My GAA Life – Monaghan’s Brenda McAnespie

Name? Brenda McAnespie

Which teams did you represent?

Monaghan senior ladies, Emyvale ladies, Monaghan Harps ladies, Ulster and Scotstown underage.

What is your current involvement with the GAA?

This year I’m on Ulster CODA and outside of that I’m enjoying being a loyal supporter to both the Monaghan ladies and men.

What was your greatest moment in the GAA?

I would have to say winning my first Senior All-Ireland with Monaghan. The Senior Club with Monaghan Harps is up there but having the opportunity to play with all of my five daughters was very special.

What was the most surprising moment in your career?

Scoring four points in the 1994 All-Ireland final against Waterford as scoring wasn’t my best skill.

Who was the best player you ever played with?

Jenny Greenan

What was the best score you ever saw in a game you were involved in?

Edel Byrne’s goal in the 1997 All-Ireland final.

Which manager made the biggest impact on you and why?

Played under several managers at club and county level but I couldn’t single one out as they all had a huge influence on my football career.

What was the best piece of advice you ever received about playing?

“Playing football with your feet is one thing, playing football with your heart is another.”

What was the best thing about playing in your era?

Once you won Ulster, you knew you were only one game away from playing in Croke Park

What was the worst thing about playing your era?

The distance I had to travel every night to training due to unavailability of many pitches at that time.

When did you know it was time to call it quits?

It took quite a while but eventually my head overruled my heart.

What interesting or funny story may readers not know about you or one of your former teammates?

When we won the 1997 All-Ireland against Waterford in 1997 I was 14 weeks pregnant, the joke at the time was that we could have been disqualified for playing with an extra player!