Paddy Quinn - Sports Chaplaincy Ireland Ambassador 

“I love all sports and have naturally took every opportunity to take part since I was young - soccer, table tennis, golf, athletics - the list goes on. My greatest sporting passion was playing Gaelic football and I guess my greatest achievement was captaining my club team, Omagh St Endas, to winning the senior club championship. 

Today I still play lots of sports but mainly run half marathons - full marathons are torturous! 
One thing that has always intrigued me is what makes sports people tick. In others words what's going on in their heads. What's behind the facade of the will to win? What's the cost? Why do some reach a higher level? Why do some who appear to be more gifted struggle to fulfill their promise? 
I wonder are they like me - I appeared to be confident but suffered hugely with self-doubt. I was physically very fit, but feared death, failure and what other people thought of me. 

Now a trained Fire Service Chaplain I understand well the benefit of a Sport Chaplain -  someone who cares about the whole person, who is confidential, non-judgemental, who for them performance is not the only priority. We live in an era where there can be greater  pressure and expectation in sport at all levels for a whole variety of reasons - and the Sports Chaplain I believe can play an integral part of helping provide a bigger picture on that journey and consequently help the team or individual towards success .
 I am honoured therefore to be taking on this role as an Ambassador for Sports Chaplaincy in Ireland to champion their work”.

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