“There’s nothing worse than marking someone who doesn’t stop moving”

Name:
Leanne Donnelly.

Age:
22.

Teams played for:
Eglish, Armagh, St Catherine’s, Armagh, Queen’s, Belfast and Ulster.

Who are your main rivals?
Our main rivals are usually the winners that come out of Down, in the past it has been Clonduff and Portaferry.

Which opposition ground do you like playing on and why?
I like playing on Dungannon hurling pitch. It’s a nice surface to play on and the location is good, they also have great changing room facilities.

Which opposition ground do you dislike going to and why?
I am not a fan of playing on Kinnegad in Westmeath. It’s a very open pitch and it always seems to be windy there. I’ve also had some defeats on that pitch, which makes it a dislike of mine.

What team have you enjoyed the most success against?
No team in particular, it’s always nice to get a win against any team at any time of the year.

Which team have you enjoyed least success against?
It would have to be Wexford. We played them four times in the 2021 county season. We lost each time and two of the four matches were a league and All-Ireland final.

Which opposition player have you enjoyed marking?
Again there is no one that I enjoy marking. Anyone that I come up against is always a great battle and that’s the main thing!

Which opposition player have you disliked marking?
A player I dislike marking would be either Wexford midfielder, those girls can run. Nothing worse than marking someone who doesn’t stop moving.

Which player would you transfer in from a team you have come up against?
A player I would transfer in that I have played against would have to be Ellie McKee, she is quality entertainment. An absolute joker and a great camog.

Which team, apart from your own, do you like to see do well and why?
I like to see clubs in Armagh doing well as I play alongside the girls at county. I’m not saying any teams in particular, but I’m a supporter of all the girls and like to get out to watch the Armagh club games.

What’s the most frustrating defeat you have experienced?
I would have to say Armagh All-Ireland final against Antrim. We knew we had come on top in previous matches but on final day we just couldn’t do the business unfortunately.

What’s the most satisfying victory you have experienced?
Beating Cavan in the final in 2020. I know the seconds teams were removed from the competition, but the match against Cavan was a tough one but it was great to come out on top, especially with Covid at that time as all sport was put to a halt for a good while.

Best opponent for post-match hospitality?
When we travel to our Derry league matches they are great for tea and sandwiches after our games. It’s a lovely gesture and greatly appreciated.

Which club, apart from your own, has the most impressive facilities?
Liatrom in Down, we played there a year or two ago and I was very impressed with their new 3G pitch and floodlights. We were out warming up and they had music playing through the speakers and I thought that was class. It’s definitely a good idea playing music before a match. Maybe not for everyone, but I loved it.