Up Close and Personal with...Bryan Sheehan

Ever wondered what your favourite GAA star listens to on their iPod? Ever wondered what the country’s top GAA players get up to in their spare time?

GAA.ie’s latest weekly feature allows you to get ‘Up Close and Personal’ with the stars of Gaelic Games.
Each week, we’ll talk to a top inter-county player and ask him the questions you’ve always wanted answered. And some you’d never have thought of asking!

This week gaa.ie gets 'Up Close and Personal' with Kerry's four-time All-Ireland winner and dead ball specialist Bryan Sheehan.

Factfile
Name: Bryan Sheehan
Club: St Mary’s, Caherciveen
Age: 25
Height: 6’
Position: Midfield/Forward
Place of Birth: Cork
Inter-county debut: Allianz League v Offaly 2005
Occupation: Claims Assessor, Owens McCarthy

What’s on your iPod?
Everything and anything. I listen to a bit of Bob Marley and Bruce Springsteen before games.

If you could invite one person around for a dinner party who would it be?
Depends on what mood I am in. Someone who is a bit of craic, Tommy Tiernan or someone like that.

What are your hobbies and interests outside the GAA?
I play a bit of golf to take my mind off the game and I play soccer with the boys if I get a chance.

What’s your favourite TV programme?
Family Guy, Two and a half Men, things like that. I’m also into The Wire and Blue Bloods at the moment.

Who was your sporting idol growing up?
Maurice Fitzgerald. Later it was Seamus Moynihan and Declan O’Sullivan.

Do you have any unusual pre-match routines or superstitions?
Nothing like that.

What’s your favourite venue?
Killarney.

Which county other than Kerry has the best supporters?
I’d have to say Cork are very well supported. In fairness to them, they came down to Killarney a few weeks ago and they outnumbered us. They travel very well. Looking at the Championship to date, I suppose Kildare have the best supporters.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Work hard. Not just in kicking but in all aspects of your game. Everything will fall into place after that.

If you could choose one inter-county player to play with your own team, who would it be?
At the moment I would have to say Bernard Brogan.

Who is the most difficult opponent you have ever encountered?
Marc Ó Se is one of the hardest to play against. He is so quick and so agile.

Who is the best player you have ever played with?
I played with Maurice Fitzgerald for the Club (St Mary’s). He was very good. After that you would have to say Declan O’Sullivan.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
My father and my family. They have always been there through thick and thin.

Who do you share with on away days?
It really depends because there could be guys missing on a given day.

Who is your most confident team-mate?
Kieran Donaghy.

Who has the worst haircut on the panel?
Aidan O’Mahony. He would want to get the locks shaved.

Who is the worst dresser?
I will stick my neck out here and say Tom O’Sullivan. He has some whacky shirts and jackets.

Who is the worst trainer on the Kerry panel?
I could name myself here, but I suppose Pádraig Reidy sometimes wouldn’t be the best guy to get to go training.

Who is the biggest joker?
Micheál Quirke is a good laugh.

Who fancies themselves as a ladies man in the squad?
Darran O’Sullivan.

Bryan Sheehan was speaking in an exclusive interview with gaa.ie. He will be in action for Kerry in the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final against Limerick at Croke Park on Sunday.