Five Minutes with… Antrim’s Nicky McKeague

Name: Nicky McKeague.

Age: 26.

Occupation: Engineer at Creagh Concrete.

Teams played for: Dunloy and Antrim.

Game you most enjoyed playing in?

County final 2017 versus Cushendall.

Game you least enjoyed playing in?

County semi-final 2018 versus Loughgiel.

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

Wicklow’s pitch wasn’t great in the league this year.

Toughest training session you’ve ever been involved in?

Any pre-season running isn’t enjoyable.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

Adidas boots and Torpey hurls.

Most inspirational individual you’ve ever met?

Miceal Murphy.

Where do you like to go to celebrate?

Village Inn, Dunloy.

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

Relaxe, socialise and spend time with the family.

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

Nicolas Cage.

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

Miceal Murphy and Keelan Molloy.

Which team mate is the worst dancer?

Conor ‘Woody’ McKinley.

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Ronan Molloy.

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

Nigel Elliott scored an own point against Meath a few years ago, I think he ended up scoring a hat-trick after it though.

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

Eoin O’Neill heading to the sun beds.

Biggest ego?

Anton McGrath.

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

Nigel Elliott was always good for supplying the sweets and Shane Dooey for a good story.

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

Best: James McNaughton. Worst: Eoin O’Neill.

Who has the best diet, and who has the worst?

Ryan Elliot has a good diet, Kevin Molloy is too fond of the hot food counter.

Toughest opponent you have played against?

Paddy Purcell, Laois.

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

Back yourself.

Best manager you have played for?
Gregory O’Kane and the current Antrim set up.

What frustrates you most about the GAA?
Nothing really, maybe not enough consideration given for dual clubs and players with fixtures.

What’s the best thing about being part of the GAA?

The friendships and craic with teammates especially after big wins.