I was born in New York and raised on Long Island .  I then spent a few years in New Jersey before moving to Windermere, FL at 16.  In Windermere, just outside Orlando , I learned to enunciate and drop my obnoxious accent.  I also became addictedd to golf. 

I started playing soccer at an early age.  Soccer is huge in the Northeast and I went to my first game kicking and screaming.  That day I scored a goal and ruined my parent’s weekends for years to come.  I was fortunate enough to play on numerous select and traveling teams.  We travelled throughout Long Island, Jersey and even Connecticut .  I absolutely loved playing soccer.

At 17, after several knee injuries, I started carrying a piano.  My career was over.  Now I help coach the Pearland Celtic Under 10 team with Coach McGuigan.  I lose my voice every game.  I just hope that one day my sons will look back and reminisce about how great they thought they were, just like their old man. 

A few years ago I met Chris McGuigan here in Houston, TX .  Since my wife is an O’Neill from Chicago I needed her to translate.  Casey kept pushing the Irish to join our Friday dinner out club.  I’m sure glad he did.  As the wives discussed mother’s day out and politics, we talked sports.  Casey and I became instantly fascinated with his passion for a team called Celtic. 

Shortly thereafter Chris invited Casey and me to watch a game at 6:30 in the morning.  For some reason we went.  Screaming at the big screen, Chris was a lunatic.  “Who the hell are the Rangers anyway and why do you hate them so much Chris?”  Many, many hours later we learned the truth and became fans.  And I thought I hated the Boston Red Sox????

The three of us watch our three favorite teams together; the world champion New York Yankees, the Dallas Cowboys (don’t ask, got hooked in ’79 and never left them) and Celtic.  Throw in our addiction to the UFC and it is amazing we do anything else but watch and talk sports.