John Muldoon would have been forgiven for disappearing for a month. Instead, he was right back at it.
After 14 seasons with Connacht Rugby – heaving millstones up mountains – John Muldoon reached a career peak. The view from the top felt damn good. So good, in fact, that the Connacht captain fancied staying up there.
Muldoon led Connacht to their first ever league on May 28 after a stunning, sweeping win over Leinster at Murrayfield. Nine days later, he was back in training.
The 33-year-old was questioning the logic of it all – especially after a tough pre-season – until he had a conversation with Leinster’s Isa Nacewa at the Guinness PRO12 season launch. He tells us:
“I asked Isa how much time he took off and it was eight or nine days. I was along the same lines.
“There is a certain method to the madness. The less time you take off, the better it is for you. You seize up after a while. You learn the amount of time your body needs off and when to get back to it.”
Muldoon stresses that he was not exactly going hell for leather but, rather, keeping himself ticking over. He continues:
“It was a mix of running, bike and doing some weights.
“You want to get away from that environment [at Connacht] but you keep the fitness levels up. I would do stuff at the gym and mix up my usual exercises; do stuff I might like but might not be as popular with our strength and conditioning coach.”
The rebel.
One aspect of Muldoon’s usual pre-season he did not get to do, this summer, was something that brings him great enjoyment. He says:
“Each year, I always go home [to Portumna] to the lads for some hurling training. I didn’t get to do it this time out, due to all our celebrations and my holidays. I love getting out to do some hurling or play 5-a-side with my mates over the summer. Maybe next time.”
Muldoon will be hoping there is a next time and that his body holds out for 2016/17 and a couple more seasons yet.
Connacht fell to a 41-5 defeat to Glasgow Warriors at the weekend but will be hoping to bounce back when they host Ospreys at The Sportsground this Saturday evening.
The GAA Hour Hurling Show relives Tipperary’s sensational All-Ireland victory with Paidí Maher. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
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