Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney helped MMA star Brian Moore battle mental health demons

Brian Moore has praised Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney for the role he played in helping the Bellator MMA star overcome his mental health demons.

It was only 18 months ago that Moore found himself in the toughest battle of his life. Ahead of his clash with Nikita Mikhailov, the Wexford man found himself struggling to eat, unable to even listen to music and barely able to focus on his upcoming fight.

The Russian handed him a unanimous decision loss, snapping the Irishman’s three-fight winning streak. It was in the immediate aftermath of that defeat, that Moore decided to get himself the help that he needed.

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A helping hand came from a familiar face.

“It was the first time that I spoke out about my mental health,” said Moore.

“After finally doing it, I got in touch with a really good therapist and I’m working with a fantastic performance coach in Kieran McGeeney who’s a good friend of mine. Kieran’s the man.

“I’ve been a training partner of his for a long time and we’ve been friends for over a decade. It’s kind of weird because I’ve a big GAA background, so it’s like speaking to an idol.

“I used to love Brian Whelan who’s an Offaly man for hurling, and it was Kieran McGeeney and Scott Doran for Wexford in the football. So when I’m sitting next to him sometimes when we’re talking and he’s my friend, I do be like ‘F***ing hell’ I remember idolising him.

“What I’ve done with it is take their advice, their framework, their interventions, and I just approach it the same way as my fighting. As a result, I’m sitting here in a great spot ready to take a little Italian lad’s head off. So I’m happy.”

Armagh’s manager Kieran McGeeney

In sports and society in general, speaking out about mental health issues is something that is taken very seriously these days. Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho for example featured for the first time since October at the beginning of this month after a period out ‘working on physical and mental issues.’

In the fight game, showing weakness is a cardinal sin, hence the bravado and showmanship. It takes a very brave man to break through the machismo and open up to the public.

That’s what Moore has done. And while it’s been beneficial for himself, the way his honesty has helped others in need is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of all.

“I have spoken out and it has helped some people, which I’m happy about because I was reluctant to do so. I haven’t been speaking about it too much since, but I still get messages a lot of the time.

“I just try guide people in the right way or say the right things. It’s been unreal the feedback from it.

“Just from people who’re going through difficult periods in their life to be able to message me a little while later saying they took a step in the right direction or they went to see someone and the positive effects afterward.

“That’s really something else, it’s unbelievable.

“So maybe I should speak more about it to be honest.”

Last time out, Moore got back to winning ways with a dominant performance over Arivaldo Lima de Silva. Coming into that one, Moore was on a two-fight losing streak and was in desperate need of a positive result.

‘A dominating clinic’ is how Moore describes his showing in Dublin that night. On February 25th, he returns to the Bellator cage and the 3Arena. What awaits him is a fever pitch atmosphere that is widely regarded as one of the best anywhere in the world.

At 35 years of age, ‘The Pikeman’ is keen to ensure that he doesn’t unnecessarily miss out on a fight night in the capital.

“I was asked recently what’s the plan for 2023 and I said ‘win in February, win in September, and then get a fight afterward.’

“Getting a fight in between, I’m not a massive fan of that because I don’t want to risk injury or whatever to put me off the September card. It means that much to me to fight in Dublin.

“I love fighting in Dublin. I’m a very, very proud Irishman, so to get to do it in front of my Irish brothers and sisters, it means a lot.”

Twelve years into a professional career, many would be thinking about winding down, but not Moore.

Luck hasn’t been on his side at times. But the veteran knows if he can keep putting together impressive performances, the upper echelons of the sport can still be reached.

“Right now, I feel like I can take anyone in that 135-pound division, and I’m going to show that. I couldn’t take that slot in the Grand Prix because of a family issue.

“My daughter was awaiting news on surgery and stuff like that. I was asked to go to Hawaii but I wouldn’t go. It’s something I wonder about, ‘How far could I have gone?’

“But I don’t need to wonder, I need to keep winning until I’m back in that position.”

*****

Tickets to BELLATOR 291: Amosov vs. Storley 2, taking place at Dublin’s 3Arena on Saturday, February 25, are available from Ticketmaster.ie and Bellator.com

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