“Even when I came to Ireland I still didn’t know what a hurl was.”
Dublin hurling and Whitehall Colmcille star Eoghan O’Donnell spoke to Now That’s What I Call Sport’ Jamie Moore on growing up in Zimbabwe and how he didn’t know anything about the game of hurling at a young age.
Listen to the interview in full below:
Eoghan had a completely different upbringing than most people involved in the GAA as he was born in Zimbabwe. His parents were teachers and working for a charity in the African country and O’Donnell shared his thoughts on his childhood.
“It was very different (to Ireland). I loved it over there in the sun, we had a lot of close friends.”
“I went to nursery and came to Ireland and started school here.”
“So I really only remember the big things, I still stay in contact with a couple of friends. It’s great to able to have those memories.”
Eoghan spoke of his first experience of the GAA and how he got involved with his local club Whitehall Colmcille.
“Even when I came to Ireland I still didn’t know what a hurl was.”
“A leaflet came through the door for Whitehall Colmcille nursery and my oul’ lad was like grand we’ll throw you up to this, since then I’ve never looked back.”
“What’s brilliant about the GAA it’s such a volunteer attitude once you go I had no idea what I was doing and straight away was welcomed in.”
O’Donnell who is currently on the Dublin senior hurling panel gave his thoughts on the huge change in the last few months in regards to behind the scenes with Pat Gilroy and Anthony Cunningham coming in as the new coaching staff.
“It’s been very positive; if you look at our year so far it’s been an upward graph.”
“Change wasn’t gonna happen overnight, we’re a team that has the potential and we need to reach that.”
“Pat has brought in a structure and Anthony has brought a massive depth of hurling knowledge.”
Also on the show this morning Ireland and Shamrock Rovers’ U17 goalkeeper Kian Clarke and head coach Colin Bell on the upcoming U17’s European Championship in England. We continued our League Of Ireland coverage with Shamrock Rover’s Roberto Lopes, Bohs’ Ian Morris and St.Pats manager Liam Buckley. Also Katie Taylor on her world championship winning fight in Brooklyn, Ciarán Kilkenny and Mossy Quinn following their clubs recent wins.
Listen to the show in full here:
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