The Bandon man will travel home to Ireland when his UCF team play Penn State in Croke Park this weekend.
Sean Galvin is an Irish sportsman who you’re going to hear a hell of a lot more about this week and in the foreseeable future. The Bandon native is the kick-off specialist with the University of Central Florida and they take on Penn State in the Croke Park Classic this Saturday.
Sean and his family moved to States back in 2004 and a bit of luck along with some real talent has seen him develop into a fine young player with a big future in American Football. Galvin recently spoke to RedFM’s Big Red Bench about how the sporting path he’s now on came about. Scroll down for more…
Galvin on… how he started playing American Football in the first place
“I played soccer my whole life and some GAA with Bandon and the Gaeil Scoil at home and then I came to America and played some more soccer. It was a fluke that I got into American Football in High School, a football came over to me on the pitch one day and I kicked it back and the coach asked me if I wanted to try out for the team.
“I played, everything worked out and I had a bit of luck. Now I’m going home to Ireland to play the biggest game of my life in front of me family.”
Galvin on… playing in Croke Park
“I’m looking forward to coming home and then going to Croke Park is going to be absolutely incredible. I’ve been dreaming about playing there my whole life, walking onto that pitch is going to be something unreal altogether.
“I think I was supposed to go out in a Cork jersey with a football and hurley but a UCF jersey won’t be a bad sight either. Look, playing there was always a dream so getting to play American Football against Penn State should be great, I’m really looking forward to it.”
Galvin on… how much he knew about the sport before he moved to the States
“The first dream was to play GAA for Cork and then when I came to America, it was all about soccer. It’s not loved over here though, you don’t get the support over here that you’d get if you were playing at home.
“Everyone loves America Football so I said I’d give it a go and kicking/punting was the first thing I thought of because of my soccer background and being a big enough guy (6’3″), that helps with distance so it worked out well.”
Galvin on… the future and entering the NFL draft
“Yeah that’s the plan, hopefully this year goes well for me now because I’ve been working hard for it. Hopefully I’ll get drafted next year, I’ll sign up as a free agent somewhere and play a few years in the league.”
Galvin on… what Irish people can expect at Croke Park on Saturday
“It’s going to be very exciting, every play you don’t know what’s going too happen. Some of the guys are about 350 pounds so the power and speed of these guys is awesome. It’s going to be something really special for people who come along.
“I can’t wait, I mean, walking out on that pitch, looking up at the family in the stands, I just can’t wait.”
University of Central Florida vs Penn State takes place on Saturday, August 30 at Croke Park. To buy tickets for the match, simply click here.
