Limerick All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Barry Hennessy has opened up on his battle with an eating disorder.
The Kilmallock man, who holds four All-Ireland medals, hopes that by speaking about his issues he can persuade others to go and get help.
Hennessy was speaking on ‘the Player’s Voice,’ with Alan O’Mara.
In the podcast Hennessy recalls eating breakfast rolls and chicken rolls on a daily basis growing up.
His weight went up to 16 and a half stone in college as he ate Subway and cookies every day.
Hennessy was also into the gym and taking protein shakes five or six times per day at one stage.
His weight began to fluctuate, dropping down to 11 and a half stone at one point, as things got worse for him.
The 33 year old believes he was “eating his feelings” at the time as his behaviour around food and eating became more obsessive.
"I remember going out for a Chinese for my birthday with my family and running up to the toilet to get sick after the starter and putting my fingers down my throat to get sick,” he says.
“The same thing after the main course. I remember coming home that evening and weighing myself to make sure I had not put on weight - fat in my eyes.
“It accelerated from there, and became a daily thing. It was morning, lunchtime and evening-time. You'd get sick and then stand up on the weighing scales to see where you are at.”
It was a cycle of behaviour he struggled with and at one stage he recalls cutting his arm as “a cry for help.”
Interventions from Kilmallock boss Tony Considine and Limerick legend Ciaran Carey were important for Hennessey.
And he has since shared his experiences with Limerick psychologist Caroline Currid and his team mates.
In the podcast Hennessy, who barely touches alcohol, recalls the relief of being able to sit down and eat a burger with his team mates on a holiday after one of Limerick’s All-Ireland wins.
“To this day, I still won't eat chocolate,” he says. “I won't eat Taytos. I won't eat take-aways.
“I've started to soften a bit on that. My good wife has helped me with that.”
Hennessy’s advice to others is: "Don't suffer alone, don't suffer in silence.
“It's an extremely hard topic to broach with someone. But my experience was prolonged by me being stubborn and not wanting to admit I had a problem - and not seeking help. Reach out to someone and speak to someone."
If you are a GPA member and impacted by this conversation, please call the GPA’s 24/7 helpline on 1800 98 92 85 or text ‘GPA’ to 50808. If you are not a GPA member and are impacted by this conversation, please check out bodywhys.ie for more information on eating disorders, body image issues and support services.
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