Gaelic football dominates Ciaran Kilkenny's life. To compete at the highest level of the sport, ultimate dedication is required. That means missing out on other parts of life.
The Dublin player found that out the hard way last weekend. While he was on the field in Croke Park handing out a thumping to Roscommon, the rest of his family were at a different event. It was his sister's wedding.
Kilkenny attended the ceremony earlier in the day before heading to GAA headquarters to for the game. Speaking at the launch of SURE GAA statistics, he admitted he was gutted to miss part of the festivities.
I drove her to the ceremony, I saw the mass and then straight after the mass I was off to the game then. I missed all the speeches and stuff like that. I was pretty devastated about missing my dad's speech, but I had to play the game.
My dad had said it to my sister (about the wedding clashing with a match), but I think she wanted it in the summer. It was her special day and she had a really good time so that was the most important thing.
I was talking to friends abroad, different nationalities, and they were like, 'are you actually serious? You're missing your sister's wedding over a match?' I suppose it shows the commitment and dedication lads have to their sport, to their teammates.
The life of an inter-county footballer.
While football is the dominant force in Kilkenny's life, there is still time for other sports. He was a keen hurler in his earlier years, lining out for Dublin at underage level.
Golf is another interest. He was on hand to watch Shane Lowry make history in Portrush last Sunday, saying it was a unique experience.
It was like something you've never experienced before. Everyone battling with each other to try and get a spot to even see him hit a shot, it was pretty incredible.
Everywhere you looked around you're seeing Offaly jerseys and GAA jerseys and tops. So, that was pretty cool and just testament to the massive support he has from GAA circles. He's a massive GAA man. Great to see...
Yeah, that was probably, there’s a few things I’ve been fortunate enough to go to. That was the biggest, that was a major so like that was the biggest one ever I’ve been at and one of the bucket list.
I’ve been to a few, been to a Grand Prix in Dubai, been to NFL, baseball games and stuff like that but that was definitely the biggest and to be there on the day, especially with one of our own, an Irish guy, Shane’s win, it was pretty special to say you were there on the day that he won The Open in 2019 so that’s pretty cool.
His focus was soon back on Gaelic football. While Dublin have already booked their place in the All-Ireland semi-final, there is a small matter of a trip to Omagh to determine who will top the group.
After defeats against the Dubs in both last year's Super 8s and the All-Ireland decider, Tyrone will surely have revenge on their minds. Kilkenny is looking forward to the challenge.
Last year, that was one of the best games and most enjoyable games because it was such a serious contest and the atmosphere in Healy Park was incredible. We haven't met up as a group after the game yet but I know a lot of the lads will be excited about that game and really looking forward to it - I'm really looking forward to preparing for that game.
Ourselves and Tyrone have played a number of games against each other in the last couple of years and we have massive respect for each other. They're a phenomenal team with phenomenal management.
There was a crackle in the air; massive energy in Healy Park last year. I know both teams will be going there looking to win the game.
Speaking at Croke Park in support of Sure, the Official Statistics Partner of the GAA, was brand ambassador Ciaran Kilkenny.
The partnership, which has entered into its 2nd cycle of a 3 year partnership, promises to empower GAA fans with a deeper understanding of the components of success by breaking down individual and team statistics through conversation, head to head analysis and easy to digest infographics that explore and expose the numbers behind the performances that set the Championship alight
