Five Minutes With… Tiarnan McConville

Name: Tiarnan McConville

Age: 23

Occupations :Post graduate student – Pharmacy Management

Teams played for: Crossmaglen seniors, Crossmaglen seconds, Armagh U21 and Ulster University Jordanstown

Game you most enjoyed playing in?

I would have to go with the 2019 County final. It was my first senior county medal wearing the number 1. The build up to the game was incredible from people round the town with good luck messages and it was topped off with a win. It was a special day for me and my family.

Game you least enjoyed playing in?

Have to say the Under 21 Ulster club final. The ref thought it was a good idea to give me a black card after 8 minutes and award a penalty. It was dubious to say the least. We also lost the game so all round a bad day at the office personally.

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

Clann Eireann, it could be raining at one end of the field and sunny at the other

Toughest training session you’ve ever been involved in?

Well I’m a keeper so any training that involves running I’Il struggle with and find tough. I like to stick to the goal keeping training.

What’s your preferred brand of gear?

Adidas for boots

Reusch for gloves

Most inspirational individual you’ve ever met?

I would have to say Paul Hearty. Most decorated GAA player of all time, winning All Irelands and Ulsters for club and county. Grew up as a young goalkeeper watching him and I was lucky enough to be an understudy in his later playing years. He is the goalkeeping coach with us at the minute which is a massive help.

Where do you like to go out to celebrate?

Easy, Ma Kearneys bar and lounge Crossmaglen, fantastic pub, top class staff. I might work there the odd time but I’m not biased….

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

It’s simple but hard to beat sitting in Egg coffee and Ice cream in Crossmaglen with a few mates having the craic and a laugh.

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

Been told I looked like a young Tom Cruise or Ashton Kutcher. In fairness, I’m not going to fight it. I’ll let the readers decide that one.

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

The original university crew from 17 Agincourt, Daniel Cunningham, Aidan Rushe, Shane Farrelly, Caolan Dillion, Callum Kieran, Coilin O’Connor, Franko Martin and Oisin O’Neill.

Which team mate is the worst dancer?

Caolan Dillion, wow, man is gammy on the dancefloor….Oisin O’Neill not far behind in fairness

Which team mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Johnny Hanratty, if you know you know

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

We were having a team huddle after training one evening and some random drunk woman was trying to get in on it. Was a strange one but all I know is she had her eyes on Daniel Cunningham.

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

Not mentioning names but at minor training one of the boys was wearing a body warmer and refused to do sit ups as he didn’t want it to get it destroyed. We got punishment runs while he went home, funny now looking back.

Biggest ego?

Daniel Cumiskey, loves the mirrors in the gym, baffled as to why.

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

Worst – Seanie McConville, messer

Best – Liam Blessing barely talks

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

Worst – Mel Boyce, you just don’t know what time he will start using the hair dryer

Best – Paul Hughes, the man loves sleeping

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

Best – Kernan brothers

Worst – Johnny Hanratty

Toughest opponent you have played against?

Conor McManus

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

“Ref you can’t send me off, I’m not even a member of the club”. Got a good laugh from that one.

Best manager you have played for?

Oisin McConville and John McEntee (Crossmaglen seniors)

Micko Cassidy (Crossmaglen Seconds)

Benny Hurl (UUJ)

What frustrates you most about the GAA?

Always changing the rules

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

There are many things, but few that stick out is the memories, the friendships, playing from under age level up to senior with your best friends, representing your family and the community. Football in Crossmaglen is a big part of the town. It’s always nice to inspire the younger generation. I was that age at one stage too.