Declan Hannon leads call for GAA Clubs to prioritise mental fitness

Pictured at the launch of Movember Ahead of the Game Phase 4 2026 is Declan Hannon, ambassador and former Limerick hurler, at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Declan Hannon has urged GAA clubs across Ireland to put mental fitness at the heart of player development as the 2026 Movember Ahead of the Game programme

Former Limerick hurling captain Declan Hannon has urged GAA clubs across Ireland to put mental fitness at the heart of player development as the Movember Ahead of the Game programme returns for its third year.

The five-time All-Ireland winning captain was among the high-profile sporting figures who officially launched “The Most Important Team Talk” campaign at Croke Park. Hannon was joined by sports psychologist Kevin McManamon, Dublin football great and programme facilitator Leah Caffrey, and former Kerry hurler and facilitator Martin Stackpoole.

The 2026 Movember Ahead of the Game initiative, delivered through the partnership between the GAA, the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and Movember, encourages clubs nationwide to host workshops aimed at helping young players develop the mental skills needed both on and off the pitch.

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For Hannon, one of the most decorated players of his generation, the programme delivers lessons that extend well beyond sport.

“I’ve been in countless dressing rooms in my time and heard some brilliant team talks, but these workshops provide players with skills to last a lifetime,” he said.

“Players will excel on the pitch if they have the mental skills off it.”

His comments reflect the central message behind the campaign—that mental wellbeing should be viewed as an essential part of every athlete’s development, rather than something discussed only during difficult times.

The workshops are designed to encourage open conversations about mental fitness while helping young players recognise the importance of resilience, emotional wellbeing and supporting teammates through life’s challenges.

Since its launch in 2024, the Movember Ahead of the Game programme has continued to grow, with more than 17,000 players, parents and coaches participating in workshops across all 32 counties. More than 650 workshops have already been delivered to underage teams in GAA clubs throughout Ireland.

Supported by Healthy Ireland and the HSE National Office of Suicide Prevention (NOSP), the initiative places GAA clubs at the centre of promoting positive mental health conversations in local communities.

Unlike traditional classroom sessions, the workshops are facilitated by current and former inter-county players through the GPA. Their own experiences of elite sport help create honest and relatable discussions around pressure, setbacks, confidence and maintaining good mental health.

GAA President Jarlath Burns said the programme had already made a significant impact across the Association.

“Over 17,000 players and members of the GAA community have already benefited from Movember Ahead of the Game in recent years,” he said.

“Mental wellbeing is a vital consideration for every healthy player, and ensuring that players have the skills they need in this area is important for the Association.”

GPA Chief Executive Tom Parsons said the involvement of current and former inter-county players has been key to the programme’s success.

“By using GPA members as facilitators in workshops around the country, the Movember Ahead of the Game programme has given players first-hand experience of the mental barriers players at all levels face, and the tools that are needed to overcome them,” he said.

Sports psychologist Kevin McManamon, who has worked with some of Ireland’s leading teams, said developing mental skills is just as important as physical preparation.

“I’ve been in a privileged position to work with some amazing teams in my career,” he said.

“Team talks are always a crucial part of sport, but the skills learned in Movember Ahead of the Game workshops are the most important of all.”

As clubs prepare for another season of workshops, Hannon’s message is a simple one: developing strong mental fitness can help young players perform at their best, build resilience and carry valuable life skills long after their playing careers have ended.