More than 400 current and former inter-county GAA players slept on the streets of Ireland back in December. Under the banner 'Gaelic Voices for Change', their aim was the raise awareness regarding the homeless crisis in Ireland.
One of those involved was Tipperary hurler Brendan Maher. Speaking to Balls at Croke Park on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's Allianz Hurling League final against Kilkenny, Maher said the sleepout was a huge success.
"Absolutely, regardless of the money that was raised - there was a huge amount of money raised - but the awareness levels were really high as well because obviously a lot of the players involved would have good profiles online.
"Everyone used that to push out the message we were trying to give. I think it was a success on all fronts.
"It was never about raising money for us it was about doing something that had an impact socially so that's definitely the focus again moving forward. It's how can we do something here that's going to impact society positively."
The group doesn't want their work to end with December's sleepout. Using their voice to raise awareness regarding other social issues is on the cards.
There's been discussions and everyone has their own ideas. It's just coming up with something that the collective is happy to move forward with.
There's so many things we could put it towards, it's probably something that can happen towards the end of the year in the off-season when you can give it the time it requires and deserves. If we're doing something we want to make sure it's done right.
However, the hectic inter-county schedule has meant the group has been unable to meet up.
"It's probably something there'll be more of an emphasis in the off-season when we can give the time to it.
"There's nothing planned in the near future but it's definitely not the case of a once off, there is definitely plans for the future."
The 2018 Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final takes place at Nowlan Park on Sunday next April 8th. In attendance at a photocall ahead of the Allianz Hurling League Division 1 Final is Brendan Maher of Tipperary with the Division 1 trophy. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
