‘I happened to be right beside him as he struck it and my jaw dropped’

Ben Gormley (right) gives his thoughts on the players he has battled alongside…

Name: Ben Gormley.

Age: 24.

Teams played for: Thomas Clarke’s, Eoghan Ruadh, Tyrone u-17 footballers, Tyrone hurlers u14 to seniors, Ulster u-17 hurlers and Academy MacRory.

Earliest GAA memory?

Dad taking me to the 2005 All-Ireland final, where Tyrone beat Kerry to win their second Sam Maguire.

Which team-mate has been the most inspirational and why?

Damian Casey. From a young age I looked up to him, the way he trained and practiced and, of course, performed at the highest levels in every game.

Who’s the best team-mate to train with and why?

Conall Devlin, in the gym and on the pitch we both push each other to be better, faster, stronger. I find our mentalities are very similar so we both work well together.

Which team-mate is the worst to train with and why?

James McNulty, always injured.

Which team-mate do you want to mark in training and why?

Dalaigh Jones or Paul Donaghy, because they both are very talented. They are also two different types of players and it drives me to be a better player myself.

Which team-mate do you dread marking in training and why?

Ryan Jones, because he’s too bloody fast. I can’t get near him if he gets going.

In the hurling I’d be James McCann, the lad may be small but he’d bully anyone he wants.

Best score you’ve seen from a team-mate?

Paul Donaghy scored a point in a game against Ardboe from the 21-yard line right beside the sideline with three men around him. I happened to be right beside him as he struck it and my jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe it.

What win has your team celebrated the most?

2020 championship final against Trillick.

Which team-mate is the best on journeys away?

Conall Devlin.

Which club is the worst for journeys away?

Trillick.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard in training or in a match, and who said it?

Conor Hague, we noticed that he was wearing two pairs of shorts, and he said the reason for it was because he had no clean underwear so he just wore two pairs of shorts and no boxers.

What’s the worst excuse you’ve heard to get out of training?

Missed training for a ‘doctor’s appointment’ at 8 o’clock at night.

Which team-mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Paddy Quinn.

Which team-mate would you want standing over a last-second penalty?

Paul Donaghy.

Which team-mate would you never want to hitting a last-second penalty?

Darragh Skeffington.

Which team-mate the most sensible?

David Walsh.

Who is the smartest of all your team mates?

David Walsh.

Who’s the best team mate to celebrate with?

Conall Devlin.