An Irishman who moved to Chicago was stunned to find the city bustling with so many businesses open.
Shane McInerney, 29, left Ireland after spending the majority of 2020 back in his native Galway while studying to become a personal trainer and pilates instructor.
Talented Shane was capped internationally for Ireland at Under-15 and Under-18 level.
He comes from a strong sporting background, his uncle Gerry McInerney and cousin Gearoid McInerney have both won senior hurling All-Irelands with Galway.
Shane was amazed at how ‘normal’ Chicago seems compared to Ireland when he arrived in America on April 1st.
He told the Irish Mirror: “Since I moved here it’s been a huge change compared to how things are currently in Ireland.
“All the gyms, hotels, restaurants and bars are open over here, you just need to wear a mask wherever you go.”
Chicago’s shops, bars, salons, fitness centres, restaurants, attractions, and more are currently open with safety guidelines and limited capacities.
For example, Chicago bars and restaurants are open for indoor and outdoor dining with limited capacity and takeout/delivery.
Indoor dining is limited to 50 people or 50% capacity per room (whichever is less).
Their music/performance venues and theatres are reopening with limited capacity.
It is a major contrast to life in level five restrictions in Ireland and Shane is glad for the change of pace.
The ace defender previously moved to the USA on a soccer scholarship in 2012.
As a youth, he played hurling like his famous relatives but focused on soccer after that.
He said: “I went to the USA on a soccer scholarship when I was 19, spending a year in New York and three years in West Palm Beach, Florida.
“It was the best decision I ever made to go stateside ,it shaped me into the person I am today by living away from home.
“I highly recommend the soccer scholarship route for anyone interested in playing ball full time while earning a degree.”
Shane has played professional soccer in Sweden, Florida and Australia.
His role in Chicago will be mainly coaching but his goal is to get back playing full time professionally.
Shane said: “I’ll be coaching soccer full time with Challengers Sports. Coaching boy and girls aged 8 - 18 years old and doing some work with the little kids also aged 3-5 teaching them about the beautiful game.
“I’ll also be working part time doing real estate for a friend of mine in Florida who owns a real estate company.
“I see myself with a career in real estate in the future.”
He believes that sacrifices and dedication will bring you closer to your goals.
The centre-half said: “Any advice I can give is always work hard and follow your dreams.
“The harder you work the more opportunities you will have.
“You create your own luck.”
Shane advises anybody thinking about travelling abroad that it is well worth doing.
He added: “I’ve learned a lot from traveling.
“I’ve gained a lot of experience and built up a lot of contacts from my travels.
“I’ve definitely grown as a person.
“To think before I left Ireland at 19 I was working full time in a factory.
“It’s been a rollercoaster of a journey so far but I wouldn’t change anything I’ve no regrets.”
You can follow Shane McInerney on Instagram here.
