Five minutes with Monaghan’s Hazel Kingham

Name: | Hazel Kingham |
Age: | 27 going on 21
Occupation: | Service Office Administrator

Teams played for:

Donaghmoyne ladies GFC, Monaghan ladies U12 up to senior and Cavan ladies NYC

If you were throwing a party and you could invite anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you ask around?

I couldn’t have a party without the Donaghmoyne and Monaghan girls. They’re all a mad bunch. I would ask Paudi O’Shea, I could have listened to that man talk all day. I’d have my Granny Reilly because she would have been the last one standing at the end of the night holding a glass of sherry.

Where do you like to go out to celebrate after a big victory?

That would be Coleman’s of Laragh, our local shindig pub after a club victory.

If you weren’t playing GAA what would you be at?

I’d probably take up scuba diving or rock climbing.

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

Carnacon in Mayo.

Which character in any film are you most like?

I would say Baby from Dirty Dancing because I also love Patrick Swayze and I don’t mind getting on stage for a bit of a dance.

Any odd items in your kit bag?

A sachet of red sauce, you can never be underprepared ha! This answer sort of leads towards the diet question… A few safety pins also.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

Nike boots, they fit like a glove, and Murphys Gloves. I’m also open to any sponsorship deals.

Who’s the biggest joker in the teams you play for?

For club it has to be Niamh Lynch. She always has a quick answer, and for county it would be Catriona ‘Sticks’ McKenna with her jiving stories from the Four Seasons.

Which team mate has the best looking other half?

Oh, they’re all too good to choose from but I would have to say my other half every time I look in the mirror haha. Cough… ‘Single lady plug.’

Who is the worst trainer?

Besides myself when there is long distance running, I would say ‘Sticks’… sorry! It’s always time for goalkeeping training with Ryan when the hard runs start.

Who spends most time in front of the mirror in the dressing room?

That’s if you’re lucky to find a mirror in any changing room but we don’t need any once the champagne is opened after a win.

Who’s the best/worst person to share a room with on away trips?

This is a tough one… the best would be Josie Fitzpatrick because I have a great laugh with her.. Worst would be Cora Courtney because she might make me get up early for Mass in the morning.

Who’s the best/worst person to sit beside on the team bus?

All the girls are great craic on the bus so I couldn’t choose. I might be the worst to sit beside because I tend to fall asleep as soon as the bus moves.

Who has the best and who has the worst diet on the team, and what does it include?

Best diet would be Sharon Courtney and worst would probably be myself hence going back to the sachet of red sauce in my bag.

Toughest opponent you have faced?

My friend Karen Hall, we always took lumps out of each other during a school soccer game or at club training. We were both very competitive. Karen if you’re reading this… That ‘was’ my corner ball!

Best or worst quote you’ve heard, either from a manager, player, opponent?

“Stick to them like shite to a blanket” – my club manager Francie Coleman. That statement never gets old.

Best manager you’ve ever played under?

Ronan Leonard who was over our U12 & U14 county team. I’ll never forget our Ulster Final and him standing shouting on top of the dugouts after being put out of the field, he was a gentleman though. For club it would be Francie Coleman, the man has been there since underage level. I can’t forget Rosie O’Reilly from New York Cavan ladies, the woman is a legend and Paula Cunningham is up there too with the greats.

Best ever performance?

Club All-Ireland final 2015 against Mourneabbey.

One to forget?

Club All-Ireland final 2013 against Carnacon.

When you were playing in the back garden, who did you pretend to be?

I used to pretend I was Seamus Moynihan souring up the field or Maurice Fitzgerald. I still can’t kick like either of them though.

If there was a transfer market who’d be in and who’d be out of the team?

I’d have Cora Staunton, Rena Buckley and Lyndsey Davey in. We’d have to get rid of Sharon Courtney then because she and Cora Staunton would clash, ha.