The year was 1990 and football in Ireland was at an all time high. Sports fans were basking in the glory of Jack’s army, it was a time that those who remember will never forget.
Raffaele Cretaro was just a kid and in hindsight a very lucky one. Because as nation held its breath, eight-year-old Cretaro was front and centre at the Stadio Olympico in Rome, as Ireland faced Italy in the quarter-final of the World Cup.
Born to an Italian father and Irish mother Cretaro stood between his parents at the game.
He wanted both teams to win, dressed in a half Italy, half Ireland top he couldn’t help but cheer when Salvatore Schillaci put the ball in the Irish net.
It was a memorable moment and in ways was the start of his love affair with football, one that would lead to a career that spanned almost two decades.
The split jersey aside Cretaro rarely does anything in half measures and his 19-year-long journey in the League of Ireland is a testament to that.
The Tubbercurry native was a late developer; it was his early twenties before he really started to show that he had something about him.
Big week ahead 🔴⚪️
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) July 22, 2018
We might not have league games but we do have legends @RaffCretaro @CretaroThe pic.twitter.com/jiyXKuBIk8
He was always small but what he lacked for in height he made up for with tenacity and determination.
"Even though I was small I never doubted my ability, I was the kind of kid who wanted to take the corner and get on the end of it," explained Cretaro.
"But I wasn’t the most confident player in the early years, but as I got on I became more confident. I worked very hard and felt I had to do more to be the best player I could be.
"I’m so grateful to have the career I had. If someone had had said to me when I made my debut that I’d be still playing now, I wouldn’t have believed them."
Cretaro’s lengthy career didn’t just happen by accident, he has always lived his best life off the pitch; the choices he made were with football in mind and those choices have paid dividends tenfold.
"If I haven’t looked after myself the way I did I don’t think I would still be playing. I made a lot of sacrifices especially when I was young, other people were going out drinking, and even just going out in general.
"I was very settled at a young age, I had a girlfriend who is my wife now and it didn’t appeal to me to go out.
"I always had it my mind that I wanted to be a footballer and I wanted to give myself the best chance possible so I had made the decision to live my life right and I’m so glad I did that."
His career began in 2000 at Sligo Rovers, he also had stints at Bohemians and Galway United but most of his football was played at the Showgrounds.
Over the years he's played in every position on the pitch bar goals. The 5'5 striker has constantly adapted and evolved to ensure that he was always top of his game and with the help of his former teammate Joesph N’Do he achieved that.
"I thought I was looking after myself until I met Joseph N’Do, he’d come into the dressing room with a big bag and you’d look in the bag and he’d be pulling out these bands and stuff that you see every player using now.
"He was doing that stuff eight years ago. That will tell you how ahead of the game he was and that inspired me and showed me that was the way to go about it, he was 37 or 38.
"I really looked up to him and having a player of that calibre in the dressing room, playing at that age and training very well, you could do nothing but be in awe of him and I still am to this day.
"I’m in touch with him a lot, if there is something I need to know I can pick his brain because it’s a mind of information and he will always put you in the right direction."
There was silverware along the way too a League title and two FAI Cups. His standout memory is the 2012 League win.
"To go back to the day against St Pats, the day had everything about it, the sun was splitting the stones, the place was packed to the rafters and to go and win the league that day in a decider and to score that was pretty special and so were the two or three weeks following that."
The Sligo Rovers player has scored plenty of important goals throughout his career but he doesn’t put pressure on himself to be on target all the time.
Instead he takes a more holistic approach to his performance. As a senior player he sees leadership as one of his main responsibilities.
"I’d love to be still playing as a striker because I feel like that is my best position. I still have plenty to offer even it is further back the pitch.
"I’ve been asked to play right back a couple of times this season and I’m the kind of lad who will say ya that’s not a problem. If there is a job to be doing I’ll put my hand up and do it."
Although Cretaro adheres to the highest standards as a professional footballer he doesn’t expect all his teammates to be like him.
"Everyone is different, if I do something it doesn’t mean that it will work for the lad beside me. Just because I'm very very professional doesn’t mean that I’m looking at the lad beside me and thinking he isn’t professional enough.
"If someone came to me for advice I’d say to them do exactly what makes them tick. If you are happy off the pitch you are happy on it, that’s the big one for me. I wouldn’t frown on anyone who lives their life different to me."
Creataro has seen the League go through some turbulent times and come out the other side. He would love to see a time when the League has a positive image.
"Maybe down the line I’d hope it would straighten out. It’s not nice to see a player go without wages or a club in a tricky situation.
"That’s the nature of the League. I’m lucky enough to be with a club like Sligo, I’ve never missed a wage, anytime there is any sort of money shortage the fans and community gather around.
"I’ve been a privilege position where I haven’t been caught up in the likes of that but hopefully in the future that won’t keep happening."
When Cretaro eventually hangs up his boots he hopes to stay involved in the game in some capacity. He feels he's learned a lot over the years and could advise the next generation. But retiring isn't on his agenda in the short-term.
"I embrace getting old, my teammates call me Benjamin Button, I feel good I’m enjoying it playing with a smile on my face so why not keep going.
"I’ve been blessed I’ve had twenty years playing; some players have only had ten years. I’ve got more out of the game than most and I’m grateful for that."
Cretaro’s testimonial takes place at the Showgrounds on Saturday, The Bit O’Red will take on a Raff Cretaro XI.
