Ex-Premier League footballer David Bentley fell back in love with sport thanks to the GAA

He’s the Premier League star who fell out of love with the game only to rediscover some of its old attraction in a GAA dressing room.

When, as part of a televised experiment, former Spurs and England man David Bentley lined out for Crossmaglen Rangers last year, it was a whole new sporting experience for him but, at the same time, an almost poignant reminder of what he believes the modern game of football has lost.

“That’s what it was,” he says. “I mean football used to be like that back in the day when I first started playing but it’s changed a lot because society has changed. You know: The media, social media, the focus, the money, the bitter minds of people towards the players. You literally play football, go home and that’s it. Whereas before, there was a lot more fun. It was an enjoyable experience.