AFTER SUFFERING A second stroke in January of this year, Sligo’s Johnny Martyn was still hopeful that his football career could still be salvaged. The initial conversations with doctors were promising but a phone call in May cut those final strains of hope to ribbons and he was told that his body had no more chances to give.

It was news he wasn’t expecting and the cruel sense of disillusionment that so often afflicts athletes who are forced to retire followed soon after.

“I got a call from the Sligo team doctor and he told me that after further consultations they said it would be better if I stopped because the medication I’m on is a blood thinner and if I get a bang, it could cause internal bleeding. I hadn’t played any games at that stage but I was gearing towards that.”

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“I didn’t see it coming,” Martyn added. “The good thing is that I’ve had no effects and I’m fully healthy. It’s just there’s a huge gap in my life. You’re used to training and now it’s gone.

“The first couple of weeks, I didn’t mind and I was able to go out more. But then it sunk in and it was hard to take especially when there were games coming up with Sligo and the club.”

Martyn’s first stroke occurred at a Sligo training session a few days out from a championship game against Cork in 2014. The session was in its early stages when Martyn started exhibiting some of the classic stroke symptoms – mouth sloping to one side, and despite his attempts to communicate his despair, his lips could only produce silence.

He put his career on pause to let his body heal and had his eye on a restart in 2015. Ankle ligament damage brought that comeback to an abrupt end and when he came back the following year, he was looking towards completing a full season of inter-county football without any interruptions.

But while warming up to be introduced during an FBD League game, a similar sensation to the one he had felt two years earlier, resurfaced. The fact that this experience was less painful offered some hope that he could recover and go again in time.

“I can remember (2014) like it was yesterday but I try not to think about it too much. When it happened the first time, I thought I wouldn’t get back. But then I got an opportunity to come back.

“When it happened the second time, the fear was there and I just couldn’t believe it was happening again but it turned out to be a mini-stroke so it wasn’t as bad as the first one.”

The St Mary’s player can appreciate the aspects of his story that deserve to be celebrated. In addition to having no side effects from his health scares, the diagnosis still allows him to exercise so long as contact is excluded. But as he says himself, “he’s not one for going for a run or going to the gym.” In truth, there’s no real drive to find any other pursuits while he continues to linger for the one that has been a constant in his life for so long.

“There’s not much left outside of Gaelic football. It’s been my whole life. There were times when I was playing that I wouldn’t be looking forward to going training but now I’d love to be going.”

“It’s been hard not being involved. One of my best mates who I play with lives down the road so I see him a good bit but there’s other players that I don’t get to see so I do miss that dressing room spirit. I’m not 39 or 40, I’m just 35 and while I knew that last year was probably going to be my last year with Sligo, I thought I could keep going for a while longer with the club.”

There was a temptation to disregard the medical advice and play on with full knowledge of the risks, but that choice was taken away from him.

“To be honest if it was up to me, I’d be back playing. When they told me, I said I was willing to take the risk but I wouldn’t be insured so I had no choice really.”

Various causes can offset a stroke and while it seems bizarre that a high performance athlete could be stricken by something that is more commonly regarded as a consequence of poor lifestyle choices, it’s not a rare thing in sport. All these possibilities were laid out for Martyn during his ordeal.

“The doctors explained a good bit of it to me and when it happened the first time, blood clots were mentioned. We played Limerick in the previous game and I could well have gotten a bang and that could have had an effect. They told me as well about blood clots in rugby and American football.”

Apart from attending games as a spectator, Martyn has temporarily withdrawn himself from football. This is not the end, but rather an opportunity to engage with the sport in a new way. Sligo manager Niall Carew and his club manager have extended offers to him to join their respective backroom teams, and the prospect of that new challenge already seems to intrigue him.

“I’ll definitely get involved again next year. There’s plenty of underage teams in the club and there’s the county as well.”

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ANOTHER WINTER LIES in store for Mayo in the long shadow of Sam Maguire.

Despite three devastating All-Ireland final defeats in the last six years, Tom Parsons and the rest of the Mayo squad have an unwavering belief that lifting the title in September is written in their destiny.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Parsons is a little less damaged than the rest. He wasn’t part of the panel for the two previous losses, but they still hurt.

“The outside influences of the burden of 65 years for Mayo, we take that on the chin,” he says.

“That was my first All-Ireland final. I wasn’t involved in 2012 or 2013. I know a lot of the guys have played in all three and we’ve come up short. We carry ourselves on our history as a team. We just want to represent Mayo as best as possible.

“Last week was tough to take. We definitely felt we performed really well and we did all the things that we talked about in training.  As it turned out we didn’t win it. Now we’re at a stage we’ve accepted it, we moved on.

“I can already sense from talking to the players that we’ve had our week where we’ve been very, very dissapointed. This week and the coming weeks is where we reflect, analyse and see where we can improve and really go at it in 2017.

From speaking to the 28-year-old, you get the sense that 2016 has already been put in the rearview mirror. With a group of All-Ireland winning U21s germinating within the squad, Parsons is optimistic the future is bright.

“If we can improve the way we improved throughout the season 2016 at the same rate in 2017, we’ll be in a really good place,” he says.

“Arguably this year our two best players were Brendan Harrison and Patrick Durcan. It was their first All-Ireland final and they improved massively throughout the year. There’s no reason why we can’t have another two new finds next year who could again be our top performers next year.

“It’s promising. A lot of our team are young, eager and ready to go. We’ve a bunch of U21 lads there who won an All-Ireland final this year and they are just ready to rock-and-roll for 2017.”

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

As is often the case with a narrow one-point All-Ireland final defeat, mistakes from the losing team are over-analyzed and over-processed. Parsons defended Stephen Rochford’s decision to start Rob Hennelly ahead of David Clarke in the replay.

“To play at the top level, every team needs to be adaptable. If you look back to the Tyrone game, we deployed Alan Dillon at centre-forward. If you look at the Tipperary game, we deployed Barry Moran as a sweeper.

“The call came in the second Dublin game because Dublin were putting severe pressure on short kick-out. We have a very experienced goalkeeper in Rob Hennelly who is on par with David Clarke, has played in All-Ireland finals, kicks the ball out long and has been playing really well in training.

“Would I call it a risk? No. I’d call it adaptibility of a team. Unfortunately, when a goalkeeper makes a mistake it can be detrimental or it can be a goal. Is that the reason why we lost the All-Ireland final? No.

“There was a number of reasons. There was a number of errors, both forced and unforced that we could be done better with around the middle of the field. I don’t think there was one Mayo player who didn’t make a mistake in both games.”

“I 100 per cent back and trust the character of Rob Hennelly and the work he puts in. It’s been difficult for him but he has a strong character and he will be back training and will come back at it. And the exact same goes for the management. ”

Parsons adds there have been “no whispers” of any potential retirements from the squad. Heading into Year 2 of Rochford, he’s confident they have the pieces to solve the puzzle.

“The age profile of the team is good. There’s a huge drive, there’s a huge bond in the team. I don’t think miles on the clock is going to be a huge factor in us not competing or going at it for next year.

“I think top teams now have to be really mentally strong as well. As a group we certainly are really mentally strong.

“If we put it together and improve, it’s all there. Why not?”

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A book of condolence for Anthony Foley was opened today at the IRFU offices in Dublin.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Home

• Anthony Foley‘s family have said their ‘anguish is bottomless’ following the tragic death of the Irish and Munster rugby legend.
• Tributes continue to pour in from around the world with a book of condolence opening in the IRFU offices in Dublin, as well as in council offices around Munster.
• Nevada State Athletic Commission say the punishment handed to Conor McGregor after a press conference fracas isn’t as severe as first reported.
• The Ireland senior and U21 panels for the 2016 hurling/shinty series were announced today.
• Olympic boxer Adam Nolan yesterday won his first county hurling title with Oulart-the-Ballagh.
• Melbourne City have remained tight-lipped on the rumours linking them with a move for Dundalk’s Daryl Horgan.

Members of the Munster squad stand and observe the shine for Anthony Foley outside Thomond Park.

Source: Niall Carson

Away

• Dan Carter has been cleared of doping following a probe which implicated him and two Racing 92 team-mates.
• Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has been banned for eigth tournament weeks and fined by the ATP.
• The FA want to appoint another English manager as Sam Allardyce‘s successor.
• Three men have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of the daughter of sprinter Tyson Gay.

Connacht head coach Pat Lam today received an Honorary Doctrate From NUIG.

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

The Best Thing We Shared

This brilliant goal in the final seconds of yesterday’s Laois SFC final denied Portlaoise a 10th conseuctive title.

Source: SportsTalk TV/YouTube

On The Record

“We will always look at new broadcasters . Hurling is the (one of the) fastest sports in the world, it should be on ESPN or FOX (but) we can’t have a big broadcaster who could cherry pick finals and provincials.”

The GAA‘s media rights manager, Noel Quinn, on how he aims to make the most of broadcast deals.

Where we were today

Kevin O’Brien was at St Vincents GAA club to speak to Dublin’s Paul Mannion.

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Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

The Fixture List

• The Champions League returns on Tuesday with eight games down for decision, all kicking-off at 7.45pm. Tottenham’s trip to Bayer Leverkusen is the highlight while Leicester host Copenhagen.

Showbiz, Baby!

As Sars beat Kiladangan to clinch their first county three-in-a-row since the 1960s, they dedicated it to Lieutenant Colonel Jack Griffin, who served as both trainer and selector with the team and sadly passed away last November.

Paudie Maher brought Griffin’s three young daughters Laragh, Isabelle and Emma up the Semple Stadium steps yesterday and rather than lift the Dan Breen Cup himself as captain, asked them to accept it on the team’s behalf from county chairman Michael Bourke.

Source: Inpho

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Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

AS THE FINAL whistle blew and Thurles Sarsfields were crowned Tipperary senior hurling champions once again, there was one man very much on Paudie Maher’s mind.

Lieutenant Colonel Jack Griffin was a Sarsfields clubman through and through until his tragic death last November at the age of 47.

As Sars beat Kiladangan to clinch their first county three-in-a-row since the 1960s, they dedicated it to Griffin, who served as both trainer and selector with the team.

Maher brought Griffin’s three young daughters Laragh, Isabelle and Emma up the Semple Stadium steps and rather than lift the Dan Breen Cup himself as captain, asked them to accept it on the team’s behalf from county chairman Michael Bourke.

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Source: Twimg

ADAM NOLAN SPENT most of his sporting life going for gold — but he was delighted to get his hands on some silver yesterday.

The Olympian, who boxed for Ireland at London 2012, clinched his first senior hurling title with Oulart-the-Ballagh who were crowned Wexford champions for a remarkable 10th time in the last 13 years.

Nolan still has a long way to go before he catches up with brother Darren however. He’s been involved in all 10 of the club’s wins since the turn of the century.

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INCOMING WEXFORD BOSS Davy Fitzgerald has spoken about the sense of relief he felt after stepping down as Clare manager last month.

Fitzgerald’s five-year spell in charge of the Banner came to an end before he was quickly snapped up by Wexford. The 45-year-old agreed on a three-year term in charge of Wexford, with a review to come after two years.

In a revealing interview with RTÉ Sport, Fitzgerald spoke about the series of events which led to his Clare departure. He was adament the majority of the squad wanted him to remain in charge of his home county.

“The players are getting a lot of stick in Clare that they don’t deserve. 95, to 96 or 97% of them players I would die for. Maybe one or two of them have lost their ways a small bit. Or maybe their dads have, but apart from that, them Clare players are great lads.

They didn’t organise anything against me. I more or less told them after the Galway game…like if you were in the dressing room you would know that I knew I nearly had enough.

“I asked them to see would they like a change of voice, that’s exactly the words I put to in their mouths.”

He voiced his disbelief at the criticism he received, especially when it came from within the county.

“I was more relieved to get out of Clare,” the three-time All-Star said. “I had fellas I played with cutting the back off me for three years. I haven’t seen too many of them coaching anyone to win anything.

“There’s no real logic behind any of it because they can’t stand up and say they have done anything themselves.

I remember going home [after leaving Clare] and saying, ‘I don’t have to listen to that anymore’. The way I felt treated, and probably betrayed by some of them, was unreal, but that’s the way it is and it is over.”

“The [playing] style is based on the players you have. What I was dealt with was mainly a bunch of 20, 21 year-olds  and you had to make sure you were covered in all angles.

“You had to make sure the systems you were playing suited them.

“I look back on it with no regrets and I’m happy.”

Having stepped aside, his initial plan was to take a year off but Wexford chairman Diarmuid Devereux had other ideas. Next year will be his tenth straight season as an inter-county manager.

He says he met Devereux ”out of courtesy” but was impressed with his passion and refusal to accept no for an answer.

1. Bundee Aki scores a crucial late try in Connacht’s Champions Cup win against Toulouse yesterday

Source: Inpho/Billy Stickland

2. Uruguay’s Egidio Arevalo shows off his acrobatic skills in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia

Source: Ricardo Mazalan

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3. Cork’s Stephen Dooley and Adam Hanlon of Finn Harps battle for the ball and with the conditions at Turner’s Cross on Friday night

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

4. Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews celebrates a sack on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning

Source: Mike Roemer

5. Simon Zebo looking mischievous at Munster training this week

Source: Gary Carr/INPHO

6. Buffalo Sabres Josh Gorges (4) collides with Montreal Canadiens forward Torrey Mitchell (17) in the NHL

Source: Jeffrey T. Barnes

7. Lisnagarvey’s Mark McNellis with David Kane and Mitch Darling of Three Rock in the EY Men’s Hockey League

Source: Presseye/Rowland White/INPHO

8. Boston Celtics forward Jordan Mickey (55) goes for a dunk in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of a pre-season NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets

Source: AP/Press Association Images

9. Leinster’s Robbie Henshaw is tackled by Remi Grosso of Castres Olympique

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

10. Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard enjoyed himself this week

Source: David Zalubowski

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CILLIAN O’CONNOR WENT on a goalscoring rampage this afternoon as he shot 4-4 to help his club Ballintubber reach the semi-finals of the Mayo senior football championship.

Ballintubber blitzed Garrymore to win 6-14 to 1-9 with O’Connor firing four goals to the net while Jason Gibbons and Alan Plunkett also raised green flags.

At the break Ballintubber were in front by 3-7 to 0-2 and they ran out victors by 20 points as the 2014 champions issued a strong statement of intent.

Their win sets up a heavyweight semi-final game between Ballintubber and Castlebar Mitchels. The pair have won five of the last six Mayo senior football titles with Ballintubber defeating Castlebar Mitchels in their three final wins in 2010, 2011 and 2014.

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Castlebar Mitchels, this year’s All-Ireland club finalists, trailed by 0-10 to 1-6 at half-time to Ballaghaderreen in their last eight game this afternoon with Eoghan O’Reilly scoring their goal. Barry Regan was in sparkling scoring form in that opening period for Ballaghaderreen.

But Castlebar Mitchels took over in the second half with goals from Cian Costello and Barry Moran helping deliver a 3-13 to 1-13 win.

Yesterday’s quarter-final victors Breaffy and Knockmore will face off in the other semi-final clash.

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STRADBALLY STUNNED PORTLAOISE with a dramatic last-minute goal to seal their first Laois SFC title since 2005.

Jody Dillon rattled the back of the Portlaoise net to end their 10-in-a-row hopes and pick up Stradbally’s 16th county title. Portlaoise were leading by two points in stoppage-time before Dillon’s goal.

Elsewhere, Glenswilly are the county champions in Donegal. Goalscorer Michael Murphy inspired his side to a one-point victory as they wrapped up their third county title since 2011.

Dr Crokes are kingpins in Kerry once again. Colm Cooper’s side claimed their fifth SFC title in seven years with a 2-16 to 1-12 victory over Kenmare District.

In Armagh Maghery won their first ever championship after a four point win over Cullyhanna, in a rare showpiece event without the involvement of Crossmaglen.

A goal in either half helped Sarsfields to their second straight title. Ray Cahill and Alan Smith found the net as they ran out 2-13 to 0-15 winners over Moorefield.

Elsewhere, Slaughtneil (Derry), Carbery Rangers (Cork), Rhode (Offaly), Mullinalaghta (Longford) and Cargin (Antrim) all lifted titles in their respective counties. In the Ulster SFC quarter-final, Down’s Kilcoo ran out two point winners over Monaghan champions Scotstown.

Football results

Armagh SFC final
Cullyhanna 0-12 Maghery 1-13

Antrim SFC final
Cargin 1-10 St Gall’s 0-6

Cork SFC final
Ballincollig 1-12 Carbery Rangers 1-15

Derry SFC final
Loup 0-6 Slaughtneil 2-11

Donegal SFC final
Glenswilly 1-10 Kilcar 0-12

Laois SFC final
Portlaoise 1-12 Stradbally 2-10

Longford SFC final
Abbeylara 0-8 Mullinalaghta 1-8

Kerry SFC final
Dr Crokes 2-16 Kenmare District 1-12

Kildare SFC final
Moorefield 0-15 Sarsfields 2-13

Offaly SFC final
Ferbane 0-9 Rhode 1-14

Ulster club SFC quarter-final
Scotstown 0-9 Kilcoo 1-8

Westmeath SFC semi-final
Athlone 1-6 Tyrrellspass 1-8

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