Niall McNamee: Where I was five years ago seems like a lifetime away

Five years without a bet and a place sealed in the last four of the AIB Leinster senior club football championship – it was a very special Sunday for Offaly senior football star Niall McNamee.

The gifted 31-year-old forward was aware of the impending landmark but in keeping with the ‘one day at a time’ mantra, McNamee focused in on football and Rhode’s clash with Meath champions Simonstown Gaels.

After scoring five points, four from play, at O’Connor Park, McNamee was savouring that winning feeling back in the village with family, friends and his girlfriend, Laura.

“You do know what day it is?” Laura remarked. It was then it dawned on McNamee. November 13, 2011, was the last time he’d placed a bet.

He says: “It’s funny, I thought about it during the week but played the match on Sunday and completely forgot about it.

“Laura remembered it again. It’s nice, winning the game was the most important thing but as an aside, it’s a huge achievement. Five years is good going.”

At 9:39pm, McNamee reached for his mobile phone and posted a message on Twitter.

‘5 years today since I last had a bet. My best ever decision and greatest gift to have ever been given.’

By yesterday afternoon, he’d been retweeted 89 times and his tweet was liked almost 900 times.

“It’s a reflection of how big the problem is, a hot topic of conversation, and for someone to put down that milestone resonates well.

“Looking back to five years ago, where I was, seems like a lifetime away.

“The more I’m in recovery and stay away from it, the more good things start to happen.

“And the more they happen, the more you want them, it goes hand in hand.

“Over time, the urge goes away but you need to keep on top of it on a daily basis. There are some tough days along the way, but great days and good days more often than not. I focus on them and Sunday was a nice little celebration for myself.”

When the tough days come, McNamee is aware of the triggers and how to cope with them.

“I had a conversation with a lady today and there are different strands to gambling and addiction,” he says.

“Having a bet is one thing but other things can impact like your relationships, if they’re going bad, or you’re not happy in your job, or living in a home environment that’s not positive.

“That can put you in a space where you don’t feel that well in yourself and gambling would be the easy option to disappear into for a couple of hours.

“But I’ve worked hard to put good structures in place in everyday life, in terms of the job and what I’m working at, in terms of football, I’m enjoying that, and my relationships with family members and my girlfriend.

“Things happen, people suffer bereavements or you lose a game of football, setbacks but you learn to deal with things and open up and not to shut the emotions away. It’s a natural process, you feel sad and it might not be right or wrong. You accept the feeling and not let it define you.

“And that feeling goes away in a day or two. Those are the little victories.”

Rhode’s victory over Simonstown has sent them through to another Leinster club semi-final. In 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2014, the Offaly kingpins have gone all the way to provincial finals, unfortunately losing them all.

Now they’re at the penultimate hurdle again and Louth’s Sean O’Mahonys will provide the last four opposition. “We love the competition and it brings the village, parish and community closer together. Sean O’Mahonys in Drogheda is a huge challenge, a new journey.

“We’ve never played there before so for the supporters it’s another road trip and brilliant from that point of view. We’ll prepare for it the very best we can and see how it goes.”