Former Ireland cricket star Roger Whelan happy to swap ball and bat for music career and activism – The Irish Sun

A FORMER Ireland cricket star has told how he swapped his bat and ball for a life of music and activism.

Roger Whelan, 39, spent six years in the national squad and in 2007 he famously bowled out legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who is widely recognised as the greatest batsman of all time.

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In all, Whelan won three full caps and his three international wickets also included South African star AB De Villiers and Englands Ravi Bopara.

But the singer-songwriter who performs as The RoJ LiGht told how he was left burnt out by the sport and eventually decided to leave in 2007 to pursue music.

He said of his time in green: I was in the squad for six years and went on multiple training camps and tours overseas. I really enjoyed the experience and made life-long friends in the process.

If Im being honest I burnt myself out completely. For three or four years towards the end I took it all very seriously, training every day, no drinking, nights out etc.

As a fast bowler I felt like I needed to be in top physical shape all the time and it took a toll on the body.

I wanted a break and music was obviously my real passion.

Pretty soon after I went to America to play gigs and dove into recording my first album Justice For Believers.

Much of Rogers music is inspired by his work as an activist. He was one of the leaders of the campaign to free US army whistle-blower Chelsea Manning.

And he told how his activism began around the same time he left cricket.

He said: Funnily enough just after I retired from cricket as it happened, I met an activist musician brother of mine Paul OToole in Waltons Music who really fired up my already-growing interest in politics and the injustice in the world.

He was heavily involved in the Irish anti-war movement during the second Iraq war and protests down in the US army base at Shannon airport.

Through him I came across a Peace and Justice organisation called Afri, based in Dublin.

They opened up a whole world for me and I started working part-time for them as their filmmaker and resident musician and I havent looked back since. Roger has now released his second album, a collection of 15 indie rock songs which are inspired by social issues such as homelessness and direct provision.

He said: I feel there arent enough artists speaking out against the established powers and giving a voice to the working class, the oppressed and those in need.

In this over-globalised and corporatised world, theres a very real danger we lose whats really important to all of us. The average everyday person is what makes this world go around in every sense.

And whats important to us is love, connection, family, friends and community.

I believe a small gesture of kindness can change a persons life in a very profound and positive way and thats what I base my philosophy on.

With all live gig plans now on hold, The RoJ LiGht has been focused online and recently shared the stage with Colm Mac Con Iomaire and others as part of Afris virtual famine walk event.

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He is doing his best to see the positives of the pandemic as he releases his virtual album.

The ex-cricketer said: Im an optimist and its important to look for the positives in any situation so although this pandemic has been heartbreaking and very difficult for most people and businesses, its also a long-overdue welcome break for our planet.

Hopefully people have felt a deeper connection with nature during this time.

The RoJ LiGhts album Sacred Moods is out now on all digital platforms.

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Former Ireland cricket star Roger Whelan happy to swap ball and bat for music career and activism - The Irish Sun