READY FOR THE CHALLENGE
Darren Hayden delighted with south Wicklow GDA role LAST week Darren Hayden was announced as the new GDA (Games Development Administrator) for south Wicklow.
From interviewing him it is clear Darren is very enthusiastic about the role seeing it as an opportunity to make a big difference to something he is clearly passionate about, Wicklow football.
Hayden has been an ever present fixture on the Wicklow Senior team since the Mick O’Dwyer era and the journey to this role takes him back about the same length.
After finishing school he became an apprentice carpenter but following the economic downturn he decided to take up a three year sports science course in Carlow IT.
“I was doing an apprenticeship at the time of the recession but I decided getting a college degree would benefit me and the Sports Science course caught my eye as something I thought could be really interesting “.
Hayden enjoyed his time in IT Carlow and was part of the Sigerson team for three years, including an appearance in the league final in 2011 when Hayden was in first year.
Following his degree Hayden returned to his carpentry role before a role as GPO (Games Promotional Officer) caught his eye.
“The chance to be able work in something I loved really appealed to me and to be able to give something back and make a difference to Wicklow football was also a big reason why I went for the job”.
This passion certainly caught the attention of his interviewers and he began his work as GPO helping clubs across Wicklow before the role was transferred to that of Games Development Administrator in south Wicklow. His role involves helping clubs and schools in footballing matters and promoting the games.
“I’m really looking forward to the new role and to continue on from my work as GPO. It’s great because I think I can contribute something especially with the schools as a big problem currently is the dropout rate of footballers in their mid to late teens. Giving kids and teenagers an enthusiasm to play, without forcing it upon them is important in my eyes and hopefully that’ll mean that more of them keep it on after they leave school.”
Hayden also feels that supporting the clubs is equally as enjoyable and challenging.
“What struck me about the role was that I would be helping two of the core backbones of the GAA in the schools and the clubs. Obviously from being involved in football from an early age I know what clubs mean to the local community and the amount of work which goes into running them. A bit like the schools I think that dropout rates, especially of younger players, is a big issue. Seeing proud clubs struggle for numbers is sad and if I can help clubs in any way or encourage players to stay on I think it will be a positive”.
Inevitably we go onto talk about the Wicklow seniors, how his role as GPA can contribute to it and how his responsibility in the team has changed over the years.
“I definitely feel a stronger base of players in the clubs and having more kids continuing on past school can only be good for us in the future.
“I’ve been on the panel for seven years, have had some great days, and still love it as much as when I first came through.
“My role in the team has changed a bit as I suppose I’m one of the more senior players now.
“A part that comes with that is helping the younger guys. Each training you see them coming on more and more and we really have got a promising, talented group of lads in there.
While many have scrutinised Wicklow this Spring Darren is confident that they can have a successful 2017 and exceed the expectations of their critics.
“We definitely had a difficult start to the year with the O’Byrne Cup and the start of the league, which was frustrating because we didn’t do justice of how good we can be.
“Our aim at the start was to get out of Division 4 and while that might be out of our hands now the last two matches have been far improved and if we can continue on and win the next couple that’ll have us in good nick come championship. Louth are going well at the moment but I’m confident we can go up to Parnell Park and get a win if we perform to our ability.”
Finally a lot has been made of the new motions brought in by congress and how they will affect perceived weaker counties. In particular the new “Super8” series has been a hot topic of discussion and Darren gave his thoughts on the format, which will replace the conventional knock out quarter finals in 2018 replacing it with 2 round robin groups.
“I don’t agree with it and I find it hard to believe that it got passed in the first place when the GPA blatantly disapproved it. Money isn’t everything but the revenue generated from those extra matches will only widen the gap between Dublin, Kerry and the other big countries and the rest of the country.
“It seems very unfair as many counties will only get two or three matches in the championship at most, while others get eight or nine and that extra exposure makes a big difference for young players starting up.”
Darren undoubtedly understands the game and the challenges that lie ahead for Wicklow football.
Enthusiasm, dedication and talent are clearly traits which he has transferred from his intercounty career and his positivity and outlook for Wicklow football are refreshing.
A man who has been one of the finest footballers to come out of the county in recent years is a top candidate to promote the game to the young and not so young alike, and with a bit of luck they will be seeing lots of him in the blue and yellow of Wicklow this summer.