These lads have the tools to excel elsewhere.
We all know Shane Lowry won a huge golf tournament last Sunday night and with it, instant fame and a thirst for knowledge about the man from Clara in Offaly.
One of the things we know about Shane is that he’s a big GAA fan and of course, his father played for Offaly during the 80s with great distinction and was a member of the team which prevented Kerry from winning five-in-a-row in 1982.
Shane himself was a very good footballer, but chose golf, which, as it happens, hasn’t been the worst decision he’s ever made.
Taking Shane as an example, we’ve taken a look at some other Irish sportsmen and suggested a sport we think they’d excel in.
Colm (Gooch) Cooper – Horse Racing Jockey
At five foot, 11 inches, you would think that the brilliant Kerry footballer would be too tall to be a jockey.
There is, however, a flat racing jockey by the name of George Baker who stands at six feet tall.
Gooch is an inch shorter and has a brilliant tactical mind. He would be ideal on the bridle of a horse coming into the final straight of a race, whispering, urging and inspiring the horse to reach deep and give every ounce.
Conor McGregor – Football
The man from Crumlin has fast become one of the biggest sporting stars on the planet and is the UFC cash cow right now. His incredible fitness levels would see him lasting 90 minutes no problem.
It’s the spinning heel kicks that he does so well that have caught our eye and we dare say, a few of his opponents too.
Imagine a ball being sent into the box and there is McGregor rising to meet it, spinning in mid-air to volley the ball into the top corner?
Magic.
Joe Canning – Golf
There can be few players who are in complete control of their grip, wrist action and accuracy as the Galway hurler Joe Canning.
He scores for fun and has consistently proven to be as accurate as anyone in hurling.
We think it wouldn’t take much of a stretch for him to excel at golf.
Johnny Sexton – Darts
The Irish out-half has long been heralded as one of the best in the game. His kicking from hand is unparalleled and his dead-eye accuracy is a thing of wonder.
Darts isn’t the most physically demanding of sports, but when the pressure is on, you need someone who is cool in pressure-cooker atmosphere and who delivers consistently.
Sexto is your man.
Robbie Keane – Gymnastics
Ireland’s all-time leading goalscorer would seem like an unusual choice for the sport of gymnastics, but come on lads, who hasn’t been impressed by his goal celebrations featuring a front roll followed up by imaginary gun shenanigans?
I know the Olympic judges would be!
Paul O’Connell – Wrestling
The Irish captain is departing to France after the World Cup, but he has the sheer size and bulk to trouble any wrestler anywhere.
We can easily see him throwing fancy-dan American wrestlers around the ring with joyful abandon.
He may struggle with the trash talk though; he’s way too nice.
Tiernan McCann – Diving
We couldn’t resist.
