Coffee and the GAA are a match made in heaven.
In recent years, as coffee shops, coffee bars and coffee docks have sprung up all around the country, many of them run by our very own inter-county GAA stars. Where have these coffee aficionados come from and where can we find them? Let's find out.
Café 3121 - Conor Glass
Derry's Conor Glass might be the figurehead of the GAA/coffee movement. The powerhouse midfielder, who won an All-Ireland Senior Football Club title with Glen in January of this year, opened Café 3121, alongside his girlfriend Niamh O'Donnell, in October 2022. The genesis of the business lies in Melbourne, Australia, of all places - between 2015 and 2020, Glass lined out for AFL side Hawthorn, and during this time, the Derry man was enchanted by the city's coffee culture. On his return to Ireland then, Glass made the bold move of opening up Café 3121 in his native Maghera. The café's postcode name, '3121', pays homage to Melbourne's district of Richmond, the city's coffee hub.
Heyday Coffee House - Seamus Callanan and Paudie Maher
Heyday Coffee House opened its doors in October 2021, with Tipperary hurling greats Seamus Callanan and Paudie Maher as co-owner of the Thurles coffee joint. The café's Instagram has advertised the newly-founded Heyday Run Club, with both Tipp legends set to take part in the activities. Busy times for the pair, with Maher working as a local Garda and Callanan as a business development manager.
Alchemist - Tiernan McCann
Tyrone's Tiernan McCann, a pharmacist by trade, opened Alchemist in Omagh, alongside fellow pharmacist Gary Mallon, in 2022. In pairing their scientific expertise with their keen interest in coffee, the pair have opened laboratory-style shop which produces high-quality speciality coffee.
65 Degrees Coffee Bar - Cathal Barrett
Tipperary man Cathal Barrett opened the doors of 65 Degrees Coffee Bar in May 2021. The 31 year-old, who was left out of Liam Cahill's training squad for the upcoming season, also works as a primary school teacher in Cashel, County Tipperary.
McBrew - Ryan McHugh
2014 All-Ireland winner Ryan McHugh opened McBrew, alongside his wife Bridget, in late June of 2024. McHugh returned to the Donegal panel this year, having opted out in 2023 due to injury and work commitments. McBrew has pride of place in the central Diamond in Donegal town.
Two Brothers Coffee Company - Ken and Eoin McGrath
Legendary Waterford duo are well-established in the coffee world. Eoin founded Mean Bean Coffee in 2013, working with his brother Ken to supply coffee beans and coffee equipment to businesses up and down the country. The pair also co-own their very own coffee dock in Waterford, going by the name of the Two Brothers Coffee Company.
Full of Beans - Laura Hayes
2024 PwC Camogie Player of the year Laura Hayes opened her own coffee trailer just two weeks before this year's All-Ireland camogie final. Hayes set up the coffee dock, which is situated in her home village of Conna, in East Cork, having completed a food marketing degree in college.
Bru Box Coffee - Eamonn Fennell and Nathan Mullins
St. Vincent's duo Eamon Fennell and Nathan Mullins opened Bru Box coffee in 2021, operating out of Father Collins Park in Donaghmede. Fennell, All-Ireland winner with Dublin in 2011, and Mullins, former Donegal footballer and son of Dublin legend, Brian Mullins, worked with the area's community centre to develop the amenity.
Ryco Coffee House - Conor McKenna
Tyrone All-Ireland winner and AFL star Conor McKenna opened RYCO Coffee House alongside his brother Ryan, himself a former Tyrone footballer, in February 2022. McKenna has now returned to the AFL, having signed for the Brisbane Lions before the 2023 season, but RYCO Coffee House still operates in the Moy, County Tyrone.
SEE ALSO: GAA Wunderkind Turned Soccer Star Scores Crucial Goal In Shock Win Over Rangers
