere. So I can't wait to get started in July and I hope it is a really good season.
PN
When did you first hear about the club's interest?
SM
I think it was just a couple of weeks before the end of the season. I spoke with Doncaster and I just had a bit of a unlucky run I think over the past season or so. I got injured and I think it was agreed that a fresh start would be good for me. The gaffer (Greg Abbott) came straight in on the phone and after one conversation I basically thought I liked what he said and I am really looking forward to coming to the club.
PN
Did you need much persuading to sign?
SM
Not really, I have worked with the gaffer before when I was at Leeds at the Academy there and he has carried on. I have always looked out for the results because obviously he was the assistant manager and then the manager, so as soon as I had one conversation with him I thought that is the place for me, and that is where I want to go and play my football.
PN
Just a one-year deal, are you OK with that?
SM
Yes, it is a one-year with a view to two. I think obviously people will look at the record over the past couple of seasons, the amount of games I have played. Even the last year I was fit for most, well all the second half of the season I was on the bench for most of the games.
I think that shows that I am coming here to prove myself, and with the option of a second year after a certain number of starts it gives the club a bit of protection as well. So I was happy to do that.
PN
You alluded to that injury there, which kept you out for over a year didn't it, just explain what that injury was you picked up?
SM
Basically just in a training match I dislocated my knee. It was right before the play-off final against Leeds United at Wembley, so I was a little bit gutted to miss out on that. Then eventually it took a while for me to get over it, obviously it is not just the operation you need, it is the rehabilitation and your muscle strength needs to get back.
One thing after another, and I had a bit of bad luck and it was a hard time in my life and I think my family went through it as much as me. But I think I am going to turn the experience I went through into a positive and I just can't wait to get playing week in and week out up here.
PN
Are you fully confident you are over that injury now?
SM
Oh yeah, I got back last October and November and I was back fully fit. I made my debut in the Championship last year in the January against Middlesbrough and then was on the bench for the rest of the season.
Obviously Doncaster had had a good few years, the club was progressing and after having last year when I was dying just to get playing week in and week out I thought it was time for a fresh challenge. Thankfully the gaffer came on the phone, I have come up to a good club like Carlisle and I am really happy to do that.
JP
You mentioned that you have worked under Greg before with the Leeds Academy, what was he like then and does he seem to be very similar now?
SM
He does seem similar, he is a very enthusiastic man about football. Even I think when you see him in his interviews he really wants to do well in the game. I think as a player you want that from your manager to push you on and he has done really well in his first few seasons here.
Obviously he took the club to Wembley last year and everyone took note of that, and a good mid-table finish I think is a good platform for us to really push on next season. He wants to improve the club all round and play some good football, and that sounds good with me.
JP
And you were in quite a good Leeds youth team weren't you, just tell us about some of the players you used to play with?
SM
If all the financial trouble hadn't happened at Leeds then everyone says we would have had a good team now. We had the likes of James Milner in my team, Aaron Lennon, Scott Carson, Andy Keogh and obviously there was a lad called Martin Woods as well who was with me at Doncaster.
So there were about five or six of us that have come through at different clubs and we have all got a career. So I think when people look back they would have thought what a team Leeds could have had.
JP
You already know a few players at Carlisle don't you which I suppose will help you bed in there?
SM
Yeah, obviously Ian Harte has had a terrific season last season with his goals, so I have worked with him before at Leeds. Obviously the young lad Tom Taiwo who signed for Chelsea, I remember him briefly but I think he came to Doncaster training a couple of times before he joined Carlisle. So it is nice when you go in on the 1st of July and you have got a few familiar faces, so I am looking forward to meeting up with them again.
JP
I am surprised if he has been training with you briefly, even briefly, that Tom Taiwo hasn't put in a massive tackle on you at some stage.
SM
I think when he was there that was during the year that I was out. I don't mind getting stuck in as well so if Tom gives it out I will be happy with that.
JP
For the benefit of those who haven't yet seen you play, how would you describe yourself?
SM
I think every footballer says they give 100% but I really like to get up and down the pitch. I know my first job is to defend at left-back but I really like to get forward and help out and attack. Just basically I like to play like a modern day full-back. I think over the past few years full-back has become a more important position and hopefully that is the case in this team and I can really do well.
JP
And Greg Abbott has revealed, or certainly said that what he wants to do is to try to be more exciting at home. Do you think your style will lend to that then down the left-hand side?
SM
Yeah, of course I think obviously when I was growing up at Leeds that was the way we were taught to play. I was lucky enough when I first left and went to Doncaster that was the way we played, so I don't really know another way to play.
I know that the gaffer has come out and said that and that is all I remember him from my time at Leeds. I think that should get plenty more people back at the ground and if we start well then who knows what can happen?
PN
And you revealed at yesterday's press conference that you plan to buy a house in the area rather than commute?
SM
Yeah, I think if you commit to a football club you have to commit full way. I am not one of these that likes to say I am really committed to the club and drive. I think from Doncaster it is a good three hours or something so that is not for me, I want to commit to the area. It was nice yesterday from what I saw and it was sunny, from what people tell me that is quite rare.
PN
Yeah, don't get used to that.
SM
Yeah, so I was pleased with it, my family will obviously move up and I am really wanting to commit full-time up there.
PN
I think I said to you yesterday that as long as your other half is happy with whatever house you end up buying then you can't go far wrong.
SM
I think if the other half is happy in most of your life then I think that makes your life easier, but she is fine with the move so we are all looking forward to it.