Macauley inspired by Harrington team-talk

Footballer of the Year nominee Michael Darragh Macauley says a mid-championship team-talk from golfing icon Pádraig Harrington was a powerful motivational tool.

Three-time Major winner Harrington met Jim Gavin and his Dublin panel at a city hotel last summer during their run to All-Ireland title success. Macauley, whose family home is just yards from Harrington’s in Rathfarnham, revealed how the Ryder Cup legend spoke passionately about how he prepares for big tournaments, deals with outside influences and works with the media.

“He’s a busy man so it was great that he agreed to do it,” said Macauley. “He has so much going on but he talked so passionately about everything that he does, about the psychological side of his preparations, all of that. It was powerful.