Giving Up Drink

In the dark moments after Copenhagen I pondered the way forward, more for myself then the team. I've put in a string of below par performances which have run parallel to ankle and back injuries, all the way back to Paris in April. I made some glorious committments to myself; no drink till Rennes, better diet i.e. less pizza and coke, more veg and fruit, more sleep etc.

Bad week to start as I endured possibly the worst week I've had since joining Toyota. Early starts, late finishes, barely enough time to draw breath for lunch. I found comfort in Dominos and Pizza Hut but the guilt hung over me. When the wolves were finally tammed on Friday afternoon I headed home for a quiet weekend.

By 18h, I had a thirst on me to go for pints. I relented however, convincing myself that Brian Cowan and the dislikeable Tubridy could provide sufficient evenings entertainment. Determined to get the most out of my Saturday, I was up and about early doors. I had an agenda and headed off to Woluwe Shopping centre. The list included a wok, a george foreman type grill and a steamer. With these safely tucked into the Yaris' boot I headed for Jack O'Shea's Butchers in Shuman.

As a minor, and even as a 28 year old, my physical presence would hardly make the opposing team shake in their boots. Our minor trainer of the time, Gerry O'Dywer preached the need for me to eat plenty of fillet steak. I was a believer, so I did. Physically I didn't grow but it didn't matter, the mental battle was won. Today, the lovely shop assistant obliged and sliced her knife through a glorious piece of fillet.

The spuds, the veg and all the other trimmings were gathered before I got home. Just now I have finished my first dinner with my new appliances and I can confirm it was a fantastic occasion.

Now I'm left pondering the dilemma about my personal beer ban. Padraic Buckley, a former teammate in Kinsale, has this spot on. Padraic is an outstanding footballer and has played Cork underage and Senior football in both Dublin and Cork. He gets the balance spot on because he lives life, training hard and socialising at the right times. I wouldn't have spent a whole lot of time in his company but he handles his boozing well and his performances never dip.

So why would you inflict a booze ban on yourself. I drink once a week, maybe twice if there is something that warrants it. I never have a beer at home and never pop in for a quick one after work. Binge drinking. That's my style!!

You hear of teams going off the booze for weeks or months before a big game. Physically, what effect does this really have? On a fella like me, probably minimal. If a lad were drinking four or five nights a week then you'd probably see the difference alright. The benefit is more mental. Collective sacrifice, sense of purpose and all that. It shouldn't be underestimated.

I'd have been one of the more extreme when I was playing at home and probably gave up drink on a few occassions. 2001 wasn't one of them. The Sunday before we played Courcey Rovers in the South-East Final, myself and a few of the lads (who have to remain unnamed to protect their continuing careers!!!)headed to The Spaniard, which is on the outskirts of the main pub circuit in Kinsale. We had a great night and all of us who played the following Sunday, held up our end in a great victory.

So in that sense we can say you must do what is right for yourself. The story goes (as it does with many other fellas) that Stephen O'Brien used to have three pints of Guinness before lining out with Nemo Rangers in a County Final. It relaxed him. And this is why I'm not going to proclaim that I will turn my back on drink. It's a ridiculous committment to make if you only go for the odd beer! The stress caused by not being able to have one outweighs any benefit gotten from the sacrifice.

Now I have justified why I can go drinking tonight. Thank you for listening. The fact I've teased it out has removed all the stress from the situation. I'm not off the booze till Rennes, I'm merely picking and choosing, having a few pints when I want to and not for the sake of it! Will I go out tonight? Maybe.