Five Minutes With… Monaghan’s Laura McEnaney

Name: Laura McEnaney
Age: 27
Teams played for: Corduff, Monaghan, Ulster, DCU

Game you most enjoyed playing in?
All Ireland semi-final with my club Corduff on home soil. Every man,
woman and child from Corduff was at the match. The excitement building
up to that game is one I will always remember and cherish forever.

Game you least enjoyed playing in?
All-Ireland final with Monaghan in 2013 when we lost to Cork by a point.

What’s the worst pitch you’ve ever played on?
Crettyyard, Co Laois. Our All-Ireland final with Corduff was played
there after the bad torrential rain in November/December 2017. It was
like a bog.

Toughest training session you’ve every been involved in?
Running up and down sand dunes in Bull Island with DCU. It was sick.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?
It’s hard to beat O’Neills. Mind you, I would love LuLu Lemon to bring
out GAA gear!

Most inspirational individual you’ve ever met?
My Dad, Seamus. He puts his heart and soul into every task he takes on
with no matter how big or small… well apart from his own exercise!

Where do you like to go out to celebrate?
You can’t beat Corduff Centre for a sing song with some of Corduff’s
greats like Eva Woods and Peter Brennan taking centre stage on the mic.

What do you like to do when you are not training/playing?
Eating…. I love my food. I would generally be healthy, but I love
trying new places to eat and go for coffee. I also love traveling and
hiking.

Which character in any film/tv show are you most like?
I’ll soon be like “Fat Amy” from Pitch Perfect if I don’t stop all
this baking and eating when on lockdown.

Which team mates (From any club/county) are the first you’d invite on
a night out?
The Mayo girls Clodagh McManamon and Leona Ryder. They are always good
fun to be around and Leona is most likely to do something silly and
give us a laugh

Which team mate is the worst dancer?
Cora Courtney, she might have quick feet on the pitch but it doesn’t
transfer to the tiles

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?
Grainne McNally, she never stays quiet

What’s the funniest thing you’ve seen happen in training/during a match?
Kate Brennan (Corduff) playing a match at 11am on a Sunday morning
worse for wear and wasn’t able to solo the ball.

What’s the worst excuse you’ve heard to get out of training and who
did it come from?
Sinead McEnaney (Corduff) because she was getting her nails done.
Please!

Biggest ego?
Barbara Ward (Corduff), she can score on the pitch but gets it hard to
score off it.

Worst/best person to sit next to on the team bus?
Best: Arlene Carroll because she always has a big bag of jellies with
her.

Worst/best person to share a room with on away days?
Worst: Ellen McCarron because she counts sheep in her sleep. She is a
changed woman, big farmer now.
Best: Colleen Callan (Corduff) always great company to be around,
never a dull moment with her.

Who has the best diet, and who has the worst, and what do they consist
of?
Best: Shauna Coyle – great woman for meal prepping. Wee tank.
Worst: Annie Brennan (Corduff), only eats chicken nuggets and chips!

Toughest opponent you have played against?
Briege Corkery, a nightmare to run after!

Best or worst quote you have heard from a team mate/opponent/manager?
Best: Play the game not the occasion.

Best manager you have played for?
I have had many great coaches over my playing career who have taught
me a lot of lessons along the way.

What frustrates you most about the GAA?
Despite the LGFA making great strides in recent years, men’s teams
still get preference over pitches and resources.

What is the best thing about being part of the GAA?
The list is endless. The social aspect that the GAA brings, the
community spirit, that winning feeling, and also keeping fit and
healthy.