Galway footballer and Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps ambassador, Damien Comer, pictured today at Croke Park for the launch of the 2025 Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps. A key part of this year's campaign is the new Cúl and Curious initiative, a unique introductory GAA Cúl Camps experience designed for children from migrant families, creating a shared experience with local Irish children and fostering a sense of community. The bespoke camp will take place in St Breckan’s GAA in Lisdoonvarna on April 17. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
For Galway football, a decade has passed quickly. In that time, though, Galway have become relevant on the provincial and national stage.
Before that, tough years were endured. At the highest level, Kevin Walsh and Pádraic Joyce have brought Galway back to respectability, competing for honours.
That matters to Damien Comer, who has been an integral figure in establishing Galway as a force once more. “Yeah, it is very important,” Comer says. “I started playing with Galway in 2014, there was a lot of years there where we were just getting by, losing games we probably shouldn't be losing, underachieving, really.
“So, it all started with Kevin getting systems in place, actually building a bit of belief and confidence in the team, that we can compete like we did in 2018, getting to an All-Ireland semi-final.
“When Padraic came in, he instilled further belief and developed a stronger squad with young lads coming through and really developing them. It has led us to where we are.
“Again, we've still fallen short in them two years. We just need to find something or find that little bit of an edge that we need to get over the line.”
The All-Ireland final defeats to Kerry and Armagh hurt. “It will haunt you for as long as you can think about them, to be honest,” Comer says candidly.
“You just have to move on. It does hurt and it will live with you until you die. Again, it is sport. You can't let it completely consume you.”
Damien Comer, Galway, and David Byrne, Dublin, in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Dealing with defeat is demanding. “I think as I've got older, I've definitely been better at that,” he adds. There are an awful lot of things going on in life in general. Sport is a great outlet from different things for people.
“So, as I've got older, I've learned better to detach from the emotional side of it, after games. Obviously, you're upset and disappointed, but you've to park it, as best as you can. You can't let it dictate your mood from week to week. Some people are better at that than others.
“A bit of experience probably helps, but when you think back or look at those games, which I haven't been able to do yet, it is important to just be able to park it, disappointing and all as it is.”
During the Allianz Football League, Comer featured in Galway’s last two matches against Dublin and Kerry.
Significant work was carried out to be ready, willing, and able to deliver for Galway against Roscommon in the Connacht SFC at Pearse Stadium on Sunday. “I just had to be patient during the league, to get a good solid foundation, to get a bit of work done,” Comer explains.
“So, it was good, I had to be patient, I was hoping for the Tyrone game, but it came a bit soon. I had to wait for the break in the league before getting a bit of game time against Dublin and then the Kerry game.
“A league final would've been nice to get another game under the belt, but unfortunately that didn't work out. Still, I got a good bank of work done.”
Ultimately, it was a satisfactory league campaign for Galway, who continue to introduce talented young players under Joyce. “Two very different league campaigns, this year and last year,” Comer reflects.
Damien Comer pictured ahead of the 2024 All-Ireland SFC Final. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
“Last year we were decimated with injuries, just struggled to stay in Division One, but thankfully did. In fairness to the boys, and some of them were very new to the squad, they battled hard, and kept us up last year.
“This year, then, we'd a pick of nearly our strongest XV or very close to it for the most part. That was great. We needed that with the new rules, trying to get used to them.
“It is just building that character and building that squad depth was an aim for Padraic. It will hopefully stand to us during the summer.”
As a teacher in Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Comer highlights the value of sport for younger people. “I think it is great, having kids involved is really important,” Comer says.
“Like with the Kellogg's Cúl Camps, it is a great incentive to have for kids to do something that they can enjoy with their friends in their local clubs. It is really good.
“Sport brings such a positive thing around students. It sends them on a right pathway from an early age, if they're training back at their club, hanging out with their friends, they aren't hanging out in the streets or around towns.
“It is more positive. It builds great characteristics in a person, it gives them and builds resilience, it helps you to deal with the highs and the lows.
“Sport helps you to deal with things, similar enough to what life will bring, you've good things and bad things. It definitely is a character-building thing, for sure, sport is.”
