Seeing a player change his shorts in front of the crowd at Lansdowne Road when I was three or four (I was born in Dublin)
How did you become a footballer?
A combination of nature and nurture. My parents, especially my father, had a big interest in it, while an uncle on my mother’s side played for Cavan. At nine or 10 I played in primary school and for An Cheathrú Rua under-12s. I later went to St Jarlath’s, who have won the Hogan Cup 12 times, although not when I was there
Who was the biggest influence on your career?
My parents and then the trainers with every team I joined, such as Joe Long and Father Ollie Hughes at Jarlath’s
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What was your first big match?
We won the Corn Ui Chonaire, a local competition for national schools, when I was in 5th and 6th class. I would say that was as big as an All-Ireland final
What is the pinnacle of your career so far?
I judge the importance of a match by the feeling in the pit of my stomach afterwards rather than by the glory or the size of the crowd. There are a few highlights: winning the All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and 2001; winning the 1996 county title with An Cheathrú Rua; and playing for Ireland in four International Rules series
Do you have a sporting hero?
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It was Roy Keane until the 2002 World Cup. Among rugby players, Brian O’Driscoll is special, while I also admire champions such as Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods
What hobbies or interests do you have?
I like to cook and enjoy walking with my wife, Sarah
What ambitions do you have away from football?
It takes up so much of my time I have little energy left for other projects. I don’t think I will know what to pursue until I finish playing
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Do you have a favourite book?
I read a lot of sports biographies. Alex Ferguson’s book, Managing My Life, and Rough Ride by Paul Kimmage stood out
What is your favourite film?
We go to the cinema nearly every week but I tend to leave my brain at the door. I’m not one for analysing films
What is your favourite TV progamme?
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Every week (except when we were in New York last month with Galway) I watch 24. I’m also a Desperate Housewives fan and Rescue Me, with Denis Leary, is another favourite
Do you have a funny sporting memory?
Nothing in particular stands out, although I’ve lost count of the number of times a dog has run on to the pitch in the middle of an important match.