Episode 2 I Lár an Aonaigh

APPLAUSE

For years, what we've done is try to make sure that athletes,

who are at a high level of competition,

are very aware of the risks.

We will always be chasing

because athletes will always be trying to find the next possible way

to get over the system.

What we're doing now is looking at younger, lower-age athletes,

and trying to develop a programme around values.

It's where we give them very clear information about how to ensure

that they never take a banned substance inadvertently,

and that would be one of the biggest worries we'd have

once they get to a higher level.

At that stage, if an athlete has chosen to dope,

it's very hard to change their minds.

The largest amateur sporting organisation

in the country is the GAA.

Where is the relationship between Sport Ireland and the GAA

in terms of testing athletes?

We would consider the GAA to be

a very important part of our programme.

People recognise the importance and the value of what we do.

They are an amateur sport,

but they are a very, very, very high-profile sport in this country,

and so whereas the risks of professionalism aren't there,

the risks are there in terms of the high profile of the sport.

Oisin, is it wishful thinking for us to think that GAA is 100% clean

from performance-enhancing drugs?

It would be very naive of us to think that it wasn't going on

in some form, especially in the club game.

I think it happens in guys who just want to get bigger going to the gym,

fitter, stronger, faster,

and that's how it's sold to them.

A lot of players see it as, you know,

this is their opportunity to shine.

Maybe a young lad sees the opportunity

to maybe get onto a county squad

and he thinks, you know, "I might go that extra yard.

"This might take me to the next level."

That's the danger in it.

The danger is, once you start,

it's very, very difficult to leave it down then.

You know, it's not something that's going to give you a pick-me-up

for two to three weeks and you're going to be able to leave it behind.

One of the things about performance-enhancing drugs is

that they give you that quick fix that everybody wants nowadays.

That's the reason why they're so alluring for kids.

-How are you?

-Lovely to see you.

What a 12 months you've had. Can you quite believe it?

Not really, no. But we're working hard, so it's worth it.

And where did all start, Ryan?

Because, you know, you're a wonderful performer,

mad into the songs, you write your own material as well.

Yeah, I mean, it starts at home.

I grew up in a family that are very musical

so, yeah, there was always a guitar pretty close to hand.

And then when did you get the bug

for going out on the road and performing?

And when did you know that you wanted to do this?

I never did, it's just kind of happened.

It kept forcing itself on me, I kept pushing it away.

I wanted to be an engineer, but it always found its way back.

You know, I couldn't argue with it any more, I had to just embrace it.

But I enjoy it, I really do.

It's one thing to have talent, though, and then it's another thing

to have these wonderful opportunities open up for you,

and you have been so fortunate over the last 12 months.

-I have.

-How has it all come about?

I honestly don't know. I've just been working, working hard.

You know, the right people have been watching,

the right people have been helping,

and, yeah, as a team, we're just working really hard.

Perhaps the biggest thing that happened to you

this year, though, was - yeah, Ed Sheeran was great,

Foy Vance was brilliant, going out on the road with him,

but coming home and selling out somewhere like The Limelight

-without having an album released yet...

-Yeah.

-..is a bit crazy.

I think I'm the only person, bar The Strokes, to have ever done it,

-and I'm a local boy, so that's pretty good.

-Brilliant.

-So, what's next, then?

-Mandela Hall, for Belfast anyway.

I mean, December, I've gigs all over the UK and stuff,

but the next sort of Ireland gig is Belfast, Mandela Hall, May 4th.

-So it's all about touring. Yeah, May the 4th be with you.

-Yes.

It's all about touring at the moment for you,

but what about going into the studio?

-When are we going to get new material, Ryan?

-Next year.

I'll definitely have new material this year,

but the album will be next year.

That is definitely something to savour

-and something to look forward to.

-Yeah.

Thank you.

-Well, Natasha, how are you?

-I'm good.

-Do you want a hand?

-Yes, please.

-Right.

-So, how long have you been working here?

-A year.

What's the best thing about it?

-Making sandwiches.

-HE LAUGHS

-Aye, do you get to eat them?

-Yes.

-You do?

-Yes.

-Good stuff.

Well, I want to eat one of these after I make it.

-Is that enough, no?

-A bit more.

You go more, aye? Right.

-You roll it up.

-OK.

-Like this.

-Like this?

-You put it over here, right?

-Yes.

And then...

-And then you roll again. More?

-Yeah.

-OK.

-OK. It wasn't that bad, was it?

-No.

Look, you're better than me.

I was over trying to help Natasha, I'm not too sure how good I was,

-but I might be better with the sandwiches.

-Hopefully.

So, how did you find out about Loaf and the work that's going on here?

I was just seeing through things

-at the local Job Centre.

-Yeah.

Like, with me being dyslexic

and all, they recommended it.

And how are you getting on?

-This type of work I like to do.

-Yeah, great.

So it's not too bad making sandwiches, doing all the prep work.

After the work experience here, what are your plans?

Do you have anything that you want to do after?

My plan is trying to get into the work of catering.

-Right.

-In general, just try to make sandwiches.

The general idea is I want, in time, to have my own wee cafe business.

-Jeez, great.

-So, that's my life ambition.

-It's a good place to start, as well, here.

-Definitely.

They give you a lot of help and encouragement.

GUITAR PLAYS

# Every girl is a daughter

# But you're not quite the same

# You're like fire in the water

# And smoke on the rain

# You've got a sweet something about you

# Something hard to name

# The way your hair falls on your shoulders

# It's hard to explain, oh, no

# Oh, Susannah

# If ever the world drags you down

# Call my name

# And I'll come running

# I'll sit down beside you

# And I won't make a sound

# Ooh, Susannah

# I wanna walk down by the water

# I wanna stand round there and breathe

# I wanna treat it like an alter

# With you right there with me Yeah, now

# Ooh, Susannah

# If ever the world drags you down

# Call my name

# And I'll come running

# I'll sit down beside you

# Ooh, and I won't make a sound

# Ooh, Susannah

# I've been travelling

# And I've been taking stock

# So when I get home there's no need to talk

# Cos I feel we've said All that there is to say

# And even though we're parting ways

# Oh, Susannah

# If ever the world drags you down

# Call my name

# And I'll come running

# And I'll sit down beside you

# Ooh, and I won't make a sound

# Ooh, Susannah. #

APPLAUSE