His father, Michael began playing League of Ireland football in 1981 as an 18-year-old, and scored the winning goal when the Blues won the 1984/85 League Cup, beating Finn Harps 2-1 in the final.
After seven seasons with Waterford United, Michael signed a two-year deal at Belgian club Wervic FC, where Sam was born. He moved to Ireland at the age of four and was raised in Carrick-on-Suir.
