My GAA Life – Antrim’s Kevin Brady

Name?

Kevin Brady

Which teams did you represent?

St Ergnat’s, Moneyglass, St Patrick’s College, Maghera, UUJ, Antrim, Ulster, Ogra Colmcille, Antrim Masters.

What is your current involvement with the GAA?

Coaching Donaghmore in Tyrone, coaching school teams at St. Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt and playing for Antrim Masters.

What was your greatest moment in the GAA?

Being a part of the first Antrim team to win a Senior Championship match in 18 years.

What was the most surprising moment in your career?

How emotional I felt after I played my last game for Moneyglass seniors having played for them for 22 seasons. I was ready for retirement but the realisation that you won’t take to the field again was still quite difficult to comprehend.

Who was the best player you ever played with?

Too hard to say. I played with many great players at school, university, for Antrim and for Ulster.

What was the best score you ever saw in a game you were involved in?

In my early days playing for Moneyglass seniors Joe Mackle played full-forward and was a great man for lobbing/chipping goalkeepers. Those goals always stand out for me.

Which manager made the biggest impact on you and why?

Adrian McGuckin at Maghera and UUJ because he always got the best out of you and Brian White with Antrim for instilling belief into the players.

What was the best piece of advice you ever received about playing?

Have a good first touch, i.e. good hands are key to being a good player.

What was the best thing about playing in your era?

There were very few sweepers around and forwards had more space to operate.

What was the worst thing about playing your era?

When I first started a few rounds of the National League were played before Christmas meaning you didn’t get much of an off-season when your club season finished. Also the socks you used to get for championship matches were about four sizes too big.

When did you know it was time to call it quits?

When I was playing with and against pupils that I was teaching.

What interesting or funny story may readers not know about you or one of your former teammates?

I had an interest in history and specifically archaeology at school and put it down as my second choice course for university though I’m glad I chose sports studies in the end as I like my job as a PE teacher.