The shape I'm in: David Moran, Kerry GAA player

David Moran enjoys pizza and golf but only when he is not playing football.

KERRY GAA player David Moran didn’t hesitate when he was offered a top job in his native Tralee this summer.

However, in the rush to take up the position — a partnership with accountancy firm Casey & Co — and to keep up with his match commitments, there was little time to go house hunting.

Instead, the 28-year-old moved back in with his parents, Anne and Ogie, an eight-time All-Ireland winner.

“The first few weeks were very handy but after that the novelty wore off,” he laughs.

“I’m getting more and more jobs, so it’s time to get out. My mission now to try and get out on my own.”

In a long-term relationship with Sinead Keane, a chartered accountant, he is not about to rest on his well-earned academic laurels.

With a BComm, a masters in financial services and having passed his chartered accountancy exams with Ernst & Young in Cork, his next challenge is to study for the tax exams.

“It’s something I’d like to get involved in,” he says.

However, that’s not all. Having written a thesis on hedge funds, he says he likes to “keep an eye on the stock markets and stuff”.

On or off the pitch, it seems David Moran is not about to stand still for long.

What shape are you in?

Football is finished for the season so my diet and exercise levels have plummeted. My shape is beginning to reflect this.

During the season we train five days a week between field and gym sessions, so the break at the moment is a welcome change. We will be back in the gym within the next few weeks and back on the field in the new year, hopefully.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I’m a big breakfast person. I cook porridge every morning and have it with fresh fruit.

I’m also quite good with healthy snacking during the season — a lot of fruit and nuts.

Before a game, I tend to avoid carbs early in the week and then load up the day or so before the game.

What are your guiltiest pleasures?

I love pizza. It has become my staple diet after National League games every spring for the last few years. I try to stay away from it during the season.

When I was in living in Cork I was also prone to braving the queue for KCs in Douglas — worth the wait.

What keeps you awake at night?

When working during the day and training in the evening, I’m usually asleep before my head hits the pillow.

If I was awake it would be due to either work or football. A few minutes reading cures this, however.

I get through a lot of biographies — John F Kennedy and Sam Allardyce, the UK football manager.

I find it hard to sleep in the off-season because you’re not worn out from training. I’m not used to having so much energy.

How do you relax?

During the season I can’t be as active as I would like but I love watching other sports. I could spend a weekend on the couch watching soccer, rugby and racing.

In the off-season, I like to travel or play a few holes of golf. I play off a 15 handicap. I had the opportunity to play Mount Juliet lately which was fantastic, albeit my golf wasn’t.

I don’t play golf during the season because walking 10K around a golf course wouldn’t be ideal for recovery. You don’t have long [to play], so you might as well give yourself every chance.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

LeBron James [basketball]. I’m a big fan of American sports. Warren Buffett [billionaire and philanthropist] and Tommy Tiernan [comedian]. I’m not entirely sure where that conversation would go though.

What’s your favourite smell?

Freshly baked bread.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

My feet — horrendous.

When is the last time you cried?

I tore my retina a few years ago during a football match. I was just after recovering from two cruciate injuries and it was another big setback.

Injuries are part of sport though so you just have to get on with it.

What traits do you least like in others?

I find people with no self-awareness very frustrating, particularly when they don’t consider the point of view of others.

What traits do you least like about yourself?

I often over-think things.

Do you pray?

No.

What would cheer up your day?

A flight to the sun.