Rebel ace Colm O'Driscoll to get physical in new year

HE’S the Cork senior footballer who will put you through the mill in the name of fitness.

Well-known Tadhg MacCarthaigh, Carbery and Cork footballer Colm O’Driscoll is embarking on an exciting new venture as he is opening his new gym, An Muileann (Irish for The Mill), in Drimoleague early in the new year – the perfect time to help those whose new year’s resolution is to get fitter for 2016 or for those who want to work off the excesses of the festive season.

O’Driscoll (27) promises that his new gym will ‘have something for everyone’ and he will cater for all needs, as he explains.

‘There’s something there for everyone in An Muileann, whether it’s a young athlete who wants to develop in whatever their chosen sport is or it might be someone who has never played sport but wants to lose weight and improve their general health,’ O’Driscoll explained.

An Muileann will open its doors in the first week of January and O’Driscoll will provide different classes, including boxercise, spinning and kettle bells, as well as a bootcamp class and personal one-on-one training. Like he emphasised, there’s something for everyone in this new fitness centre in Drimoleague that is located beside the Centra shop.

‘It’s a very central location and it’s a state-of-the-art gym with new equipment. I have to say thanks to Sean Collins from Centra too for the use of his property as well,’ O’Driscoll said.

Ahead of opening his doors in January, Cork footballer O’Driscoll will hold an open night next Wednesday, December 16th, between 7pm and 9pm, where people can visit the gym in Drimoleague village, check it out and chat to Colm.

‘People can see what’s on offer and I will talk to them about what classes are available and what classes would suit them. I’m also interested in hearing what they would like to see,’ explained O’Driscoll, who made Cork football history last year when he and his two younger brothers, Kevin and Brian, all played on the same Rebel football team in the championship.

Indeed, these are busy times for O’Driscoll who, as well as opening his new business, is preparing for the new inter-county season that begins early in January with the McGrath Cup. A new man in charge, Peadar Healy, means O’Driscoll and Co need to be on their toes to impress.

‘It’s a fresh start for everybody. The door is open for players to make an impression,’ he explained. 

‘You need to train to the best of your ability and when the games come you need to perform to the best of your ability. After that you hope you have done enough to impress the new man in charge.

‘Every year you put on the Cork jersey is exciting and that’s the hope for 2016 – to wear that jersey again. There’s talent coming through all the time so everyone has to fight for their place. 

‘The McGrath Cup is just around the corner so we need to be ready for that. We know we need to improve on last year and that’s what we’re working towards.’

For further information on An Muileann check out its Facebook page or contact Colm (086-8789048).