Ian O'Riordan talks to Kildare veteran Anthony Rainbow ahead of Sunday's game against Laois
After a week where player welfare issues and demands have dominated GAA conversations it's quite refreshing to listen to a player like Anthony Rainbow.
Possibly the most famous name in modern Kildare football, Rainbow turns 35 in October. He made his senior debut for Kildare against Tyrone in November 1990, when the National League was drawn out over several months, then made his championship debut in the summer of 1992.
That makes this his 16th consecutive season to play intercounty football, but the one number Rainbow can't tell you is how many games he's played. He can only guess.
So when it comes to the issue of commitment and the sacrifices involved in playing for your county Rainbow knows what he's talking about. Like most intercounty players, he listened carefully to what the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have been saying over the past week or so. While he agrees wholeheartedly with their cause, you get the feeling as well that Rainbow's simple attitude towards football is still the truest reflection of what wearing the county jersey is all about.
"Of course you do make sacrifices to play for your county," says Rainbow, "and I still think about the sacrifices I make. I know the media have really taken to this issue over the last week with talks of strikes and all that. But what the GPA are looking for are really minor things, and nothing at all compared to what soccer and rugby players are getting at the moment.
"I do believe that the commitment the GAA players put in these days is phenomenal. So the basic player grant they are looking for is very, very little really. On top of that all they're really talking about is better insurance schemes, and also for better welfare in the lower divisions, say the likes of Carlow and Mayo hurlers and teams like that. And that can only be a good thing. So I think the GPA are taking a lot of steps in the right direction. Hopefully they will get a bit of progress on that in the near future.
"But for me, personally, I think once you're enjoying the game you're never going to question the commitments. Obviously when you come to the stage when you're not enjoying your football, and maybe feeling tired all the time, that's when commitment becomes a real issue. And that probably is the stage to get out. And I am enjoying my football as much as ever at the moment. It helps an awful lot that I'm currently clear from injury. But once I enjoy it I'll always have a positive attitude towards the game."
There are several reasons behind Rainbow's longevity, including the fact that he could pass as a decade younger. One thing he admits himself, though, is that current manager John Crofton - who in fact played with him back in early 1990s - gave him every chance to stay on board for another season.
"Yeah, I knew John well and he was also a county selector in 1998 and so were Davy Dalton and Pat McCarthy. Once I thought about giving it another lash along with Glenn Ryan it didn't take much persuasion. In fact I jumped at the opportunity. If a new manager came in and didn't know but looked at my age he probably would have said they'd have a look for someone younger.
"It is getting tougher every year though. The muscles are getting heavier and the bones are getting weaker. I also find myself marking lads half your age. The most important thing is diet, keeping yourself in good shape, and remaining injury free.
"But I definitely wouldn't say it's the last year for me. If I was asked to go back next year I would but at the moment it's a question of taking one season at a time. I'll see how the summer goes. We have a tough opener against either Westmeath or Offaly, which we hope to get over, and if we do it will be one game at a time for us.
"You need a bit of experience along with the youth. Myself and Glenn bring that experience and hopefully the younger lads are learning from us. We're trying to teach them from past experiences and the things that we went through, and you'd like to think that they'd pick something up from that for their own careers."
Kildare will need to call on all the experience they have when the face old rivals Laois on Sunday. Like several other teams, Kildare are looking over their shoulder and know another defeat will leave them liable to relegation.
"It's a vital game," admits Rainbow, "and depending on results we may need to win it to stay up. Most of the good football is being played in Divisions One A and One B and that's where we want to be next year. Plus it's a local derby. Kildare and Laois clashes are always quite tense and fairly hectic. They are out for promotion and with Down and Derry on eight points they need to win to be sure of advancing to the semi-finals."
And Rainbow talks on about what it would mean to beat Laois, the form team at the moment, and so on, with all the enthusiasm of a player half his age. Ask not what your county can do for you . . .
