It’s time for a change for GAA star Shane Carty. The 27-year-old recently started a new career and has been enjoying a “normal day-to-day” life after taking a step back from Dublin’s inter-county side and returning to club football.
“I felt it was the right time to take a step back and enjoy what other people consider the normal side of life,” says the Dublin resident. “In July I had my first summer holiday in 12 years with my partner, and it sounds like a simple thing, but it’s something that, despite all the sacrifices I’ve made, I haven’t been able to do.”
Having time to explore other activities such as cycling, running and a weekly swim in the sea are other aspects of life that the footballer enjoys.
“That’s not to say I wouldn’t have any aspirations to get back on the inter-county scene, but at the moment I’m very, very happy with where I’m at and really enjoying the other side of life,” he said. explains.
- Former Dublin GAA player Shane Carty is the IACP Self Care Ambassador. The IACP worked with Joe Caslin in 2020 on a mural to promote men’s mental health, which was selected to feature on An Post’s “Urban Art” stamps, available now in post offices and online.
I am very, very good. The balance in life that I have now complements all areas of my life. I think this is very important.
The only non-negotiable is that every Friday I meet my good friend and we go swimming in the sea in Portmarnock. We meet at 6am or 6.30am, have a coffee, talk a bit and go swimming in the sea.
In general, I get up early. I like to get up early. I’m always planning something: cycling, running, swimming or going to the gym – I’m very careful about starting the day right.
I have always had a healthy diet. It came from my athletic background and became a habit. It’s not something I force, it’s something I really enjoy.
I worked at a gas station for seven years and I really like the smell of gasoline.
I’m a big pizza lover. Whenever I let my hair down, I always eat pizza.
It will definitely be the next day’s work. I have a very busy schedule and sometimes it hurts. On the other hand, it keeps me on my toes. But sometimes when I plan [more] than something I was counting on that would keep me up at night thinking, “Okay, where will I be tomorrow, what am I doing?”.
That was about two or three months ago. Earlier this year, unfortunately, my partner had her first miscarriage, and not bad, but I didn’t show much emotion – I felt like I needed to keep up appearances. But unfortunately she had her second one not too long ago and I really let myself go [allowed myself to] feeling the way I should have felt the first time. Just that release – it was helpful for me – it was also helpful for her to see that vulnerable side of me.
It can be a double-edged sword. I think I’m a very reflective person and sometimes I can be too reflective.
The biggest thing for me is that your mental health is just as important as your physical health.
Probably, it would sound very trivial, but to sit for a cup of coffee, listen to music and meet a friend. It’s the simplest things that bring me the most joy.
San Francisco. I was lucky enough to spend some time there watching football and miss it. I just thought it was absolutely incredible. I had one of the best summers of my life.
