Team Mates with… Derry’s Grainne McNicholl

Grainne McNicholl

Age: 27

Teams played for: Swatragh and Derry.

Which team mate has been the most inspirational and why?>f 80<

Probably Grainne McGoldrick. Skill, attitude and fitness always at the top level and always knew the right things to say… and there’s probably not much that she hasn’t won!

Who’s the best team mate to train with and why?>f 80<

Dervla O Kane, Aoife Quinn or Aine McAllister – all so fit and motivated. Not always the best to run after, however.

Training races between Aoife and Dervla are always great entertainment.

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

Noeleen McKenna – loves a good complain.

Which team mate do you want to mark in training and why?

My sister Mairead as anything goes.

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

Probably say Dervla O’Kane, small and speedy is not what I want to be marking!

Which team mate is the best on journeys away?

I’ll go with Noeleen McKenna again, home from Wexford in record time.

Karen Kielt is good for a story or two, plenty of film quotes and Grey’s Anatomy.

Which team is the worst for journeys away?>f 80<

Maura McCloy usually has us well kitted out for heading away with Derry so they aren’t too bad! Has us spoilt with dinner and dessert.

What’s the funniest thing you’ve heard in training or in a match, and who said it?>f 80<

Laura Quinn in a championship game, the holy goalie. ‘God be with us.’

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

Dervla O’Kane ‘blew out a tyre’ on the way to training last year, convenient on a wet night.

Also, Shannon Kearney landed to training a full hour late as she got the time wrong.

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Aidene Mullan when she played for Swatragh. She was great for a motivational speech.

Karen Kielt, definitely, for Derry!

Which team mate is the most sensible?

Aoife Ní Chaiside – so level headed. Very cool and calm in the changing room and on the pitch.

Who is the smartest of all your team mates?

Janet McGuckin loves doing her assignments and reading books and listening to podcasts on the way to games.

Who’s the best team mate to celebrate with?

Mary Kelly when she played with Derry. Needs no explanation.