Eire Óg,
Carlow
10 MINUTES WITH JORDAN
Q. WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Just to make sure that you enjoy what you’re doing and when you are playing. Being happy is the most important thing.
Q. IF I SAID TO YOU, ALL GAELIC GAMES IS BUILT ON ONE THING- YOUR STATUS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT IF YOU TOOK A STEP BACK YOU WOULD REALISE THAT IT MEANS NOTHING IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THAT?
It’s very true. A lot of the time you can get completely engrossed in football and the commitment it takes, and at the same time lose focus on the bigger picture. I feel like every so often it can be good to have a bit of a reality check and ensure that you are looking after other important aspects of your life also.
Q. A LOT OF SUCCESSFUL / HIGH PERFORMING PEOPLE IN LIFE HAVE SOME SORT OF PREVIOUS TRAUMA, OR OBSTACLE THAT THEY'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH. DO YOU HAVE ONE, AND IF YES, HOW HAVE YOU DEALT WITH IT, AND HAS IT HELPED OR HINDERED YOU?
The loss of one of my DCU teammates Red Og Murphy was a particularly difficult thing for me and a lot of my friends to deal with. Again it just highlights that you never really know how someone truly is feeling and the importance of checking in with your mates. Although it may not always be at the forefront of your mind, I do think of him quite regularly and it is still something that is difficult to deal with.
Q. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FAILURE? HOW HAS THIS SET YOU UP FOR LATER SUCCESS?
I think learning how to deal with defeat is a big thing in sport. There is always a lesson to be learned, and sadly sometimes losing will teach you more about a team and yourself.
Q. WHAT’S ON YOUR GAA BUCKET LIST?
All-Ireland Club.
Q. WHAT’S ON YOUR BUCKET LIST OUTSIDE OF THE GAA?
Travelling, I’d like to go explore a couple of different countries and experience different cultures.
Q. WHAT SPORTS DO YOU LIKE WATCHING OUTSIDE OF GAA? WHY? DO YOU LOOK UP TO THEIR STAR ATHLETES?
Golf. It’s a sport I enjoy playing but find so challenging. The way the pros make it look so easy mesmerizes me. Tiger Woods, particularly the most recent masters win in the face of some significant adversity.
Q. WHAT IS THE ONE DRILL/PART OF TRAINING THAT YOU ALWAYS DREAD? WHY?
Over the past couple of years, we have been partial to a conditioning block in a local woods. Some of scenes out there were not pretty, nor enjoyable. But once it was done it was always a good feeling.
Q. WHAT IS THE ONE DRILL/PART OF TRAINING THAT YOU ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO? WHY?
I love anything games based, it’s the competitive side of things I enjoy the most.
Q. WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE COUNTRY IN YOUR POSITION RIGHT NOW? WHAT DO THEY DO THAT MAKES THEM THE BEST?
Brian Fenton. He is a very complete footballer; all aspects of his game are excellent. The manner in which he can control a game is something that is admirable.
Club Focus
Q. HOW WAS THE CLUB FOUNDED? WHO FOUNDED IT? AND WHEN?
Our club was founded in 1956 when a group of young enthusiastic men decided to establish a new GAA club in Carlow town who would have a particular focus on the younger generations of footballers. At the time, these men felt there was a gap in the opportunities provided by the other clubs in the area. Their passion and love for football inspired them to fill this gap with our great club, which has grown from strength to strength since its founding.
Q. WHO IS YOUR NEAREST RIVAL?
Traditionally it would be O'Hanrahans, the other club located in Carlow town. More recently it would be Rathvilly.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR FIRST MEMORY OF THIS RIVALRY? HOW DID YOU FIND OUT ABOUT THE RIVALRY? WAS IT FROM A FAMILY MEMBER? A COACH?
It has become a newly developed rivalry, primarily due to the fact both teams have been so competitive over the last number of years. In times of the past the same rivalry probably had spells too, but my experience of it has mainly come from my own involvements.
Q. DO YOU ENJOY PLAYING THEM? OR IS THE FEAR OF LOSING MORE OF A HINDRANCE THAN A BENEFIT?
I enjoy every game of football I get to play. Playing them is no different to me. The fear of losing to anyone in Carlow is never a nice thought.
Q. WHO WAS YOUR ROLE MODEL IN THE CLUB DURING YOUR CHILDHOOD? WHAT SET THEM APART? WHAT WAS THEIR KEY ATTRIBUTE?
Growing up it would always have been my father. He was a massive part of a lot of our club’s success, particularly during the 90’s. I would have always gone to training with him to watch. Given that I was quite young I don’t specifically remember his attributes, but from watching old footage he always just seemed to have so much energy, see things that other footballers wouldn’t see, and be able to execute them.
Q. WHAT IS THE WEIRDEST THING ABOUT YOUR CLUBGROUNDS/CLUB?
Nothing in particular stands out. We are lucky that our facilities are so well maintained.
Q. WHO IS THE CLUBS MOST LEGENDARY MANAGER? WHAT HAVE THEY ACHIEVED WITH THE CLUB?
Bobby Miller. He instilled the belief in our clubs most successful team that they had the capabilities to win more than a Carlow championship. They went on to win 5 Leinster championships and narrowly lost out in two All-Ireland finals. Although he was not the manager for all of these feats, many would say he is the one who began the era.
Q. HAS YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CLUB?
Yes, due to my father’s playing involvement my family would be would have always been heavily connected to the club.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR BEST MEMORY PLAYING WITH THE CLUB?
Probably winning my first senior county title at 18. It was something I always dreamed of and when it finally became a reality it was very special.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR WORST MEMORY PLAYING WITH THE CLUB?
Losing the 2019 Leinster final to Ballyboden. We were leading with time just up and it was snatched away from us in the dying stages of injury time.