Diarmuid O Keeffe 20 Questions By Lash Go Leor

Diarmuid O Keeffe 20 Questions

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Wexford Hurler Diarmuid O Keefe 20 Questions

As part of a series of upcoming interviews here at L’Ash Go Leor where we speak to some key county hurling players to hopefully find out some more about what goes on behind the scenes in the life of a top level Hurler.

To kicker off the series we sat down with Diarmuid O Keeffe. Diarmuid is currently a member of the Wexford Senior Hurling panel and was a key player in the 2019 Leinster winning team. Playing his club hurling and football with his home club St Anne’s, Diarmuid took some time out to visit us here at L’Ash Go Leor HQ where he was the first to take our 20 Question Challenge

Question 1 : What age did you start playing hurling for your club ?

Answer : I started playing with my club St Anne’s at just 5 years of age Both my brothers played for the club and the under age teams only started at 10 so that’s where it all began really

Question 2 : Did you ever play any other sports ?

Answer : Yeah , I still play Gaelic Football with my club St Anne’s. I played soccer up to about the age of 16 and was pretty good but Hurling was the road I ended up taking in the end.

Question 3 : Why did you dedicate yourself to Hurling ?

Answer : There was more support within my family for hurling I think and besides that all my closest friends were more involved in hurling over other sports like soccer which increased my interest level. School didn’t really play a huge roll in the decision to concentrate on hurling. I went to school in Bridgetown Vocational Collage which wouldn’t have a strong tradition in hurling. Part of me from a young age wanted to prove a point I guess, that no matter which school you attended, with enough focus and hard work you can still reach the top level of the sport and eventually have honour of representing your county at senior level.

Question 4 : Does the fame of being an Inter County hurling star ever cause you embarrassing moments ?

Answer : Well, I’m far from famous now haha. I don’t think so really, there are times when your walking on the street or having dinner in a restaurant when people will come over for an autograph or a picture but I just take that stuff in my stride. I wouldn’t find it embarrassing at all, it’s a complement if anything .

Question 5 : How tough is it at Inter-county and how hard do you have to train to keep at that level ?

Answer : It’s very demanding and its getting more and more demanding each year you’re involved. You always want to achieve more as an individual and push to get more out of yourself. A big aspiration of mine is to be the best that I can be and do everything I can to get the best out of myself each year. That’s the kind of mentality you develop as a player year after year.

Question 6 : Do you eat a lot of junk food when the hurling season ends ?

Answer : No, I try not to. I get a great sense of satisfaction from eating well, believe it of not. On the very odd occasion I’ll have a cheeky takeaway in the off season but the season never really ends. If I’m on the move I usually prepare my own meals. Simple things like chicken fillet, sweet potato and veg prepared the night before are my usual meals throughout the day. You have to be prepared in this game and I enjoy eating well, it’s a small win for me

Question 7 : What is your favourite drink ?

Answer : I love a glass of orange juice first thing in the morning. I do own a smoothie maker but wouldn’t really use it that much at all. I stick to the juice in the morning and plenty of water throughout the day.

Question 8 : What’s your favourite snack ?

Answer : At the moment it’s rice cakes with almond butter but this changes every few weeks or months. I always discover new snacks or treats but for not it’s the rice cakes.

Question 9 : Who’s your favourite all time gaelic games hero ?

Answer : I don’t know if I have an all time favourite in particular. Someone I did look up to was Darragh Ryan from St Anne’s. He won an All Star back in 2001, one of only two players in the last 20 years to do so. Darren was a great leader within St Anne’s. The way he held himself of the pitch was something I always looked up to growing up.

Question 10 : Do you have many girls coming up to you on the street and saying OMG ?

Answer : Yeah loads, all the mammys come up to me on the street all the time saying OMG, can you sign this for my kids. Other than that not really haha.

Question 11 : How did it feel to be a part of the 2019 Wexford Leinster winning team ?

Answer : Felt super. It was great to finally overcome a challenge that had previously been so difficult to get to. It’s a great feeling to win something as big as the Leinster Title with some of your best friends. The overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement 10 minutes or so after the final whistle were the most enjoyable part for me and something I will have with me forever.

Question 12 : Do you follow soccer and who’s your favourite football team ?

Answer : I’ve been a supporter of Leeds United since I was a chap, must be supporting them about 20 years now at this stage. I really think this season is their season to get out of the Championship and into the Premier League and Marcelo Bielsa is the man to do the job.

Question 13 : What’s your favourite band at the moment ?

Answer : At the moment I’m a massive fan of Dermot Kennedy. I’ve been to see him twice or three times at this stage. The album is constantly on it the car and I reckon I know most of it off by heart at this stage. So I’d have to say Dermot, he’s the man.

Question 14 : Who’s the funniest member of the Wexford Hurling panel ? Explain

Answer : Hands down David Dunne. His enthusiasm and excitement for everything in life is just comical. He always brings a smile to my face.

Question 15 : What’s been your favourite moment in your career so far ?

Answer : It would have to be winning the Leinster Title this year. Like I said it was amazing to win this with all your best mates on the pitch with you. It’s been 15 years since Wexford won a Leinster title so that was definitely the high point of my career so far.

Question 16 : How many Hurley’s do you currently own ?

Answer : That’s hard to say. I reckon I have at least 30 to 40 Hurley’s in my house with my name on then at any point throughout the year. Out of that I have 8 to 10 hurls that I have broken in, ready for action and would feel comfortable picking up at any-time for training or to play a match.

Question 17 : What’s the most awkward question you’ve ever been asked in an interview ?

Answer : Hands down question Number 10 in this interview.

Question 18 : Can you tell us a little bit about your helmet and colour choice ?

Answer : I’m currently wearing a black helmet. Since I started hurling I’ve gone from Yellow to Red to Red & Black to all Black. I wore my yellow Junior Gola helmet until I was twenty which I eventually grew out of. After that I changed to a Red Cooper Helmet. The top part of my red helmet broke so I replaced the section with black giving me the Red / Black helmet. Then in the Leinster Final this year the front part of my helmet broke which brought me to the All Black helmet I now wear.

Question 19 : What’s been your worst injury ?

Answer : My worst injury was a dead leg on my tight I picked up around the end of March this year. That put me out of action for about 8 weeks. I couldn’t walk for about 3 of the 8 weeks so that was probably the worst to date I’d say.

Question 20 : What advice would you give to up and coming Hurlers?

Answer : Firstly practise every day. It’s something that you hear a lot but it’s so important. Also soak up knowledge from people around you in relation to the game. Whether it’s coaches, other players or just people who you look up with a good knowledge of the game, soak it all up like a sponge.

Learn as much as you can about different positions, how to shoot differently, get different scores and always try to improve yourself. If you think you’re the best on your club team? Aim to be the best on the next age group up within your club. If you’re in a developing squad, try to be the best back in the squad or the best forward but always aim to improve