Five Minutes With… Fermanagh’s Shauna Murphy

Name: Shauna Murphy.

Age: 27.

Occupations: Client Relationship Manager.

Teams played for: Enniskillen Gaels, Ulster University, Magee and Fermanagh ladies.

Game you most enjoyed playing in?

Enniskillen Gaels against Tempo in the 2019 Fermanagh Championship. A crazy game that went right to the wire. I should probably say the All-Ireland final last year, but I couldn’t enjoy it until the final whistle went and I could relax!

Game you least enjoyed playing in?

I’m still trying to forget about the 2014 All-Ireland final.

What’s the worst pitch you’ve ever played on?

Newtownbutler was brutal back in the day but it is under development at the minute.

Toughest training session you’ve ever been involved in?

Jonny’s pre-season endurance trainings give me nightmares

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

I tend to mix and match all the brands.

Most inspirational individual you’ve ever met?

Mickey Harte.

Where do you like to go out to celebrate?

Hard to beat a pub crawl through Enniskillen and finishing up in the Corner Bar.

What do you like to do when you are not training/playing?

I make horrific attempts to give my mum a good game of tennis now and then, but she’s too good.

Which character in any film/tv show are you most like?

I’ve been told to say Joey from Friends – wouldn’t be fond of sharing my food.

Which team mates (from any club/county) are the first you’d invite on a night out?

Roisin O’Reilly top of the list – she’d never turn down a night out.

Which teammate is the worst dancer

Shana Cassidy – there is video evidence of a few tumbles.

Which teammate is the loudest in the changing room?

Hard to hear anyone over Joanne Doonan.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen happen in training/during a match?

The week before the All-Ireland final I attempted to stop a shot with my feet and ended up slide tackling into Donna Owens who was standing at the post. We both came out unscathed thankfully so we can laugh about it now.

What’s the worst excuse you’ve heard to get out of training and who did it come from?

I’ll not rat on anyone else but I did have to skip training once because I burnt my feet at the beach!

Biggest ego?

No egos allowed.

Worst/best person to sit next to on the team bus?

Worst – Roisin O’Reilly, she loves a nap. Best – ‘Fuzz’ (Sarah McCausland) always has the best tunes.

Worst/best person to share a room with on away days?

‘Fuzz’ is the worst and best all rolled into one.

Who has the best diet, and who has the worst, and what do they consist of?

Brenda Bannon has the best diet and supplies all the tasty healthy snacks. I’d have to say I’ve the worst, fond of a wee McDonalds, so I am.

Toughest opponent you have played against?

There’s been plenty but I really hate when I see Eimear Smyth coming my way.

Best or worst quote you have heard from a team mate/opponent/manager?

‘Just close your eyes and hope for the best’ – not the best advice for a goalkeeper.

Best manager you have played for?

Jonny Garrity – might be from Tyrone but he’s doing great things with ladies football in Fermanagh.

What frustrates you most about the GAA?

Inequality.

What is the best thing about being part of the GAA?

Very cliche but it’s one big family and you make friends for life. I don’t think I realised how important it was to me until Covid-19 started and you realise how much you miss it and your teammates. I think the GAA community came together really well to get everyone through such a crazy time.