Central Coast Mariners striker Roy O’Donovan believes he has learned valuable lessons from his eight-week ban as he prepares to return to the pitch on Sunday, where he hopes to right wrongs.
The Irish striker was rubbed out by the FFA’s Disciplinary Committee for an unsavoury off the ball incident on New Year’s Eve, where he head-butted Wellington Phoenix’s Manny Muscat, seemingly provoked by the hard man.
During O’Donovan’s absence, the Mariners have remained in a rut and are still rock bottom of the A-League table and on a collision course with a first ever wooden spoon, having picked up just four point since that year-closing match: one point against Melbourne Victory in a 3-3 draw as well as another win against the Nix.
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O’Donovan says watching from the stands as points have fallen by the wayside has been the toughest part of his time out, reflecting on lessons learned.
“It was a regrettable incident, not one I want to repeat ever again,” O’Donovan said.
“I was provoked, it was passion at the time and I lost my temper for a split-second. I learned a lot of lessons from it.
“Eight games is a long time in a 27-game season so it gave me time to reflect.
“Watching the Mariners not get results of late has been difficult, so it’s good to be back and hopefully I can help the cause.
Despite being out for so long, the former Sunderland striker says he is ready to be selected for the Mariners’ next match, a home meeting with Melbourne Victory on Sunday, and draw a “line in the sand”.
“I’ve kept myself in good knick. I’m ready to go whatever part the manager wants me to play.
“It’s important for the last six games that we get some pride back because it’s been a disappointing season, (we’re) obviously a very young side, we’re lacking experience as is.
“I’d like to try and draw a line in the sand now and move on.
“It’s a millisecond of my life … I regret it and I’m remorseful about it, but I have to move on. Hopefully I can change people’s perceptions of me on a football pitch in the last six games.”
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