Inside DJ Carey’s private life, relationships and Kilkenny GAA career

The Kilkenny hurler had a long playing career but his life is also interesting away from GAA – here’s everything you need to know about his family life and relationships

DJ Carey has become a household name over the years thank to his GAA career.

The Kilkenny hurling star has a number of Inter-County titles under his belt, and after his retirement went on to coach and manage teams.

Off the pitch, he comes from a big sporting family.

Here’s everything you need to know about DJ Carey’s career and private life.

Family background

DJ was born in Kilkenny, in 1970. He was born into a large family, with three brothers and three sisters, and his close and extended family have a big sporting background.

One of his sisters, Catriona Carey, was a member of the Ireland women’s national field hockey team, as well as being part of the Kilkenny senior camogie team. His brother, Martin Carey, was also a member of the Kilkenny hurling panel as a substitute goalkeeper for a number of years.

Several members of Carey’s extended family have also played hurling and camogie. His aunt, Peggy Carey, won four All-Ireland camogie titles with Kilkenny and his granduncle, Paddy Phelan, was an inter-county hurler of the 1930s and was selected on the GAA Hurling Team of the Century and the GAA Team of The Millennium.

One of his brother’s died in a farming accident while he was very young, while another died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which he has spoken about in the media.

Playing for Kilkenny

He first came to prominence as a hurler while in school, and went on to play for Kilkenny minor and senior teams. He is considered one of the greatest hurlers in the history of the game. During his playing days he won nine All-Star awards, as well as being named Texaco Hurler of the Year on two occasions. He retired in 2006 after 138 National League and Championship appearances.

Relationships

DJ married his first wife Christine in the 90s, and they share two children. However, they split in 2003 and got divorced in 2004.

DJ and Christine had been married for seven years, and were living in a stunning two-storey home in the Gowran, Kilkenny, countryside opposite his parent’s house, before they parted ways. The house was sold, but DJ has said that him and Christine remain good friends.