‘Niamh McLaughlin has had the worst of injuries and shown so much resilience’

SUSANNE White goes inside the changing room to reveal the characters that she has played with…

Name: Susanne White.

Age: 21.

Teams played for:

County: Donegal. Club: Killybegs, Donegal and Bredagh, Down. University: Queen’s University, Belfast.

Earliest GAA memory?

Going to one of my first-ever Gaelic trainings with my two neighbours when I was five. I only wanted to go because they were.

Which team-mate has been the most inspirational and why?

Niamh McLaughlin – the way she presents herself on and off the pitch is admirable. She’s such a humble person and player, always encouraging others around her. She’s had the worst of injuries and shown so much resilience. She gives 100 per cent in everything she does and that’s why she’s one of the best players in Ireland.

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

Karen Guthrie – she loves to see you do well and always picks you up when you need it. I also love watching her in training and try to learn from her.

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

Jodie McFadden because we mess too much together.

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

Nicole McLaughlin because you only will get better marking her. She hits hard but fair while also encouraging you to keep going.

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

Emer Gallagher – she’s fond of pulling the jersey.

Best score you’ve seen from a team-mate?

Amy Boyle Carr’s run from the 45 metre line to the opposite 21 metre line against Dublin in 2022 to set up Yvonne Bonner’s goal.

What win has your team celebrated the most?

Beating Dublin in the All-Ireland Championship quarter-final in 2022. We found it difficult to get over the line in previous years against them and knew each time we were getting closer. So beating them that day was a long time coming.

Which team-mate is the best on journeys away?

Amy Boyle Carr – she’s usually my roommate on away days and someone I’d often sit near on the bus. Similar music taste also, which is always important.

Which club is the worst for journeys away?

Carndonagh – coming from south Donegal to go to north Donegal and it taking two hours. Even longer when you lose.

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

In the O’Connor Cup semi-final for Queen’s University when Eimear Fitzpatrick came on as a substitute. We were down by about 17 or 18 points with about five minutes to go and she says “how many goals do you want me to score?” It was very funny with regards to the context of the game.

Or when Barney Curran tries to speak in a team talk – man can’t be taken serious.

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

Sleeping in and being late for training when they only live five minutes away from the pitch.

Which team-mate is the loudest in the changing room?

Blathnaid McLaughlin, she can’t help herself singing along to the music or Evelyn McGinley going around borrowing things off people!

Which team-mate would you want standing over a last-second penalty?

Niamh McLaughlin – top corner with her eyes closed.

Which team-mate would you never want to see hitting a last-second penalty?

Saskia Boyle – her big toe is her only option and it isn’t reliable!

Which team-mate is the most sensible?

Aoife McColgan – she’s a fan of going home early on nights out!

Who is the smartest of all your team mates?

Evelyn McGinley – she’s that smart she repeated the leaving cert three times for the craic. No bother to her!

Who’s the best team mate to celebrate with?

Shelly Twohig – she’ll keep you entertained and loves a good sing song and Tara Hegarty – she’s got the best dance moves.