Over the bar: Farrell swaps points for pints in Nobber

Meath footballer Brian Farrell is well-known for his point-scoring abilities but now he is turning his attention to the art of how to pull a pint as he ventures into the pub business for the first time. Along with his father, Dudley, former Meath senior football team selector and GAA games development officer, the county star and local clubman has taken over the Dee Local in his native Nobber. The pub was previously run by current Fine Gael TD and junior minister Shane McEntee. The Farrells have taken out a long-term lease on the premises and, in recent weeks, they have been working hard in preparation for the official opening, which took place last Friday night. From now on, the premises will be known as 'Farrells Dee Local'. "We thought about it long and hard, the pros and the cons, and we said we would take a chance and go for it. We know the area well but a lot of people said 'you're mad' and, of course, we know that it is challenging times, it's not easy for people," said Brian, who added that the enterprise will also involve his two brothers, Alan and Niall. "You have to be realistic; you're not going to become millionaires. It's just an interest both myself and my father had, something we always wanted to do, and when the opportunity arose we said we would try to make something of it," he added. Brian, who is continuing with his job as an accountant with Fagan, Lynch & Donnellan in Navan, said he has received tremendous support from members of the community and that the building and restoration work required in the pub was given to local tradespeople. For the Farrells, it's about making a move against the worst effects of the recession. "The whole thing is that the country is in recession. These are hard times for a lot of people but the way I look on is if people just sit around, hands in their pockets and nobody takes any action, we will be in it for a lot longer. "I think we need a lot of young people going out, doing their research, not just going out flamboyantly setting up without any thought, but doing their research and trying out something new, taking a chance. If people go with that attitude, I don't think we would be long getting out of recession. We need people to take action and bring a bit of positivity," he added. "There can't be enough events to get people out and generate some community spirit, whether it's something in a pub, something in a local hall, football pitch, wherever it might be." The young accountant has watched how country and small village pubs have struggled in recent times. He has undertaken the 'number crunching' exercises as part of his research and accepts that he, his father and brothers are embarking on a venture that carries with it as many potential pitfalls as trying to win an All-Ireland title. He adds that his accounting skills will be useful in helping to keep the enterprise on an even keel. "It's a mountain we're facing, we know that, it's a challenge. There are countless examples of rural clubs closing their doors, it's just not feasible for them to remain open. Personally, I would hate to see that pub (Dee Local), a great traditional pub that has been there for years, close and I know other people around Nobber who would have hated to see the pub close its doors. We felt rather than that, we would take a chance," he explained. On Friday night, music was provided by local singers Tucker Casey and Niall O'Reilly, while on Saturday night Stephen Beggy and the Bridge Street Band, were the entertainers. The hope is that providing entertainment like this will entice locals to remain in Nobber to socialise. And the Farrells are not without knowledge of the trade. "My father has a good bit of experience of the pub business, much more than me, and my brothers have experience of the trade," added Brian. While he admits that a considerable investment was required to get the business up and running, Brian, who captained Nobber to an IFC title last year, is looking forward to the challenge of battling against the odds, rolling the dice and seeing how it all works out. Now all he has to do is perfect of art of pulling a good pint.