RORY KAVANAGH CALLED time on his career this week at the age of 32.
The midfielder who helped Donegal to All-Ireland glory in 2012 says that there’s now too much pressure in Gaelic games with managers prepared to do anything to win.
‘Teams will do anything to win the championship,” the 32-year-old says in an interview to be broadcast today on Barrscéalta on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
“The good teams are out training in December. The managers will do whatever they can to get the results. I don’t agree with it, but it’s the way things are going for teams up and down the country. The big thing for me is that players don’t get any recovery time, they have no time to rest.
“The game is getting too professional. Dublin, Mayo, Kerry, Donegal, the standards are going up every year, to a professional level, yet we’re still amateur players.”
The 32-year-old will continue to represent his club, St Eunan’s in Letterkenny.
“I have really enjoyed playing for my county, and I think the other players are the same. But this issue is very important for the older players in their 30s. It’s a game for young men – the younger players who aren’t married, don’t have family ties, but it puts huge pressure on the older players.”
Kavanagh bows out with three Ulster titles, a national football league and an All-Ireland to his name. His last appearance for Donegal came in last September’s All-Ireland final defeat to Kerry, which he still hasn’t been able to watch, he says.
- Originally published 10.43, updated at 15.20.
