GAA star Damien Comer has teamed up with Specsavers ahead of the Championship season to encourage people to take a more proactive approach to their eye and hearing health.
The Galway footballer visited the Specsavers store on the Headford Road to receive an eye test and hearing test to ensure his sight and hearing are in the best condition ahead of the upcoming Football Championship fixtures.
Speaking about his visit, Damien said that by playing football he has come to understand how important his sight and hearing is to his life and his GAA career.
“Being a teacher off the pitch, I also want to try and encourage my students, their families and other GAA players to consider how important their eye and hearing health is to them,” he said.
“Coming into the Specsavers store has made me realise how much I rely on both these senses in sport, in my day-to-day life and at work.
“People my age and younger will often ignore their eye and hearing health but it’s important to stay on top of it and incorporate a regular tests into your health routine at least every two years.”
Damien’s visit to his local Specsavers store comes off the back of Specsavers’ partnership with the GAA on a Social Initiative, where it teamed up with nominated GAA clubs across the country to help reconnect older and more vulnerable people of the GAA community.
The aim of the initiative was to support those who may have fallen out of the habit of going to games in recent years and who otherwise might not be able to attend a social outing.
Each club was given a bursary from their local Specsavers store to cover match tickets or transport for a special outing to an Allianz League Game.
For Galway, the result of the initiative was incredible with Salthill Knocknacarra GAA and Castlegar GAA both bringing older members of their community to county games and reconnecting them with the club.
Specsavers Headford Road retail director, Annette Flanagan, said that they were delighted to welcome Damien Comer into the store during his recent visit.
“GAA plays such a huge role in the Galway community and it’s a great way of bringing people together. We are delighted to be working with Damien to educate people about the importance of looking after their eye and ear health now and into the future,” she said.
