Teammates with… Derry’s Aine McAllister

Name: Aine McAllister.

Age: 25.

Teams played for: Ballinascreen camogie and ladies football, Derry senior camogie and ladies football, St. Mary’s University College, Belfast camogie and ladies football.

Which team mate has been the most inspirational and why?

Grainne McGoldrick – a county camogie player I always looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside when joining the Derry senior camogie team. Welcomed all players onboard to the senior panel and even after a career-threatening knee injury came back into the set-up a few years later as talented as ever. A true leader.

Who’s the best team mate to train with and why?

Megan Kerr – when it’s not me getting told off for talking or distracting others when I should be listening to the explanation of a drill it’s usually her – good to get a break.

Which team mate is the worst to train with and why?

Aoife Ni Chaiside, for being a defender she makes a forward’s job hell with her constant attacking up the pitch.

Which team mate do you dread marking in training and why?

Dervla O’Kane, never stands still – like a Duracell bunny.

Which team mate is the best on journeys away?

Karen Kielt. The only player I know that has a story from the moment the bus leaves to the moment we arrive at the pitch regardless of the distance.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard in training or in a match, and who said it?

Has to be Maureen Henegan – we were playing Tipperary in a league game. We had a hard-hitting first half and needed to reassess at half time. Maureen Henegan explained she had figured out their tactics for puck-outs. When they shout ‘Friday’ they are hitting a long puck-out to the left wing. Moments later Karen Kielt broke the news that the player who they were hitting the puck out to had the surname Friday! Nothing was taken seriously after this.

What’s the worst excuse you’ve heard to get out of training?

Megan Kerr turning up to a championship game with no skort or boots has to be up there. Preparation is key.

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Dania Donnelly – forever and always. Hard to block out that noise!

Which team mate is the most sensible in the changing room?

Kathryn Connery – probably the only time she acts sensible.

Who is the smartest of all your team mates?

Hard to look past Shauneen Donaghy, eight years later she’s a qualified Chartered Architect. Bringing laptops and books on the bus for away games was all worth it.

Who’s the best team mate to celebrate with?

Eimear McGuigan – throws some serious house parties, particularly when celebrating a team she wasn’t involved with. Great host!