Five Mins with… Down’s Ryan McAleenan

Name: Ryan McAleenan

Age: 28

Occupations: Teacher

Teams played for: Warrenpoint and Down Senior footballers

Game you most enjoyed playing in?

Even though we were on the wrong end of the result – last year’s championship match against Mayo in Newry was really enjoyable – great experience playing against one of the best teams in the country with the atmosphere unbelievable.

Game you least enjoyed playing in?

2019 Championship Final against Kilcoo – club’s first championship final in over 60 years so to lose out by 1 point was a tough one to get over.

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

Played on a few rough ones during a summer in Pittsburgh.

Toughest training session you’ve ever been involved in?

Our old coach with Warrenpoint Declan Mussen was fond of a good running session in Tollymore – the man knew the place like the back of his hand with the tracks he was taking us.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

Preferred boots are usually Adidas although it hasn’t really improved my shooting so might have

Where do you like to go out to celebrate?

If we have a game in Newry it’s usually a place called Ginger Janes.

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

Probably meeting friends for a coffee or just finding any way to try and switch off.

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

The one and only Alan Davidson – man should release an autobiography with the stories he has.

Which team mate is the worst dancer?

When you eventually get the man out of the gym and convince him to go out, Davy Walker from my club struggles with the dance moves – goes for the Alan Shearer celebration the whole night with the fist in the air.

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Club captain Ryan Boyle – he loves a good pre-match speech.

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

During the opening day of the league last year with Warrenpoint we were playing our local rivals Rostrevor so as you can imagine it was pretty intense – our manager Niall McAleenan obviously getting a bit too intense went to jump and shout at one of us (usually directed at me) but ended up completely going on his hole in front of the whole crowd.

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

Warrenpoint team mate Ryan ‘Rhyno’ Mallon once missed a training session because he had to go for his weekly French lesson.

Biggest ego?

Donal ‘Spice’ O’Hare – every reflection the man walks past he’s posing to himself to check if the hair’s okay.

Best person to sit next to on the team bus?

Best would have to be my own club mate Paddy Murdock – always brings good snacks.

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

I’ve been lucky enough with the roommates I’ve got to be honest – but rumour has it Darren O’Hagan is the loudest snorer in the team.

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

Best diet would have to be from my own club Ross McGarry – apart from Sunday evening when he sends his weekly picture to everyone on his snapchat of his ‘cheat meal’ – his diet would usually be really strict during the week

Worst diet would probably have to go to the other member of Warrenpoints ‘clique’ Jamie Grant – his cheat day extends on from the Sunday most weeks.

Toughest opponent you have played against?

Either Shane Walsh from Galway or Conor McGarry from my own club – in his peak he was very hard to handle.

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

This one definitely goes to Gerdie Collins from Downpatrick – before a big match against a certain county us all getting psyched up – Gerdie shouts up “Lads there’s a reason they’re down here in the relegation battle with us – they’re shite as well”

Best manager you have played for?

I’ve been very fortunate to have played under a lot of good managers but Paddy Tally’s attention to detail is really impressive.

What frustrates you most about the GAA?

Missing events such as your close friends’ weddings or stags.

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

Provides you with an opportunity to make friends for life – even though there might be plenty of slagging along the way knowing they’d do anything for you both on and off the field makes it a lot more bearable.