Former Munster player Donncha O'Callaghan has made the sensational claim that being a professional athlete is an easier task than being a full-time intercounty player in hurling and football.
The Cork native, who spent his professional rugby career playing with his home province, Munster, his country, Ireland, and the English side Worcester Warriors, knows what it takes to be a professional rugby player and stay there. He claimed that the lifestyle of a GAA player makes it harder to balance sports with other commitments.
"One thing I'll say about being around the Waterford lads is that I cannot believe the commitment level," said the former Munster player on the Chadwicks Under Construction podcast.
"People have no idea; they really don't. The windows to make sure you're fuelled; the other things that are going on in your life, be it studies or whatever.
"Lads, I'll be honest with you; being a professional player is so much easier."
O'Callaghan, who obviously has his own opinion on the subject, thinks the same as many other members of the Irish public.
However, Sean Quigley, an intercounty footballer with Fermanagh, believes that there are more positives than negatives to being a modern-day GAA player. Quigley believes that the game is evolving for the better.
“I honestly think it’s in a really good place in that the players are catered for so well,” he said at the start of this month.
“If I put myself in a 25-year-old’s shoes, being a county footballer, I’d love it. You’re maximising yourself; you’re getting the best training, the best facilities, the best food, nutrition advice, etc. Compared to when we were playing, training is now being tapered off, and there’s science involved, so no players are being flogged or overtrained.
“So I would flip that—the fact we are a young squad, the boys enjoy being together, and we try to make it as enjoyable an environment as we can. I do feel there’s more positivity than negativity.”
