We were joined this week by Colm Begley of Laois, who officially announced his retirement from the inter-county game. Colm made his senior debut in 2005 but life soon took him in a very different direction. That direction was Down Under, when he secured a professional contract with Australian Football League team Brisbane Lions. Colm’s rise through the ranks of a new sport was remarkable and he was voted club rookie of the year in 2007. The Stradbally man played four years in the AFL before deciding to return home.

Back in Ireland, he enjoyed 12 more seasons in the blue and white of Laois and learned the importance of developing Colm Begley the person, as well as the athlete. Transition was a key theme throughout this episode as Colm reflected on life lessons gathered from experiencing two elite sports. He is now the Player Welfare and Engagement Manager with the Gaelic Players Association.

This podcast is brought to you as part of BEO 360, a GPA programme that empowers inter-county players across 4 key areas - life skills, wellbeing, dual career and transitions. Please go to beo360.gaelicplayers.com to learn more.

To find out more about our host, Alan O’Mara, and his work as a performance and wellbeing consultant with sports teams and companies, please go to www.RealTalks.ie

Enjoy The Players Voice with Colm Begley!