Coalisland Thirds Darragh Skeffington Takes Nang Q And A

Tuesday 14.07.2020

 

 1. Earliest GAA memory.

Tyrone All Ireland win 2003.

 2. How much time do you give over to  GAA activities per week? Train twice a week plus a match usually. Watch as many Coalisland teams as I can too.

3. The best GAA venue you have been to. Has to be Croke Park. Up there with one of the best stadiums in the world. But a special mention to Fr. Peter Campbell Park our home pitch, nothing beats it on a summers day.

 4. School participation and/or success. I could count on one hand the amount of games I played in school, never my thing. But remember well following the Academy’s MacRory cup and Hogan cup success in 2008, good times around the school.

5. Club/ County role models that you looked up to as a youth.

Padraig Hampsey as a club player, played alongside him at all youth levels and still to this day is one of those players he’d put his head where you wouldn’t put your foot. Has done the club proud with his success on Tyrone teams, minor U-21 and senior. Richard Thornton also, managed me for a good few youth teams while he was a senior, always gave his all to the club and extremely smart forward, always found some way to gain a few yards on his marker.

 6. Other sports that you played or had an interest in.

Probably soccer and golf, never played either too well or competitively.

7. Most difficult opponent you have faced in club football and why?

Played against some brilliant footballers, Richard Donnelly, Rory Brennan, Danny McNulty, Darren McCurry. But one performance sticks out from John McCullagh of Greencastle in the 2013 U-21 county final. You’d probably need 3 hands to count what he scored that day and was the difference between the 2 teams, unmarkable on his day. 

 8. Best player you have ever seen play Gaelic football. Has to be Peter Canavan. Class memories of watching him play for Tyrone. No matter how hard he got hit he got up and made sure he punished the defender. Always gave his all for his club and county and he was one of those players who, if he got the ball the spectators knew something was going to come from it.

9. Are you happy enough with the return of club and county action?

I can understand why some may feel uncomfortable playing, but the GAA is an integral part of most communities in Tyrone and I feel it’s very important we get back to some sort of normality. Hopefully we can get back to playing safely with spectators also. The supporters are what makes the GAA what it is.

10. The best GAA match that you ever saw.

Tyrone v Kerry in 2003 was as good a county game I was at. Brilliant atmosphere too. Club game was either of Coalisland’s championship wins in my lifetime, not the best games but the most enjoyable for me.

 11. Are you a fan of academies/development squads? Why?

I am a fan to a certain extent. It’s a good stage for a top player at under age to express themselves at county level. But there are times these players might have to miss club trainings or matches due to county commitments and I don’t feel this is fair on either them or their team at their age level. I’m a strong believer in club over county especially at a young age.

 12. Your own involvement around the club.

I’m part of Coalisland Fianna’s committee, so I try help around the club as best I can with my spare time. There is more to running a GAA club than people may think, but in Coalisland we have plenty of volunteers willing to give up their time to help in anyway they can. Last year I was part of the U-12.5 and U-13 management but have no involvement this year after committing to play again for Coalisland III’s.

13. How important is the GAA in your community?

Massively important, it gives young people around the town an identity and belonging when they are part of the the GAA. There are maybe 5 or 6 clubs within a few miles of Coalisland itself so it’s a huge part of our community, whether you’re a part of Coalisland Fianna or not it’s great to see young people of the town have an involvement in the GAA. 

14. Favourite county jersey (not Tyrone) Probably Dublin or Kerry, 2 very distinct jerseys but usually nice.

15. How would you describe your strengths as a player?

I wouldn’t be the fanciest of footballers or anywhere near it, but will give my all and work hard for the team. I’m a firm believer in leaving it all on the pitch. There’s nothing as bad as feeling like you could have done more or worked harder after a loss.