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Fintona’s Pauric Kelly Takes The 1-15 Challenge
Tuesday 16.03.2021
1: Who or what first got you into the GAA?
Other than my own parents, Dessie Campbell would have played a big part in the early stages of my career. He was our teacher in St. Lawrences PS and would have encouraged us all. I have great memories of playing in blitzes with St. Lawrence’s under Dessie.
2: Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
My family. My parents have always been very supportive of me playing for Fintona and the club in general. Particularly my father John, who emphasised the importance of the club from when we were very young.
3: Who has been your most difficult opponent and why?
Ciaran Donnelly (Brocagh). Brocagh have been a consistent opponents of ours over this last 12-13 years and Ciaran has always been hard to handle.
4: Apart from your home club, which club ground in Tyrone do you most enjoy playing on?
Although my record wouldn’t be great there I would have to say Tattyreagh. With Fintona and the Tatts there has always been an edge, and I always liked that. They have a great set up down there now. Hopefully our paths cross again soon.
5: Most memorable or inspiring words of advice you have ever heard in a changing room?
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
6: Club volunteer of note?
Eugene McCarroll Snr has dedicated well over 50 years to the Pearses, he’s never far away when there is something needing done. We have men and women who give up many hours each week to the running of the club, so we are very lucky.
7: How is your club currently ensuring it is playing its part in the community?
With the year we have just had, the club made efforts to try and help anyone in the community needing help. Whether that was grocery runs, lighting up the facilities to allow people to walk and offering help to those maybe suffering with their mental health. A football club I suppose should be the hub of communities typically, this is something we are trying to improve on.
8: Are there other sports you enjoy playing or have a keen interest in?
I would have played a bit of soccer in the past. We’ve a great golf course here so once I finish up with the football I might get back into that.
9: Which county side, if any, look capable of defeating Dublin in the championship?
Donegal impressed me last year, they certainly should be as close to Dublin as anyone. It will be interesting to see how Tyrone approach next year with new management on board.
10: How would you describe your own involvement in the club?
At the moment it’s purely on a playing capacity. We have just welcomed our first child so time isn’t as plentiful! I hope to keep playing as long as I can, we have a raft of young players with great potential coming through so I will hang on as best I can.
11. What rules, if any, would you like to see implemented or changed in the modern game?
Not so much a rule to the game but a fixture suggestion in our own county – play the games Friday night / Saturday evening and let the lads out!
12. If there was a transfer market in GAA, what club player in the same division as you would you like to see playing for your club and why?
I would take Shane Cleary from Drumragh if I could. Our current free taker is sunning himself in Australia and Shane knows where the posts are. He’s had a few very good seasons with Drumragh.
13. Any superstitions or routines that you use on match days?
I try and get to the graveyard before our games. My grandparents and Maurice McCloughan, who would have been playing alongside me, are there so I go and see them before games asking for help.
14.Do you have a favourite training drill or one that you dread hearing the coach say is coming next?
Any drill where the ball is moved quickly I enjoy. Anything with heavy contact not so much, I’m not built for tackling squares!
15. Last year’s club championships were very competitive, what are your predictions for the championship winners across all three divisions.
Junior – if Kildress don’t get up they will be strong favourites. Castlederg mightn’t be far way either.
Intermediate – Beragh. They seem to have established themselves as a solid Div2 team now.
Senior – this could be anyone. I would imagine Trillick are hurting badly from last year and will be keen to make amends.
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