What a time to be alive.
During the championship season, we sometimes need to remind ourselves that the players involved are doing so for nothing in return.
Chasing the All-Ireland title is something that the players do with not a whole lot in return, maybe a couple of expenses and the odd sponsorship deal for the better-known players but that’s about it.
Everyone has day jobs, nobody is a professional in this sport and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The jobs vary but a lot of GAA players tend to turn to teaching, it’s ideal because of the early finishes and summers off.
Johnny Coen of Galway is a teacher, he also teaches in the same school as Galway captain David Burke and the celebrations in the school seemed great.
Speaking at the launch of AIG’s Fenway Classic the 2017 All-Star nominee spoke about returning to the school after the celebrations:
“We got a great reception alright, myself and David (Burke) are teachers in the same school,” Coen said.
“We had a great night in the school on the Friday there was a reception, we invited in a load of different staff members, retired staff members, parents, the whole community really came in and everyone was delighted. There was music and to see all the staff again in a different light and them kind of looking at us in a different light too, everyone was just so happy.”
The senior team weren’t the only Galway team as the minors had success too winning the All-Ireland on the same day and Coen actually teaches a couple of them:
“We’re all kind of the one, we’d always be looking out for each other. Even if he’s not directly in my class I’d be training them with the school team and that sort of stuff.”
Johnny Coen of Galway in Croke Park to launch the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival, also supported by Aer Lingus. On November 19, Dublin will take on Galway and Tipperary will face Clare in Fenway Park with the winning sides from both proceeding to a final for a chance to win the inaugural Players Champions Cup. This is the second time in three years that hurling, in the Super 11s format, will be played at the venue. Tickets for the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival can be purchased at www.redsox.com/hurling.
