Gerry McDonagh has revealed the fitness push which has got him back involved in the Cove Rangers picture.
McDonagh marked just his second league start for Cove with his first goal for the club, in the 2-2 draw with Ayr United on Saturday.
His only other start came against Queen’s Park at the end of August, where, in the absence of Mitch Megginson, he broke his wrist and faced weeks on the sidelines.
Since then, he has shed weight and now feels sharp enough to contribute to the Cove cause.
“When I first came to the club I was 96kg and now I’m 90,” said McDonagh. “I’ve lost six kilogrammes and it’s not easy to do that. People who understand that will know.
“I’m feeling a lot sharper and fitter and my confidence is up after the goal on Saturday.
“Did it come from me or the manager? I would say both.
“I know full well my best playing weight is around 90-92kg, and the gaffer said to me I needed to be a lot sharper and fitter.
“I knew if I got to that weight I would feel much better for it – and I do.”
He earned praise from Cove manager Jim McIntyre for his attitude while being out of the team, but McDonagh admits nothing changes for him whether he is playing or not.
“I appreciate the gaffer saying that,” he said. “I just come in, do what I have to do and go home.
“If I’m starting or not, I don’t do anything differently. I won’t sulk about the situation.”
‘It’s not been an easy journey so far’
The wrist injury has virtually healed, but it was a frustrating process for the striker, who worried he might have missed his chance.
“It was my first start of the season and I broke my wrist after 35 minutes,” he said. “I had to come off at half-time because of the pain, even though I didn’t want to.
“It was my chance and you never know when it’s your last chance, in football and in life. It was just a waiting game, more or less, because I couldn’t really do much.
“It’s not been an easy journey so far, but I’m assuming this is the turning point for me.”
While he is living away from a young family in his native Nottingham, being away from home does not concern McDonagh too greatly.
He feels he has settled into life in Aberdeen well and hopes now to put down a marker on the Cove first-team.
“I have enjoyed it,” he said. “I came up here for something different. I’d never played up here before and wanted to see what it was about.
“Aberdeen is a nice city and it’s quite big, which I didn’t really expect. I’ve not always lived in Nottingham, but I feel settled here.
“Is it hard being away from family? I don’t see it like that. I chose to come to Scotland and I don’t make any excuses.
“Being part-time it’s not too bad, as I can get down the road after a game.
“It’s down to the gaffer (being in the team), but I hope I can show what I can do. It’s not been easy putting me on when results haven’t been great.”
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