Tunnel vision.
Lee Chin knows an inter-county career is a fleeting one. He knows how much of an honour it is to represent Wexford and he’s making sure that nothing stops him from performing as best as he possibly can in the purple and gold jersey.
His life revolves around the game. His priority is the Wexford hurling team. He’s a professional athlete minus the monetary reward but he doesn’t complain about that.
“The lifestyle that I do live, a lot of it is focused down to training. Trying to improve on the little things, trying to improve on the smalls things. My life revolves a lot around workouts, fields sessions and training collectively but I do a lot of stuff by myself,” he said at the eir Sport launch of their coverage of the Allianz National Leagues.
16 live games on eir sport ✔️
17 counties featured ✔️
Fixtures released ✔️
Almost time for the 2018 #AllianzLeagues. Live on eir sport from January 27th. 🏐🏑 pic.twitter.com/XOoVEbzfVg— eir Sport (@eirSport) January 17, 2018
The Faythe Harriers club man has the ability to devote so much time to his game because he doesn’t work. The GAA is his work, it has taken over his life. While many of the county’s other players are based in Dublin and in other locations be it through their studies or through work, Chin lives in Wexford and that’s what suits him best.
“Well at the moment I’m at home, I’m not working. I’m happy to be doing what I’m doing at the moment, trying to live as much as a professional lifestyle as I possibly can. I’m enjoying it,” said the 25-year-old.
The savage commitment required by GAA players has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, in light of Kieran Bergin’s comments, and Chin wonders how his teammates who have jobs find the time for it all.
“I like having my own time and flexibility to work on whatever I want to work on and do whatever I want to do. For me, it’s nice to be able to do something like that but I can imagine it’s very, very tough for other guys who do have work commitments and especially guys that are on the Wexford panel that live in Dublin and have to do a lot of commuting too,” he added.
Would they be jealous of his set up?
“I don’t think so, no. A lot of guys are happy with what they’re doing with their lives in terms of profession and work. It’s the road that they went down and it’s what they want to do, it’s what they want to achieve in their lives other than what they achieve on the field or in sport. A lot of guys are living their dreams in terms of their jobs.”
And that commitment is only getting more and more intense year on year.
“Every year it seems to be going up another level, it doesn’t seem to plateau at all. I’d imagine it’s not the same type of schedule it was ten years ago. Every manager, every panel is trying to squeeze every bit out that they can in terms of performance, in terms of attitude, mental toughness; everything is that next little link on the chain.
“I wouldn’t call myself a professional sportsman, but I try to live as close to that lifestyle as possible.”
But Chin revels in it. He ticks all the boxes to give him the best possible chance of winning with Wexford.
“It’s about how strong you can make that which guarantees you can get results and gets you winning silverware. I do believe that every year is increasing in terms of the standard and commitment.”
The Wexford powerhouse has made the choice to dedicate his life to his sport. It’s not something he’s had to do, but he does feel that it benefits him in terms of his preparation.
“Family is a big one. My mother at home is very good. She always makes me lovely dinners whenever I want them. It’s a choice, it’s not really about what allows you to do it, it’s a choice if you want to do it and make it work within it. At the moment, I’m very happy in terms of what I’m doing. I don’t really want it to change too soon but I know, in the future, obviously, things will change but for the moment I’m happy with where I’m at,” he said.
Is it slightly worrying that a player feels he’s better off not working? That he’s better off focusing his whole life on his GAA career?
Because we all know GAA players aren’t paid. They’re not set up for life once the dreaded retirement question stares them in the face.
Where does it all end?
🛋📺☕️🏐🏑
Great to have Cillian O'Connor, Patrick Horgan, Tiernan McCann & Lee Chin on hand to launch our #MatchNightLive Schedule for the 2018 #AllianzLeagues. pic.twitter.com/A7e92j70uw— eir Sport (@eirSport) January 17, 2018
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