These are early days in new surroundings for Ciaran Brennan – but the defender says Newport County already feels like home.
Brennan, 24, made the summer switch to Newport in League Two, after 11 years attached to Sheffield Wednesday.
But he declared: “I am loving it here. I have said a few times already that it feels like home here.”
Brennan actually joined his hometown club Wednesday at under-14 level and having come through their academy system made 18 league and cup appearances for the Hillsborough team.
His stay also included loan spells at Gainsborough Trinity, Notts County, Swindon Town and last season Hartlepool United.
During the summer Brennan became one of Newport’s 17 recruits, signing a two year deal which should bring stability for the Republic of Ireland Under-19 international. Now he aims to do more than make up the numbers at Newport.
“I aim to play as many games as I can and ultimately be seen as one of the key players in the team,” said Brennan.
“I know I can get to that, I just need to keep showing the fans what I can do.
“I have been on a few loan moves in my career but I would say being at a club permanently has a different feeling.
“I feel like Newport is my club and that makes the results of the team mean so much more because on loan you know in the back of your mind that you are there for a short time to improve yourself.”
Certainly Brennan has made an impression, showing his versatility by playing as a holding midfield player, but preferring a role in the back line.
Newport’s 1-0 win at Morecambe last Saturday provided the team with their first clean sheet of the League Two campaign, elevating County to fourth in the early table after three consecutive victories.
With club captain and centre back James Clarke likely to be missing for a month due to a quad injury, it seems Brennan is set to occupy the position in which he feels most at home.
Newport look to make it four league wins in a row for the first time since February when they entertain Port Vale on Saturday.
if they can add to their two wins at Rodney Parade to date, Brennan will enjoy even more the home comforts of life at Newport County.
OTHER RELATED ARTICLES
Nelson Jardim says Newport County are “lucky” to have goalkeeper Nick Townsend in their ranks.
The 29-year-old produced a terrific display, denying the likes of Gwion Edwards and Callum Jones, to keep a first clean sheet of the season as the Exiles won 1-0 at Morecambe.
Victory was Newport’s third in succession in League Two, and head coach Jardim lauded Townsend after his pivotal role in the triumph over the Shrimps.
“He’s been great. He’s well-known in this league, an experienced goalkeeper,” Jardim said of Townsend.
“We’re lucky to have him. Today was one of those days where the team needed him.
“He was definitely one of the parts of the success that we had today, but I just want to give praise to the whole team for the way we performed.”
Other news
Newport County defender James Clarke has been ruled out of action for at least four weeks due to a quad injury.
The centre-back featured in each of the Exiles’ opening four matches of the 2024-25 season but was left out of the squad for their 1-0 win at Morecambe.
And head coach Nelson Jardim has confirmed the 34-year-old will be sidelined for around a month.
“It’s unfortunately a big loss for us, one of our skippers,” said Jardim.
“He’ll be out for at least four weeks.
“It’s going to be a big loss for us, but as you could see today [against Morecambe], we’ve got a good group and anyone coming in, they will do the job.”
