How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?

Recruited by a drinking buddy at Fado when she found out I played college soccer.

What Is Your Preferred Sport/What Position Do You Play?

Camogie — I think I like half forward best, but I am starting to like midfield.

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?

I played football for about 6 years, then quit for a while, then came back in 2017 to focus on Camogie. Maybe 10ish years total, but not consecutive and not in the same sport.

Favorite Memory or Moment With the Denver Gaels?

Meeting Chris Gleissner… and traveling for tournaments.

What Are You Most Looking Forward to This Season?

Traveling with Camogie and playing in tournaments.

If You Could Attend Any Sporting Event, What Would It Be?

Women’s World Cup Games

Best Advice You’ve Received?

Take. Your. Steps.

If You Could Be Any Sportsperson for a Day, Who Would It Be and Why?

I would be a sports editor for the Denver Post — then I could hear all the best sports stories and check out all the great action shots before deciding which ones get the final cut. Plus, I would make sure women’s sports actually receive coverage.

If You Won a Million Dollars, What Would Be Your First Purchase?

A mountain cabin

Favorite Movie, TV Show, or Book?

Movie — Home Alone;  TV Show — The Witcher; Book — Dune

Why Should Others Join the Denver Gaels?

F.U.N.  You can stay fit and have fun in the sun with teammates who are a blast!

How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?

I studied abroad in Ireland and got to watch and play a decent amount of both Hurling and Football, but when I got home the closest team was 2 hours away. So, when I moved to Denver I looked into a team immediately!

What Is Your Preferred Sport/What Position Do You Play?

Hurling. I’ve been placed in Midfield since I have the “youngest legs on the team”, but I like Half Forward a lot too.

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?

This is my 4th season!

Favorite Memory or Moment With the Denver Gaels?

Winning the Jr. C division at Nationals this past August was amazing! But I also just love spending time with this team on and off the pitch — it’s how I’ve made most of my friends since moving here!

What Are You Most Looking Forward to This Season?

I’m hopeful we will have a relatively covid-free season and I’m excited to see how we stack up in Jr. B this year!

If You Could Attend Any Sporting Event, What Would It Be?

I’d love to have seen Beckham play in his prime with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Best Advice You’ve Received?

Mark Twain did not personally give me this advice, but I do love his quote “You’re never wrong to do the right thing”

If You Could Be Any Sportsperson for a Day, Who Would It Be and Why?

Cormac Delaney, so I could finally feel what it’s like to actually be good at hurling.

If You Won a Million Dollars, What Would Be Your First Purchase?

A completely average house in the Denver Metro Area…

Favorite Movie, TV Show, or Book?

Any film by Hayao Miyazaki (we share a birthday!), but specifically Princess Mononoke.

Why Should Others Join the Denver Gaels?

The comradery of this team is off the charts. Playing Irish Sports is fun and challenging, but the people on this team are truly what makes it such a special club!

How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?

My good friend, Emily, studied in Ireland and came back raving about these cool sports she saw while she was there. She then discovered we had a GAA club here in Denver. We went to a clinic, and the rest is history.

What Is Your Preferred Sport/What Position Do You Play?

I’m a dual player, so I love both camogie and Gaelic football. I’ll play anywhere I’m needed, but I’m drawn to defensive positions.

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?

I’ve been playing since 2011.

Favorite Memory or Moment With the Denver Gaels?

I have loads of great memories with the Gaels, but one of my favorites is when the lady footballers won Nationals in 2016. It was pouring rain in Seattle during the championship match- I mean a proper deluge. We were down to no subs by the second half, but everybody played their hearts out and kicked ass. That victory tasted so sweet.

What Are You Most Looking Forward to This Season?

I’ve been out of the game for a few seasons, so I’m looking forward to getting back to it. Maybe one day I’ll even learn all the rules.

If You Could Attend Any Sporting Event, What Would It Be?

I think I’d love to see a match of Pyramid from Battlestar Galactica. (What the frack, right?) If that’s not an option, I guess hurling finals at Croke Park. I already caught a Dublin v. Galway match at Fenway, so Croke seems like a logical next stop.

Best Advice You’ve Received?

The best advice I’ve received is to pay attention. I’m still trying to figure out what I’m meant to pay attention to, but it seemed wise when I heard it.

If You Could Be Any Sportsperson for a Day, Who Would It Be and Why?

If I could be any sportsperson for a day, I’d be Usain Bolt. That guy always seems like he’s having the best time. Plus, then I could finally be fast enough for midfield.

If You Won a Million Dollars, What Would Be Your First Purchase?

My first purchase would be a tiny goat. My second purchase would be pajamas for my tiny goat. Oh yeah, and a round of pints for all my friends in the Denver Gaels.

Favorite Movie, TV Show, or Book?

This is a very tough question to answer as I have many favorites. A couple of my favorite books turned movies are The Princess Bride, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and Dune.

Why Should Others Join the Denver Gaels?

Hurling, camogie, and Gaelic football are very fun to play and are great for keeping you active. In addition to that, the people in the club are pretty great too.

How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?

A former student of mine, Peter Salazar, talked me into coming out to play.

What Is Your Preferred Sport/What Position Do You Play?

Hurling.

I love defense, but I’ve been playing a lot of full forward of late.

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?

5 years

Favorite Memory or Moment With the Denver Gaels?

2021 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!

What Are You Most Looking Forward to This Season?

Defending the title!

If You Could Attend Any Sporting Event, What Would It Be?

It’s a tie…Super Bowl, especially if the Steelers are in it. And, the GAA Championship, especially if Limerick is in it. Wait…what I meant was the USGAA Nationals in Chicago, 2022.

Best Advice You’ve Received?

You always have more time than you think, and there is always a next ball.

If You Won a Million Dollars, What Would Be Your First Purchase?

A rec center, so the Gaels would have a permanent home.

Favorite Movie, TV Show, or Book?

Shawshank Redemption

Why Should Others Join the Denver Gaels?

You should join because the Gaels will be your family; the best group of peeps in the U.S. Also, did I mention… NATIONAL CHAMPS!!

Which Code(s) Do You Play?

Gaelic football.

How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?

Grew up in a big GAA area. It was inevitable, and sometimes compulsory.

What is Your Preferred Position?

Left half forward.

Any GAA Idols Growing Up?

Fellow Down man and fellow Brendan. Benny Coulter

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?

This will be my second season.

King or Tayto?

That’s easy, it’s Tayto. The real question is northern Tayto or southern Tayto? The answer is… They’re both class.

Toughest Denver Gael You’ve Trained With and Why?

Zach Walker. Impossible to get around those arms.

What’s Your Choice of Shot on a Night Out?

Great mango mules in the summer.

Why Should Others Join the Denver Gaels?

Fun way to get fit and meet people.

Date of Birth?  

04/25/1993  

How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?  

My buddy Chris in Pittsburgh recruited me. Gaelic is huge back east and I was hooked instantly.  

What is Your Preferred Position?  

I have two left feet which means I’m pretty much stuck on defense. 

Any GAA Idols Growing Up?  

Brendan Mcguinness  

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?  

Two years, but this was the first full season because of covid.  

Favorite Memory or Moment With the Denver Gaels?  

The Seattle tournament with the boys was a blast. I was stationed out that way several years ago, so it was surreal to be back in that capacity. That trip was the perfect mix of sightseeing, sports, and going out with the lads.  

If You Could Attend Any Sporting Event, What Would it Be?  

I would love to see Mayo lose an all-Ireland in person. Would be unreal to be part of that historic losing streak.  

Best Advice You’ve Received?  

A green beret with first group once told me: 

“Look cool and know what you’re doing; if you don’t know what you’re doing look cool.”  

Favorite Song?  

Got to shout out my man Meatloaf, “Bat Out of Hell”.

Who Would You Say Is the Biggest Party Animal on the Team?  

Tommy, Brendan, and Frodo throw down with the best of them. Tony is no slouch either.  

Toughest Denver Gael You’ve Trained With and Why?  

Cormac is a pain, the kid has got a gas tank like a Prius and will go for days.  

If You Could Be Any Sportsperson for a Day, Who Would it Be and Why?  

Early Mike Tyson — he was just one of the baddest men to walk God’s green earth and he knew it.  

Funniest Person on the Team?  

That’s anyone’s guess. These boys cut up with the best of ‘em. As long as they’re not making fun of me they’re funny. 

Last Book You Read?  

Would love to say something smart like Don Quixote… but Children of the Corn.  

If You Won a Million Dollars, What Would Be Your First Purchase?  

Doge coin to the moooooon baby!

What’s Your Choice of Shot on a Night Out?  

Whiskey at home, tequila for the bars. 

What Are You Looking Forward to the Most This Season? 

I think we have a really talented team of new comers. It’ll be a lot of fun to watch people grow and develop their skill. 

Why Should Others Join the Denver Gaels?  

Gaelic is easy to learn — fast paced and fun. Denver is a city of transplants and it’s hard for people to make new groups of friends. Gaelic is an awesome way to meet new people and get a great workout in. 

 

Date of birth

01/13/1986

Which Code(s) Do You Play?

Football & Hurling

How Did You Get Into Irish Sports?

I was born into them.

Which County Are You From in Ireland and Club You Played For?

Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath

What is Your Preferred Position?

Forward

Any GAA Idol(s) Growing Up?

John Leahy

How Long Have You Been With the Denver Gaels?

2022 will be my 4^th year.

Most Memorable Moment on or off the Pitch With the Denver Gaels?

USGAA National Championship 2021

If You Could Attend Any Sporting Event What Would It Be?

The Masters

Best Advice You’ve Received?

“There’s no K in team”

Real Talk — King or Tayto?

Favorite Song?

Any rebel song sung by Brendan McGuinness

In Your Opinion, Who Is the Biggest Party Animal on the Team?

Not Henry “small rig” Dietrick. He’ll leave ya stranded and head to bed early…

Toughest Player You Have Trained Against With Denver Gaels and Why?

Brian Faherty and Jamie Haskell — Both cheating [censored]!

If You Could Be Any Sportsperson for a Day Who Would It Be and Why?

Messi. Needs no explanation.

Funniest Person on the Team?

You’d have to give it to Tom Gaughan. Funniest looking, right?…

If You Could Be Another Team Mate for a Day Who Would It Be and Why?

Tyler Gail; specifically on a day when he wears his suit from the 25th anniversary party. 100% fresh!

Last Book You Read?

Based on a True Story: Not a Memoir by Norm Macdonald

If You Won a Million Dollars What Would Your First Purchase Be?

Have you heard about Bitcoin? ₿

Which Team Mate Would Be Last Out of the Shower and Ready for a Night Out?

Not too many showerers amongst our footballers… Maybe, Anthony Sheehan…

What’s Your Choice of Shot on a Night Out?

Aguardiente

Lastly, What Are You Looking Forward to This Coming Season?

Travelling to tournaments and building on the progress we made last year.

I first learned about the sport of hurling when I did a study abroad program in Galway over the summer of 2008. As a former lacrosse player, I was drawn to the flow of the gameplay in hurling and thought it would be fun to try. Fast forward to 2016, my wife and I attended the Colorado Irish Festival the past few years and this year I saw a hurling match taking place at the festival. This made me wonder if there was a local hurling club in Denver, so I did a quick internet search, and low and behold, I discovered the Denver Gaels. I emailed the club to get the details on how to join and received a friendly reply and invitation to join. However, I chickened out on joining that year. In the following year I found the courage to push myself out of my comfort zone and give the Denver Gaels a shot.

Funny story, I almost didn’t my first year — I drove myself all the way out to the new player clinic and waited at the field until about 10 minutes past when it was supposed to start. I just about gave up and went home; but, I did a quick drive around the park and saw that the clinic was taking place on the other end of the park! Thankfully I decided to stick with it and by that afternoon, hurling had become my new favorite sport.

How Long Have You Been a Member, And Which Sport(s) Do You Play?

The 2021 season will be the start of my fourth year with the Gaels. I’ve played two full seasons, but took last year off due to covid.

I joined the Gaels to play hurling, but there’s a chance I may give football a try one of these years. I’ve mainly played midfielder, but I think I’m better suited for half-forward. I don’t think I have the endurance to be a true midfielder…

Best Memory or Favorite Thing About the Club?

The best thing about the Denver Gaels are the people. From day one, every person, rookie or veteran, has been nothing but supportive and friendly. There are a wide range of skill levels on the field and the team is great at supporting and celebrating players, especially when they give their best effort.

 

What are You Excited About For the Upcoming Season?

For 2021 I’m just looking forward to getting back on the field and to start training. But for every new season I look forward to seeing how I can improve my play from the year before, as well as continue to build relationships and get to know all the Gaels.

Joining the Gaels and trying hurling has had an incredibly positive impact on my life. Playing with the Gaels has brought more passion to my life and drives me to improve myself, whether it be with having a healthy lifestyle, or pushing my artistic pursuits, or simply just trying new things that are out of my comfort zone. There’s nothing more refreshing or revitalizing than working your butt off in a practice or pub league game.