Galway's Liam Silke(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

Galway's Liam Silke's private life, move to America with girlfriend, and famous GAA family

After enjoying much success at club level with Corofin, Silke is now looking to make history with his county when they take on Armagh in Sunday's final

by · Irish Mirror

Liam Silke has been a vital cog for Galway in their run to the final of the 2024 All-Ireland Football Championship.

After enjoying much success at club level with Corofin, Silke is now looking to make history with his county when they take on Armagh in Sunday's final, reports RSVP LIVE.

Here, we take a look at the Corofin man's busy life on and off the pitch.

Galway Career

Liam Silke was called into the Galway senior football panel by then manager Kevin Walsh. He made his senior championship debut for the county against New York in the 2015 Connacht Senior Football Championship, starting that game.

Since becoming a regular starter he has won three Connacht Senior Football Championships. His performance in the 2022 championship and run to the All-Ireland final earned him his first All-Star.

Liam studied in University College Dublin, which meant a lot of tracvelling between the capital and his home county. "There isn’t that many players doing as much travelling as me. I wouldn’t go back midweek every week, because half the day would be gone.

"It’s up to each player and the managers to see what’s best for them – thankfully, I’ve had understanding managers for the past two and a half years…It’s down to the time of the year too – I’m only back a few weeks now so I can prioritise the football at the moment…," he told SportsJoe.

Girlfriend

Liam stepped out with Roisin Hession at a recent AIB GAA Club Player of the Year awards ceremony. The pair were pictured together on the red carpet on the night.

Move to New Zealand and America

Corofin ace Liam Silke

After picking up his first All-Star in 2022, Silke left Ireland to travel around New Zealand. As a result, he missed out on Galway's 2023 campaign.

While Down Under, he continued his work as a doctor.

“In fairness to Liam, he has been outstanding for us. He did the untold man-marking work all year and he has taken out some top class forwards from Derry, Armagh and Sean O’Shea on Sunday.

“He has been outstanding and he will deserve his All Star when he gets it in a few weeks’ time," said manager Padraig Joyce at the time.

Liam also missed to 2018 season to travel in America. He moved to Boston with his girlfriend and some friends that year before going to study a postgrad in Trinity College Dublin.

“With the course I’m doing, it’s the only year that I have the full summer off so I kind of just want to take the opportunity to travel while I can because I won’t get to do it again," he said at the time.

“I’d like a bit of a break because I’ve been on the go for the last five years with Corofin and Galway. It’s nice to be able to take the break but again I don’t like missing out on the championship and that. You just have to weigh up what you want to do and make a decision.

“The last few years I’d have liked to have gotten away but it just didn’t work out. It’s kind of worked out well this year, winning with Corofin and not having been involved with Galway up to that point kind of made it easier to decide to step away for the summer.”

Height, Where He is From and Age

Liam was born in November 1994, making him 29 years of age. He is 6ft in height.

He is from the village of Corofin. He has won four All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals with his local.

They lifted the Andy Merrigan cup in Croke Park in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Family Life

Liam's uncle Ray Silke captained the Tribesman to All-Ireland success back in 1998. His dad Brian was a sub on the panel as the county lifted the Sam Maguire.

Honours

  • 5 Connacht Senior Football Championship - 2016, 2022, 2024
  • 1 All-Star - 2022

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