KEITH FAHEY has admitted that life in England was “very lonely” as he returned to his native Dublin to sign a one-year with St Patrick’s Athletic.
The 30-year-old Ireland international played for Birmingham City in the Premier League and then the Championship, with the highlight being a League Cup win at Wembley with the Blues in 2011.
However, injury problems meant a new deal in England proved difficult and so the Dubliner has returned to his native city.
He told RTÉ: “I’ve been away the last four and-a-half or five years living on my own. I have friends around here, I have family around, I can go out during the week with friends for food and that and over there it was very lonely. It was tough sometimes.
“It was tough to enjoy it, constantly going to play football and going home doing nothing. It can be testing.
“I always felt at home playing here in Richmond Park. It is my third time back. Hopefully it goes as well as the other two times.
Fahey in action for Ireland against Bastian Schweinsteiger of Germany©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
"I love playing down here, I have never enjoyed my football as much as playing here so I am looking forward to playing out on this pitch again.”
Fahey revealed he also held talks with Shamrock Rovers and had interest from a club in Singapore.
He said: “I spoke to Rovers but I think there was always going to be one club I would play for again in Ireland and that would be down here.”
