Murphys Gloves Senior Q + A With Ciaran Daly

Friday 22.05.2020

 

This week its the turn of Carrickmore attacker Ciaran Daly to answer the Murphys Gloves senior player Q + A.

1. Earliest GAA memory.
My earliest GAA memory would have to be winning the U8 Mickey McGurk tournament with the same lads that I recently won the U21’s with. My brothers always taking me over to Senior Training was also a very early memory.

2. Was your family a traditional GAA family?
Massive, My Father and two brothers have always had a big interest in football and been involved within the club. My father won 4 championships with Carrickmore and was part of the 77-79 3 in a row team. He still plays his part within the club being the President for the 2020 year. My brothers Barry and Conor have also won championship medals including Minor, U21 and Seniors and always have been involved in coaching as well.

3. The best GAA venue you have been to?
Croker would be the obvious one but love playing at Pairc Colmcille during the summer.

4. Had you any football success at School?
Played Football the whole way up at the Dean Maguirc, and was lucky enough to win the U14 Championship v St Ciaran’s – 13 points down at half time and we came back to win it. Got beat in the U16 Final Replay by St Joes Coalisland.

5. Club/ County role models that you looked up to as a youth
Club – Many great club players when I was growing up in Carrickmore but Conor Gormley was always the stand out one. Never had a bad game
County – Always loved watching Colm Cooper – a wizard with both feet

 

 

6. Other sports that you played or had an interest in.
Won a few Ulster medals in handball and also used to play Golf a lot and take lessons – but as I got older it was very hard to balance them so football became the priority. Still enjoy the odd round of golf with the lads. Always had a massive interest in NFL / NBA and still do. Great sports and can learn a lot from them.

7. Most difficult opponent you have faced in club football and why?
Rory Brennan was very good against us last year, he never stopped running and is very comfortable on the ball. Best player in the Tyrone Club Championship in 2019.

8. Best player you have ever seen play Gaelic football
Stuck between 2 for this one – Always admired Colm Cooper growing up, he could do anything with a football. Also love watching Diarmuid Connolly play – a genius and doesn’t have a weakness in his game. Hard to pick between them.

9. Are you a fan of the recent rule changes?
No – I think that they will ruin the game with too many rule changes and it will lead to a lot of players walking away / losing interest. There is nothing wrong with the game the way it is so I don’t understand the need to keep changing things. It also puts a lot of pressure on referee’s – which could lead to inconsistency.

10. The best GAA match that you ever saw.
Would have to be Kerry v Dublin 2013. An end to end game which was all out attack with so many good moments. Any Mayo v Dublin Final was very good – the intensity in them games were crazy.

11. Are you a fan of academies/development squads? Why
Yes and No – it can be great for younger lads to learn more about how to improve your game with better diet, recovery etc. They will be also playing with the top players around the county and doing trainings under good coaches – so they will always be improving. But a lot of players seem to be left out that should be there. I think they have enough football at that age with club and school so it is hard to know.

12. Your own involvement around the club.
I just play at the minute as I be over and back to England with work. If there is anything that has to be done you always like to give a hand, but I would like to get involved in coaching soon.

13. How important is the GAA in your community?
When you think of Carrickmore you think about the GAA. The GAA is massive within our community and you can’t have a conversation with anyone around the town without it coming up. I think everyone will appreciate it more when it returns and never take it for granted again.

14. Favourite county jersey (not Tyrone)
Would have to be Galway or else the Kerry away jersey.

15. Are you a fan of penalties to decide the outcome of championship games?
Yes and No – I love hitting penalties and I think it would add more excitement to the game if it came down to it. But also no as it is a very harsh way for any team to end a season considering the amount of effort they put in for an amateur sport.