County Players Returning From Professional Sports

Under Lights · April 25, 2016, 10:39:59 AM

Recent players returning from professional sport have struggled a bit.
What's the story with Tommy Walsh? Will we see much of him over the summer.
Caolan Mooney the same. I don't think he is on the Down panel at all.

Jinxy · April 25, 2016, 10:43:44 AM

I'd say professionalism sucks a lot of the enjoyment out of sport.
Plus, its much harder on your body so its possible the lads that came back are carrying injuries.

OgraAnDun · April 25, 2016, 12:18:22 PM

Quote from: Jinxy on April 25, 2016, 10:43:44 AM
I'd say professionalism sucks a lot of the enjoyment out of sport.
Plus, its much harder on your body so its possible the lads that came back are carrying injuries.

I think some of them also struggle from the less controlled environment of it too, in terms of going back to 'normal' life of college or work.

Gael85 · April 25, 2016, 01:56:15 PM

Kevin Feely gave up soccer career in England to play with Kildare

Nigel White · April 26, 2016, 01:52:37 AM

David Bentley played a bit for Crossmaglen Rangers. Not sure if he made it to the county or not

seafoid · April 26, 2016, 11:19:23 AM

Quote from: Jinxy on April 25, 2016, 10:43:44 AM
I'd say professionalism sucks a lot of the enjoyment out of sport.
Plus, its much harder on your body so its possible the lads that came back are carrying injuries.

They probably have less in common with fellas who never went professional as well

Dinny Breen · April 26, 2016, 01:29:01 PM

Wonder why Dublin who have the best footballers in the country never lose anyone to the AFL?

Rossfan · April 26, 2016, 01:39:48 PM

They are true pure amateurs of course Dinny .

seafoid · April 26, 2016, 01:42:08 PM

Quote from: Dinny Breen on April 26, 2016, 01:29:01 PM
Wonder why Dublin who have the best footballers in the country never lose anyone to the AFL?

they mustn't be good enough
Or else they are too attached to the coddle

Hound · April 26, 2016, 02:56:23 PM

I think the Dubs may have won more than one All Ireland in the period 1985 to 1996 had Jim Stynes not gone to Oz in '84. He could have been one of the all time greats of gaelic football.

Lucky enough since then alright. Nearly lost Brian Stynes and Ciaran Kilkenny, but both found it wasn't for them.

Jinxy · April 26, 2016, 03:11:04 PM

Quote from: Dinny Breen on April 26, 2016, 01:29:01 PM
Wonder why Dublin who have the best footballers in the country never lose anyone to the AFL?

The fact that they know they're nailed on to win All-Ireland medals if they stay here is probably a big factor.

twohands!!! · April 26, 2016, 03:16:06 PM

Quote from: Jinxy on April 25, 2016, 10:43:44 AM
I'd say professionalism sucks a lot of the enjoyment out of sport.
Plus, its much harder on your body so its possible the lads that came back are carrying injuries.

Both Mooney and Walsh came back after pretty serious injuries iirc.

Also I'd imagine there's a massive amount of adjustment back to being an "amateur" and having to worry about a job/career/college.