Sean Galvin's journey to becoming UCF's kickoff specialist began with a wayward football.

Born and raised in Cork, Ireland, Galvin and his family moved to Southwest Florida a few years ago to begin a new life in the United States.

Video: Sean Galvin interviewClick He settled in at Lemon Bay High School near Port Charlotte and it was there one afternoon when a random event set him on the course to a football career.Here to view this Link.

"I was playing soccer and the ball came over on the field," Galvin said. "I kicked it back and the coach came over. He was like, 'You want to kick? You can kick for us.' So I started kicking. It's worked out well. Now I'm here."

Galvin gave a much-needed boost to Lemon Bay, who were in desperate need of both a kicker and punter. He knew about the popularity of football, but where he came from the focus is on other sports.

"I played soccer my whole life and also Gaelic football, which is an Irish sport," Galvin said. "It's kind of like rugby almost. Same kind of deal... I think kicking was easier for me coming over from soccer. I love it now."

Coming to UCF in 2010, Galvin hoped to make either the football or soccer teams as a walk-on. His family encouraged him to go out for football so he attended the open try-outs.

"I walked on and got on the team," Galvin said. "(Kickers) Nick Cattoi, David Bohner and Jamie Boyle were the first people I met. Great guys. They've helped me out a lot. My freshman year I didn't have a big leg yet, so I started working out in the gym with the coaches and I got that ironed out. Jamie and Cattoi really helped me out with my form."

Galvin has found his niche on kickoffs, where precision is more important due to new rules implemented this year. Touchbacks now go to the 25-yard line instead of the 20, so kicking it deep is not always the goal.

"If we can pin them, we pin them," Galvin said. "If it's a big returner, we'll try to put it in the endzone. FIU and Missouri had good returners so we tried to put it in the endzone. Most of the time it's about getting a good hang time, putting it on the goal line and then try to pin them inside the 20."

"Kickoff coverage has been great this year. We haven't given up a touchdown and hopefully we don't do that this year. The guys are great. We have great game plans. We're second in the conference (in kickoff coverage). We're doing good."

It's been a solid year all-around for the specialists, which also include Shawn Moffitt on field goals and extra points and Jamie Boyle at punter.

"We're doing great this year," Galvin said. "Moffitt has been unbelievable. He's 8-for-9 right now. Jamie is punting unbelievably. He's the best punter I've seen in college. He's been kicking the ball unbelievably. A lot of sky punts. His net is down, but he's a great punter."

Galvin said last Saturday's 38-31 double-overtime win against Southern Miss served as a big momentum boost before hitting the road for the next two games.

"That was awesome," Galvin said. "I don't think UCF has won an overtime game. That was awesome, and beating Southern Miss especially. We haven't beaten them in a long time. It was really good to get the win."