Connacht’s Dillane on keeping fit
ULTAN Dillane of Connacht and Ireland, says the Covid-19 restrictions are difficult to adjust to, but said players are training as best they can.
The 26-year-old Tralee man lives with fellow Connacht teammate Dominic Robertson McCoy from New Zealand and his brother with the trio challenging each other daily to keep their fitness up.
“It’s been different for sure, but yeah, the provinces have done the best they can to keep all the players with gym equipment and then try and facilitate us to train as normal.
“Despite the big change that has happened to everyone so, we’ve been no different, we’ve been given the gym, divided up between all the players and luckily enough we’ve enough equipment in the house to, kinda, get some good training under our belts but, yeah, it’s been definitely different for sure.
“It has taken some getting used to but, at times it’s been quite enjoyable.” Is it a different challenge? And maybe even in some ways, a bigger challenge? “Yeah, for sure! Definitely because you can’t get the whole gym delivered to you house, you kind of have to make do with what you have, so, there’s a lot of exercise we’re being told to do that is really, really, hard and the body definitely doesn’t like it but, again, as you said it’s a nice challenge to try and better yourself and that’s something you otherwise wouldn’t be doing much of.
“I think we’ve all tried to target some goals and maybe try to achieve some personal bests by the time we get back to normality you know?
Living with Dominic Robertson McCoy and his brother, Dillane said it’s important having other competitive people around him to keep sharp. “Yeah, well actually my brother isn’t a professional player, but he has played rugby before and he would be quite competitive. But no, it is good to have that, kind of, everyone trying to bring each other up to get some training done, because it’s very easy to fall into a hole of laziness at times, you’ve so many hours in the day to do stuff in but yet, it’s so easy to do little.
“It’s nice to have everyone trying to push each other on to maybe do some conditioning or an extra weight session because it’s not as if we are going playing any games so there’s plenty of time to recover from everything.
“It’s also important to give each other nutritional tips because it’s so easy to fall into that lull of just eating whatever you want because you’ve no one to look over you or to check you on anything and yeah, it’s been good, we’ve been quite positive.”
He adds: “So there is a good buzz to try and get some good clean cooking going and we’ve all taken to it quite well to be fair.
“I’m cooking mainly Italian dishes and I’m just trying to perfect my bolognaise and different things and, eh, I think we’re getting quite adventurous with lasagnes and stuff. I’m mainly into the Italian you see? But yeah, the girlfriend is baking, she’s actually a bit of a distraction, but she’s baking some nice stuff and brownies every now and again. Few treats after fitness so yeah, it’s been fun, for sure!”
He explains Connacht have weekly challenges that the whole squad are taking part in. “Connacht have this type of weekly challenge that they have going on for the whole squad and the coaching staff are included and that is a challenge and depending on where you end up at the end of each challenge you get a certain amount of points, but if you are last you only get one point.
“I think there is a forfeit, I’m not up to date with what it is but I’m pretty sure there is one. We’re only two weeks into it but it’s really tough. Last week was a burpee challenge, just do as many burpees as you can in 10 minutes and after like two minutes you hit a wall so like, it’s kind of funny to see because everyone will send in time lapsed videos of it.
“But yeah, I think that’s as far as our challenges go.”
He says he’s really missing playing. “Yeah, I am missing it loads to be honest! Even just to carry into contact or make a tackle, it feels like so long ago since we’ve done any of that, lacing up your boots properly you know?
“I’d say everyone is in the same boat, even like passing a rugby ball, we’re passing it around but like not as you would in a game, it’s crazy it feels like ages since I’ve done a lineout so, I’d say there is a lot of people itching to get back playing.”
He adds that the coronavirus crisis has made us realise how much sport means to us all.
“To be honest, it’s come on my mind a couple of times but just to relay, it’s just mad how kids, for instance there’s been a number of us who have been approached to even do these sports challenges to keep these kids and people entertained in different parts of the country and it’s mad how a small little trick shot challenge or whatever it is, for say a GAA team, in such town is so helpful just to keep people occupied. Sport is big for everyone and that really shows in these times we’re in.
“Everyone is just itching to do something, boredom is so easy to creep in right now and even, you cant go too far from where you are and I mean it’s great to play a game or just kick a ball around or just have a bunch of people to get tired out playing or doing something, it like an addiction or something, everyone wants to be out there playing some form of sport.”
He mentions he lives with Dominic Robertson McCoy, who is a long way from home but is able to keep in touch with family. “Thankfully, with technology and everything, being able to communicate with anyone anywhere in the world and you know, he’s just on the phone to his mum every odd day and his family and it doesn’t feel like he is so far away.
“I think it’s probably because he is so used to being here and being away from home but to be fair the countries are doing a really good job to keep everyone updated of their statuses.
“So, I think New Zealand has been on lockdown for a couple of weeks now and they pushed the lockdown a lot sooner than we did.
“So, at least he is up to date and everything and I’m sure he is missing home but we’re all in it together.”
At times like these, people might feel under pressure, a bit of anxiety, however there are various things they can do to help themselves and one of those things is to check out the Tackle Your Feelings App. This is something that Rugby Players Ireland combined with Zurich have put together with Dr. Hannah McCormack.
Dillane said it’s a very good thing to have and to be available to you as a rugby player and to the general public because anyone can actually check out the app and use it.
“It’s a great app and it’s not just for rugby players, the main message is that it’s good to talk and if you have any problems, there’s so many people and places you can talk to.
“The Tackle Your Feelings App is great and I think all the advertising they have done for it is fantastic. I think they’re doing a real good job there. It’s certainly good to know it’s there!”.
With more time now on his hands how is he keeping busy? “It’s not too impressive but I mean to be honest on a day like today, sunny day in Galway, it is nice to get out and go for a walk or a cycle.
“I do have an electric bike from Brite so it’s actually so easy to get outside on that, it’s a great yoke.
“Otherwise when the Connacht lads are looking to waste an hour or so, we can just hop on the PlayStation and play a bit of Fortnite.
“I mean, I really should be reading or something but otherwise, I have actually played a little chess, to be honest, we’ve quite a competitive house for chess and checkers or draughts, that’s been quite fun but that’s about it.
“I’m definitely improving (at chess), I haven’t played too many people, but in the house the games are quite competitive so, I’d say definitely improving. I have my tactics you know?!”.