Five minutes with Eoghan Ruadh’s Ruairi Diamond

Name: Ruairí Devlin

Age: 25

Occupation: Irish Teacher

Teams played for: Eoghan Ruadh Dungannon, Tyrone, St Mary’s University Belfast

Game you most enjoyed playing in?

After seven months out injured this season, returning to play in this year’s Ulster Final vs St Enda’s was a great experience.

Game you least enjoyed playing in?

Unfortunately that match was bitter sweet. Losing the Ulster final vs St Endas was heartbreaking. Especially losing on penalties.

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

My intercounty debut against Warwickshire in Birmingham was played on a pitch submerged in water. The ball died anytime it hit the ground

Toughest training session you’ve every been involved in?

Anything that has to be set up using a trundle wheel is normally not my cup of tea.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

Adidas boots, Mycro Helmet, Brian Walsh hurls. Free for any endorsement deals.

Most inspirational individual you’ve ever met?

My father has always been someone I’ve looked up to and his voice is the only voice I can hear from a crowd.

Where do you like to go out to celebrate?

Local bars in Dungannon normally get a turn. McAleer’s or Hagan’s would be the top spots.

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

Watching the NFL or NBA.

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

Mr Bump. Usually end up in a cast once or twice a year

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

Always need Conor or Padraig McNally to get the sing song going. Good to have Damian Casey or Cathal McErlean there too. Plenty of money to get the rounds in.

Which team mate is the worst dancer?

Cain Ferguson. He thinks taking your top off is the same as dancing.

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Terry McIntosh always has something to be giving off about.

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

Seeing our corner forwards Branan Molloy and Matthew Mulgrew tackling for the first time this year was a laugh but thankfully they got better as the year went on.

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

From taking different camogie teams the excuse of fake tan and nails would be a common occurrence.

Biggest ego?

The way Lorcan Devlin talks you’d think he invented hurling.

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

John Devlin or Mark Winters always full of a funny story or two. Sean Donaghy has to be the worst. Poor fella can’t sit still.

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

Sean Muldoon is one of the worst. Never done talking about Cu Chulainns or Eglish.

Who has the best diet, and who has the worst, and what do they consist of?

Josh Ferguson has been taking after Mattie Lennon and his vegan ways so that would be the best diet. Ciaran Mc Crudden doesn’t get called Cookie Monster for nothing.

Toughest opponent you have played against?

Conor Johnston and Declan Coulter Setanta are always difficult to keep a hand on. Thankfully I only have to deal with Damian Casey in training.

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

“Don’t be afraid to shoot” shot goes wide. “Why didn’t you pass?”

Best manager you have played for?

Current club manager Colm Mc Guinness and county manager Mattie Lennon are two of the best in the business.

What frustrates you most about the GAA?

Constantly changing rules. If it’s not broke don’t fix it.

What is the best thing about being part of the GAA?

Playing with family and life long friends is a feeling that can never be taken away from you. Making friends and relationships is also a big plus about the GAA.