We recently announced the
2017 Electric Ireland Minor Star Awards winners, and with Minor Hurling and Football being such an important milestone in many a Gael’s journey, we caught up with former Minor Star and Down GAA All-Ireland Minor Football Championship winner Martin Clarke, to find out more about his footballing journey, and what advice he would have for minor stars of today. Martin’s footballing journey took him from Kilkeel in Co. Down to Melbourne, Australia, and AFL powerhouse Collingwood.
Martin’s Early Footballing Days
Clarke first came to the attention of many in Ulster, and indeed to Ireland’s GAA circles, when he starred for his school, St. Louis, Kilkeel in both MacLarnon and MacRory Cup Football.
“School’s football is very unique in that you are playing with the boys you are spending all your time with during the day. It is the only GAA team that can compare to professional sport in that respect. It creates a special bond as you know each other so well and forge such a bond over six or seven years of friendship made throughout the school years.
All-Ireland Minor Success in 2005
2005 was a big year for Martin Clarke as he helped Down win only their fourth All-Ireland Minor Football Championship. While football played a big part in the memories for 2005, Clarke reflects on a summer that brought with it great adventure - both on and off the field.
“2005 was the year I met my now wife Anna, so it certainly was fantastic in so many ways. The summer of 2005 was amazing. After school finished in June, I had a summer job in a pool hall close to my house. I’d spend my days in there, where I met some great people, many of whom hadn’t a clue about GAA. The minibus used to pick me up from there and head straight to training in St. Colman’s, Newry. I just remember loving training so much. I was only 70kgs and could run all day … and thought I was invincible. Some of the games we won in the later stages against Galway and Offaly were some of the best team performances I’ve ever been part of."
Clarke highlights one memory from that 2005 championship run that highlights the bond that minor football and hurling teams enjoy across the country:
“A memorable moment happened after our dramatic victory against Tyrone in the Ulster Championship first round. It occurred later that night when almost all the team arrived outside popular selector Dessie Kennedy’s house in Mayobridge. After an evening of celebrations, we chanted his name until he peeked out the window! We had a real strong bond that year and most of us were confident we could go all the way once we got past Tyrone.
Looking back now I’m so proud to have been part of a precious All-Ireland success for County Down.”
An Australian Adventure
Following the 2005 success, Clarke made the decision to move to Australia in 2006 following a successful AFL training camp. Moving to the other side of the world and trying a sport that you’d never really played before would be a daunting task for many.
So how did this time in Australia shape Clarke for what lay ahead?
“My time at Collingwood in many ways defines me to this point. To be taken from my life in Ireland where I had good grades at school and plenty of GAA success, to a city of 4.5 million people and a sporting environment where I was the smallest, ugliest and least skilled player on the roster was a huge challenge. But that’s what made me the person I am.
“I put in serious time and energy to become the second worst player on the roster, then the third worst and eventually I was one of best 18 and broke into the team. I continuously had to fight and push myself to try and get a game, and sometimes I got dropped. It is during these tough times where you find out what sort of character is inside you. Being there for seven seasons I made lifelong friends and inspirational people who continue to influence me today.”
The Summer of 2010
Five years on from winning an All-Ireland Minor Football title with Down, Clarke made the decision to return to Northern Ireland and played a big part in the Mournemen’s run to the All-Ireland Football Final.
“In many ways my life was at a crossroads. I had a three-year contract in front of me from Collingwood, and a decision to sign it would have meant I was not going to come back home for a very long time. Anna was by then the most significant person in my life and I wanted to be with her as well as play for Down and get a university degree. It was two positives I had to choose from and that’s why it was so hard to pick. I have no regrets.”
Down were defeated by the narrowest of margins in the 2010 GAA All-Ireland Football Final, losing 0-16 to 0-15 to Cork. It wasn’t the way that Clarke would have wanted the campaign to end, but we asked him what were the highlights of this unexpected run to Croke Park, and the All-Ireland Final?
“The All-Ireland semi-final against Kildare was an amazing experience. The colour contrast in the packed stands walking behind the band in the pre- match parade was something I will never forget. I really felt in the zone on that day and played some great passes as we just edged out a fine Kildare side. In truth, the quality and competition within trainings that year was the main highlight. Playing alongside Benny Coulter, Dan Gordon, Danny Hughes, Kevin McKernan and my brother John was incredible, and what I dreamed of as boy. 2010 was a very special year.”
The Buzz of Irish Stadiums
Clarke has been fortunate to run out at Croke Park on many occasions, both as a minor and senior footballer. So just how special are GAA pitches across Ireland?
“Croke Park is an amazing stadium and I am very lucky to have played there on so many occasions. However, we won games in Tullamore, Carrick-on-Shannon, Navan and Cavan during those campaigns, and I enjoyed these games just as much, because to me, those grounds in the middle of towns where you can see the supporters from the team bus, really give the GAA its uniqueness.”
The Future….
So, what does the future hold for Martin Clarke?
“I have had such an unexpected journey, all of which has come from sport. I’m hoping the future will be a little more predictable. I am currently entering my final year of a Health and Sports degree in Queen’s University, and despite some people’s belief I am not going on to do teaching. I would love to work my first ‘real job’ within sport or business in some capacity, and certainly look to coach/manage a GAA team as well.”
Advice for Today’s Minor Stars
Having won an All-Ireland Minor title, received a Senior All-Star award, and tried his hand at professional sport in Australia at a young age, Clarke has some simple words of advice for today’s minor football and hurling players. “Work hard. Play hard. Rest easy.”
“Under 18s today are too serious about their body, about tactics, and about how they are perceived. When you are training or at a game, prepare well to be getting the best out of yourself and give it 100% for these periods. But don’t forget you are only 16, 17 and 18 once. Don’t be afraid to go to a music festival or eat a take away every now or then. If your best mate is having his 18th two weeks before a Championship game, don’t avoid going, and miss out on these special moments. Sometimes I think we can all be too harsh on GAA players and set unrealistic lifestyle standards that are not expected even at the top level of professional sport.”
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