Josh Hogan
Originally published: Town Tattler Vol 5 Issue 10
Josh Hogan has worn the green and white for as long as he can remember. A Laois footballer and a proud Portlaoise man, he has come through the club the whole way and is now taking on a new role off the pitch as Portlaoise GAA’s Games Participation Officer. It is a natural fit. Josh knows the club, he knows the town and he knows what young players need to enjoy their football and hurling. In this piece we look at the journey of a current senior footballer who is now stepping into a job that will link the schools, the nursery, Town Tigers and Town Óg with the wider club.
What is your new role with Portlaoise GAA, and what will it entail?
My new role with Portlaoise GAA is club GPO (Games Participation Officer). Among many things, I will support the coaches involved with our Town Tigers and Town Óg teams, co-ordinate coach education workshops, oversee club activities over the school breaks and holiday periods and provide a smooth pathway for players from school to club.
What do you see as the main challenges in the role?
The main challenges in this role I see are providing a smooth pathway for kids from school to club. So if a child does enjoy playing GAA in their school they are able to join their club and continue to have fun.
How will you measure success in it?
By the number of children I get involved and keep involved in the club over my time in this role.
What is your GAA background?
I’m a Portlaoise and Laois senior footballer.
What are your earliest GAA memories?
Going to watch Portlaoise win county titles with my Grandad and Uncle.
Who would you say were your biggest influences?
Joe O’Callaghan, Adrian White and Paul Cahillane. Learned great lessons about life and GAA from all of them.
What are your greatest GAA memories?
Winning the Laois U14 A Féile Final (2017) and heading to Monaghan and Cavan that year for the Féile.
What does the GAA mean to you?
Portlaoise GAA for me is all about community and friendship. It’s a place where I can compete as part of a team and also spend time with friends playing a game I love to play.