LET’S GET GOING: MDMA

had more time on my hands than I ever had in my life, but it was nice,” he says. “I was able to train. I was coming back from that rehab ( following a groin injury).

“At that point running was a novelty for me. I was kind of getting stuck into that.

“I kind of up-skilled, did a lot of extra yoga courses. Did lots of bits and pieces online as much as I could. Like, I was in there in front of 80,000 people. Barring that, I want to be there in front of 40,000 people. Barring that, 20,000.

“Give me 200 people, it will be a novelty. But if that has to be zero, just Dessie Farrell and his dog, that’s what it is. a position to do that when others weren’t.

“It was a nice time for me the way it worked out,” he adds, though he points out: “A lot of people I know didn’t have a good lockdown and like some of my sanest of friends had a really tough time in lockdown and weren’t able for it at all.”

Macauley works as a sports and engagement manager with the North East Inner City Ini“i

“From a player’s point of view, I haven’t come across anyone who wants it any other way. Lads are happy to play, everyone I know, club and county have put in a good shift over the last while.

“Everyone was doing their 5ks and HIIT sessions. tiative and he agrees that there are benefits to people’s mental health, as well the nation’s morale, to a Championship going ahead this year.

“I don’t know how many times people have asked me on the street thinking I’ve an insight into what’s going on. ‘Are we going to have a Championship this year? Please God tell me we’ll have a Championship!’

“I know anecdotally how

“Everyone was in the same boat in the country, not just inter-county athletes and it is nice to have a little endgame in sight.

“Everyone I have talked to just wants to play ball, be it in front of just one man and his dog, or 80,000 people.”