In The Spotlight - Danny Tallon

Pic - Belfast Telegraph

The latest In The Spotlight is Glen and Derry forward Danny Tallon.

Nickname: Danboit

Club: Watty Graham's Glen 

Age: 20

Height: 5ft 10

Weight: 12 st 2

Occupation: Student

Boots/Gloves Worn:  Adidas predator/Breath sports

Favourite Film: home alone

Favourite Song: Passenger- let her go

Favourite Food: Bacon

Favourite Drink: Milk 

Favourite pitch: Watty park

Best thing about football: Winning with mates

Worst thing about football: Early morning trainings

Pre Match Meal: Pasta and bacon

Pre Game Superstition: Have to be wearing same socks and shorts every game 

Toughest opponent: Niall Kennan 

Best player played with: Conor Glass

Sporting Highlight: Winning 4th ulster minor

Biggest Disappointment: Defeat in hogan final 

Childhood idol: Paddy Bradley 

Biggest influence in your career: Daddy

Advice for young players: Start strength and conditioning early 

Best trainer in the club: Cathal Mulholland 

Worst trainer in the club: Ryan Dougan 

What would you be doing if not playing football? : Beating people on FIFA (Odhran McGuckin)

Other Sports played: Soccer with chimney corner and Draperstown Celtic

In The Spotlight - Sean Brady

Ballymaguigan's Sean Brady steps Into The Spotlight

Nickname: King Brady

Club: Ballymaguigan 

Age: 30

Height  5.10

Weight:12.3

Occupation: Sprayer

Boots/Gloves Worn: Adidas boots Murphy gloves 

Favourite Film: Home Alone 

Favourite Song:  JCB song 

Favourite Food: Chinese

Favourite Drink: Heineken 

Favourite pitch: Owenbeg

Best thing about football: Winning and playing with your mates 

Worst thing about football: Losing 

Pre Match Meal: Boiled egg and toast 

Pre Game Superstition: Go to the graves
 
Toughest opponent: Oisin Duffy foreglen 

Best player played with: Sean Leo Mcgoldrick 

Sporting Highlight: Winning championships in 2001, 2003 and 2009

Biggest Disappointment: Sent off in 2008 final 

Childhood idol:  Anthony Tohill

Biggest influence in your career: My Da 

Advice for young players: Practice your weaker foot

Best trainer in the club:  Micky Spiers 

Worst trainer in the club: Gary Burke 

What would you be doing if not playing football? : Playing up front with Skinner at Glenavon 

Other Sports played: Golf ,Soccer and Bowls

In The Spotlight - Cahair O'Kane

Pic Derry Journal

Into the Spotlight this week we have Cahair O'Kane.  When he's not writing on GAA he is  between the sticks for Drum.

Nickname: Caks

Club: Drum

Age: 27

Height: Too small

Weight: Too wee

Occupation: Sports Journalist

Boots/Gloves Worn: Black Puma King only #traditional

Favourite Film: Anything with Will Ferrell. Anchorman I.

Favourite Song: Right now it's that 'best fake smile' one. Sure to be a wedding classic

Favourite Food: Chicken curry

Favourite Drink: OJ

Favourite pitch: Drum

Best thing about football: The night of a championship win

Worst thing about football: The month of a championship defeat

Pre Match Meal: Varies. Too old for the full dinner any more

Pre Game Superstition: None. Even have a different seat every week

Toughest opponent: Cormac Carlin of Doire Trasna, he would come in one-to-one, tuck the ball into his chest and spin 360. I couldn't figure how to stop it without conceding a penalty

Best player played with: The O'Reilly and Brolly brothers, all 4 could have played at a much higher level

Sporting Highlight: Winning Championships in 2006 and 2012

Biggest Disappointment: Losing four county finals

Childhood idol: Peter Schmeichel

Biggest influence in your career: Kieran O'Kane

Advice for young players: You're a long time retired

Best trainer in the club: Damian Duck

Worst trainer in the club: Toss up between Eoin 'Bad Knee' McCloskey, Alex 'Lambing Season' Moore and myself

What would you be doing if not playing football?: Making extremely bad predictions about it.

Other Sports played: Soccer - enjoyed winning an SML league and Cup double with City Colts in 2015.

In The Spotlight - David Mulgrew

Pic - Paul Mohan (Sportfile)

If Holy Trinity win Thursday's McLarnon Final they will look to the mammoth game against St Columb's Derry in the semi-final and how David Mulgrew stood up and was counted in the closing stages.  He is the next person In The Spotlight

Nickname: I've had a lot of nicknames past down to me but 'Dede' has stuck with me. 

Club: Ardboe

Age: 18

Height  6.ft 

Weight: 74kg 

Occupation: Student 

Boots/Gloves Worn: I've worn most top brands but I think I've settled quite well with the Nike. Gloves, just whatever pair that's lying in the bag 

Favourite Film: Would be tough call between Dumb and Dumber and rRcky 

Favourite Song: Maniac 2000 never gets old 

Favourite Food: Good sirloin steak with baby potatoes and wee drop of peppered sauce.

Favourite Drink: Milk 

Favourite pitch: Apart from Croker I would have to say Carrickmore would have great pitch. 

Best thing about football: The build up to big matches and that winning feeling after a game 

Worst thing about football: Travelling  

Pre Match Meal: Chicken, rice and peas with bit of soy sauce 

Pre Game Superstition: Don't really have any 

Toughest opponent: Nobody yet

Best player played with: Would have to be 'Wee Briso'-Brian Mcguigan 

Sporting Highlight: Winning 2 grade 1 minor championships in a row 

Biggest Disappointment: Losing 2 all Ireland finals in the one year

Childhood idol: Wee Peter the great 

Biggest influence in your career: My family would have a lot but would have to say my Granda had big influence in my career taking me to the pitch most days for wee kick. 

Advice for young players: Just enjoy playing 

Best trainer in the club: Eddy Sheeky never stops boys 

Worst trainer in the club: Caolan Mallaghan worst by far. Spends his time in the gym doing curls. 

What would you be doing if not playing football? Being professional golfer I'd say. Nothing but big birdies .

Other Sports played: Handball and basketball

In The Spotlight - James Kielt

James Kielt is the latest player to step In The Spotlight.

Nickname: JK,Jimmy

Club: kilrea 

Age: 27

Height  6'3

Weight: 96kg

Occupation: Dentist

Boots/Gloves Worn: Murphy's gloves,usually Puma king/World Cups/Nike Tiempo

Favourite Film: Dumb and Dumber

Favourite Song:  Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days

Favourite Food: Christmas dinner

Favourite Drink: Post match pint

Favourite pitch: Croke park...obviously!

Best thing about football: Summer championship matches

Worst thing about football: Winter training in Owenbeg!!

Pre Match Meal: Chicken and rice...and some sweets(sugar free!)

Pre Game Superstition: Usually sit on same seat in changing room

Toughest opponent: Aidan O'Shea

Best player played with: Eoin Bradley aka Skinner

Sporting Highlight: Playing on croke park on All Ireland final day

Biggest Disappointment: Losing All-Ireland Minor final and County final

Childhood idol: Anthony Tohill and Maurice Fitzgerald

Biggest influence in your career: Parents

Advice for young players: Enjoy every minute!

Best trainer in the club: Paudie Mullan and Paddy McNeill

Worst trainer in the club: Charlie Kielt

What would you be doing if not playing football? : Probably rugby or soccer,the usual answer

Other Sports played: Poker

In The Spotlight - Eoin McNicholl

Thirteen years ago Eoin McNicholl was on the eve of a MacRory Cup Final for St Patrick's Maghera.  The Glenullin and Derry goalkeeper steps Into The Spotlight.

Nickname: Eoinsy

Club: Glenullin

Age: 30

Height  6'1"

Weight: 13.5st

Occupation: Sports Development Officer

Boots/Gloves Worn: Adidas X/Reusch Repulse 

Favourite Film: Snatch

Favourite Song: Dire straits - money for nothing

Favourite Food: Beef Wellington from the Harbour Bar.

Favourite Drink: Espresso

Favourite pitch: Croke Park

Best thing about football: Friends & connections you make...as well as the winning

Worst thing about football: The defeats

Pre Match Meal: Chicken and pasta

Pre Game Superstition: Say the same prayer before leaving the house

Toughest opponent: Aidan O'Shea

Best player played with: Fergal Doherty

Sporting Highlight: All-Ireland Minor winners 2002

Biggest Disappointment: Defeat v Cavan 2013 after extra time.

Childhood idol: Peter Schmeichel

Biggest influence in your career: Father

Advice for young players: Listen & learn from your coaches & always have a positive attitude.

Best trainer in the club: Conor Rafferty

Worst trainer in the club: Skinner

What would you be doing if not playing football? : Coaching or managing.

Other Sports played: Soccer, AFL, Bowls

Derry v Antrim Reaction from manager Fergal P McCusker

Reaction from Derry manager Fergal P McCusker after Derry's win over Antrim in Wednesday's Ulster U21 clash at Celtic Park.

In The Spotlight - Gráinne Ní Chatháin

We have another female sports star stepping Into The Spotlight.  Slaughtneil's Gráinne Ní Chatháin

Nickname: G (sleepy G the odd time).

Club: Robert Emmets CLG Slaughtneil

Age: 23

Height: 5” 5 (feeling generous)

Weight: 8st 10

Occupation: An Ghaeilge a chur chun tosaigh.

Boots Worn: Puma

Favourite film: Sweet Home Alabama (Thanks to Cara ‘Bun’ Cassidy)

Favourite song: AC/DC Thunderstruck.

Favourite food: Goujons all day every day with various dips.

Favourite Drink: Coffee agus Water.

Favourite pitch: Swatraghs main pitch or our own top pitch.

Best thing about camogie: The crazy nights out.

Worst thing about camogie: Sunday trainings (am or pm).

Pre match Meal: Chicken & pasta.

Pre game Superstition: Same socks worn for all big games.

Toughest Opponent: Gráinne Mc Goldrick – She’s a super athlete.

Best player played with: Aoife Ní Chaiside – Most consistent player I have ever played with.

Sporting highlight: 2015 – Club winning all three codes. Massive achievement.

Biggest disappointment: Coming away from Ulster Final not having played to our ability.

Childhood idol: Claire Doc [Doherty]

Biggest influence in your career: Gareth[brother].

Advice for young players: Every player makes mistakes but it’s what you do after making that mistake that counts.

Best trainer in the club: Shannon Graham – brings a massive work rate to training.

Worst trainer in the club: With Eilís and Louise keeping an eye on everyone, you don’t get away with slacking at training so I can’t think of anyone.

What would you be doing if not playing camogie? Travelling. Same goes for if I was rich.

Other sports played: Nothing at a competitive level but tennis, handball, gaelic, netball, badminton, racquetball have all been tried out and enjoyed.

In The Spotlight - Slaughtneil's Antoin McMullan

Next up we catch up with Slaughtneil goalkeeper Antóin McMullan.
Nickname: Steaks

 

Club: Slaughtneil

 

Age: 26

 

Height: 6’1” 

 

Weight: 84kg

 

Occupation: Student

 

Boots/Gloves Worn: Adidas 

 

Favourite Film: Shawshank Redemption

 

Favourite Song: Avicii – Wake Me Up

 

Favourite Food: Pizza

 

Favourite Drink: Corona

 

Favourite pitch: Slaughtneil (top pitch)

 

Best thing about football: There is always a target to focus on

 

Worst thing about football: Championship defeats & injuries 

 

Pre Match Meal: Porridge & mixed fruit 

 

Pre Game Superstition: Don’t have any

 

Toughest opponent: Enda Muldoon 

 

Best player played with: Patsy Bradley

 

Sporting Highlight: Winning 2014 Ulster Club SFC

 

Biggest Disappointment: Losing 2015 All-Ireland Club SFC final

 

Childhood idol: Anthony Tohill & Charlie Redmond

 

Biggest influence in your career: Brother & Willie Hampson

 

Advice for young players: Don’t be scared of making honest mistakes

 

Best trainer in the club: Ronan Bradley

 

Worst trainer in the club: The two goalkeepers 

 

What would you be doing if not playing football?: Travelling more

 

Other Sports played: Golf & Darts

In The Spotlight - Gavin Donnelly of St Colm's Draperstown

Desertmartin's Gavin Donnelly steps into the spotlight in the buildup to his Ulster Final with St Colm's Draperstown.


Nickname: Gavy 

Club: Desertmartin 

Age: 14

Height  5"9

Weight: 8.5 stone

School: St Colms Draperstown 

Boots/Gloves Worn: Black and white Gloros, Murphys

Favourite Film: Happy Gilmore

Favourite Song:  Redfoo - Juicy wiggle 

Favourite Food: Sunday Roast

Favourite Drink: Milk

Favourite pitch: Desertmartin training pitch

Best thing about football: Playing with your mates and winning

Worst thing about football: Injuries 

Pre Match Meal: Pasta and Chicken 

Pre Game Superstition: Say a prayer 

Best player played with: John Paul Devlin ('Screen) 

Sporting Highlight: Coming from 5 down at half time to win by 2 in the Ulster Quarter final 

Childhood idol: My Father

Best trainer in the school team: Declan Grant 

Worst trainer in the school team: Ronan McKenna 

How do you feel ahead of Ulster final? Feeling very confident however a bit nervous and anxious too 

What does it mean to captain this team? It is a fantatsic honour to captain this great bunch of lads. We have improved a lot throughout the year and there is a great team spirit 

What could you say about your team? Each and everyone of them give everything every time they step on the field. We all have a phenomenal appetite to win the Ulster final 

What has the support been like from the school? The support from the school has been second to none. We can't thank them enough. I would like to thank Mrs McKenna and all staff for being so supportive. And thanks to Mr Heron and Mr Meenagh for all their work.

In The Spotlight - Rosanna McAleese of Eoghan Rua

The first female sports star to step into the spotlight is Eoghan Rua's Rosanna McAleese.

Nickname: Rose

Club: Eoghan Rua Coleraine 

Age: 20

Height  5' 8

Weight:- Can't ask girls their weight!!!

Occupation: Law and Business student (Trinity College Dublin)

Boots/Gloves Worn: Puma 

Favourite Film: Les Miserables

Favourite Song:  Forget You ( Eoghan Rua senior camogie after midnight version feat Joe on banjo and Brendan on lead vocals)

Favourite Food: Thai 

Favourite Drink: Tea 

Favourite pitch: Loreto College Coleraine

Best thing about camogie: Training and playing matches with girls you have been best friends, with or looked up to all your life. 

Worst thing about camogie: Like any commitment sometimes it can stop you from doing other things you always wanted to do (traveling,  working away from home etc) but I wouldn't change it for the world. also 8-30 Sunday morning sessions are a struggle if your not a morning person...(or if you're a Saturday night person)

Pre Match Meal: Pasta 

Pre Game Superstition: I think winning the toss and playing with the wind first half is unlucky 

Toughest opponent: Milford Cork

Best player played with: Grainne McGoldrick

Sporting Highlight: All Ireland club campaigns. The players pulling up to the club in our big yellow Chambers' bus after we won the all-Ireland and everyone from the club was there to welcome us home (and the weeks of celebrations that followed)

Biggest Disappointment: Last years club championship campaign. 

Childhood idol: Eilis McNamee

Biggest influence in your career: Joe Passmore, Maura McCloy or my dad.

Advice for young players: If your going to commit to a team give everything you have- your time, your skill and your complete physical and mental best. Sacrificing small things today will make a big difference later on in your career. Spend time on the things that your worst at, conquer them young and put your self in a position where you and the team will benefit from you being the best you can be. But most importantly enjoy it- make loads of life long friends, have brilliant experiences and really get to feel part of your club- that's what GAA is all about. 

Best trainer in the club: Meabh McGoldrick or Megan Kerr (post 11am)

Worst trainer in the club:  Maria Mooney - After strictly Eoghan Rua she's preferring the salsa over Joe's pre season fitness grids. Or Clare Tracey when she gets lost on route to the pitch or hasn't done her homework

What would you be doing if not playing camogie? I really loved drama and music when I was at school so if I didn't play I would say I would still be working away at that at an amateur level. Or I would have more stamps on my Coppers loyalty card.

Other Sports played:  Netball, golf, hockey, swimming, badminton, athletics and tennis. 

In The Spotlight - Ryan Bell of Ballinderry and Derry

After scoring 0-6 on Sunday against Galway, Ryan Bell is in the Spotlight.


Nickname: Sucky

Club: Ballinderry Shamrocks

Age:  22

Height  6ft 3

Weight: 14st 7

Occupation: Student

Boots/Gloves Worn: Adidas & Murphy's

Favourite Film: Wolf of Wall Street

Favourite Song: Something Inside so Strong.

Favourite Food: Chicken

Favourite Drink: Lucozade

Favourite pitch: Ballinderry & Croke Park

Best thing about football: Playing along with your friends.

Worst thing about football: Losing a match or playing poorly.

Pre Match Meal: Chicken & Pasta

Pre Game Superstition: Go to my Granny, Granda, nephew and Aaron's graves.

Toughest opponent: Gareth McKinless never a easy match up at training & Kieran Hughes Scotstown never give me a kick couple of years ago.

Best player played with: There have been a few Enda Muldoon, Deets and Kevin McGuckin.  The list goes on.

Sporting Highlight: Winning my 1st championship with Ballinderry.

Biggest Disappointment: Losing the county final.

Childhood idol: Enda Muldoon

Biggest influence in your career: My family have been my biggest influence, always there for me, through the good times & bad times.

Advice for young players: Put the head down, work hard and the most important thing enjoy it with your friends.

Best trainer in the club: Deets

Worst trainer in the club: James Conway

What would you be doing if not playing football? Playing Soccer

Other Sports played: Soccer or American Football

In the Spotlight - Colm Sargent of Maghera Strollers

Maghera Strollers completed a dramatic comeback to defeat Riada 3-2 on Saturday.  Colm Sargent steps under the spotlight.

Nickname: Sargie

Club: Maghera Strollers FC

Age: 31

Height: 5' 10

Weight: 11st 4lbs

Occupation: Civil Servant

Boots Worn: Nike

Favourite Film: Bad Boys

Favourite Song: Mr Brightside

Favourite Food: Chicken

Favourite Drink: Diet Coke

Favourite pitch: 'Old Back Pitch' in Maghera

Best thing about football: Playing

Worst thing about football: Injuries

Pre Match Meal: Egg & Toast

Pre Game Superstition: Don’t have any.

Toughest opponents: Kilrea United

Best player played with: Gazza O’Doherty

Sporting Highlight: Winning the North West Premier League in 2012.

Biggest Disappointment: Losing the final of the Constitution Cup in 2014.

Childhood idol: Eric Cantona

Advice for young players: It is a team game, so work as a team to succeed

Best trainer in the club: Myself

Worst trainer in the club: Seanny McGroggan

What would you be doing if not playing football?: Working more
Other Sports played: Gaelic