Time out: GAA star Rena Buckley on life after inter-county playing

“There’s more flexibility in terms of going to weddings and important things like that. I can’t say I’ve met everyone loads in the last couple of months but at the same time, I’ve a little more flexibility.”

Irene Feighan

In the same way an apple tree doesn’t strain to grow apples, top GAA player Rena Buckley naturally grew into a top-class athlete. “It was never a conscious decision. I’ve always loved sport and always will play as much of it as I can. I would have been very much aware that I would be really happy when I’m playing — it would have been something I would have done without much hassle,” says the 31-year-old Inniscarra woman who recently retired from inter-county playing.