James Bolger & Zishim Bawa have lived the dream of every PSC tryout attendee as they have won the FAI Irish Cup with Drogheda United in front of a crowd of 40,000 and have qualified for The Europea Conference League next season.
Both players took similar routes to end up in Ireland after equally impressive stints in Sweden before signing with Drogheda in the last 12 months. Zishim Bawa signed with Bodens BK in 2021 and enjoyed three successful seasons before signing in Ireland's top flight. James Bolger’s story was a little more accelerated as he signed with Bodens BK in March this year and earned a move to Ireland after 3 impressive months in Sweden.
Bolger started the cup final, playing 90 minutes and earning a 9 out of 10 rating for his performance at center back. He also scored in their 2-1 cup win over local rivals Dundalk and provided the game-winning assist in the semi final to secure their final spot. Read more about Bolger's season from a popular Irish National Newspaper here. Bawa was enjoying a successful 2024 season before breaking his ankle and missing out on the showpiece final.
Both players serve as excellent examples to any player looking to attend a PSC tryout and how to see success as they were happy to play in Sweden Division 2 with Bodens BK to prove themselves in Europe and earn a move to a bigger club. Something PSC Director Simon Deeley elaborated on “We have had a fair few players turn their nose up at clubs at the same level as Bodens. Players who have never played professional football and expect to be given a premier league contract without proving themselves. Both James & Zishim were happy to go and prove themselves at that level and have been rewarded for it. I can think of a few players from last years tryouts who might be kicking themselves for turning down the opportunities that James and Zishim accepted.”
James Bolger’s story in particular highlights the unpredictability and the magic of professional soccer. Bolger attended day one of PSC’s Colorado tryout in February 2024 having never played pro soccer and having no previous relationship with PSC. He impressed in Colorado and continued to believe in himself enough to attend our European showcase in Malta & UK which led to him signing in Sweden. Without attending PSC tryouts Bolger would not find himself just 9 months later playing and winning a Cup Final in front of a 40,000 crowd.
PSC will be looking for their next James Bolger & Zishim Bawa at 8 pro tryouts across the US this coming winter. If interested in starting your pro career with PSC Soccer sign up today. All December events are close to selling out and limited availability at our January tryouts.
Mens
New York: December 12-13-14, 2024 (Nearly sold out)
Charleston, SC: December 16-17-18, 2024 (Nearly sold out)
San Diego, CA: December 20-21-22, 2024 (Nearly sold out)
Tampa, FL: January 7-8-9, 2025 (Very Limited Spots)
San Antonio, TX: January 11-12-13, 2025 (Very Limited Spots)
Los Angeles, CA: January 25-26-27, 2025
Atlanta, GA: January 30-31-Feb 1, 2025
Womens
Tampa, FL: January 7-8-9, 2025
