Former Tyrone footballer Owen Mulligan.
By Cian O'Connell
Manager Ciaran Deely is thrilled with Owen Mulligan's impact while training with the London footballers.
Deely's charges face Leitrim in the Connacht Senior Football Championship on May 28 in Ruislip.
Former Tyrone star Mulligan, who won three All Ireland medals, recently moved to the English capital.
"Yeah, I spoke to Owen back at the beginning of March, he had come over to London, I went down to Clapham, met him, and we had a chat," Deely says.
"He is over for the time being anyway, I don't know whether he will be in London long term.
"I just said to him about coming in, even if it was to help some of the young players, to give his experience."
London manager Ciaran Deely.
And Deely is delighted with how Mulligan is contributing to London's preparations ahead of their clash against Leitrim.
"To be honest I've been really, really impressed with him as a person and how he approaches Gaelic Football," Deely admits. "He clearly loves Gaelic Football still at this age, he has been brilliant with the younger lads, he is always there to give advice.
"At no stage has he come in to say these training facilities aren't up to scratch or you need to do this or that.
"We've trained in the centre of an athletics track at different times, the surface is scandalous if you compare it with a proper GAA pitch. There has been no problem with him that way at all, we are really happy to have him involved."
Deely isn't sure whether Mulligan will feature during the Leitrim game, but he has been a significant influence recently.
"He is probably a long way being up to scratch being physically able with some of the lads, speed off the mark, sharpness, stuff like that so I don't know if he will be involved at any stage, but even just to have him in and around the squad, he has been brilliant with that, we are really happy with him."
