Niall Wynne
Name: Niall Wynne
Club: St. Rynagh’s
Date of Birth: 05/06/1993
League Debut: 16/02/2014 v Laois
League Appearances: 14
Championship Debut: 07/06/2014 v Kilkenny
Championship Appearances: 5
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
Schools/College Attended: St. Rynagh’s N.S. (Primary) Banagher College (Secondary), Mary Immaculate College (3rd Level)
Position: Corner back
Weight: 78kg
Height: 5’ 10”
Achievements with club to date: Féile, U14, U16 (3), Minor (2), U21 hurling medals.
U12B (2), Féile, U16, Minor B and Intermediate football medals.
When and where did you first start playing hurling? At home in the garden when I was 5 or 6, didn’t make it into Banagher for club training until I was 10 or 11.
Biggest influence on your hurling career: My parents, Tom and Helen and my brother Stephen.
What sporting event would you most like to attend? The Super Bowl
To date what is your favourite moment in sport? Probably winning the All Ireland Vocational Schools in 2010.
Favourite Venue: Croke Park
Favourite G.A.A. player: Pat Camon
What sportsperson would you most like to meet? Aaron Rodgers or Cristiano Ronaldo
What is the hardest part of your sporting life? Trying to find the time to do all the little things that make a difference – recovery, nutrition, gym work – and balancing that with work and other commitments.
Toughest player to mark in training? We’ve such an impressive set of forwards I couldn’t narrow it down to one…
Who is the ‘joker’ on the panel? I’d say Dan Kelleher or Chris McDonald, them Brosna Gaels boys are awful messers!
If you won the lotto what would be the first thing you would buy?! I’d build a nice mansion somewhere sunny and retire happily
Favourite holiday destination: Lapland!
Favourite Food: Something with chicken!
Favourite Drink: Lucozade Orange but it’s been a long time since I’ve indulged!
Favourite Music: Couldn’t pick one, I’d listen to almost anything.
Favourite Film: Coach Carter
In ten years time I hope to be: Healthy, happy and retired from hurling. Also hope to be coaching Offaly to multiple All-Irelands.
One thing you may not know about me…… I had to be forced to play hurling when I was younger, my parents made me pick between playing the guitar, swimming or hurling. I haven’t a note in my head, I’d sink like a rock but I reckon the hurling isn’t turning out too bad.