Peadar Tiernan

Peadar Tiernan opens the interview by recalling his earliest memories of the GAA, including listening to games on the radio in the 1930s. His account of his early playing days highlights the lack of any GAA infrastructure in the Cavan of his youth, while his stories of travelling to games are equally revealing. Tiernan discusses his brothers’ involvement in the GAA and his own participation at school, university, club and county levels. Rivalries and the lack of success are discussed, as are the impact of emigration and migration on the Templeport club of which he was a member. In addition, Tiernan reflects on the roles of women and the clergy in the GAA and makes observations on the social customs around games. Although his direct involvement with the GAA ended with his playing days, Tiernan reflects on the value of his sporting experience to his future professional career and considers the importance of amateurism and the parish/county structures to the GAA’s past, present and future. Finally, Tiernan recalls the highs and lows of his GAA involvement and reflects on his GAA favourite GAA players and teams.