Exeter City's new signing Pierce Sweeney talks about why he signed and working under Eamonn Dolan at Reading
Exeter City’s new signing Pierce Sweeney said he will be forever grateful to Eamonn Dolan for the help he gave him in his footballing career.Dolan – a popular figure at St James Park – passed away at the age of 48 this summer following a battle with cancer. He led City through one of the most difficult periods in its history before taking up the academy manager role at Reading.
That is where Pierce worked under Dolan, having joined the Royals from Bray Wanderers in 2012.
“He was the man who came and looked at me (when I was playing at Bray Wanderers), so I owe a lot to Eamonn,” said Pierce. “He has put a lot of work into me over the last four years and I’ll be forever grateful for that.
“He loved all is players and he put 24-seven into everybody, no matter who you were. We won the (Premier League) Under-21 Cup at Reading and Eamonn was a huge part of that and, I think, everyone will say that is dedicated to him now.”
Pierce, who agreed a permanent contract at Exeter this week, says he knew from the very first moments of walking into the club that this was going to be the right place for him.
“Ever since day one, really, I felt very comfortable,” he said. “The style and the way they set up and the way we play is what I like. So, ever since day one, it was a no-brainer in my mind. I was happy to get it done this week and push on from there.”