A Dublin taxi driver has found a unique way to feel less isolated, a way which involves a round of footgolf.
John Cleary, who has worked as a taxi driver for 19 years, first took up the sport 14 years ago, and has gone on to become a national champion, and represented Ireland, as he began the sport as a way of feeling less isolated from the many late night shifts which come with his job.
This culminated in him playing the sport at national level for the first time in 2015.
“I was just out for a walk one day in Howth when I saw an old nine-hole golf course that had been converted into a footgolf course,” he said. “I thought it would be something I’d be good at. I played football as a kid and I’ve played golf as an adult with not much success".
Mr Cleary who hails from Santry, Dublin, continued: “The appeal for me was the combination of these two sports that are pretty popular, and that I’m familiar with. It’s easier to kick the football than try and hit a small white ball with a stick".
He ultimately rounded up some workmates to try this new sport out.
Footgolf has been described as a hybrid sport where players kick a standard football into a cup with a diameter of 21 metres.
“It’s been a great feeling to then go on to represent Ireland in these big competitions,” he said. “My first big one was in Kilkenny in 2022. I played the Four Nations and won against England in 2024, and last year, I played another competition in Wales".
John Cleary, 61, is an Irish Champion in the sport, a title he has held for two years, playing in a senior plus event.
“It’s easy enough to play, anyone can pick it up,” he said. “There are different categories for the game including junior, senior, men’s and women’s. Each category is treated as exactly the same and I think footgolf is one of the only sports to do that".
“I don’t think I have the title because I’m the best — I think that person might not have discovered the game yet.
“I would never have thought I could be good enough to compete in a sport. I could never dedicate enough time to something like this.
“What’s changed is that it’s a niche sport", he added. “I’m not ultra-competitive. I want to win, but it’s more about the camaraderie and community that attracts me to it".
Mr Cleary shared that playing with the team helps to balance out his long shifts working in the taxi.
“My evenings are kept busy, so it’s nice to decompress and do something completely different", he said. “It’s been a good few years in this line of work. The best thing and the worst thing about being a taxi driver is that you’re self-employed.
“It can be a very solo endeavour being a taxi driver. You meet a lot of people, but you spend a lot of time on your own as well", he added. “So it was nice to get out on a course with other taxi drivers and play in different teams. We all think it’s nice to get out and get a bit of fresh air".
The latest footgolf competition organised by the Footgolf Association of Ireland took place in Tallaght, Dublin earlier this month.
Speaking on the competitive element, Mr Cleary said: “What’s really made me pursue this is the competition element that most people have".
“You set yourself little goals when you get better at things. I wanted to be in the top 10 at first, then the top five.
“Then, eventually, over the course of the season, you pick up ranking points and that can then help you qualify to play for Ireland.
“In Tallaght, I was sponsored by Freenow by Lyft. I feel like I’m gaining more recognition as both a taxi driver, and in the sport, with each game", he added.
He recommends the sport to anyone feeling a sense of isolation in their everyday lives.
“I recommend it to anyone who might end up working alone on their day-to-day. It can make such a difference to have this sense of community,” he said. “Especially to taxi drivers, because it can be such a sedentary job. You’re sitting on your backside for hours, there’s very little exercise. This kind of thing can get you out into the fresh air".
(All quotes in this piece according to The Irish Independent).
