On Friday the young Dons will face Rangers in the SFA Youth Cup semi-final.

So far they have knocked out Inverurie Locos, had a tremendous 1-0 win against Motherwell away from home and in the Quarter Finals managed to see off a spirited Kilmarnock side.

Aberdeen have won prestigious trophy on three occasions – 1984-85, 1985-86 and 2000-01 and have been runners up twice, including last season when they were defeated by Hibernian at Hampden.

A key player for the Aberdeen U18s on Friday will be Irish defender Conor Power.

He previewed the semi-final this week with Matt Findlay and spoke at length about his career so far.

It can be a daunting prospect moving to another country at any age, but when you’re 16 years old and leaving the family home for the first time, it could make or break you a person.

Fortunately, Conor Power thrives on that pressure and relishes the opportunity to make it as a full time professional footballer.

Aberdeen have made a habit of targeting Irish-born players in recent years, but there have been few that have came in at 16 years old and Conor, along with his international teammate Luke Turner, joined last summer to strengthen the defensive options that Paul Sheerin, Scott Anderson and Barry Robson would have at their disposal going into the new campaign for the Reserves and U18 squads.

Both lads were initially in at the tail end of last season and did enough to impress the coaching staff and they joined up with their new teammates ahead of the pre-season trip to Alicante in the summer.

Both have continued to impress.

We sat down with the Dubliner to discuss his career so far, the move to Scotland and his ambitions for the remainder of the season and beyond.

“I had been on trials with clubs before so I knew what they were all about. There wasn’t time to be nervous and the goal was to come in and get the contract. I knew a little bit about Aberdeen and knew they were a big club with a good history. I just couldn’t wait to get in the door. I knew Luke from my Ireland squads and we have the same agent so that made it easier.”
In some parts of Ireland, association football often stands inferior to Hurling, Rugby and Gaelic Football although there is a huge pride when one of their own makes their mark on the professional game. Conor recalled his earliest memories were with a football.

“Where I’m from it’s mostly a Hurling area so football’s rare. I started playing with a ball at the age of two or three and that was it. Proper games came when I was six and I went onto boys club football at East End. When you compare it to here it’s probably not any different. I would kick the ball about with my Dad and brother, who went onto play county level – which is massive because you represent your home area. There was a pathway and I joined St Francis, who are based in another part of Dublin and the standard just got higher. When I was 12 or 13 I realised that football was what I wanted to do and ended up at St Patricks.

“When I was younger I supported Liverpool for a little while because of my Dad and brother but quickly drifted across to Man United not long after. Now I support Aberdeen!”
Conor took time to find out his best position and like so many found himself working his way back to the heart of a defence.

“I played every position on the pitch apart from left back and it was when I moved to centre half that I felt the most comfortable and strongest. My height helped mould me into that position and

I’ve never looked back since. I’m confident on the ball too, but first and foremost I know my role as a centre defender.

As we all know football is a short career and many in the past have left the game wondering what’s next for them when their time comes. Fortunately, professional clubs are now structured in a way that education is at the forefront of their football education and that encourages the players to pick up the books while they are still in the game. At Pittodrie many of the players at youth and first team level study a variety of courses and Conor is no different.

“Myself and a few of the boys are taking our Highers in English and Maths. It’s part of the deal with my parents for being over here. The education is so important and although it’s a shift, it’s got to be done.

“My parents have been so supportive and have come over a few times with my brother and sister to watch me play.”

The revamp of the younger age groups across Scotland has been met with it’s supporters and critics, but the Aberdeen U18 side have thrived within the new set up this season. As well as aiming to keep pace at the top end of the table, Scott Anderson and Barry Robson have overseen another strong Youth Cup campaign and now sit one match away from a return to Hampden.
Conor has been a mainstay throughout and couldn’t wait to see what the second half of the season would bring.

“It’s been great so far. We are looking quite good in the league.

“We’ve got Rangers in the Semi this week. We’ve taken it very seriously as this game is the most important one other than the final. We’re confident we can do it.

“The thought of getting the boys back to Hampden is a great incentive after losing in the final last season. We were also in the stands for the League Cup Final in December and now we know we’re only 90 minutes away from walking out on that pitch.”

The first team and Reserves/U18s changing rooms could not be closer in proximity at Pittodrie and that means being in direct contact with the senior management staff, which is something that doesn’t faze Conor and his teammates.

“The first team guys are great with the young boys. They’ll talk to us for a start and we’ve got our tasks like cleaning their boots, which helps build our character. There’s no egos on show. I clean Mikey Devlin’s boots and he’s first class. He talks to me and he plays my position so it’s someone to look up to.”

“Whenever Derek or Tony are watching you can sense there’s an opportunity. You always want to impress regardless, but if they are in the stands you can literally show them what you can do.”

The Developing Dons series allows the Red Army a glimpse into a young player at the beginning of his career and each interview offers something different. Football can be a ruthless industry and there’s no guaranteeing one will make it, but there’s no doubting Conor Power has the right mindset, personality, belief as well as the ability to give it a really good go.

Conor ended the interview with this. “I want to get to where I need to be as quick as possible. I want to make it happen and let’s see what happens.

SPFL Reserve League Cup Semi-Final Details