David Meyler comes from a good hurling pedigree, his father John represented both the Wexford and Cork senior county teams and is the current manager of Kerry having also managed Wexford in the past. David looked destined to follow in his fathers footsteps’ as an inter-county hurler showing real promise as a youngster but when professional football came calling his hurling career was forced to come to an end.
David signed his first professional contract with Cork City in 2008 and in the same year signed for Sunderland AFC. He has been unlucky with injury over the past couple of years but now fit again, he is looking to make a big impact for the Black Cats in the upcoming season. He answers 21 questions for BreakingThrough.ie about his hurling career.
1. How long did your hurling career last?
I reckon it lasted about 12 years.
2. What age were you when it started/finished?
I started at a young age, when I was in primary school.
3. Did you win any hurling honours?
I won several under age counties with Blackrock, we had a fantastic team with tremendous coaches. I still have all my medals up on the mantel piece at home.
4. What was your greatest moment on the hurling pitch?
There are two moments that stand out for me. First was the two games I played against Newtownshandrum in the u12 championship semi final. We were a point down, the score was 5-15 to 7-8 and I had a free 30 yards out from goal. I remember my Dad running over to me and saying just do what we practice and luckily I put the ball straight over. I scored 5-7 of our total. We use to practise frees everyday in Church Road after school.
Second memory is when I played for Cork Primary Schools in Thurles against Waterford before the Munster Final. I played centre forward and scored two goals…I still have the shirt at home!
5. Do you still pick up the stick every once in a while?
I still do nearly everyday we have a few hurleys at the academy in Sunderland so John Egan, a fellow Cork man, and I have a puck around.
6. Which hurlers do you most admire and why?
Diarmuid O’Sullivan and John Gardiner – both inspired those around them (and John still does) and they could get a crowd going with one huge clearance or in the Rocks’ case, one huge hit!
7. Which club/county do you support?
I support Blackrock and Cork
8. What was the best match you ever attended?
All-Ireland final in ’99 between Cork and Kilkenny.
9. Would you prefer a 65 into the wind and rain at Croker or a 12 foot putt at Augusta?
12 foot putt in Augusta.
10. An Oscar acceptance speech or a Liam McCarthy victory speech?
Liam McCarthy victory speech.
11. If you could play with any county team which would it be and why?
Kilkenny, the way they play and the hurlers they have is just incredible.
12. Have any of the skills you learned from hurling been of benefit to you in your current career?
I’ve learned to take a knock and to get up and get on with it.
13. Who is going to win the Liam McCarthy in 2011?
It will be tough. I want Cork to win but can they beat Tipp, Kilkenny, Galway and Waterford. The championship is becoming much tougher.
14. Who will win the U-21 Hurling Championship in your view?
Cork
15. Which footballer would you like on your hurling team?
Wayne Rooney, he has everything skill, technique, desire…he’s the complete player plus he knows where the goal is don’t think he’ll be taking his points!
16. What is your favourite GAA ground?
Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
17. Our website is called breakingthrough.ie. What was your break through moment?
I was supposed to go on holidays with my girlfriend Ciara a few years ago to Spain and St. Michaels, the team I played football for, had a championship match against Ballincollig in the quarter final of the county championship. St. Michaels convinced me to not go to Spain on the Saturday and wait until Tuesday so I could play in the match.
This was around the time I was torn between hurling, football and soccer. I was playing for Cork City at the time and was really enjoying it. When I made my decision to stay I went to watch Cork City u21′s play Cobh Ramblers out in Bishopstown by the dog track- a game I was suppose to be playing in if I hadn’t gone on holidays. The manager at the time was Damien Richardson. He approached me in the stands and asked why I wasn’t playing so I told him what had happened. Damien replied “We’re playing Sunderland Monday night in a friendly, I’d like you to come along and be a part of it!!”
I was shocked I was getting to play against a Premiership side and of course their manager was Roy Keane. So I then had to make a call after St. Michaels had paid for my flights I chose to play against Sunderland and the rest is history. One note I must make is that everyone involved with St. Michaels were fantastic with me and I’d really like to thank them for everything they did for me.
18. Which hurling manager would you most liked to have played under?
John Meyler, my father.
19. What was your best attribute/skill on the hurling pitch?
I think it was not panicking under pressure and keeping a cool head while striking the ball.
20. What was the last hurling game you attended?
Last game I remember was Barrs and The Glen in the county championship.
21. You are one point down in the All-Ireland final and you have just been awarded a penalty in the last play of the game…goal or point?
I’d always go for a goal, I wouldn’t settle for a draw not a chance!