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ULVikings.ie: From where did your interest in American Football come from?
J: I think growing up in Kerry, football (of the Gaelic variety) was the passion, When I came to college in 2003
I wanted to do something different. The Vikings seemed like a great outlet for an interesting new sport and friends
that will last me a lifetime.
ULVIkings.ie: How long have you been playing?
J: Jesus....am, this is my 7th season with the Vikings, so 7 years. Most of the time I spend
at Centre or benched from injury. Can't complain too much though, I've been luckier than some.
ULVIkings.ie: Do you have any lasting memories of your first few training sessions with the Vikings?
J: I remember instantly loving it. I remember the team not really having a coaching staff, just a great bunch of lads
beating the absolute piss out of each other, rain, sleet or snow.....mostly mud though....very fond memories.
Tougher now with all the running haha
ULVIkings.ie: What is your favourite game? Why?
J: My favourite game as a Viking isn't any of the Shamrock bowls, funny enough. I would say it
would be the 2005 (when we went 3-5). Our first ever win, against Cork in Limerick (27-24....or something like that). We had long been the league (and especially Cork's) whipping boys (because alot of us were actually boys). I think we became men that day, and if I had to put our recent success down to anything else outside of the quality of our training, I would say that game went along way. Big shout out to the Cork lads who played in that game, It was an absolute bruiser.
Other favourite games would be the semi-final victory at the knight (EPIC game). Our first bowl berth was special.
ULVIkings.ie: What is your favourite Viking memory?
J: To name one would be impossible. I'm sure when I'm older and much more unable to walk, i'll look back on the 7 or 8 years with the fondest of memories. I mean I don't think you can really appreciate what the Vikings have until you aren't one any longer and you are remembering the good times.
ULVIkings.ie: Why do you think the Vikings have been so successful over the past 4 seasons?
J: Illegal drug use and paying ex NFL players to suit up!!!
Ah no, am I think three things are huge factors in the success:
1. Despite having been in four bowls (winning 3), I'm 24, and I'd be one of the older lads. When we started out we always admired how long the knights and rebels offensive lines had been together. I think with yank ball, a huge part of it is knowing your team-mates (for me the other guys on the O-line) and knowing what they would do before they do, that has helped.
2. Despite what anyone might think, we are all very close off the field, sometimes in strange ways, but I think on the field that manifests itself as a very cohesive group who will put life and limb on the line for the guy next to him.
3. The biggest factor, I believe, is the intensity of our training. I'll be frank here, putting aside some of the elite teams in the league, games on Sunday, usually are not as tough as Vikings training sessions. I look forward to the break of a game rather than getting beat up by my own team on Monday, Wednesdays and Sundays (when we don't have games). I think our 0-8 season made us tough, I think growing as a team as made us cohesive and I think our training has made us a dam good football team.
ULVIkings.ie: Your thoughts on the intervarsity’s tournament?
J: Great idea. Great for the progression of the sport Nationally and within the college circuit. Probably did the new colleges alot of good.
As for the result, it was good to get pre-christmas game time, and winning the thing was good for team morale.
As for progression of the team I believe when the competition gets stronger at the inter-varsities we can learn more about ourselves, but the league is where the real battles happen. Those are the teams you have to beat.
Big difference from Div 8's to full 11s. It showed at the varsities.
ULVIkings.ie: What are your hopes for the coming year?
J: I guess with my personal injury count mounting, personally surviving the season would be an achievement.
As for a Team goal. I don't see any reason why our experience won't see us to the playoffs at least.
Winning our division would be great and making another run at the bowl would be a bonus.
The European competition should be great for the new guys up and coming in the Vikings roster also.
ULVIkings.ie: Your a raiders fan – how is that working out for you?
J: I think being a raider fan is a bit like choosing to board the Titanic knowing whats gonna happen before you board. Not a good decision.
Am I love the Raiders, but its a one way relationship. They are a bad team but more importantly they are a terribly run organisation.
They need a GM. Hope to see at least another Raider playoff berth in my lifetime :)
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