Eamon McGee announced his retirement from inter-county GAA last August. It was done in enigmatic fashion. The 32-year-old tweeted a quote from Lord of the Rings, expressing the difficulty of the decision.
In his Irish Daily Star column today, McGee discloses that the magnitude of his choice really hasn't hit home yet. That may come with the start of the league next month.
McGee also tells of some time which he spent in rehab. This happened during Jim McGuinness' reign. Though he acknowledges that the former Donegal manager had a major impact on his game and his life, McGuinness' appointment was not a 'magic wand' which changed everything.
Following an inter-county season, McGee found himself at a low point. Such was its extent, he felt it necessary to check himself into a rehab centre.
However, a lack of research regarding the centre led to his stay being more arduous than he initially thought.
McGee is well-known for being an atheist. He has never been shy about expressing his views regarding religion. He was once denounced from the pulpit if Gweedore for expressing his support for the Yes Vote in 2015's marriage referendum - he also received hate mail as a result
The centre which McGee chose turned out to be one which stressed the importance of religion.
One winter, I was in a very bad place.
I was getting down, and when I was down, I'd drink. That would push me even further down. It was a bad cycle to be in, and I needed help.
I was struggling big time and, after thinking long and hard, decided to check into a residential treatment centre for a four-week stint.
Only problem was I should have done a bit of Googling first.
The place I went to had religious affiliations, and there was a lot of emphasis on religion.
Daily Mass was compulsory. You were expected to pray regularly.
Now, myself and God wouldn't be on first name terms. I've made no secret of my scepticism when it comes to religion.
So this jarred with me. It would have been a tough stint anyway, but the dollop of religion made it even harder.
McGee says that his first week was 'horrendously tough' and was considering leaving. The visit of a friend provided a boost, though the gift which he left on departure did not - a book by the Gweedore man's namesake and All-Ireland winning manager Eugene McGee.
The book left McGee contemplating escaping through a window and becoming the 'Forest Gump of Gaoth Dobhair'.
