CONOR LEVINGSTON stepped off the football merry-go-round last year to see the world and do the ‘Lap of the Gap’.
And he reckons it was the best decision he ever made as he makes his return this season with Wexford.
Midfielder Levingston, 27, is back at Ferrycarrig Park under Stephen Elliott after what was effectively a career break.
The Gorey man joined his local LOI side, then managed by James Keddy, from Bohemians for the 2023 season but did not enjoy his time there — which had him questioning whether to stay in the game.
Architecture graduate Levingston told SunSport: “Coming down from Bohs where we trained so often to training twice a week took a while to get used to.
“I struggled with fitness, picked up an early injury and never really got going.
“The manager didn’t want me back for the next season.
“Chances are I wouldn’t have went back, but that’s beside the point. It made my decision easier.”
There were approaches from the Irish League and First Division rivals while the midfielder had asked a few top-flight clubs about training with them to impress.
But at the back of his mind was the idea of taking a year out.
Levingston continued: “Ever since I was 14, I’d been involved in professional level sport between England and coming back to Bohs, that was 12 years of football, football, football.
“My girlfriend is a teacher as well so she has the summer off where, in football, we get the winter when she is working. I had to give her time as well.
“And I was also going into the final few months of my degree.
“We were in Rome after Christmas for a city break and it was on my mind. So I just said I’d take a break for a year.
“I was thinking, it’s only a year. I know I’m a good enough player that if I get fit and firing, I’d be able to come back.
“So I took the year out and set a few goals. I wanted to get the best possible degree I could, go travelling, get a job and run a few marathons.”
He got the degree, and a job at O’Mahony Pike Architects.
But before he started, he and his partner travelled to Thailand, Vietnam and Bali.
Levingston added: “It was an unbelievable experience.
“We were there two months and it felt like half of Ireland was there — the amount of my friends who have been over there in the last 12 months.”
MARATHON MOTIVATION
And he got his fitness fix by training for two marathons.
Levingston explained: “It was just to keep my mind occupied because it’s nearly impossible for a sports person to go from doing so much to doing nothing.
“I did the Lap of the Gap in Glendalough which is marketed as the toughest road race in Ireland. I don’t know how it didn’t put me off!
“Then when I got back from travelling, I did Dublin, which was brilliant.
“There were crowds lining the whole route. But I don’t think I’ll be getting the marathon shoes out again!”
By the time he ran Dublin, the itch to return to football had returned.
He said: “I remember going to watch Wexford in the FAI Cup semi-final against Drogheda. My brother Darragh was playing. It felt like a big game.
“When Stephen got the job, he had a few back in training in December so I joined them then until pre-season began when we got a deal sorted.”
With an understanding workplace — his boss is a Shelbourne fan — he was able to work up his hours and commit to training three nights a week.
A hamstring injury suffered in pre-season meant he missed the opening win over UCD though he is back running as Wexford look to start the season well.
He said: “We’ve a very young squad, my brother is one of the older players and he’s 22. I’m the second oldest at 27!
“But we’re looking to bring through academy players which was maybe not happening the last time I was here.
“We need to do it. You cannot be relying on bringing players from Dublin down where six good months and they’re moving on again.
“The players coming through are really impressive. There are six or seven in training and they’re not just making up the numbers.
“It’s an exciting group. So we’ll see how it goes.”
