PADDY BARRETT has found that the people of Cincinnati can help him find most of the things he misses about home.

Except one — the abuse.

3 Paddy Barrett in action for Cincinnati

Barrett, 24, is now well settled into life with MLS-bound FC Cincinnati, who he joined over the close season from Dundalk.

The Waterford man admits that football Stateside took some getting used to, though he has gained a regular start in defence in the last month as Cincy have climbed to the top of the USL.

Off the field, he has also settled after the initial culture shock as locals helped make him feel at home.

Barrett told SunSport: “I did an interview when I first came and they asked what do I miss about Ireland. I just mentioned the usual things — Irish tea and porridge.

3 Paddy Barrett with former club Dundalk Credit: Sportsfile

“No joke, but a week later there were parcels coming in the door. Irish oats, porridge, tea! Messages saying, ‘Welcome to Cincinnati, here’s a welcome gift’.

“I got six big bags of porridge, loads of teabags — I’m stocked up for the year!

“It helps you feel at home. There are also seven Irish bars here in the city and an Irish supporters club at games. So you see a few flags flying.”

With the local Irish community also getting in touch on social media and the familiar face of Richie Ryan — the pair knew each other at Dundee United — in the dressing room, Barrett feels right at home.

But there is still something missing — the grumbles and complaints of the League of Ireland faithful.

He said: “The supporters here are a bit different to home. We wouldn’t get as much coverage as basketball or American football but there is more exposure here in Cincinnati.

“I don’t feel that a lot of supporters love the game the way we love the game back home — the way you’d die for it, the way you put your heart and soul into it.

“As a club, we have passionate supporters and they come in their thousands — but, in general, I think soccer, as they call it, is more of a day out.

“Back home, they’re screaming and shouting abuse, they’re telling you everything you don’t want to hear, but you know it’s part of the game.

“I kind of miss that — as mad as that sounds. It shows how much they care about it.

“Over here, we have a thing where we shake everyone’s hand after games.

3 Paddy Barrett is starring in FC Cincinnati's defence

"After a match, we go back out and the fans come down to the wall and we shake hands and sign autographs.

“There are thousands there waiting for you.

“The other week, we lost 2-0 to Louisville.

"Can you imagine back home if you came back out after that? The fans would abuse you! They’ll tell you how bad you are.

“Over here, they tell you you’re brilliant and you had a great game. Obviously, in your own head, you’re p***ed off.”

Given Cincinnati are top of the USL and only lost on penalties in the US Open Cup to MLS outfit Minnesota, the supporters have little to be giving out to Barrett about anyway.

And there is the extra excitement around the city now that the club will be in MLS next season after winning an expansion spot.

That MLS decided to let Cincy into their closed shop — there is no promotion and relegation in the US — is no surprise given how quickly the club has grown.

Formed three years ago, they are already attracting crowds of 25,000.

That makes them comfortably the biggest club in USL — only four MLS clubs average better.

Barrett knew of Cincinnati’s MLS aim when he joined the club, though he also knows that means this year he is effectively on trial.

He is on a one-year contract with a club option of another year.

Arriving as one of 18 new players but the only one who had never played in America, he first had to adjust to the different demands of the US game as well as get settled in his new home.

He recalled: “Arriving here, with 18 new faces in a 25-man squad, it took time. Some of it took time to get used to.

“At Dundalk, our longest away trip was three hours and I’d moan about that. Away games here mean going away for three days!

“But it’s going unbelievable at the moment. We’re top of the league, although teams do have games in hand on us.

“Hopefully I can stay in the team and continue playing. I feel fit, I feel good and, obviously, the manager has faith in me to trust me week in, week out.”

Now settled, Barrett is in no hurry to leave.

He said: “Hopefully I can stay in the team. After that, obviously it’s up to the club to decide what they want to do.

"It’s their option. Hopefully they see potential and I’ve the next few years in MLS.

“Even if it’s not Cincinnati, if the right move in America was there, I’d be more than happy.

“You miss home, everyone misses home.

"But there is plenty of time to go home in the off-season and I seem to be liked over here.”

Still, he misses the abuse.