Be sure to check out this great podcast as Des Neylon takes Clare PRO Michael O'Connor back to his days hurling on the streets of Ennis through the days of Éire Óg training in Cusack Park and into the now. A great listen from a longstanding Townie.

YouTube link: Des Neylon-My Life and Times, How the GAA Shaped Me

Clare GAA March Podcasts Media Release:

Clare GAA PRO Michael O Connor has announced that over the course of March 12 podcasts will be recorded and broadcast on Clare GAA TV and forwarded to all clubs in the county for their social media channels.

The 12 podcasts will be called "My Life and my Sport. Clare GAA and how it shaped me".

Michael selected 12 people who have over the lifetime have and are still in some format involved with the GAA. The series will review their origins, sporting prowess, involvement with club, county and the key moments and personalities that shaped their thinking.

Clare county board Chairperson Jack Chaplin has welcomed these podcasts. " It will be a time for those who have given much behind the scenes and to the forefront of our association to recollect their life, times and those who shaped their lives". I would like to thank one and all for giving of their time to allow us to remember back to times when some of the great events of yesteryear helped to shape where we now stand".

Clare PRO Michael O Connor commented " I would like to thank sincerely all those who agreed to become part of this series.  I hope that in its own way these chats can recall the social history of the GAA in the lives of outstanding personalities who gave much to volunteerism in their community. It will also highlight those who moved away to foreign shores but never extinguished their love of home and culture".  He concluded "In a time of great difficulty for many it will be an escape back to a time when 10 people got into a car to go to a game, playing of the sport was central to a community every seven days and that the GAA was vastly important to the creation of modern Irish society".

Naoise Jordan, Whitegate native now living in Parteen who was recently elected as joint President of Clare GAA . One of the most respected characters of Clare sport. He has given 70 years' service to the GAA for club and county.

Carl Walsh, former Clare goalkeeper, son of the late Munster council chairperson and football activist Noel Walsh. Carl is now living in Australia and actively involved in enhancing GAA in his new home.

Catherine O Loughlin, one of the most decorated sportspeople in the county and Clare's first ever Camogie all-star. Revered in Inagh/Kilnamona camogie circles who also shone on the LGFA arena with Fergus Rovers.

Des Neylon, Former Eire-og club president, 1966 county senior medal winner with Eire-og and one of the better-known natives of the Ennis. His stories bring us back to the early days of hurling in the town.

Michael Guilfoyle, Feakle native and now resident in St Josephs. Former Clare senior hurler and one of the most active GAA coaches in the county. His family are linked with the GAA in Clare and beyond.

Gearoid Considine: native of Cratloe. Burst onto the scene with the 1997 all Ireland minor success who went onto play county senior. Now living in Australia but still thinks of the great days in Cratloe and Clare colours.

Ambrose Heagney: Galway native, now living in Corofin. Rose to prominence as one of the top referees in Clare and along with his family has given great service to Corofin. 

Brid Dilleen: One of the great servants of Banner GAA club and is still integral to the emerging Ennis Club. Her story is pivotal to the story of her beloved club that is on the rise.

Mary Keane: Lissycasey native and one of the legends of ladies' football and Clare's first ever all-star.  Her story is entwined with the all-conquering Fergus Rovers club that is part of her DNA. 

Pat Hanrahan: Doonbeg native and now resident in St Josephs. Pat's place in Doonbeg Clare GAA folklore is secured as part of Maughan's army that took the 1992 summer and made it their own.

Mickey Murphy: One of the most consisent club hurlers of the 70s and 80s from Clooney/Quin. Played on Clare senior winning NHL panels and has given more than 50 years service to hurling and camogie in Clooney and Clare.

Paudie Neylon: Native of Shannon Gaels and a name that stands for respect and commitment to the cause of Clare football. His family have gone on to give great service for club and county.