Daniel Deehan Takes Loughtec 1-15 Challenge

Monday 12.04.2021

Who or what first got you into the GAA?

1. I would have to say my mum and gran, they were the ones who spent their Saturday mornings driving me to youth blitz’s all over the place.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

2. My dad has coached a lot of my teams at youth level, so I would probably have to say him, again he’ll not be happy if I don’t give him a bit of credit.

Who has been your most difficult opponent and why?

3. Séamus Sweeney (Carrickmore) was never easy marked during school football.

Apart from your own club, which club ground in Tyrone do you most enjoy playing on?

4. Stewartstown. Always a great surface and venue for a big game.

Most memorable or inspiring words of advice you have ever heard in a changing room?

5. Ice, heat, foam roll, three times a day!

Club volunteer of note?

6. Gary Mcaliskey, always on hand to help out around the club, plus he won’t lift me for work anymore if I don’t mention him at least once! 

How is your club presently ensuring it is playing its part in the community?

7. While COVID caused lots of restrictions and disruptions to many communities, it provided Brocagh Emmets the opportunity to show their true community spirit. The Club created a food bank, distributing food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable in our community. While encouraging the youth to maintain connections by providing ingredients for a Junior Bake Off, asking the youth to showcase their cakes via our Facebook. We see youth players as our future and believe in nurturing their physical and mental well-being; all our youth received a fruit parcel delivered by a senior player, promoting healthy eating alongside ongoing online training. 
Brocagh Emmets are a community club and before COVID were represented in our local school through after school training sessions, which I myself helped to facilitate. We are currently developing a much needed training field for our youth players which should be ready in the near future.

Are there any other sports you enjoy playing or have a keen interest in?

8. I’m a big Arsenal fan so I’m enjoying the mid-table clashes with Palace and Leeds. Also enjoy some of the American sports like NFL and NBA. 

Which county side if any, looks capable of defeating Dublin in the championship?

9. I think Kerry are well matched to compete with Dublin, I mean that forward line on their day can beat anyone.

How would you describe your own involvement in the club currently?

10. Probably not as involved at the moment as I would like to be coaching underage at some point, however I’m just going into my second year playing with the seniors, so would hope to get more involved over the next couple of years.

What rules, if any, would you like to see changed or implemented in the modern game?

11. The installation of the VAR into all club grounds, it seems to be working really well in the Premier League…………………

If there was a transfer market in the GAA, what club player in the same division as you would you like to see playing for you club and why?

12. I would re-sign Barry Baggley (Ex-Brocagh), he is currently a free agent after he left us to chase the money of the pro game across the water, he would just add more options for us in the forward line.

Any superstitions or routines that you have or use on match days?

13. Try and remember my gloves.

Do you have a favourite training drill or one that you dread hearing the coach say is coming next?

14. The mention of any kind of weave is enough to make me want to look for the car and head home..

Last year’s club championships were very competitive. What are your predictions for the championship winners across all three divisions this year?

15. 
Senior – Trillick
Intermediate – Aghyaran
Junior – Brocagh…?