The Players Voice

The latest episode of The Players Voice features Kildare hurler James Burke.

During this chat, the 2022 Christy Ring Player of the Year opens up about how bacterial meningitis once turned his whole world upside down. Contracting the rare but deadly infection was a life threatening experience, and James shares some of the unexpected lessons and perspective he was forced to learn as a young man.

We also talk about his journey from hotshot rookie to team captain in a few short years, transitioning from student life to full-time employment while juggling an inter-county career and how much he has benefitted from engaging with the Gaelic Players Association.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

This is the second part of our mental health special on The Players Voice with Antrim hurler Domhnall Nugent.

Having struggled with addiction to alcohol and cocaine, Domhnall Nugent spent three months in residential rehabilitation. He is now an addiction facilitator with Cuan Mhuire and the founder of Let’s Face It.

In this episode, Domnhnall and host Alan O’Mara talk about developing resilience, dealing with well-being setbacks and the challenge of staying well. They also chat about the rise of cocaine in Irish society and the stigma that surrounds drugs and substance abuse.

If you are a GPA member in the Republic of Ireland and are impacted by this episode, call 1800 98 92 85 or text ‘GPA’ to 50808. From Northern Ireland, call 0800 044 5059 or text ‘GPA’ 85258. If you aren’t a GPA member and want to learn more about mental health services, please check out services like Samaritans, Pieta House or Cuan Mhuire.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

The latest episode of The Players Voice features Antrim hurler Domhnall Nugent.

Having struggled with addiction to alcohol and cocaine, Domhnall spent 3 months in residential rehabilitation. He is now an addiction facilitator for Cuan Mhuire and the founder of Let’s Face It, where he releases his own weekly podcast.

This conversation is a two-part mental health special, as Domnhnall and host Alan O’Mara share their respective wellbeing journeys. Together they reflect on their different experiences of hitting rock bottom, reaching out for help and key lessons learned in recovery.

If you are a GPA member in the Republic of Ireland and are impacted by this episode, call 1800 98 92 85 or text ‘GPA’ to 50808. From Northern Ireland, call 0800 044 5059 or text ‘GPA’ 85258. If you aren’t a GPA member and want to learn more about mental health services, please check out services like Samaritans, Pieta House or Cuan Mhuire.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

We hope you enjoy the first of our two-part special with Domhnall Nugent on The Players Voice!

The latest episode of The Players Voice features two Cork legends, Orlagh Farmer and Orla Finn.

This is a special conversation between the best of friends as they look back on the journey that saw them grow together as both players and people. The pair were part of multiple All-Ireland winning campaigns - including the 6 in row teams from 2011 to 2016.

Earlier this year, both Farmer and Finn announced their retirement from the inter-county game. They open up about life lessons they learned along the way and what it has been like to transition out of the inter-county game.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper who now works as a Performance and Wellbeing consultant. To find out more about his work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

Dublin All-Star and All-Ireland winner Leah Caffrey joins The Players Voice for a wide-ranging conversation about life on and off the field.

Leah spoke to us from Ballymaloe Cookery School, where she is currently navigating a significant career change and challenging herself to be much more than just a footballer.

She also talks about the highs of winning multiple All-Ireland’s, benefitting from time away from the inter-county scene, as well as the importance of friendships and connection in sport.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by performance and well-being consultant Alan O’Mara. To find out more about Alan’s work with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

Antrim All-Star Jane Adams joins The Players Voice this week to reflect on important lessons in life, sport and business.

In this wide-ranging conversation with host Alan O’Mara, Jane shares her journey to self-acceptance and happiness, after initially struggling to accept that she was gay.

Jane highlights how resilience, courage and adaptability have helped her to navigate the ups and downs of business. Her portfolio in Belfast includes Manny’s, the well known fish and chip shops, and Pizza Guyz.

She also speaks about the life changing legacy of the Good Friday Agreement ahead of the 25 year anniversary, and shares her passions and hopes for a united Ireland in the future.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by performance and well-being consultant Alan O’Mara. To find out more about Alan’s work as a performance and wellbeing consultant with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

(Photo Credit: Hugh Russell, The Irish News)

Louth captain Sam Mulroy joins The Players Voice to talk about life, leadership and legacy.

Sam chats to Alan O’Mara about trying to create meaningful change in Louth, his take on the role of a captain and how growing off the field as a person has helped to make him a better player.

He looks back on his struggles to find purpose and direction in life outside of GAA and learn how a life-changing work placement propelled him forward. He now runs his own business called Sam Mulroy Fitness.

The Players’ Voice is brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks. The podcast series is 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.

Each episode is hosted by performance and well-being consultant Alan O’Mara.To find out more about Alan’s work as a performance and wellbeing consultant with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

Welcome to The Players’ Voice - a podcast brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks.

For the first episode of 2023, our host Alan O’Mara was joined by Tyrone’s All-Ireland winner and All-Star goalkeeper, Niall Morgan.

During the conversation, Niall talks about the challenge of juggling family, sport and career commitments. He reflects on the highs of winning the All-Ireland championship and chats about the need for himself and Tyrone to get back to basics this season. He also discusses the importance of switching off, developing confidence and remembering that there is a person behind each and every inter-county player.

This podcast series 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 Alan O’Mara’s work as a performance and wellbeing consultant with sports and business leaders around the world, please go to www.RealTalks.ie.

Welcome to this very special episode of The Players Voice, a podcast brought to you by the Gaelic Players Association in collaboration with Real Talks.

2022 has been an incredible year for The Players Voice and our 20 episodes were streamed all over the world. The Players Voice will be returning in 2023 but before we look forward to next year, we wanted to reflect on some of the best bits so far.

During each unique conversation with our host Alan O’Mara, we took you inside the minds of some of Ireland's most inspiring athletes and role models - and covered some very important topics. We talked about things like addiction, leadership, sexuality, resilience, entrepreneurship, sport-life balance, eating disorders, retirement, identity and much, much more.

Thank you to each and every player who shared their stories, insights and experiences so openly and honestly for our listeners. We are privileged to know that these conversations have helped others get through challenging times and to reach out for help.

Learn more about the GPA’s Beo 360 programme and the four key pillars of well-being, life-skills, transitions and dual-career by going to www.beo360.gaelicplayers.com

To find out more about Alan O’Mara’s work as a performance and wellbeing consultant, go to www.RealTalks.ie

For the twentieth and final episode of The Players Voice series this year we were joined by Limerick’s Barry Hennessy. The multiple All-Ireland winner opens up about his eating disorder and mental health challenges.

Barry also reflects on Limerick’s recent dominance of the All-Ireland hurling championship, provides fascinating insights into his relationship with fellow Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid and discusses the importance of humility on and off the field.

Each episode of this series is hosted by Alan O’Mara, a former Cavan goalkeeper now working as a performance and wellbeing coach with sports and business leaders around the world.

If you are a GPA member and impacted by this conversation, please call the GPA’s 24/7 helpline on 1800 98 92 85 or text ‘GPA’ to 50808 from the Republic of Ireland. From Northern Ireland call 0800 044 5059 or text ‘GPA’ 85258.

If you aren’t a GPA member and are impacted by this conversation, please check out bodywhys.ie for more information on eating disorders, body image issues and support services.

Thanks for listening!