Straight in, no kissing.
With trademark swagger, Colm Parkinson cuts to the chase. “I have to let you know I’m completely against anyone leaving their home club,” he says, without a hint of irony.
“So why did you transfer”
“It was you who set the trend! I just followed it,” replies Gearoid McKiernan swiftly.
Touché.
Last winter, McKiernan, the 30-year-old Cavan talisman made the decision to leave his home club Swanlinbar for a move to Cavan Gaels. Last weekend, he made a winning championship debut for the Gaels.
On Thursday’s GAA Hour, the man himself explained the logic behind his decision.
“I’ve been living just five minutes outside of Cavan town the last three years now and just towards the end of last season, it was something I was thinking of.
“I discussed it with my parents and close friends. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly and I know it was a decision that probably upset a few people as well, but it was just a decision I said I had to make for myself. I just probably wanted to play senior football in Cavan for the couple of years. My life is probably going to be based in Cavan the next few years, so it was just a move I decided to make with the support of my close friends and family.”
McKiernan still refers to Swanlinbar as ‘we’. It’s clear from listening to him, just how difficult a decision it was for him to make.
An inspirational score for @CavanCoBoardGaa from Gearoid McKiernan pic.twitter.com/IYm65AxR2U
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 30, 2018
“It’s done now, it’s all about moving forward.
“In fairness, my close friends and family were supportive of it. I’m sure there were people at home who were disappointed about it but like everything else, over time, these things settle down. In fairness, since I have transferred, I have been home more than over and I’m still good friends with all the boys. There was times I do think I probably have let people down but in fairness, I have got good support from everyone back home…”
Last year, Swanlinbar were relegated to junior football with McKiernan’s last game coming in the relegation final – a game in which he was substituted in.
For now, it’s all about new beginnings with the championship getting going and a wedding on the horizon, Covid-19 permitting.
“It has been strange. It’s just the last few weeks I’m getting to know the boys and they’re getting to know me. Definitely, it has been enjoyable though.”
Listen to the full interview here.
