Richie Towell is about to end his first month as a Brighton player after joining the Championship high-flyers from League of Ireland champions Dundalk at the end of November.
The Dubliner was only able to begin playing with the team as the start of January and made his debut for Chris Hughton's team against Hull City in the FA Cup. That was his only appearance for the first team but the 24-year-old has featured regularly for the Under-21 side in recent weeks.
Towell spoke to Off the Ball earlier this week about his time on the English south coast and how The Championship differs from the top levels of the League of Ireland. "It's quicker. Player thinks faster. The transition if you lose the ball, teams will hurt you... I'm really enjoying it at the moment."
Towell's valuable run out. #BHAFC https://t.co/8UN5CtRaRe pic.twitter.com/bHbgu3ueDz
— BHAFC (@OfficialBHAFC) January 27, 2016
Although Towell was playing as a professional with Dundalk, he added that that "it's a lot more professional" at Brighton. "When we come in in the morning we do screenings. We have to see how high we jump, get our urine tested, we have to get all that done. For example we had Pilates this morning at 9.30. We went out to do training and then had a yoga session for 45 minutes.
After his move to The Championship, Towell was linked with forcing his way into the Ireland squad ahead of Euro 2016 but the current PFAI Player of Year is just hoping his form with Brighton will help influence Martin O'Neill.
"I need to focus getting into the Brighton team before I can focus playing for my country. Although, it would be something I would be very ambitious to do. I think it every footballer that plays at a good level want to play for their country and I'm no different".
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