Brendan Harrison Retires from Intercounty Football

Former Mayo GAA All-Star hangs up his intercounty boots

Former PwC football All-Star and Mayo GAA defender Brendan Harrison has informed Mayo GAA and the county’s senior football management team that he is retiring from intercounty football. The Aghamore club man played 67 times for the Mayo senior football team in a career that spanned ten years.

Brendan joined the Mayo senior football panel in 2013 and made his NFL debut against Kildare in February 2014. He played for the Mayo senior football team 35 times in the Allianz National Football League and 32 times in the GAA championship. He contributed 0-5 points from play for Mayo during his playing career.

A stylish and teak-tough defender, Brendan played with the Mayo minor team in 2010 and represented Mayo at U21 level in 2012 and 2013. He played in All-Ireland senior finals in 2016 and 2017 and in the Allianz National Football League final in 2019, in which Mayo defeated Kerry.

He was a member of five Connacht winning football panels with Mayo – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020 and 2021. Brendan won his PwC All-Star in 2016 at right corner back and was also nominated for an All-Star in 2017. He made two appearances for Ireland against Australia in the International Rules Series in 2017.

Brendan’s last game for Mayo was also against Kildare in the Allianz National Football League in Carrick-on-Shannon in 2022.

Mayo GAA Cathaoirleach Seamus Tuohy thanked Brendan for his unwavering commitment and dedication to Mayo GAA. “Brendan wore his heart on his sleeve, he was brave, committed and always gave 100%. Brendan was one of those players supporters loved. He was exciting to watch, and he lit up Hastings Insurance MacHale Park and Croke Park on so many occasions. Everyone associated with Mayo GAA would like to wish Brendan well in his retirement,” said Seamus.

Injury curtailed Brendan’s involvement with the Mayo senior football team in recent years, making only six league and one championship appearance since 2020.

Statement from Brendan Harrison:

Playing for Mayo was something I always treasured. From the very first day I pulled on the jersey at underage level, I was conscious of the honour it was to wear the green and red. I played alongside brilliant players and under outstanding management teams and I thank each and every one of them for everything they did.

I had my problems with injuries over the past five seasons and while that was frustrating, I look back on my time with Mayo with very happy memories. Injuries mean that I cannot continue to train at the required level. I thank my club Aghamore and my local community of Kilkelly for their support at all stages and my wife Natasha and my entire family who made many

sacrifices so that I could play for Mayo. I look forward to being around for the many milestones ahead for our three young children.

I wish Mayo every success in 2024 and beyond and know that the players involved now will continue to represent the county with pride.

Statement from Mayo Manager Kevin McStay:

Brendan Harrison walks away from intercounty football with his head held high. Mayo people will never forget his performances during the 2016-2019 seasons, in particular, including masterful displays in the 2016 and 2017 All-Ireland finals.

He was always a beautifully balanced footballer who combined real attacking flair with a penchant for the tighter confines of man marking.

Injuries played havoc with his career, alas. We had hoped he would come back in 2024. At 31, he is young enough to continue playing on. Unfortunately, his injuries mean he has to call it a day. It was a pleasure to work with him during 2023 and he was a highly regarded and deeply popular figure in the Mayo panel.

MOVEMBER TEAMS UP WITH THE GAA AND GPA

TO LAUNCH ‘MOVEMBER AHEAD OF THE GAME’ CAMPAIGN

Press release November 2023

Dublin, Thursday 30th November 2023: LEADING men’s health organisation, Movember, has partnered with the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) Movember Ahead of the Game, their evidence-based emotional literacy programme designed for delivery in a sports club setting.

The initiative will enable young players, their parents, and coaches, to better understand mental health, build mental fitness, and strengthen resilience to deal with challenges in sport and life through a series of interactive workshops, delivered by the members of the GPA (all of whom are present or past inter-county players). Phase 1 will run from November 2023-May 2024 with a target of engaging 10,000 participants in 200 GAA clubs across the 32 counties of Ireland. To learn more about the program visit: https://aheadofthegame.uk/

75% of mental health disorders will have emerged before the age of 24. That’s why conversations about mental health and fitness earlier in life are important. Helping young people build the skills to look after their own wellbeing, and support their teammates, is critical to lifelong mental resilience and mentally fit communities.

Movember Ahead of the Game teaches an understanding of mental health and helps build the mental fitness to deal with the challenges life and sport can throw. The GAA joins the ranks of leading global professional codes like the AFL and Rugby League in making Movember Ahead of the Game available to their clubs and members. It puts the GAA and the GPA among the sporting leaders globally in actively supporting mental fitness as much as physical performance.

22 current and past players recruited by the GPA have recently undertaken a weeklong rigorous training program led by Rugby League Cares and SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health). Some of the names include Anton Tohill, Derry footballer; Martin Stackpoole, Kerry hurler; Saoirse McCarthy, Cork camogie All-Star winner; and Iggy Clarke, former All Ireland hurling winner with Galway. The interactive workshops are delivered in the familiar surroundings of a sports clubs, which allow players to feel comfortable to talk freely. It also gives coaches and parents bigger roles, too, in helping create mentally fit communities.

92% of young athletes have said they felt more confident in recognising the signs of mental health in themselves and others, and 96% of coaches have said they felt better able to respond to the mental challenges of young athletes after attending the Movember Ahead of the Game programme.

Colin Regan, GAA Community & Health Manager said: “We receive frequent request from clubs for emotional literacy content for younger members, so we are thrilled to work with organisations of the calibre of Movember and the GPA to make available this impactful, evidence-based content to our unrivalled club network.”

GPA CEO Tom Parsons said; “Our motto is You See Players. We See People. We work with GPA members to allow them to be the best they can be both on and off the field of play. This includes offering them support in the area of mental fitness. We have counselling support lines at their disposal 24/7/365 while, in times of crisis, we support those in need with residential care. This support involves us being reactive while Ahead Of The Game allows us to be more proactive and have a positive impact on the lives of young people before the need for such supports might arise. It also recognises the influence our members have in their communities as role models who Is want to give back and who are looked up to by young people across the country.”

Sarah Ouellette, Country Director, Movember said: “On the last day of Movember we are delighted to share this timely announcement of such an important partnership. A reminder locally, of the impact donations from our Mo Community has in every county across Ireland.”

Please see full list of GAA facilitators below:

MAOTG Facilitators

Name County Province Gender Code/GAA Role

Julia White (PM) Cork Munster Female Camogie player

Niamh Hanniffy Galway Connacht Female Camogie player

Adrian Phillips Mayo Connacht Male Hurler

Iggy Clarke Galway Connacht Male Former hurler/therapist

Corey Scahill Mayo Connacht Male Hurler

Mickey Quinn Longford Leinster Male Longford footballer/PE teacher

Enda Macken Longford Leinster Male Footballer

Ryan Jones Westmeath Leinster Male GAA Coach

Jo-Hanna Quinn

(nee Maher) Westmeath Leinster Female Footballer

Damien Sheridan Meath Leinster Male Games promotion officer

Muireann Scally Westmeath Leinster Female Footballer

Mary-Kate Lynch Meath Leinster Female GAA player

Carol O’Leary Clare Munster Female Camogie player

Conor Bohan Kerry Munster Male Hurler

Martin Stackpoole Kerry Munster Male Hurler

Saoirse McCarthy Cork Munster Female Camogie player

Liam Brady Cavan Ulster Male Cavan Minor Coach/Psych student

Press contact: For further information, press queries and interviews, please contact Claire Feely / claire@elevate.ie, Catherine O’Connor / catherine@elevate.ie, Chloe Flanagan / chloe@elevate.ie at Elevate PR on 01 662 56 52.

About Movember

Movember is the leading global charity changing the face of men’s health. We exist to stop men dying too young by tackling some of the most complex health issues facing men today – mental health, suicide, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.

What started as a single-minded fundraising and awareness campaign in 2003 has evolved into a multi-faceted health organisation with programs accessed by millions worldwide.

With global support from our Mo Bros, Mo Sisters and Mo community, Movember funds and delivers biomedical research, cancer survivorship programs, innovative community mental health programs and digital health products that work for men.

Movember’s purpose is to confront, challenge and change men’s health to save more men’s lives. Donate now at Movember.com

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Electric Ireland Higher Education Ryan Cup Match Report

Ryan O’ Donoghue and McLaughlin shine as University Of Galway bridge 44 year gap.

Ryan Cup Division 1 third level Football league final

University of Galway………….0-15

Ulster University…………0-9

By Michael O’ Connor.

One of the coldest nights of the season greeted football followers to the GAA centre in Abbottstown as old rivals UG and UU met once in the Ryan Cup final with UG emerging successful to bridge a 44-year gap since the 1979 success that was followed up the 1980 Sigerson/Fitzgibbon double for the college. In recent seasons they met at the same stage and on that occasion the Ulster kingpins were in the winner’s enclosure. As is the norm unlike years pervious both colleges were missing key players who will be featuring for their counties in the 2024 league and championship. However, those from both colleges who had worked hard to get their sides to this stage had the ideal opportunity to stake a place for Sigerson cup action in mid-January. In the semi finals University of Galway had too much for St Mary’s Belfast whilst Ulster University edged past UL by the minimum to set up this eagerly awaited decider.

Wides were not in plentiful supply in Abbottstown as controlled play and indeed good accuracy once both sides got into the groove did ensure that a low scoring first half did evolve into a positive second half albeit dominated in the main by the Western College. Clare man Mark McInerney opened the scoring after seven minutes that saw UU kick two wides as opposed to one for UG. Most of the play in the opening half was centred around the two 45s as both sides were testing each other out as UU were playing a solid defensive game that at times frustrated UG before the hard working Danny Fullerton equalised for UU after 11 minutes with Rory Canavan was a thorn in the UG defence but did not score early on. Ryan O’ Donoghue who was the powerhouse for UG after 17 minutes gave his side the lead. Three minutes later and Canavan levelled the final before James McLaughlin who played an influential role in the second half replaced Diarmuid Kilcommins who was carrying a leg injury into the game. With the rain falling and such a pristine surface in Abbottstown players at full speed were losing their grip and unforced errors were in vogue. It would be fair to acknowledge that UG were as defensive as UU when the need arose and indeed they broke down a number of strong UU attacks. Danny Fullerton added two scores for UU before Cian Monaghan had the final score of the first half as UU held a (0-4) to (0-3) half time lead.

There was little evidence bar the reality that the UG defence had a grip on the UU attack that the second half story would be so one sided. Two minutes into the second half Ryan Monaghan levelled the game as Conor Corcoran replaced Conor Dunleavy and was very much to the fore for the second half. Evan Lyons and Canice Mulligan were also powerhouses for UG in the central defensive positions as they began to seize control of midfield. Ryan O Donoghue sent UG clear before James McLaughlin with a booming effort before Tommy Conroy made in three in a row and now UG from being one in arrears were three ahead. Danny Fullerton pulled one back for UU and it was now time for Ryan O’ Donoghue to step up and he kicked two in three minutes to leave UG (0-9) to (0-5) ahead by the end of the third quarter. A superb score from UU centre back Ryan McGill gave home to Paul Rouse’s men as they did exert five minutes of pressure on UG but another monster effort that went high into the sky and over the bar. This score seemed to be the score that finally broke UU resistance despite a response from UU after 48 minutes.

Danny Fullerton narrowed the gap to two points but it was all University of Galway as the hardworking Liam O’ Conghaile who has shown up well all season for UG and McLaughlin once more were on target to leave UG (0-12) to (0-8) clear entering the final eight minutes. Cian Monaghan and Rory Canavan with UU’s last score traded points as four points was too much of a deficit for UU to haul in. The final two scores of the game went to UG substitutes Dan O’ Flaherty and Cillian O Curraoin to seal a deserved six-point win. Best for the winners included Conor Corcoran, James McLaughlin, Canice Mulligan, Rory Egan, Paul Kelly, Liam O’ Conghaile, Ryan O’ Donoghue if just for the superb point with his back to goal and the Monaghan brothers. UU have players such as Conor Glass, Ethan Doherty and Darragh Canavan to bring back to the panel so it will be a far stronger side that they will bring to championship fare. Following the game chairperson of third level GAA Michael Hyland, a native of Salthill presented the Ryan Cup to University of Galway captain Cathal Sweeney.

University of Galway scorers: Ryan O’ Donoghue (0-4), James McLaughlin (0-3), Cian Monaghan (0-2), Liam O’ Conghaile, Ryan Monaghan, Tommy Conroy, Dan O’ Flaherty, Cillian O’ Curraoin, Mark McInerney (0-1) each

Liam Brady, Ramor United, Cavan, Conor Dunleavy, Balla, Mayo, Evan Lyons, Shamrock Gaels, Sligo, Colin Murray, Mountebellew/Moylough, Galway, Rory Egan, Edenderry, Offaly, Canice Mulligan, St. Patrick’s, Sligo, Cian Monaghan Oughterard, Galway, Diarmuid Kilcommons Annaghdown, Galway, Paul Kelly Moycullen, Galway, Liam Ó Conghaile An Spidéal, Galway, Tommy Conroy The Neale, Mayo, Ryan Monaghan Oughterard, Galway, Mark McInerney Eire Óg, Inis, Clare, Ryan O Donoghue, Belmullet, Mayo, Cathal Sweeney, Salthill Knocknacarra, Galway (Capt). Subs: Cillian O Curráoin, Michéal Bhreatnach, Galway for McInerney, Conor Corcoran, Moycullen, Galway for Dunleavy, Dan Flaherty, Salthill Knocknacarra, Galway for R Monaghan.

Ulster University scorers: Danny Fullerton (0-6), Rory Canavan (0-2), Ryan McGill (0-1).

Ulster University:  Ronan McGeehan, Darragh Curran, Ronan Boyle, Seamus Kelly, Finian O’ Brien, Ryan McGill, Peadar MacCartan, Bertie McCarron, John Cunningham, John Ellis, Cathal Diamond, Oisin McCann, Conor Cush, Rory Canavan, Danny Fullerton.

Referee: David Gough (Meath)