Den Haag GAA Club - Mens Players 2007/8

Dr. Denis Reidy (Donnacha ó Riada)

Height: 6ft 1in

Weight: : 14.5 st, 13.25st when I was very fit (6 years ago)

County: : Limerick, second preference Kildare (mother’s county)

Home club: : Gerald Griffins (parish of Loughill and Ballyhahill)

Occupation: Materials Scientist

Sporting Achievements: LimerickCounty: Represented county at Senior, Under 21 and Junior championship level , McGrath Cup winner 2001. UCC: Munster club SFC 1999, Cork County SFC 1999(runner up 1996), University and Colleges Division 1 All-Ireland SF League winner 1996. Gerald Griffins: Limerick County IFC 2000, Limerick County JFC 1996, Limerick County MFC ‘B’ 1989 (captain), West Limerick SFC (Shannon Gaels group team) 1991, 1994, 1996,1997(captain), West Limerick JFC 1994,1995. Ballybrown Hurling club: Limerick County Under 21 HC 1992 University of Limerick: University and Colleges Division 1 All-Ireland SH League winner 1991. Ireland Australian Rules football: 12 international caps and full back on team that won International Cup in MCG, Melbourne in 2002.

Greatest attribute about GAA and Gaelic Games: The lasting friendships made with teammates/clubmates and opponents and the excellent community pride it instils.

Favourite Position (gaelic games): Half back line in football, midfield/half forward in hurling.

Toughest opponent(s): Stephen Mc Donnell (Armagh) and a young Under 21 player from a few years ago called Colm ‘The Gooch’ Cooper (Kerry). Tough days all, even tougher than marking Derek Butler or Willie Hempenstal in training!!

Sports idol: Muhammed Ali (Sorry Orson, no contest there, even with the lip!)

Boyhood heros: Jimmy Barry Murphy (Cork), Kevin Moran (Dublin GF/Ireland soccer), Leonard Enright (Limerick), Kerry 4 in a row team.

Favourite Players: Seamus Moynihan and Maurice Fitzgerald (Kerry), Matt Connor (Offaly), Brian Whelan (Offaly), Ciaran Carey (Limerick), Brain Corcoran (Cork).

Future stars: John Forde (manager/captain/ Taoiseach), Declan Bonner (coaching/butchering, not at the same time), Mick Breslin (captain/Donegal Godfather/Shay Given understudy), Micheal O Hagan or any of Des Breen’s or Colm Doyle’s children (very young bright stars of GAA), Mary Gavin (GAA President).

Favourite Film(s): Shawshank Redemption, Braveheart, Lock, stock and two smoking Barrels.

Favourite Food: Not Dutch, Italian, Argentinian , and spuds, bacon and cabbage.

Favourite Drink: Pint of Guinness in any of the following: establishments i.e.. Cissie Youngs Bar, Magazine Rd, Cork / Mulligans Bar, 100 Amstel, Amsterdam / O Shaughnessy’s Bar, Glin, Co. Limerick or Jet Carroll’s Bar, Listowel, Co. Kerry.

Biggest GAA Playing Highlights: 1. Representing my county, college and club(s) in senior championship and lucky enough to be part of teams with players like Seamus Moynihan, Eamon Fitzmaurice, Damien Reidy, Karl O Dwyer, Johnny Crowley, Anthony Lynch, Paul Galvin, Billy Sheehan, John Quane , Brian Lohan, Tom Kenny, Willie Hempenstal, and Derek Butler to name a few. 2. Playing centre-back in the 1996 Limerick JFC final and my brother Damien scoring the winning point to bridge a 55 year wait for Gerald Griffins to win a County adult title. 3. Winning the Cork County SFC final in 1999 (though injured) after a replay, my brother Damien won the Man of the Match award, and then winning the Munster club title after replays in both the semi-final and final. 4. On Gerald Griffins team that beat Athea and St Senans in West Limerick Junior Finals 1994-1995. Back to basics, bo!!@@k and bite, parish pride!!

GAA coaching and offical Highlights: 1. Coach/selector with Den Haag GAA and Holland Ladies GFC teams when captains Graham Merriman, John Forde and Maria Murtagh lifted European Champions Cups. The resultant delight and pride on all club members faces, especially Mary Gavin, Willie Hempenstal and Derek Butler. Priceless!! 2. Coached UCC Fresher GF team to the All-Ireland final 2004 and semi-final 1999. 3. Chairperson 2000-2002 and Secretary of UCC Gaelic football club 1999- 2000. 4. Coached UCC ladies Gaelic footballers to Munster league title 2003.

Biggest Sporting disappointments: 1. My brother Damien missing a point with virtually the last kick to win the Munster SFC vs Kerry 2004. 2. Losing Cork County SFC final in 1996 with UCC, only medal Seamus Moynihan the UCC captain that day has never won. 3. Losing All-Ireland Club semi-final to Crossmaglen and Sigerson Semi-final to QUB within six days in 2000. Both Crossmaglen and QUB won the finals. 4. Losing Sigerson Cup Final 2002 in Sligo by one point. Eddie Hartnett, UCC physio and great friend, and I drove back to Cork straight after the match and the first time we talked was near Ennis we were so gutted. Eddie owned a pub at the time which helped team morale enormously for 3 days solid!!!

Biggest influences: My parents, Dad played in 1965 Munster SFC final vs Kerry, Mam won Leinster Hockey medals, so playing sport was an obvious choice when growing up. Eamon Ryan, ex UCC coach and good friend, his enthuasism, enjoyment, knowledge of hurling and football, thoughtful and down to earth attitude to coaching is inspiring. Playing on teams with players like Seamus Moynihan , Anthomy Lynch etc and watching their preparation and attitude both on and off the field of play. Pat Noonan, Gerald Griffins coach, the original Pat Short GAA mentor!!!!

Dreams: 1. Gerald Griffins to win a Limerick SFC and become a constantly strong team in Limerick football championships. 2. Limerick to win the Munster SFC and Sam Maguire and Limerick hurlers to win Liam McCarthy. 3. GAA becomes strong in Europe with non-Irish nationals playing a high level of our great games at both juvenile and adult level. 4. Den Haag GAA and Holland ladies Gaelic football clubs to develop and realise their potential of constantly strong teams at adult level and to organise a productive underage/school structure for Irish and non-Irish nationals. 5. Give enjoyment, encouragement, knowledge and inspiration to every player I coach, help them realise their potential and be a successful team manager.