He’s played non-stop football for 18 months - but Dan O’Reilly believes he can return for the new Championship season even stronger after an impressive first six months at Hamilton.
The centre-back signed for Accies from League of Ireland side Drogheda United in the New Year and was thrown straight in for his debut during a 3-0 win away at Queen of the South.
O’Reilly has been an ever-present since as the New Douglas Park club finished sixth in the 2021/22 term, following 2021’s relegation from the Premiership.
With Ireland’s football calendar running through the summer, the ex-Fulham youngster stepped into SPFL life straight after a full season at Drogheda, and he’s looking forward to a break.
He said: “I have bounced from the end of one season into one at Hamilton. I had a couple of weeks off but mentally, I was straight back in. I couldn’t switch off.
“For the lads, it was a long year. I have been looking forward to a break, both mentally and physically. It was part-time at Drogheda United. It took a bit of time to adapt.
“It is second nature to me really now and I am really enjoying it. I had to catch up with fitness fairly quickly as I was thrown straight into a game.
“Scottish football is good, really competitive. It’s a big culture. You can tell by the fans, their passion, how much they care. That’s sometimes good, sometimes bad!
“But it’s been really good. I have really enjoyed it. The Championship is a really competitive league.”
Another competitive second tier term awaits Accies, who are still in limbo as head coach Stuart Taylor’s exit is still to be signed off.
Kilmarnock returned straight back to the Premiership after suffering relegation alongside Hamilton, and the 27-year-old reckons his club can become a top flight club.
O’Reilly said of Accies’ promotion chances: “In Scotland, there’s more opportunity. I think the club was in the top flight and ideally we want to bounce back. Kilmarnock came down with us and they have bounced back.
“They have a big budget and things. But this club, even with the different set-ups I have seen at different clubs, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be back in the Premiership.
“It’s about making a few changes here ourselves and pushing on. We have a good squad and hopefully we can start the season right.”
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