Why there should be more testimonials for GAA’s finest — just not as Gooch knows it

Before he became one of the country’s leading if unheralded performance directors, David Malone was one of this country’s leading if unheralded athletes, winning gold at the 2000 Paralympics and multiple world swimming championship medals.

After his fourth Games in Beijing though, he had no more races to swim. What was he to do with no more race to swim? Who else was he with no more races to swim?

A friend noticed his mental anguish and put him the way of Daragh Sheridan, who had just linked up with the Institute of Sport to run a pilot programme helping athletes deal with retirement. One of Sheridan’s many suggestions was for Malone to hold what he termed a ‘career showcase’. A big part of his life was ending, so it needed to be marked, celebrated.