Age is but a number. Or at least that is what Dave Mulcahy is proving at 40 years of age with Shelbourne as he continues to keep up with the youngsters. The Kilkenny native is now with his sixth different club in the League since making his debut on
Age is but a number. Or at least that is what Dave Mulcahy is proving at 40 years of age with Shelbourne as he continues to keep up with the youngsters.
The Kilkenny native is now with his sixth different club in the League since making his debut on August 13, 1999 for a club now defunct (Kilkenny City) and a ground no longer in use (St Mel's Park).
Appearing on the Greatest League In The World podcast, Mulcahy said: "I'm absolutely delighted to be still doing it. A lot of the players who are in their 30s query me and ask me about stuff, but it just goes down to preparation really and luckily enough I've had no serious injuries.
"With work and family, sport is a great stress reliever. I won't put it down to that only but it is a huge part of my life. I have a great buzz for training and games."
Alex Ludzic appeared for Cork City in 1995 when he was 45 years old (and 271 days) and Al Finucane lined out for Newcastlewest in 1988 at the same age (but with 93 days). Mulcahy jokes that he won't get that far, but he will take each season as it comes.
Longevity is an admirable trait in any industry, but especially so in elite sport where one's body is tested to the limits. Yet, curiously, there have been very few players from the modern era to feature in the League whilst in the fourth decade of their lives - in spite of modern technology, yoga, pilates, protein shakes and better recovery methods.
Apart from Mulcahy, the most recent inductee to the 40-year-old club was Bray Wanderers' Colm Tresson who last took the pitch in 2012. Before him there was Gary Matthews for Bohemians in 2007 and Phil Harrington with Cork City in 2005, but next on the list is Ollie Ralph with Dundalk in 1999.
The oldest goalscorer in the League? Well that title is held by Bobby Collins when he found the back of the net for Shamrock Rovers at the age of 43. So still some way for Mulcahy to go as he aims to add to his 448 League appearances.
Check out the latest episode of Greatest League In The World podcast featuring Bohemians midfielder Keith Ward and Shelbourne veteran Dave Mulcahy
