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Hogan’s admiration of Brady

By Peter Sweeney

Richie Hogan has scaled the heights of his chosen sport. The 26-year-old from Danesfort is the current Hurler of the Year, he’s won All-Irelands, he has All Stars and it looks as though there are plenty more awards to come his way in the future.

The Kilkenny star sets high standards for himself and it’s just as well as he is part of a team that is trying to retain the Liam MacCarthy Cup whilst also coping with the loss of genuine hurling greats such as JJ Delaney, Tommy Walsh and Henry Shefflin, who all retired since the end of last season.

When it comes to sources of inspiration, the Dublin-based primary school teacher often looks to other sports and individuals who have dominated their rivals, the likes of Tiger Woods and Down’s Rory McIlroy in golf being prime examples.

But he has also heroes closer to home, including arguably the greatest handball player of all time - Paul Brady.

Hogan was a talented handballer in his youth, winning underage titles and playing in tournaments in America, and though he decided to concentrate on hurling he has always admired Brady’s work.

“From a personal point of view I follow lads who are really dominant,” he said. “Paul Brady has dominated his sport for 12 years. That’s something I would completely understand.

“I would watch his matches, see the focus that he has, the savage hunger and determination he has to win another one, which is amazing. Of course we follow stuff like that – to see how it’s done.”

Hogan and ‘Gunner’ Brady, who also enjoyed a distinguished career with Cavan footballers as he racked up All-Ireland and world handball titles, have become friends over the years and they often swap notes.

The Kilkenny man said: “He would be an example of a lad who is 34, 35 (Brady is 35) and he’s won so much yet I still see him drive from Cavan to DCU to go to the gym because it’s the best gym around him.

“I don’t know how many miles that is but he does that three days a week or drives into Dublin to play someone who is pretty competitive in a challenge game. That’s the sort of stuff he does. That’s what separates these guys from the average guys.

“You see what he puts into it: endless, endless, endless hours of work.”