WE’VE TEAMED UP with UPMC – the Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA/GPA – to produce a brand new Life Changing Moments podcast series.
Over the next eight weeks, legendary former GAA players will open up about key performances that helped shape their illustrious careers and change their lives – on and off the pitch.
With four senior Munster titles, three AllStars and the 2007 Hurler of the Year award to his name, Dan Shanahan is regarded as one of Waterford’s greatest-ever players.
Back in 2004, however, the Lismore forward had yet to find the back of the net for the Déise in the senior championship. Despite losing out to Galway in the league final, Shanahan took confidence from scoring 1-3 on the day.
A week later at Semple Stadium, he would go on to blitz Anthony Daly’s side with an outstanding hat-trick of goals (3-1 in total) as Waterford claimed a famous victory.
In Episode One of Life Changing Moments, he chats over the phone to The42‘s GAA editor Fintan O’Toole about a day that is etched in his memory and the impact it had on his life.
“We were written off against Clare,” Shanahan remembers. “They had such an awesome team, with Anthony Daly in charge.
“Losing the league final was a hard pill to swallow, but it was good to get back on the horse the week after.
“We were really hurt going into the game, by comments from the media and people who had given us no chance after the performance against Galway, but Justin [McCarthy] had us absolutely fired up.
This game really put me on the map. I had scored against Galway around the square, my confidence was up and the fitness levels – personally and as a team – were unbelievable.
“Having not played in the previous years, to put my head down and work hard really opened my eyes to what I could achieve.”
For the full interview, click the Soundcloud button at the top of the article or subscribe to The42 wherever you get your podcasts.
UPMC, the Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA/GPA, has been providing expert healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy with locations at UPMC Whitfield and in Cork, and the UPMC Concussion Network. For more information on how UPMC provides life changing medicine to communities across Ireland, visit www.upmc.ie
