Hartlepool: Perfect United start for Sunderland striker
Roy O'Donovan hopes he has finally found the right loan move to reignite his career after getting his Hartlepool United career off to the perfect start.
The Irish striker helped Pools notch their first win in eight at Victoria Park last night with a convincing 4-1 victory over Carlisle United just hours after completing his move from Sunderland.
O'Donovan, whose contract at the Stadium of Light expires in the summer, has joined Pools on loan until the end of the season and played a key contribution in moving Chris Turner's side three points clear of the drop zone.
The 24-year-old has been sent out on loan to Blackpool, Southend and Dundee United since signing for Sunderland from Cork in the summer of 2007 to mixed success.
But the speedy striker hopes that by joining former Cork team-mates Joe Gamble, Denis Behan and Leon McSweeney at the Vic, he can help both his own and Pools' prospects.
O'Donovan said: "It's the ideal move for me. My buddies are here from Cork and I'm only living down the road.
"Joe and Denis call at my house quite regularly anyway – telling me the gossip!
"I felt like I knew everyone anyway. It's much better than being someone with boots and moving all around the country.
"The lads have been great as have Chris (Turner) and Westy (Colin West) since I've been in training.
"I've been on loan before and that didn't work out for one reason or another. I'm just hoping this is the right move for me and the club."
He added: "I just want to play. The last two years haven't been ideal.
"I just think it was the sharp end of football at Sunderland.
"If you don't hit the ground running in the Premier League, you don't get a second chance.
"I had a fantastic first year there. All I was short of was a couple of goals.
"Steve Bruce has come in and brought his own players in and I've been unfortunate that I've been left to rot.
"I've had six months where I haven't been playing which has been difficult, especially when you're hoping to get a chance with injuries and suspensions.
"You have to come out, drop down a level and go and play football again."
Pools got off to the ideal start when Ritchie Jones lobbed Carlisle keeper Adam Collin in the sixth minute.
But the Cumbrians hit straight back when Scott Dobie headed home ex-Pools winger Matty Robson's cross.
Pools regained the lead through Tony Sweeney's second goal in three games before Gamble scored his first for the club direct from a corner in the closing stages of the first half.
Turner's side sealed a crucial win with 15 minutes to go when O'Donovan's through-ball sent Jones away and he kept his cool for his second of the game.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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