There's not many people in the GAA, or in Ireland, like David Brady. His unique character was captured brilliantly on his recent Laochra Gael episode. There's also not many more decent people around, and his latest mad sounding idea is a measure of that.
Had such a lovely conversation today with GAA Tom who was out hearing Heifers..He’s self isolating ,originally from Swinford now living in Wicklow..If you have a Mayo GAA mad mother ,father or heifer DM me info & I will call them for the chat over the next 3 weeks #GoodToTalkGAA
— David Brady (@D9BMayo) April 11, 2020
After someone chanced their arm on Saturday afternoon by asking Brady to call their Mayo mad father in self-isolation, Brady had a long chat with the man and decided this was the little bit he could do for the cause.
According to an interview with Malachy Clerkin in today's Irish Times, he was at 20 phonecalls before 48 hours had passed. He talked about football, about Mayo, about life. The calls have been made to all corners of the world.
GAA your Special. People isolating whom I never knew from New York ,Westmeath,North Carolina ,Sligo Charleston,England ,Meath and And many more places .I talked to these people today whom reminisced times GAA past but had nothing but hope for the future and life.#GoodToTalkGAA
— David Brady (@D9BMayo) April 12, 2020
“I could stay on the phone all day David”Well I didn’t want to end Thomas 67 you legend💪.TB at 7yrs,missed nat school,Laboured with his hands,went 2 college at 50.Qualif architectural design 5 yrs GMIT.His heart stoped 5 times last Aug.Pneumonia since.Wont give up.#GoodToTalkGAA
— David Brady (@D9BMayo) April 13, 2020
Seeing the "lovely idea" by Brady, Dublin legend Alan Brogan decided that this was something he too could offer.
Lovely idea DB.. anybody with Dublin,Mayo or parents anywhere who are cocooning and would like a chat about GAA .. send me a message and I'll call them over the next 3 weeks.. https://t.co/klX0dI8QYt
— Alan Brogan (@alanbrogan13) April 11, 2020
@alanbrogan13 Just want to say a big thanks for taking the time to phone my Dad for a chat earlier. You really brightened up his day, he was delighted to get the call as he’s been locked away since all this has started. Really was a great thing for you to do for people like my Da
— JOHN (@sarsfieldbhoys) April 13, 2020
It's a lovely and kind gesture from two great sportspeople. It highlights one of the true and under-reported issues with the current state of affairs. People, especially old people, living in isolation is a lonely and frightening existence. It is necessary but should not be dismissed as so. It also highlights how a little effort can go such a long way to making that process easier.
GAA players are heroes in so many ways. If David Brady has started a real trend here, he'll have done more good during the lockdown than he'll ever get the credit for - credit he doesn't want.
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