HE’LL PARTICIPATE IN a Connacht senior football final today but Roscommon’s Niall Daly is eager to point out the Munster characters that helped shape his football career.
Roscommon footballer Niall Daly James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Daly spent his college days kicking ball in UCC and had plenty contact with ex-Cork selector John Corcoran, who sadly passed away last January.
“John was a hero, a great man. Great character and great craic. We all held him in really high esteem.
“I remember hearing him last year, for Clonmel Commercials against Nemo on (RTÉ) radio, he was co-commentating and his analysis was excellent. It’s a huge sadness.
“His nephew Brian, I’d be friendly enough with. It’s a huge loss to the GAA community around Ireland. May he rest in peace.”
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John Corcoran (left) with Billy Morgan after the 2005 All-Ireland quarter-final INPHO
INPHO
Rubbing shoulders with some elite footballers and coaches stood to the 25 year-old Daly in his football development.
“I worked under the likes of Billy Morgan and Dr Con Murphy. People like that had a huge influence on my career for four years.
“I was down there from 2009 to 2013, won a Sigerson, won a Cork county championship. I feel that had a huge influence on my career.
“I played with the likes of Peter Crowley, Johnny Buckley, Paul Geaney, Stephen O’Brien. Lads that are now household names around the country. Learning things off those players have helped me along the way.”
The Padraig Pearses man will be a key figure for Roscommon today. He was on the bench for the 2011 Connacht final but this decider feels more significant as he is now an integral part of the Roscommon team.
Daly and the Rossies almost met with disaster in Gaelic Park in May. They survived against New York but only just.
“It was quite scary stuff now to be honest with you,” recalls Daly.
“They got a run on us. You could hear their supporters were getting louder and louder. There was even a short kickout that went a bit wrong for us.
“Only for Senan got a point with a few minutes to go, it gave us a two point cushion. We were in a bit of bother but thankfully we got through it.
“We’ve learned and really honed in to focus on the opposition. It was relief after and a bit of shock as well that it was that close.”
Daly is a PE and Maths teacher in Moate in Westmeath but lives just down the motorway in Ballinasloe. Residing in Galway means he’s fully aware of their football capabilities and today’s opponents triumphing against Mayo last month, didn’t surprise him.
“It was no shock to me that they won. With the players they have, it was no shock to us. With 20 minutes to go, it came down to hunger and desire, and Galway had it more than Mayo. That’s what won it out in the end.
“The last few years have been hugely frustrating. At the start of ever year, our aim is to get to a Connacht final. It’s kind of been a big build up, then we’d lose in the championship, we might get one win in a qualifier, and then go again.
“We’ve kind of let ourselves down at times as well. We’re in a final now and you’d feel we have to do it. It’s all about winning to us.”
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'John was a hero. Great character and great craic. It's a huge sadness'
HE’LL PARTICIPATE IN a Connacht senior football final today but Roscommon’s Niall Daly is eager to point out the Munster characters that helped shape his football career.
Daly spent his college days kicking ball in UCC and had plenty contact with ex-Cork selector John Corcoran, who sadly passed away last January.
“John was a hero, a great man. Great character and great craic. We all held him in really high esteem.
“I remember hearing him last year, for Clonmel Commercials against Nemo on (RTÉ) radio, he was co-commentating and his analysis was excellent. It’s a huge sadness.
“His nephew Brian, I’d be friendly enough with. It’s a huge loss to the GAA community around Ireland. May he rest in peace.”
Rubbing shoulders with some elite footballers and coaches stood to the 25 year-old Daly in his football development.
“I worked under the likes of Billy Morgan and Dr Con Murphy. People like that had a huge influence on my career for four years.
“I was down there from 2009 to 2013, won a Sigerson, won a Cork county championship. I feel that had a huge influence on my career.
“I played with the likes of Peter Crowley, Johnny Buckley, Paul Geaney, Stephen O’Brien. Lads that are now household names around the country. Learning things off those players have helped me along the way.”
The Padraig Pearses man will be a key figure for Roscommon today. He was on the bench for the 2011 Connacht final but this decider feels more significant as he is now an integral part of the Roscommon team.
Daly and the Rossies almost met with disaster in Gaelic Park in May. They survived against New York but only just.
“It was quite scary stuff now to be honest with you,” recalls Daly.
“They got a run on us. You could hear their supporters were getting louder and louder. There was even a short kickout that went a bit wrong for us.
“Only for Senan got a point with a few minutes to go, it gave us a two point cushion. We were in a bit of bother but thankfully we got through it.
“We’ve learned and really honed in to focus on the opposition. It was relief after and a bit of shock as well that it was that close.”
Daly is a PE and Maths teacher in Moate in Westmeath but lives just down the motorway in Ballinasloe. Residing in Galway means he’s fully aware of their football capabilities and today’s opponents triumphing against Mayo last month, didn’t surprise him.
“It was no shock to me that they won. With the players they have, it was no shock to us. With 20 minutes to go, it came down to hunger and desire, and Galway had it more than Mayo. That’s what won it out in the end.
“The last few years have been hugely frustrating. At the start of ever year, our aim is to get to a Connacht final. It’s kind of been a big build up, then we’d lose in the championship, we might get one win in a qualifier, and then go again.
“We’ve kind of let ourselves down at times as well. We’re in a final now and you’d feel we have to do it. It’s all about winning to us.”
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Gaelic Football John Corcoran Niall Daly Past Influence Roscommon