Darren Frehill - Sports Commentator
Thanks so much to Darren Frehill, RTE, for sharing his experience of Community Games with us. Darren is a Sports Presenter on Morning Ireland and Sunday Sport.
Darren, tell us about your time in Community Games and what it meant for you to take part?
"Community Games were a big deal when I was growing up in East Galway. GAA and rugby were the popular sports but there has always been a tradition of athletics in the Ballinasloe area. My brother and I spent weeks preparing for the local event every year, we were only kids, but this was our “Olympics”. Great days!
Unfortunately I was never built for speed so despite my best intentions I never experienced life at the business end on the big days. But the event itself always stood out for me. I was always aware how special it was to be part of the day. There was one positive, I think my shortcomings on the track and sports field when younger helped to inspire my decision to get involved in sports broadcasting. I was just desperate to be part of the big days and thought if I can’t compete, maybe reporting on it would be the next best thing!
I have always had a love of sport and while I never got the opportunity to play at the highest level there is no doubt it has helped me develop into the person I am. I feel the benefits of sport can help you in many ways. Staying active is a great way to unwind and an even better way to make friends. Sport by its nature is competitive, but it’s much more important to take part."
Have you any tips to help encourage young people to be active, given the pressures of social media and modern technology?
"Life can be hectic and sometimes it’s not always easy to make time to stay fit and look after your diet. My working week can be a little unpredictable but I do my best to work some activities into my week. While I don’t play team sports anymore, I always put a couple of hours a week aside to go for a run, a cycle or a kick about. I find it’s a great way to unwind and allows you to switch off. Looking after your diet can be even more of a challenge, but my family and I have made a conscious effort to eat well and we can all feel the benefits. A little planning can go a long way."
So Darren, now that you are a bona fide Community Games Hero can you let us know who were your Heroes when growing up?
"I was fortunate enough to grow up at a time when the Galway hurling team were doing quite well. The Tribesmen won the All Ireland twice in the late 1980’S and they were my idols. Joe Cooney was my favourite player and I would spend hours pretending to be him in our back garden. I was also a big soccer fan and I loved watching Argentina’s Diego Maradona. These two were among the best to have played their respective sports. I’m lucky enough to know Joe now, but still waiting to meet Diego!"
Darren, thanks so much for taking to us, you are now a very successful sports broadcaster on RTE, what tips could you give to young people looking to pursue this “dream” job?
"It sounds like a cliché but there is no substitute for hard work no matter what line of work you get involved in. I see firsthand how much commitment is required to make it in the world of sport. One of my favourite sporting moments was Maurice Fitzgerald’s point against Dublin in 2001 at Semple Stadium. Maurice came off the bench and kicked one of the greatest scores the game has ever seen from the sideline in the dying stages of the match. Many felt that this was down to God given talent, but what many won’t know is that Maurice kicked that point hundreds of times at his local pitch in Cahersiveen over the years. One of the greatest sporting moments wasn’t an accident. Some of the top sports stars make it look easy, but believe me they work harder than anyone else out there. There is a lesson for everyone in this story."
"Community Games were a big deal when I was growing up in East Galway. GAA and rugby were the popular sports but there has always been a tradition of athletics in the Ballinasloe area. My brother and I spent weeks preparing for the local event every year, we were only kids, but this was our “Olympics”. Great days!
Unfortunately I was never built for speed so despite my best intentions I never experienced life at the business end on the big days. But the event itself always stood out for me. I was always aware how special it was to be part of the day. There was one positive, I think my shortcomings on the track and sports field when younger helped to inspire my decision to get involved in sports broadcasting. I was just desperate to be part of the big days and thought if I can’t compete, maybe reporting on it would be the next best thing!
I have always had a love of sport and while I never got the opportunity to play at the highest level there is no doubt it has helped me develop into the person I am. I feel the benefits of sport can help you in many ways. Staying active is a great way to unwind and an even better way to make friends. Sport by its nature is competitive, but it’s much more important to take part."
Have you any tips to help encourage young people to be active, given the pressures of social media and modern technology?
"Life can be hectic and sometimes it’s not always easy to make time to stay fit and look after your diet. My working week can be a little unpredictable but I do my best to work some activities into my week. While I don’t play team sports anymore, I always put a couple of hours a week aside to go for a run, a cycle or a kick about. I find it’s a great way to unwind and allows you to switch off. Looking after your diet can be even more of a challenge, but my family and I have made a conscious effort to eat well and we can all feel the benefits. A little planning can go a long way."
So Darren, now that you are a bona fide Community Games Hero can you let us know who were your Heroes when growing up?
"I was fortunate enough to grow up at a time when the Galway hurling team were doing quite well. The Tribesmen won the All Ireland twice in the late 1980’S and they were my idols. Joe Cooney was my favourite player and I would spend hours pretending to be him in our back garden. I was also a big soccer fan and I loved watching Argentina’s Diego Maradona. These two were among the best to have played their respective sports. I’m lucky enough to know Joe now, but still waiting to meet Diego!"
Darren, thanks so much for taking to us, you are now a very successful sports broadcaster on RTE, what tips could you give to young people looking to pursue this “dream” job?
"It sounds like a cliché but there is no substitute for hard work no matter what line of work you get involved in. I see firsthand how much commitment is required to make it in the world of sport. One of my favourite sporting moments was Maurice Fitzgerald’s point against Dublin in 2001 at Semple Stadium. Maurice came off the bench and kicked one of the greatest scores the game has ever seen from the sideline in the dying stages of the match. Many felt that this was down to God given talent, but what many won’t know is that Maurice kicked that point hundreds of times at his local pitch in Cahersiveen over the years. One of the greatest sporting moments wasn’t an accident. Some of the top sports stars make it look easy, but believe me they work harder than anyone else out there. There is a lesson for everyone in this story."
