Five Mins With… Derry’s Dania Donnelly

Name: Dania Donnelly

Age: 27

Occupation: Post Office Assistant

Teams played for: Ballinascreen and Derry

Game you most enjoyed playing in?

All-Ireland Final 2017 only for the fact I got to play in Croke Park, the best experience of my sporting career

Game you least enjoyed playing in?

New York 2014, 5/10 minutes in I got head butted, bust my eye open, and had to go to the Roc Doc. Missed the rest of the match and came out looking like I had been in a boxing ring with Katie Taylor.

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

Carlow, that one time we had like the 30 degree heat. You couldn’t see a speck of green grass it was like playing in a desert.

Toughest training session you’ve ever been involved in?

Anything that involves Sean Laverty’s running drills. You have no idea. I will never forget the Sunday morning he took us out on the main road outside Owenbeg and made us do hill sprints (on the footpath obviously) they were not nice. You couldn’t wipe the smile off his face that morning haha.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

I love MFC gear, true to size and unreal quality

Most inspirational individual you’ve ever met?

Ciara Moore. She is nearly 50 and still roasting the young things haha.

Where do you like to go to celebrate?

For county we normally end up in Maghera at the Back door. For club, Charlie’s is the go-to spot.

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

Well on the rare occasion I have a free weekend I like to go and have a few sociables with my non football friends (yes I have those).

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

Mutley from Wacky Races because of my very unique laugh.

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

Caoimhe Kirkpatrick (Big C). This girl loves a forward roll/the worm

Anna Frizelle. Never a dull moment

Just to name a few. I could list a number of people here.

Which team mate is the worst dancer?

Danielle Kivlehan. She just points and jumps on the same spot. Ciara Lynn A.K.A Beyoncé could give her some tips. (Video evidence can be given if needed)

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Well to be honest I would be the loudest in the changing room you probably can hear my laugh over anything else.

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

Goalkeeper was waving the ball wide and accidentally hit the umpire full smack in the face. Not sure where I saw it but defo one for the books.

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

One of the girls getting stuck in the queue at a drive through because she wanted a McDonald’s before training.

Biggest ego?

I don’t think there is somebody with the biggest ego. I think anybody that plays for county needs a small amount of ego.

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

Worst: Danielle Kivlehan. She has level 10 travel sickness. It’s a real condition apparently.

Best: Catherine Fletcher AKA Fletch. She brings the sambucca. This woman always comes prepared for long journeys.

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

Worst: Nuala Browne. She is either snoring like a fog horn or has a full scale conversation with herself when she is sleeping. Best: Aimee G. She brings the tunes and speaker.

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

Worst Diet: Well if you saw us after a shop stop you could probably say half of the team. Best Diet: Ciara McGurk always comes with the her wee unicorn lunchbox packed with all the good stuff .

Toughest opponent you have played against?

Well, the amount of times we have faced Fermanagh in the last couple of years I will probably have to say them.

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

One that springs to mind is “everybody makes mistakes that’s why pencils have rubbers.”

Best manager you have played for?

Awh now I couldn’t pick just one. I have had the pleasure of working with so many amazing managers so it wouldn’t be fair to choose one.

What frustrates you most about the GAA?

Lack of equality, but I do think it’s getting better with ladies matches getting more publicity

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

The socialising aspect. It’s good when you can all come together from all different clubs and mix well. And come out with lifelong friends.