Football still on Conor Laverty's mind 'every minute of every day'

Conor Laverty is a busy man.

Down U20s manager. Trinity College GAA officer. Sheep farmer. Father of five.

For the sake of his workload it might be for the best that he didn't end up as the Mournemen's senior boss this season.

Oh, and did we mention the 36-year-old is still playing too? As he explains, the farming is almost a hobby in comparison to his Gaelic football obsession.

"I would say football is serious," he tells RTÉ Sport. "You love doing it but it still breeds pressure whenever you're still playing a thing. You still think about it every minute of every day.

"Farming is where I find that sort of release from it. When you get to the farm it takes your mind off it and you're able to focus on something else.

"Either playing or coaching you're thinking about it. I do like that release of going to the farm, or doing something with the boys or with the family. Then again when you're out with the boys they're asking a million questions about football.

"You ask the family what they want to do and the boys want to go to the field for a kickabout.

"Whenever you're leaving the house the boys like to go with you to games. It's more of a family thing. It's great to see the boys after the game, and it's great for the lads to have their families there.

"For me it's the enjoyment it gives them, playing before or after the match, and the smiles on their faces. That's the one thing that has changed. Creating memories for them that they'll never forget."

A fortnight ago, Kilcoo comfortably retained the Ulster title. Last November, they won their 10th county crown in 11 years.

But domination in Down was slow arriving. 2009 was their first senior county triumph in 72 years. Provincial success took another decade: they lifted the Seamus