“Setbacks Pave The Way For Comebacks.”
As life mottos go, it’s not a bad one to live your life by and it’s one that holds special meaning for Harry Arter.
The Bournemouth midfielder has endured a tough six months with injury halting his progress with Ireland.
The Cherries star is likely to be part of Martin O’Neill’s 23-man squad for France which will be announced next week, but the playmaker isn’t overly anxious about getting the call from his international manager.
Arter has had more serious issues to deal with than football over the last six months as his daughter Renee tragically died at birth.
If he doesn’t get to France, it will disappoint Arter but it will not devastate him as he is well aware of the meaning of both words.
“I certainly know what devastation means now; it has a completely different meaning to me. If I did miss out, it would be a disappointment, certainly not devastation.
“I learned about what is really important in life. My most important thing is family, making sure everyone is healthy, making sure my partner is okay. I learnt lot about myself, really. You grow up quite a lot. I wouldn’t say I was immature, but I’d like to think I’ve matured since then. Football was something that helped me a lot at that time.”
Arter’s way of coping involves him looking at photo of his daughter on his mobile phone every day, and a tattoo with her birthday on his wrist, marked by the phrase ‘Setbacks Pave The Way For Comebacks’.
“I want to try to do her proud; I want to try to make my family proud. It’s still pretty raw in the sense that it’s only been just over five months.
“In my eyes and my family’s eyes, she was with us for nine months. I am proud to say she was my daughter and I want to try to do her proud if she is watching.”
He is hopeful of doing himself proud by representing Ireland at the Euros and knows the two friendly games against the Netherlands and Belarus are a golden opportunity
But even if it doesn’t work out, Arter will bounce back, stronger than ever. It’s just what he does.
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