Breaffy’s secret weapon is not so secret anymore.
The Mayo senior club got a taste of what life would be like with a professional athlete at the edge of the square over the weekend when former NFL star Roberto Wallace togged out for the club in a challenge game against Parke.
The former Miami Dolphins wide receiver had been training all week with the club and finally got his chance to shine as a full-forward.
Breaffy starting XV against @ParkeKCgaa @Roberto_Wallace starts full forward #the toughest pic.twitter.com/Q7EimPx52U
— Breaffy GAA (@BreaffyGAA) February 13, 2016
Wallace’s brief career as a GAA player is part of this year’s AIB-sponsored television documentary ‘The Toughest Trade’, with Aidan O’Shea experiencing life with an American football team while Wallace had to trudge through the mud in the west of Ireland.
Wallace spent a week training with Breaffy, and he’s revealed that he could not believe those involved were expected to work or study full-time, as well as train a number of nights a week.
“It’s unique, what they do here is not easy, no question. It’s just a little bit different from pro sports being that they have to work and play. They can’t dedicate as much time to their craft.
“I tip my hat off to them, it’s great, but it’s just different. It’s like comparing apples and oranges. They won’t ever be the same, unless this sport goes pro.
”The guys only have so much time in their day to practice and train and play. They still have to work and go and earn their money.”
Wallace was not able to get on the scoresheet in the 4-12 to 2-6 win, and admitted that the constant movement and high levels of fitness is what he found hardest to cope with.
Wallace would normally be used to constant breaks in NFL, but felt that the fitness and conditioning work put in, even at club level, was something extraordinary.
“It’s definitely a different experience for me. I haven’t played in any kind of field or pitch like that. I definitely have a new appreciation for the sport. I keep stressing it’s not easy. It’s tough, its consistent movement, running for 30 minutes, there’s no time-outs, no breaks.
“It’s a tough sport, you’ve got to be able to run in that, bounce in that, shut a guy off and kick the ball or punch it, whatever you have to do to get it in.”
Wallace’s exploits will feature as part of the two-part TV series which will be broadcast just before the All-Ireland club finals on 17th March.
As well as Wallace and O’Shea swapping sports, the show will also feature Tipperary’s Brendan Maher who tried out cricket with the Adelaide Strikers while English cricketer, Steve Harmison, played hurling with Maher’s club Borris-Ileigh in Tipperary.
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