CHARLIE Lennon admits there were some ‘mentally tough days’ in his two-month wait for his Barnsley debut but is delighted he was able to cap it with a vital goal in midweek.
The 19-year-old winger, who signed from Middlesbrough in January, had been an unused substitute eight times before finally being brought on against Wigan on Tuesday. He netted the equaliser in injury-time and celebrated in front of the Ponty End.
Lennon told the Chronicle: “The manager (Conor Hourihane) told me to make sure I take notice in the meetings, make sure I am putting in extra work in the gym, and on the training pitch, which I feel I have been.
“That has given me the confidence to know I have put in everything I could to get to the point where I am now.
“It was just being patient.
“Some days were tougher mentally than others – when you train and work hard but don’t come on and another game goes by. But I am just delighted my chance came and I took it.”
Lennon tapped in from close range after David McGoldrick’s long-range shot was saved.
“I didn’t expect the ball to come at all because I couldn’t really see Didzy (McGoldrick) when he had the shot.
“But when the ball dropped to me, my eyes lit up and I was delighted.”
On the 38-year-old McGoldrick, Lennon said: “He’s quite inspirational. I have done nothing in the game so to come in and see how he handles himself, how he is around the building with everyone, it’s great. I have loved training with him and being around him.”
Lennon spent the first half of the season on loan at Darlington in the sixth tier. He said: “That stint in men’s football did me the world of good.
“Coming out of academy football and playing every week in front of crowds, it really helped me.
“I think that prepared me for my Barnsley debut in a lot of ways.”
Lennon has had to be patient partly due to being understudy to fellow left-winger Reyes Cleary who has been one of the Reds’ star men this season.
“When I first came in, I knew I wouldn’t play over him.
“I just have to take my chances off the bench and gain experience around the first team environment in League One.”
