Mullen's is ready to impress

With 18 appearances since joining Bohemians in early February, the season has already been more productive for Senan Mullen than his stint in Italy.

On loan from Torino to Mantova’s senior team since last August, the teenager could not quite get his foot into the squad and made only two appearances in the Serie B, despite having been named Primavera’s Player of the year for the U20s.

“Breaking into a first team in Italy after underage football is very difficult, especially as a defender,” Senan reflects.

With aspirations to play with Torino in Italy’s first division, he felt he needed more gametime to improve his play. So, when the opportunity arose to play for Bohemians in the League of Ireland, he took it.

“It’s been great. I’ve played a lot of games apart from whenever I was injured, and that’s exactly what I wanted. I’m really enjoying it. I’m getting a lot of experience, and I think I’m getting better and better.”

After playing in defensive midfield and as centre-back, his role for the Bohs has shifted to a left back, covering the flanks and providing width in the attack.

With his 1.91m (6’2) he wins most of his aerial duals, and while his pass accuracy is good with 75%, the speedy 21-year-old knows there is always room for improvement.

“I’ve kind of had to learn that new position. It’s always good to learn new positions in football. The managers want flexibility,” he explained.

It’s the first time for him playing in Ireland since his academy years, and there’s been a marked difference in that time. Intense Dublin derbies with more than 30,000 passionate fans cheering on the sideline in a packed Aviva stadium have impressed Senan.

“It means so much to the people outside of the team, to the fans. It’s great whenever there’s a lot on the line in games. It’ll only make you better as a player and bring you on if you’re playing those high stakes games.”

Speaking to Senan a day after Bohs beat Kosovo side Ballkani in the Europa Conference League qualifiers 2-1, the driven youngster seemed a tad dissatisfied: “It’s the first time where I’ve been fit and not played. There’s a lot of competition for places. I’m happy enough for what I played, but obviously I want to play all the time.”

Another reason for joining in the LOI was for Senan to be more visible to the Irish national squad coaches.

Having put in solid performances he has become a reliable asset for the currently third placed Bohs. That he wasn’t called up in recent times to the U21 camp was “disappointing”, but he is determined to continue on.

“I just have to keep on doing what I’m doing, and hope in the future that they’ll call me up.”

Once his loan ends in December, he will join his Italian club mid-season. Which is not ideal timing.

Torino has faced its fair share of turbulence. Two coaches have been replaced in the short period since Senan left, so while the club has been in contact, the current coach hasn’t seen him play yet.

“Of course, it’s difficult for them to focus on people who aren’t there. But hopefully I’ll be fit and I’ll be ready to impress.”