The series sees former All Blacks captain Kieran Read visit players from Gaelic football, hurling, Camogie and Ladies football, bringing fans unprecedented behind the scenes access. The series focuses on the discipline and resilience of Gaelic Games players as they balance their daily lives with sporting commitments.
By Cian O’Connell
The passion and purpose demonstrated is what captured Kieran Read's attention. The former New Zealand rugby captain recently spent time in Ireland as part of a new AIB series focusing on the lives of footballers, hurlers, and camogie players.
Jason Foley (Kerry) Louise Ward (Galway), Róisín McCormick (Antrim), and Seán Brennan (Dublin) were all involved in the process. Read simply relished the experience. “I loved it, and it was a real pleasure, actually to have a look, to see what it was like,” he says.
“I only saw snippets, I'd been to Ireland a number of times, but you're confined to Dublin hotels, and saw snippets on TV of hurling and football. So, to actually to get a real taste of it - I got to a couple of games, a mens and a ladies, it was bloody exciting.
“Just to see how much it meant the people involved, such a club and village game. It was really exciting to see.”
Travelling throughout Ireland, Read thoroughly enjoyed monitoring how players prepare. “I got to see plenty of Ireland which was great,” he says. “We had time to drive around, we got to Galway, down to Kerry, it was a quick, whistle stop tour, but really brilliant.
“Just the people there, the athletes were remarkable. They gave plenty of themselves, there is so many good lessons that will come out of this series for people to pick up on and utilise.”
The ability to balance different parts of life is key according to Read. “I think these four athletes were pretty remarkable, they're elite,” he remarks. “So, they aren't professional, they're amateur in terms of the sport, but I see them as elite athletes.
“What they're doing on the field, performing at such a high level, what they're doing physically to get to that point. It is quite remarkable. Training before work or after, having the schedule down, doing it all themselves.
Former New Zealand rugby captain Kieran Read pictured at Croke Park with Cuala and Dublin hurling goalkeeper Seán Brennan.
“For me, in professional rugby, you'd check you're schedule, that was your schedule, you can't change it and it was all there, you just basically turn up and do it.
“So, they've got to plan and prepare themselves to get to that moment, and trust your team mates that they can all get there, too, making sure you perform on a Saturday. That bit was cool.”
Read also highlights the community element of the GAA. “The other bit I really picked out, was they've a real sense of belonging, you're playing for your club, your village,” Read adds.
“It is where you grew up, the people you grew up with, your family and friends. Just that whole camaraderie and how intense that was. I really enjoyed that side of things, too.”
Ultimately, the value of sport in people’s lives shouldn’t be underestimated. “It is huge, I'm a big advocate of it for kids to grow up having sport in their lives, especially team sports,” Read responds.
“It gives you so many skills socially, being able to understand how to work hard, the way you can interact with people, take losses, take adversity - work yourself through that, relying on people on the other side of you. It is brilliant.
"Then, the social aspect of it is huge, too. I certainly saw that across the GAA and the benefits of that. It is why we play the game for those social aspects. It is what I remember from my professional career.
“The winning and stuff is nice, but the really strong memories are the moments with your mates, just in the shed, the laugh or joke you shared on tour. They are cool memories, and that is the beauty of sport.”