Bailey Cadamarteri, the 18 year-old with Irish Heritage who’s quickly becoming one of the rising stars in the Championship

Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri announced himself to all in the EFL on the 2nd of December, when on only his second start for Sheffield Wednesday he scored after five minutes against Blackburn Rovers.

Son of ex footballer Danny Cadamarteri, Bailey has been at Sheffield Wednesday since the age of nine and has risen through the ranks to now become a household name at Hillsborough. 

The powerhouse of a centre-forward stands at just over six foot and was rewarded for scoring three goals in five starts with a new long term deal by the Owls.

Unfortunately, despite an approach from the FAI and Cadamarteri’s interest in playing for Ireland he doesn’t qualify for the boys in green as his great grandparents hailing from the Emerald Isle. 

Although the dream of playing for Ireland can’t happen for Cadamarteri he is a big admirer of the great Irish strikers.

“There have been a few great Irish strikers I’ve enjoyed watching clips of. If we are talking about past players I’d say Robbie Keane was a good player to watch as he was a goal scorer for club and country,” the Wednesday attacker told the Green Machine.

Despite Evan Ferguson only being eight months older than Bailey, the Brighton striker is already a player Cadamarteri looks up to. 

“If we are talking about present players Ithink it has to be Evan Ferguson, what he’s doing for his age is exceptional and again he’s a proper goalscoring number nine.”

Although Cadamentari’s career is in its youthful stage, that feeling of scoring his first goal for his boyhood club may never be topped.

“The feeling of getting my first goal was indescribable in itself but it was made that extra bit special as it was against a top team and we managed to top the game off with 3 points which we needed.”

Delighted to pen a new deal at this great club I’m looking forward to a successful future with @swfc pic.twitter.com/cxaPkBzUIn

— Bailey-Tye Cadamarteri (@Baileycadz) December 11, 2023

A big thing that has been noticed with a lot of Irish players who have been standouts at underage level is the difficulty in transitioning to men’s football. It is something Bailey has also had to experience. 

He stated, “My first half of the season in men’s football has been very enjoyable and it has also been eye opening. It showed me the level I’m at and the level I need to get to if I want to reach the very top.”

“It’s a lot different to playing in the under 18s and the under 21s as you get a lot less chances so you have to make them count when they come.”

Despite the impressive start to his senior career, Bailey wants to build on it and knows there’s more to come.

“I have a few goals for the rest of the season, I feel like I’ve put myself in a good position up to now and I would like to carry it on by scoring and contributing to more goals.”

With Cadamarteri being the youngest striker to get regular minutes in the Championship this season, he knows it will be tough to continue his success rate in front of goal.

“I feel like this is what all strikers want and it’s not easy especially as a young lad coming into my first year of first team football but I think I have what it takes to score goals in the championship.” 

“I have 3 goals and an assist so far this season and I’d like to extend those tally’s as much as possible before the season comes to an end.”

Although we’ll unfortunately never get to see Bailey Cadamarteri walk out in the Aviva Stadium in the green of Eire, his love for Ireland is clear to see and we will continue to support Bailey in whatever direction his football career takes him.