The John ‘Tweek’ Griffin interview: 'Every young Irish person deserves the opportunity to play hurling'

First time John ‘Tweek’ Griffin travelled to hurl for Kerry, he couldn’t believe it when players headed for the pub the night before. But over a fiercely committed 15-year career, he saw improvements, a new ambition, the melting away of some old divisions, and even a little glory. He drove much of that progress himself, making a few enemies along the way. But when he retired last year, to modest fanfare, he knew he had given the jersey all he could.

“This is the story of ‘Gooch’ and ‘Tweek’, two 33-year-old Kerrymen whose inter-county careers overlapped for 13 years. They retired within six weeks of each other… The departure of ‘Gooch’ transcended GAA and indeed sport… It’s different for Griffin, affectionately known as ‘Tweek’, who hurled for Kerry between 2003 and last year. His retirement, announced in an email from Kerry PRO, John O’Leary, last Friday, drew little media reaction.”

- Martin Breheny, Irish Independent, May 24, 2017