Sheerin loving life
Former Balto soldier enjoying his football in Westmeath
FORMER Baltinglass and current Garrycastle footballer James Sheerin kindly agreed to take part in our 20 Questions slot this week.
Currently enduring the lockdown in his adopted county, Sheerin was a loyal servant for his club over the years at all age groups and can now be found exchanging witty ripostes with many Baltinglass comrades and other random humans on the Twitter machine.
A physio by trade and all-round swell guy, James enjoyed championship success with his native Baltinglass in the past and with Garrycastle last October when they overcame St Loman’s in the county final.
1 – Where are you in the world and what’s happening in your life?
I moved to Athlone to work as a physiotherapist and transferred to play with Gareycastle. Like many other people though I’m currently off work and have no team activities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
2 - Before the restrictions were put in place how were things for you in terms of football?
We had only played one league game with the club and I had missed it due to a friend’s wedding so it was just training as usual to that point for me.
3 - How has your team/club adapted since Covid-19 in terms of staying sharp and preparing for the potential return to playing later this year?
We’ve kept on top of things in terms of individual running and home exercise sessions but it’s hard to know where you really are in terms of preparation when you’re not training or playing.
4 - Tell us about your move to Weatmeath, the hows and the whys?
As I said, I moved for work reasons and a commute for training from Athlone to Wicklow wasn’t really feasible so I decided to transfer. The lads I work with are big Garrycastle men so that’s how I ended up there and not with Athlone.
5 - Leaving Balto – utter heartbreak or escape to freedom?
It was a really tough decision. I loved playing with Balto. I actually took a year out of football altogether before the transfer which helped to soften the blow but it still wasn’t easy.
6 - Wicklow man arrives in Garrycastle GAA Club – highs and lows?
It’s a great club. I was made feel at home right from the off. I’ve had the chance to play with some great players and I’m still enjoying every minute of it.
7 - Best day in the Baltinglass jersey and why?
I had a lot of great days. I suppose winning the championship in 07 is a highlight even though I didn’t get onto the pitch that day. I was only 18 and probably didn’t appreciate how big a deal it was at the time.
8 - Least best day in the Baltinglass jersey and why?
There’s a few of those as well. County finals in ‘12 and ‘13 were tough to take being back to back one-point losses.
9 - Best day in the Garrycastle jersey and why?
Easy one this. Winning the county final against Loman’s last October.
10 - Least best day in Garrycastle jersey and why?
Probably the championship game against Athlone in 2017. It was the second group game and although we drew, I broke my wrist and it was an injury that ended my first season with the club
11 - Thing you miss most about Baltinglass the club?
I played 10 years senior with Balto as well as all my underage football so what I miss most is probably playing with those lads that I spent all that time with
12 - Thing you miss most about Baltinglass the town?
Family. Although now only my parents live in Baltinglass itself, we’ve always all been very close and don’t get to see each other as much as we would have in the past.
13 - Any major difference between how things are done in both counties in terms of football or administration?
I’m not sure how things are in terms of organisation in Wicklow these days to be honest. In Westmeath (this year has changed things obviously) the league is ran off every two weeks and completely finished prior to the championship starting, which I have found to be a good system.
14 - Right now across your adopted community children are colouring you in. Explain. How does that feel? Do you have an agent?
I had a feeling this would come up. The club are great for looking after the kids to be honest. They’ve had a few different ideas to keep them interested while we’re all in lockdown. Colouring in a picture of me probably isn’t the most exciting thing for them but if it keeps kids interested in what’s happening in the club that’s the main thing.
15 - Best memory from your childhood in Baltinglass GAA Club.
Again there’s a few. We were St Joseph’s for much of my time and I was lucky enough to have success. The weekend spent at the Féile in Fethard, Co. Tipperary, is one that stands out.
16 - If you could bring one Baltinglass player to play in
Garrycastle to play on your team, who would it be and why?
That’s an awful question! I had some great teammates in Baltinglass. If you really restricted me to one, then from my time I’d probably take Joey Kelly. He could kick points from anywhere.
17 - If you could present an award to one of your Baltinglass colleagues for their ‘work’ on Twitter, who would it be and why?
I feel like this is set up to say Mark Staines. To be fair he’s probably the person I interact with most on there so I’ll have to give it to him by default.
18 - The GAA in Wicklow, now that you have set up camp far, far away, have you any insights as to how improvements could be made in terms of inter-county?
It’s an interesting question. I could probably talk at length about what I think is best but I’m sure plenty of people would disagree. I think the biggest thing is striking the right balance between football, life in general and work. To be successful you need everybody in the county pulling in the same direction and I think to get the most out of the available players getting that balance is hugely important.
19 - Favourite footballer to have ever worn the Wicklow jersey and why?
Tough one this. There are some legends who were before the time I can remember. I spent a lot of time travelling to and from training with Johnny Flynn and John McGrath though and from a personal point of view I’d have a lot of time for those lads.
20 - First thing you are going to take the most pleasure in doing when ‘normality’ returns?
Believe it or not I’ll enjoy getting back to work and obviously back to training and playing football. We might enjoy a night out or two to top it off too.