Lauren Rushe Takes The Loughtec Q And A

Monday 19.04.2021

Lauren Rushe Takes Loughtec Q And A.

Who or what first got you involved with the GAA?

I would say my daddy taking me to my first underage training at the age of 6 was when my involvement with the GAA began. As a young girl, football was always my main priority over my other hobbies.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?My parents have definitely been the biggest influence on my career as they have always encouraged me to be the best I can be. They’re at every one of my games and are constantly supporting me.

Who has been your most difficult opponent and why? Catherine McCusker, Killeeshil, as a fast, strong and intelligent reader of the game, she is always a very difficult opponent at club level and in school and county training.

Apart from your home club, which club ground in Tyrone do you most enjoy playing on? Killyclogher have a great pitch and facilities. I always enjoy playing at their ground and have a number of fond memories there.

Most memorable or inspiring words of advice that you have ever heard in a changing room? Games are won and lost long before the game is played” – Pius Fox, County Manager.

Club volunteer of note? John McCrystal, who was chairman a few years ago, invested great time and effort into the club and ensured one of the most successful years for the club with an All Ireland Féile title. He continues to support the club as he is at every game the club are involved in.

How is your club currently ensuring that it is playing its part in the community? They provided delivery services during lockdown to people in the community and they are planning a community litter pick for the end of the month.

Are there any other sports that you enjoy playing or have a keen interest in? played a bit of basketball with my school for a while and had a keen interest in athletics as well. It’s all football for now though.

Which county side looks capable of defeating Dublin in the championship? For the ladies, I think Armagh are a young and upcoming team who play a similar style of game to Dublin and with the experience from last year, are a team well capable of defeating Dublin. For the men, I’d have to say Kerry. They’re knocking on the door every year and with great success at minor level, you’d like to think they’ll produce a team capable of defeating Dublin.

How would you describe your own involvement with the club at present? Alongside playing for my club, I referee underage games and blitzes as I enjoy being involved with the younger generation of the club.

What rules, if any, would you like to see implemented or changed in the modern game? Personally I’d like to see more contact allowed in the ladies game. I feel with different referees you always have to judge the degree of contact they allow or you’ll end up being sin binned.

If there was a transfer market in the GAA, what club player in the same division as you would you like to see playing on your club side and why? Niamh Hughes from Dungannon, her ability to run at defences at speed is unbelievable and is what makes her so difficult to stop.

Any superstitions or routines that you follow on match day? I don’t have any particular routines or superstitions but I like to be organised and on time on match days.

Do you have a favourite training drill or one that you dread hearing the coach say is coming next? I enjoy attacking drills and mini matches or 3v3 drills. I don’t mind running at training but I’d prefer to have a ball in my hand when doing it.

Last year‘s club championships were very close and competitive. What are your predictions for the championship this season across all three grades? Senior – Aodh Ruadh have some very talented players and produced a number of great performances last year. I could see them reaching the county final this year. Intermediate – Drumragh are a good team who always produce encouraging performances. The Moy coming up from junior will also be a difficult team to beat. Junior – Coalisland are a talented side who were unlucky to fall short last year. I think they’ll be the team to go one step further than last year this year.