MIDFIELDER Conall Murtagh is graduating from The University of Manchester with a 2:1 in Physiology after a rollercoaster year both on and off the pitch. And the University is rightly proud of the Irishman's efforts of combining studies with his footballing career.

So much so, that they have sent out the following press release to highlight his achievement:

Conall, 23, found it difficult leading two very different, very demanding lives - one at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham and one in the Faculty of Life Sciences in Manchester - even sitting a repeat exam then driving fifty miles to the biggest match of his life. But, he says, it was worth it.

Conall started his football career at Ballymena United and Crusaders FC, at home in Northern Ireland, before joining Scottish League club Hearts on a two-year contract in 2003. After he was released by Hearts in 2005, he played for League of Wales side Connah's Quay Nomads, Rhyl and Southport before being picked up by Wrexham two years into his University course in 2007.

Conall had applied to University on the sensible advice of his mother, who reminded him football careers could be fleeting and not always well paid in the lower leagues. He chose Physiology as he had always been interested in how the body functions, from a molecular level to the organs.

His dissertation combined both his passions: investigating whether the Nintendo Wii did improve users' fitness. "It did - depending on how much effort you put into it," Conall explained.

His degree had a heavy workload but, with the support of Conall's tutors Peter Brown, Donald Ward and Liz Sheader and his friends, he worked hard to gain his much deserved 2:1. Conall was also supported by the University's Sports office, which provided a partial Sports Scholarship throughout his three years at Manchester.

"It's tough, staying in the library till it closes, sitting at the computer cluster till 1am, trying to catch up with the notes if you've missed a lecture, and not going on nights out," he explained.

"But I was lucky; everyone was so helpful and supportive. I shared a house with six lads and they would come and watch the matches or make my tea when I was busy, plus the banter in the house meant I didn't miss the crack of going out."

Conall in action against Burnley

The Red Dragons were also very supportive, not only agreeing to Conall completing his course but also giving him a two-year contract.

"When I signed up with Wrexham, I had achieved half my goal of playing semi-pro football and getting a degree," he said.

"When I told them I wanted to finish my course and they agreed, I really appreciated their support and understanding. It was a high point."

It came to mean a lot in the coming months.

Conall started his final year on a high; pre-season matches included Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers and he won Man of the Match in the latter game. His highlight was scoring the winning penalty in the penalty shoot out of a Carling Cup match against Port Vale.

But the next Carling Cup match, against Aston Villa, proved much tougher - Conall had to resit one of his exams at 2pm the same day, then drive to Wrexham for "the biggest match of my life".

"I started out OK," he recalled. "Aston Villa had just paid £8m for their midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker that summer, so that's who I was up against. There was a great crowd - nearly 10,000, including my Dad - so it was a good experience. But by the end I was very tired and did not play brilliantly.

"I had not asked the Faculty for another resit date and maybe I should have, but then I didn't know that I would definitely play and I don't like to ask for special treatment. It was surreal but I did learn a lot from that experience."

A few days later, Conall suffered a serious thigh injury in training and was out of the squad for three months.

At the end of this season, Wrexham were relegated after 87 years in the Football League. Now Conall is looking forward to being part of their promotion efforts.

"This year I am looking forward to focussing completely on my football," he said.

"I have got more to offer this year - I will be training more, I will be more rested, fresh, and with my degree completed the pressure is off. I will be a better player. Plus working so hard at both my degree and football has taught me good time management and I now appreciate all the time I have.

"Wrexham are going for promotion next season and hopefully I will be part of that."

Conall graduates on Monday afternoon at 2.30pm.