The GAA may not pay its players but it does look after its own, and this is especially true since the establishment of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA).

The GPA supports players with their education, careers, health, life-skills and welfare. Five GAA inter-county players were last week awarded scholarships to study at DCU Business School as part of the GPA Player Development Programme.

GPA CEO Dessie Farrell said: “One of the challenges we have as a players’ organisation is developing careers in tandem with sporting careers. We believe that commitment to a sporting career should not place players at a disadvantage in other areas of their life. The ambition of the GPA is to assist players in developing a leadership capability within themselves.”

Leitrim footballer Rob Lowe and former Fermanagh player Chris Breen were two of the recipients awarded scholarships for the MBA programme last week, valued at €26,000 each.

Kilkenny’s Richie Hogan was also awarded a Masters in Business Management, while Roscommon’s David Keenan was awarded a scholarship for a Masters in Finance. All-Ireland finalist Rob Hennelly (Mayo) received a scholarship for a Masters in Digital Marketing.

Balancing act

Irish Country Living speaks to Rob Lowe, who is an inspiration to young people trying to balance work, academia and sport. Rob is a barrister, the full-forward on the Leitrim senior football team, and is studying for an MBA.

From Carrick-on-Shannon, Rob completed an Arts degree in NUI Galway in 2007. He continued onto the LLB in Galway in 2008 and one year later qualified as a barrister. This is his fifth year practicing as a barrister.

Rob says he hasn’t spent a Saturday or Sunday lounging around in a long time. This year’s GAA season kept him busier than usual. His club, St. Mary’s Kiltoghert, won the county championship and it’s only four weeks since they were knocked out of the Connacht club championship when they had what he describes as “a bad day out” against Brigid’s of Roscommon.

However, football may be over but exams are just beginning. Rob says: “The gap between championship and having to play in the Connacht club championship is something I hadn’t planned for.”

Rob lives in Dublin and works as a barrister on the midlands circuit which incorporates Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon and Westmeath. He says working at the bar can be very flexible and that his colleagues are extremely helpful. But it’s a demanding role.

“You can never be too prepared for a case, but one of the important skills of being a barrister is being able to deal with things if and when they arise.”

Rob went straight from university to being self-employed and was interested in the MBA to hone his business knowledge. Although he’s only been on the MBA programme for three months, he says he can already see the benefit in using it so far.

What advice does he have for Leaving Cert students balancing study and sport?

“It’s very important to strike a balance. You don’t perform very well in exams and study if you go overboard on it. It’s important to take breaks at night time. Fitting in an activity will make you feel better and refreshed. You’re in better shape.

“The Leaving Cert is not the be-all and end-all – two years later you’ve forgotten about it. Don’t forget there are various avenues into various careers paths.”