‘Excellence isn’t a skill, it’s an attitude.’
David O’Donovan has just completed his 15th season of club rugby with Shannon Rugby Club, in Limerick.
The 34-year-old has played alongside Ireland internationals such as Mick Galwey, Alan Quinlan, Anthony Foley, John Hayes and Marcus Horan, to name just four.
SportsJOE caught up with O’Donovan and were given an insight into the diet regime it takes to mix it near the top of amateur rugby in Ireland.
The versatile back works for Fannin Medical Devices and is on the road, to hospitals across Ireland – from Wexford to Galway – Monday to Friday. Still, he manages to train five evenings a week, during the season, and play on Saturdays.
Here is how he fuels up.
Midweek
Matchday [Usually Saturday]
After carbing up with pasta the night before, the morning of the match involves loading up on calories that can help the energy reserves.
Treat Day [Usually Sunday]
After six days of eating responsibly, I treat Sunday as a day off from the strict regime. Still, I have set routines and habits.
This diet often depends on whether I have had a few drinks the night before. If I have been drinking, all bets are off. I’m likely to get a takeaway.
If I know my week ahead, I usually try to cook a couple of meals for midweek and freeze them, to save me the effort when I get back from long days on the road.
