“From morning to night you’re discussing the same issues”

AFTER what he describes as ‘hugely demanding’ — the process of campaigning to be elected President which has more or less taken a year out of his life — Sean Fogarty says that he wouldn’t need to carry out a survey of the needs of counties if he were to be elected.

“You’d be well versed because they roll out their problems to you,” he explains.

He concludes that overseas units are struggling because of the small number of Irish emigrating. “Unless we do something in the line of coaching and native English and American kids take up our games, they are going to be in trouble. I’d say that hurling is going to find it very hard to survive. Children will play football and what’s very strong in America is the Ladies Football.

“I can see a future for Gaelic football with the proper structures in place, hurling I would be worried about.”

One thing he shares with fellow candidates Christy Cooney and Liam O’Neill is a feeling of tiredness. “Yes it’s a hard slog, and expensive.

“From morning to night you’re discussing the same issues no matter where you go — in town, the local pub, even the back of the church at Mass. They’ll be lads asking you how it is going!”