Irish Warriors players’ profiles

Name: Brendan Kelly

 

Team: Belfast Redbacks

Jersey number: 3

Position: Defensive corner pocket

Why and when I started playing: Province of origin 2012. I started playing just as a form of training and quickly got interested with the competitiveness and chances to progress to a higher level within the sport.

Expectations for IC: My personal expectations are to achieve the best performance I can as this is my first International Cup. Expectations as a team would be to qualify for the finals and take it step at a time after that.

Best footy memory: Mark Leavy scoring the winning goal in the 2013 European championship final in the dying seconds.

Favourite footy team/player: Tom Hawkins, Geelong Cats

 

 

Name: Mark Leavy

Team: North Leinster Giants

Jersey Number: 4

Position: back pocket/wing back

Why and when I started playing: I started playing about ten years ago. I went to watch a match that my friend was playing in and ended up joining in and loving the game.

Expectations for IC: To play to the very best of my ability and enjoy the whole experience , while hopefully winning the IC.

Best footy memory: kicking the winning goal in the 2013 European championship final in Dublin.

Favourite team/player: Hawks/Buddy Franklin

 

 

Name: David McElhone

Team: Melville Rams

Jersey number: 6

Position: On Ball

Why and when I started playing: My brother got me into it about 6 years ago, he played for the Belfast Redbacks and was in the Ireland team at IC2005, it started out a second sport for me but  I loved the game and after only a few games I was hooked. I think the tackling, body contact and general skill of the game drew me in.

Expectations for IC: I expect the Irish Warriors to be taking centre stage again at the MCG again in the final, there are alot of good teams in the competition and we are by no means complacent, we will have to work twice as hard this year to retain the International Cup. However, I believe we have the players, management and structures in place to push on again and repeat the feats of IC2011.

Best footy memory: Best footy memory has to be winning the International Cup at the MCG in 2011. This is something we had been building towards since the European Championship in 2010 so to win it was a very special feeling. 

Favourite footy team/player: Favourite team is Collingwood and favourite player is Dane Swan.