Kevin O’Hara first interview

KO - "I have always enjoyed working with the manager and as a striker as well he can only make me better."

Striker Kevin O`Hara signed yesterday from Alloa Athletic. The 21 year old proudly pulled on a new Pars away strip for a photocall before revealing his emotions in becoming a Dunfermline Athletic player.

"I am absolutely delighted to be at Dunfermline. It is a massive club and I have enjoyed playing here over the years."

That enjoyment might well have been coloured by Alloa`s impressive record against their West Fife neighbours. Last season the Wasps won three and drew one of the four matches between the teams. Alan Trouten invariably did the damage but O`Hara netted one of the eight goals. He had scored 14 by the time the 2019-2020 season was called and he reflected:-

"We had a pretty good season last season when Peter Grant gave me the chance to play week in week out. I think I repaid the faith and he was happy with that. I really enjoyed it at Alloa and I scored here as well. But I am a Dunfermline player now and my aim is to make Dunfermline as good as they can be."

While a Falkirk player, Kevin has not always been the most popular with the Dunfermline fans, but he hopes that he can win them over after his swift apology for the Dean Shiels incident.

"A couple of years ago I had the incident and I apologised that night. I still stand by my apology today, what I did was wrong and I was just caught up in the moment when I was younger. It has helped me mature, I am a Dunfermline player now as I said and I just want to go out and score goals for Dunfermline."

Above: Peter Grant has some specific instructions for Kevin O’Hara

Over the years Dunfermline have signed numerous ex Falkirk players, Paul Paton being the most recent. Kevin came through the system from Forth Valley Football Academy before signing as a professional at the Bairns just before his sixteenth birthday. He explained:-

"I was there until last season when I went to Alloa. I was sixteen when I made my debut away to Queen of the South. Peter Houston brought me on and I really enjoyed that day. I have more experience now I am 21 turning 22."

Recent Pars signing Paul Watson was a team mate while at the Falkirk Stadium and Kevin recognised that he is a really good player and not one you want to be meeting as an opponent:-

"I have always liked him. I didn`t really like playing against him last season so I am happy that he is in my team again!"

Above: Kevin O’Hara tests Cammy Gill in the U21 league

It was at Falkirk that the Pars new striker first encountered Stevie Crawford. Although he was only 14 or 15 he used to be included in the reserves squad for games on a Tuesday night.

"I was on the bench just to make up the numbers and get the odd five or ten minutes here and there. Stevie was the manager and we had a really good relationship then. When he phoned me to meet for a chat and when I spoke to him last week, as soon as I spoke to him I knew that I wanted to come to Dunfermline. After just five minutes talking to him I knew Dunfermline was the right place for me to come to.

"I have always enjoyed working with the manager and as a striker as well he can only make me better."

"The manager spoke about the ambition that he has for the club. I think everybody at the club has that ambition including the fans. We don`t want to be in the Championship because Dunfermline should be in the Premiership."

Above: Kevin (far left) enjoys an Alloa celebration at EEP

Kevin hails from Fallin near Stirling and so is just a half an hour drive away. There were Premier League clubs interested in me but clearly felt Dunfermline was the right team for him:-

"That probably just shows you how committed I am to Dunfermline since I have knocked back teams in the Premiership to come here."

Finally, could his knowledge of Alloa help inform his new manager how to do better against the Clackmannanshire outfit?

"I have no idea to be honest. We had a game plan like we had every other week, it just seemed to work when we played against Dunfermline. There was nothing specific that was to stop Dunfermline winning other than stop Nisbet!"

Maybe now the tactic will be to stop Kevin O`Hara!

Above: Aaron Comrie and Kevin O ‘Hara challenge for a ball

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