I farm: “About 2,000 sows and 200 cattle with my father, Donal, in south Longford. We sell all our of pigs to Rosderra and we also fatten the cattle for finishing with Kepak.”

Pig farming: “Pig farming is something you’re born into. Very few take it up but it’s an interesting sector all the same. It’s a pretty good time to be involved in pigs, the price of feed has fallen back a bit and left it easier for farmers as a whole to press on. The price of pigs could be a bit better but overall it’s not too bad.”

Expansion: “We’re always looking to expand the farm where we can. We have just finished some work on sheds in the yard. It’s important to be looking at where you can expand and develop the farm. It’s the only way that you’ll improve things and, hopefully, we can keep it going.”

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Farming and football: “I train with the club, Longford Slashers, every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, if there isn’t a game. We’re still involved in the Leinster club championship so the season is a bit longer than usual. Once that’s over, it’ll be back to the county set-up too. We have a new manager in Jack Sheedy so it’s an exciting time. It can be difficult to manage it all but you’re not able to play football all your life so as long as I can do both, I will.”

Family: “I enjoy the work on the farm with my father. I’m the only son and I have four sisters so I’d say I’ll be taking over the farm at some stage. My sister is a nutritionist with Lakeland Dairies and my cousin works for Rosderra. I fight with him to get the best price for the pigs but its all banter.”

Quotable quote: “Farming is a huge help for the football. Thankfully, I’ve never had a serious injury and that’s down to the full-time, manual labour I do on the farm.”