Shape I'm In: Cork footballer Aidan Walsh

SENIOR Cork footballer Aidan Walsh, 23, may be on his college summer holidays but there is no time to let the grass grow under his feet.

He is training daily as he prepares for the Munster SFC final and running a thriving business making hurleys at home in Kanturk, Co Cork.

“I started it when I was 16. I had an awful interest in seeing how they were made. So one Christmas my parents got me a sander and a bandsaw — and it took off from there. I supply a sports shop in town, a few clubs and a lot of individuals.”

Aidan is the second oldest of four children, his only brother, Tommy, is just 10 years old.

“Whenever I’m at home I’ll spend up to an hour every day playing hurling and football with him. He is a good little player but I try to keep him on his toes all the time.”

When asked about a girlfriend he says there is no nothing official. “It’s hard to get a girl and to keep her happy — to spend enough time with her.”

* Aidan Walsh is an ambassador for Heaven Cent, a joint fundraising initiative for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street University Children’s Hospital which aims to raise €2m. See: www.heavencent.ie.

What shape are you in?

Good enough shape. I like to spend from an hour and a half to two hours every day training. When I am not training I am thinking about what I’m going to do next: should I be getting more sleep, eating, drinking more water, more vitamins? I’ve had some problems with my stomach over the past few years. At matches I’d be feeling very sick in my stomach — eating too soon before playing or nerves. I am taking spirulina and it’s helping.

Have you any health concerns?

No. I’ve been very lucky that way. I’ve always had problems with my hamstrings. I am constantly working with them. Gaelic football has gone so intense and physical there is bound to be something wrong with you.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I try to eat five meals a day — I don’t eat many carbs. I never worry about calories. I try to eat as much as I can because I lose weight fast enough. I could easily drop down a stone.

I drink two litres of water every day and coming up to a match I’d probably have three or four a day.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

McCoy’s crisps and a Yorkie bar.

What would keep you awake at night?

If I played badly in a match or training wasn’t going well. I had exams a few weeks ago — I am studying PE and biology in DCU — and they were tough enough.

How do you relax?

I watch a bit of TV. I like to watch The Good Wife and Gold Rush. I’d watch any kind of TV just for an hour or two. I also have my own hurley business. Now that I am off for the summer, I make hurleys all the time. I am never really bored.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Boxer Floyd Mayweather, comedians Michael McIntyre and Kevin Bridges, and actress Mila Kunis, she’s proper enough.

What is your favourite smell?

Vanilla — candles or air freshener.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

I have a cow’s lick — it wrecks my head. I can’t anything about it. I just have to live with it.

When did you last cry?

Last October, when we lost two county finals — club hurling and senior football — in two weeks. I was fairly depressed after that.

What trait do you least like in others?

I don’t like people trying to make fun of others for their own enjoyment.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I’m probably a bit disorganised at times. I’d love to be organised and neat. I am bad enough to answer the phone as well. I get that a lot from people.

Do you pray?

I try to before I go to bed. I go as often as I can to Mass but probably not as often as I should.

What would cheer up your day?

Good weather. Being on top of things. Getting a lot done.