‘People die here every year’ – former GAA star on taking on harrowing new challenge

This is incredible!

Currently climbing Mount Everest the Ballina native is part of the first Irish ascent of the mountain in 23 years.

O'Hora has always been interested in mountaineering, often setting himself challenges after matches to climb such as climbing Croagh Patrick six times in 13 hours.

Or playing a full match for local club side Ballina Stephenites before heading straight off to complete a 12-hour hike.

O'Hora explained his love for the outdoors: "I’ve always spent my life outdoors, be it in the river or sea - it was just a dream… you have these wild dreams and sometimes you forget about them when you grow up”.

However, with roughly 2-3 weeks to go the former GAA star has admitted the harrowing reality of mountaineering.

He said: "We can’t get away from it - people die here every year, there’s no question about that. In two major sections there is danger.

"Firstly, two people got badly hurt recently on the icefall - it happens all the time - that’s where people will die.

"Finally at the top of the mountain if anything goes wrong it’s over. You’re at the mercy of the mountain, nature and luck”.

When asked about the similarities between a GAA match and climbing the world's highest peak he continued: “In a sense there is (similarities) because you train all year for a game, or the big day in Croker and then that day comes".

"This is similar because you’re looking at three years preparation that’s essentially going to boil down to a couple of days.

"The only thing is you don’t know where the goalposts are - I don’t know when this game is”.