McGinty: make a s**** first impression but save best until last

ED MCGINTY admits he makes a “s****” first impression whenever he arrives at a new club.

- BY MARK MCCADDEN

But unlike his time at Oxford, the goalkeeper has had an opportunity at Shamrock Rovers to redeem himself after a shaky start to life at Tallaght Stadium.

McGinty has emerged as one of Rovers' key players this season in their march to a fifth Premier Division title in six years with just a point needed at home to champions Shelbourne on Friday to seal the crown.

And he has excelled in their run to the FAI Cup final and the league phase in the Europa Conference League.

It's a far cry from last February, when an error gifted Molde a tie-levelling goal on a night that ultimately ended in a penalty shootout defeat to the Norwegians.

"I'm kind of always s**** when I first join a club. That's just how I am as a person," said McGinty, after Rovers' 6-1 FAI Cup semifinal win against Kerry on Sunday. "Even when I started at Sligo and then when I went to Oxford and then came back to Sligo, my first game was a bit ropey. I get better and always just settle in and play myself.