Delvin man shines for Republic in Romania
A Delvin man is leading the charge for the Republic of Ireland's U19 soccer side, as they await Spain in the semi-finals of the UEFA European Under 19 Championships in Romania.Watford youngster and Mullingar Athletic alumnus Connor Smith (18) played a starring role for Paul Doolin's charges on Saturday last, despite Ireland's eventual slip to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic.The Republic led 1-0 until the 69th minute, when the Czechs equalised - just six minutes after Connor was withdrawn for a well-earned rest.A second Czech goal on 71 provided the killer blow, scotching Ireland's hopes of immediate qualification for the semi-finals.Connor and his colleagues then drew 0-0 with hosts Romania in their final Group A match on Tuesday night, qualifying for the final four. They will face the fancied Spanish on Friday night (7.45pm).The Delvin man played a small role in Ireland's first game, a 2-1 win over Greece on Wednesday night of last week, coming on as a late substitute along with Kane McGovern, a cousin of Premiership footballers Rio and Anton Ferdinand.Connor, who played soccer with Mullingar Athletic from Under 10 level, shot to fame early last year, when he was chosen to take part in Sky1's 'Football's Next Star' competition, in which then Inter Milan coach José Mourinho sought to award a talented young footballer with a professional contract at the San Siro.The then 17 year old was unlucky to come second (out of over 7,000 initial applicants), but was quickly snapped up by Watford, where he has spent the past year and a half, excelling in the Watford reserves as an attacking midfielder-cum-striker.Smith got his first taste of senior matchday experience in March of this year, when he was named as an unused substitute in Watford's Npower Football League Championship games against Ipswich Town and Middlesborough.During the coming season, Connor will concentrate on impressing Watford boss Sean Dyche, in order to establish a first-team place at Vicarage Road.In the mean time, speculation in British newspapers has suggested that the Ireland Under 19 star is a target for top Premiership clubs, including Manchester City.Connor is a son of Barry and Paula Smith, who live at Bracklyn, Delvin with Connor's brothers Kevin and Eoghan.Connor's dad is involved with Mullingar Athletic AFC, where his son was an integral part of the club's Under 16 setup.