Luke takes a leap of faith to new pastures

As his parent club Wrexham settle into life in League One looking to challenge for an historic third promotion in-a-row, Mayo man Luke McNicholas is hoping for likewise with National League side Rochdale who he joined just before the start of the new season. He had known throughout the summer that a loan move was in the offing but that was contingent on whether or not Wrexham were able to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo. When that deal was confirmed, the wheels were set in motion for McNicholas to leave on loan – with Rochdale his preferred choice.

“I had been getting ready for the pre-season tour to the US but knew that there were moves going on about bringing Arthur back to the club on a permanent basis, and that whether or not I would be going out on loan was dependent on his signing,” McNicholas told the Western People this week. “Once that deal was confirmed I just wanted to play, which meant going out on loan as I needed some game time. The club felt the same way as they knew that it was vital for my development, especially as I hadn’t played much football in England.

“The move to Rochdale is a great opportunity for me. I know they are in the National League but they are a club of great stature who are looking to get back into the Football League. It’s just a great opportunity for me to go and develop as a player. There were one or two other clubs interested in taking me on loan but I just felt that Rochdale suited me better, especially with the way they want to play which I felt would suit me as a player. I just want to play and they are giving me the opportunity to get some game time.

“Also, it means that I can continue to live in Chester as it is only 50 minutes away or an hour depending on traffic and I don’t mind the drive.” 

While the Belcarra native was happy to get his loan deal sorted, it did come on the eve of Wrexham’s departure to the US as part of their pre-season tour, meaning he missed out on their games against Bournemouth and Chelsea.

“I knew the move was for me so I wanted to get going with Rochdale as soon as I could, to learn how they played and to get to know the club. That said, when the lads started up pics and videos of the tour and the games in America, it was a little gutting but I knew I was making the best decision for me personally.” 

In keeping with the adage that you are never too far from home, Luke McNicholas isn’t the only former Sligo Rovers player at the Crown Oil Arena as the club had also brought in Tobi Adebayo-Rowling for played for Rovers in 2016 and 2017. Indeed the pair trained together a couple of times.

“Tobi just signed ahead of me, he had been with Notts County. I didn’t really know him but we had trained together before a couple of times when we were both at Rovers. He had been with Cork as well but was telling me he has nothing but fond memories of his time with Rovers and that he had loved playing in the Showgrounds. Jimmy Keohane had been with Rochdale as well but left in the summer to go back to Ireland to sign for Galway United.” 

McNicholas is no stranger to loan moves as he had two during his time with Sligo Rovers – and with contrasting fortunes. He had limited game time with Finn Harps but had a transformative spell with Cliftonville which really got his career going. He’s hoping for a similar type experience with Rochdale as he looks to help them get back into the Football League.

“I have lived this experience before and I know how good it can be in terms of experience and getting exposure. It’s about going out and looking to continue to develop as a player and being the best keeper I can be. I’ve started the first few league games which is important for me as already I have more game time than I had last season. Some of the results haven’t gone the way that we wanted but there is still a long way to go in the season. 

"It’s a different environment than what the club had been used to in the Football League but with the completion of the takeover and the new owners, the aim is clear and that is to get promoted and to be re-established as a Football League club. We are on the verge of being a top-top team and will be up there come the end of the season.” 

Loan moves seem the topical item for current and former Sligo goalkeepers at the moment with McNicholas on loan at Rochdale, Ed McGinty back on loan in the Showgrounds from Oxford United and Westport native Conor Walsh now out on loan to Wexford FC. McNicholas says the ambitions are the same for all three – getting as much game time as possible and continuing to develop as a player:

“Definitely, if you look at our three ages the most important thing is to get game time and to continue to develop as a player. You can’t stand still and sometimes that means doing something that mightn’t be comfortable but that will help you to grow and develop. It’s all about getting out and playing and developing.” 

While he may out on loan, Wrexham are very much keeping track of McNicholas’ progress with their goalkeeper coach attending matches to see how he is performing.

“Wrexham are very good for keeping tabs on me, I speak with our goalkeeping coach regularly. He has come to watch me play and we have reviewed my performances, he watches clips as well of the games and discusses moments in the game with me. It’s all about helping me to develop as a player. I’m lucky to have that while at the same time working daily with the goalkeeping coach at Rochdale.”