"The army is a hard job, it's so hard that some days I don't even go in" - Mark Young

Post date: Feb 22, 2019 2:25:49 PM

By Niveked

Former Offaly underage footballing prodigy Mark 'Sadder' Young has dismissed recent suggestions that the army is "full of boredom" and says that some days are so hard that he genuinely can't go to work the next day due to exhaustion.

His comments come in the wake of Kilkenny hurler Colin Fennelly's startling revelations that the army is basically a holiday camp and "boring" but Young has fired back saying he finds it very strenuous and tiring.

In this exclusive interview the two time Dowling Cup winner speaks candidly about his love of army life but highlights that the workload is taking its toll on his body and may cause him to consider his GAA career in 2020. Young, who crucially missed a penalty in the 2011 county final victory over Clara, says that his tour abroad in the Lebannon in 2018 was very rewarding but that night time in the Middle East was very lonely and he longed to be tucked in at bedtime by his mother Liz.

(Pinging balls wide for sport)

"I was surprised by Colin's remarks to be honest because he's a good lad" Young told our reporter over a keg of Guinness. "I know over the last five years I've found army life very rewarding not to mention financially beneficial. But to say it is 'boring' is simply not true. Honestly, there are some days where I just don't go in cause I'm exhausted. I simply can't get out of the bed" the Curragh based soldier stated.

Young, a 2007 minor football champion, has stressed that Fennelly's comments were probably taken out of context and that between making tea, playing the PlayStation, checking out a few movies on Netflix and watching army GAA matches he sometimes is left exhausted from his daily activities.

"It's tough. There's no point saying otherwise. We start at 9am every morning. I mean 9am? Seriously? Three quarter of the country is still in bed at the stage but we're there at the base boiling the kettle and getting ready for a days work" Young said. "For guys like me who don't live in Newbridge that means I've to be out of bed by 8.45am or so, probably arrive around 9.15am. People think 'Oh you get to play the PlayStation' that you've a handy job but it's only the PlayStation 3, we don't have the PlayStation 4 but look that's Government cutbacks for you what can you do? You just get on with it" Young bemoaned.

(Mark had the world at his feet in 2007)

While trying to decide what to watch on Netflix would take it's toll on any man, Young said the recruits don't really complain too much so long as it's as a good chick flick.

"Legally Blonde is one of our favourites but there's only so many times you can watch that and it can become frustrating over time trying to find something new" Young continued.

As our interview took us from O'Donoghue's bar to Club 38 on JKL Street, Young mentioned that Monday's are particularly tough for him mentally to go to work so he usually tends to miss that day. "Look Monday's I mean seriously? Who invented them? There's usually good aul crack in town on a Sunday evening so I tend not to work many Monday's but that doesn't mean that army is an easy life. If I go in on the Tuesday then I'd have to spend a bit longer playing FIFA to try catch up on Monday's missed activities" the former Hogan Cup runner up said.

The Greenwood Park native, who operated in goals for Edenderry in 2018, emphasised that at 28 years old he hopes to move back to playing midfield this year but that army life could curtail his long term future in the GAA. One thing is for sure though, Young is adamant that there's nothing simple about being in the army and moved to reassure the taxpayer that their money is being put to good use.

"The army is no doddle. I worked 77 days last year. That's just shy of 16 full weeks and I will continue to try match that effort for the good of the Irish taxpayer" Young said with a straight face.