Regrets, we’ve all had a few.
It’s very rare that any sportsman will quit his sport at the end of his days without some sense of a nagging regret.
Most are naturally driven by the lure of success and glory, but in their quieter moments, what nags away at them or is a stain on their all too glorious past?
The schoolchildren Saint Hugh’s National School Dowra in Leitrim thought it would be a good question to ask some of the country’s most well know footballers to find out and have produced the most unique sports book of 2015 called ‘The Scrapbook of Regrets’.
They contacted dozens of GAA players to find out in their words what were their lowest moments from their very successful careers.
As the pupils put in themselves, history may be written by the victors but in this case the stories told by the losers are just as enthralling.
We’ve picked out 15 All-Ireland winners – players and managers – from the long list of contributors to find out their own unique regrets ranging from lost games, losing the head, a lack of discipline in their diet, or simply to too much partying.
Mick O’Connell(Kerry)
“I have no real regrets but I would like to have been part of a game that was played with less foul play. My motto was ‘play the game, not the man’. I am glad I never fouled.
While I was often on the losing teams, I was also on many winning sides but I never kept medals. I regret not having them now to show my grandchildren.”
Paddy Cullen(Dublin)
“My father Jim Cullen never got to see me win my first All-Ireland in 1974 as he passed away when I was fourteen years of age.
When I was first picked for Dublin I received a postcard telling me to bring my boots to Croke Park on Easter Sunday 1967. I left in a soft goal and I cannot find the postcard.”
Padraig Joyce (Galway)
“I regret not enjoying more the titles I won early in my career. I thought I would win them every year but that didn’t turn out to be the case. Looking back now I appreciate all I won but I regret not enjoying the title wins more with family and friends.”
Graham Geraghty (Meath)
“In 1999 I played for Ireland in the international rules versus Australia and in a practice match I called an Aboriginal player something I shouldn’t have. If I could ever turn back the clock to that moment I would handle things differently.
Retiring in 2008. Looking back now I regret now playing on when I could have. I returned after three years and probably shouldn’t have.”
Ciaran Whelan (Dublin)
“I regret that I did not pay more attention to my diet and nutrition. Preparation though eating the right foods is so important because it means your body has the right fuel and you can go faster and for longer. I feel I could have been 20% better if I had given more time to my nutrition.”
Aaron Kernan (Armagh)
“My biggest regret in football is from the 2013 All-Ireland club football semi final against St Brigids. We were chasing three All-Ireland club titles in a row. We were one point up with about five minutes to play when St Brigids won a sideline ball on our 14-metre line.
Instead of being focused and sticking tight to my man I got caught ball watching and went to help my teammate when there was no need. I should have trusted him to do his job. Instead St Brigids took the sideline ball quick and after some heroic last-ditch defending by our team, my man ended up scoring a goal and we lost by a point.
I will never forgive myself for my part in conceding that goal.”
Richie Connor (Offaly)
“Not putting more preparation into my victory speech as captain of the All-Ireland winning team in 1982. I was captain of Offaly in 1979 when we were beating Dublin by four points with minutes remaining in the Leinster final. I was going over the speech in my head while the game was still on. Dublin scored a late 1-2 to win the game. I vowed I’d never consider a speech before we won after that. However I regret I didn’t have a better speech for our All-Ireland win.”
Kevin McStay(Mayo)
“Failing to secure the position of Mayo senior football manager. It was an appointment I was keen to fill. I had worked tirelessly to be ready if the opportunity arose and when it did I applied both publicly and immediately.
…I knew I was ready for the responsibilities and challenges and believed strongly I could make a difference. I knew I had the enthusiasm energy and know-how to mange my county at the highest level. Those charged with making this appointment felt otherwise, and that is of course their prerogative.”
Sean Og de Paor (Galway)
“Losing the All-Ireland final replay to Kerry in 2000. I wasn’t able to speak for a week afterwards.”
“My final involvement with Galway was as a waterboy in the All-Ireland quarter-final in 2005 even though I was fit to play a part in the match. Not a nice way to finish up.”
Ryan McMenamin(Tyrone)
“Not working on my weaknesses enough – kicking with the left, catching a high ball. I could have been a better footballer.
I should have won more All-Ireland’s with Tyrone, we threw a few away.”
Colin Corkery (Cork)
“I wish I had put more of an effort to put myself forward to play with Munster and win a Railway Cup medal. When i wasn’t busy with Cork, Nemo Rangers was taking up all my time. So I couldn’t always commit myself to Munster. Now I realise it would have been wonderful to add a railway Cup medal to my collection.
In 2002…I let the occasion get to me and I was sent off. I was so disappointed afterwards. Kerry were the better team that day and they were always going to beat us so I should have just calmed down and continued to play.”
Anthony Tohill (Derry)
“I regret I didn’t win a second All-Ireland with Derry but we fell apart as a county when Down beat us in 1994 and our manager Eamon Coleman was sacked.
I also regret I didn’t look after my injured knee in my latter years. My knee needs to be replaced and I can’t run anymore. A small price to pay I guess but I’d do it all again if I had the chance.”
Peter Canavan (Tyrone)
“Losing the 1995 All-Ireland final to Dublin. I slipped in the dying seconds of the game and the ref judged that I touched the ball on the ground. Dublin won by one point.
“I regret not controlling my temper on a few occasions and getting sent off. Not something I’d proud of.”
Jimmy Barry Murphy (Cork)
“The 1976 Munster football final replay we were beaten by Kerry in extra time. Late in the second half of normal time when we were four points up we had a perfect goal (scored by Declan Barrow) disallowed. The final score was Kerry 3-20 Cork 2-19.
It would have been great if the yellow and black cards had been there in my time as persistent fouling was not punished then.”
Owen Mulligan(Tyrone)
“Not starting for Tyrone in the 2008 All-Ireland final due to my social life taking priority over my life in a Tyrone jersey.”
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