football

Kerry's Stefan Okunbor looks back on challenging year in AIB series 'The Drive'

20 July 2022 - 2:03PM

Kerry GAA and Na Gaeil star, Stefan Okunbor, joins comedian Ardal O’Hanlon as he travels through the Kingdom, discussing his journey that has brought him back from Geelong in Australia to Tralee.

AIB, proud sponsors of both Club and County, has today released the final episode of their GAA content series 'The Drive', this time featuring Kerry GAA prodigy, Stefan Okunbor.

Earmarked for success from a young age, Okunbor talks to host Ardal O’Hanlon about his introduction to Gaelic Games, his time in Australia, as well as the emotions which fueled his decision to return home to Tralee. With Kerry vying to get their hands on Sam Maguire for the first time since 2014, Okunbor also speaks about his excitement and pride to be back pulling on the green and gold jersey.

Born to a Moldovan mother and Nigerian father, Stefan began his GAA journey at the age of seven with Na Gaeil in Kerry. His time with his club, and his immersion into the world of Gaelic Games, was a catalyst for his and his family’s integration into the local community in Kerry and wider Irish society. In this week’s episode of The Drive, Okunbor talks through the special camaraderie that exists only within Gaelic Games, as well as touching on wider societal issues, as he reveals how the racism he has encountered on the field of play only resulted in increased support from family, friends and teammates. One such supporter, and a long-term mentor of Okunbor, is Donal Rooney, Stefan’s first senior coach at Na Gaeil, who joins the pair on their journey across the Kingdom. You can view the episode in full here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX225fByty0

The Drive series began with All-Ireland winning goalkeeper, Tyrone’s Niall Morgan as he joined O’Hanlon to look back on the memorable 2021 season as well as the various highs and lows since beginning his inter-county career in 2013. Galway man Seán Mulkerrin then brought O’Hanlon on a trip from Seán’s beloved Aran Islands to the mainland in the second episode, a journey Mulkerrin is proud of given his status as the first Aran Islander to play senior football for Galway. Last week’s episode featured former Dublin GAA star, Paul Mannion who discussed at length the extreme dedication and drive needed to commit to inter-county football, and the importance he places in giving back to his club Kilmacud Crokes. You can catch up on all of these episodes on AIB GAA’s social media channels.

AIB, now in its eighth year as sponsors of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, has launched The Drive to celebrate those players who persevere, no matter how tough it gets, because it’s who they are. For them, it’s about never giving up and never giving in, because Tough Can’t Quit.

For more information on The Drive, to keep up to date with the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and to be in with a chance of winning tickets for the big day, follow AIB GAA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.