Big milestone for Conlon as he signs for his favourite team
Teenager signs for Dalymount Park outfit
Signing a professional contract with any football club for the first time is always a major milestone for any player.
This week Ashbourne teenager reached that milestone when he signed a professional contract for Bohemians.
Signing the contract is a major step towards establishing himself in League of Ireland football.
It's also a very significant statement about his ability as a footballer; a very positive statement.
The Dublin club offered the 17-year-old the deal after two years with the Gypsies, turning out in their under-age teams.
Conlon got a taste of what life is like in the first team when he was named as a substitute for Bohs' final league game of the season at Dalymount Park against Galway United.
Describing himself "as a massive Bohs fan" Conlon told the club's website:
“This is a special day for me. I’m a massive Bohs fan so this means a lot to me,” he said.
"As a player, I feel I am good on the ball and good at getting forward and creating chances. There are great players in my position at the club and I’m really looking forward to learning from them and the coaches here."
In his statement Conlon name-checked another young Ashbourne man who made the leap into the professional ranks - Dawson Devoy.
Devoy, who won the PFAI Young Player of the Year award a number of years ago has been capped at u-21 level for Ireland. He played for Bohemians and was a regular goalscorer before he moved to Milton Keynes Dons.
This year Devoy returned to Dalymount Park as did Ross Tierney who had a spell with Motherwell in Scotland.
"The likes of Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy have shown that there is a pathway for players at the club and I want to learn from them," added Conlon.
Bohs Head of Academy Trevor Croly added: “He is a Bohemians fan, goes to all the games, which makes it extra sweet, but this is very much a footballing decision because we really value Chris as a footballer.
“He has worked extremely hard, is a brilliant prospect and is fully deserving of a pro deal.”