Ten Questions with Kevin McManamon

In the hot seat this week is Dublin’s All-Ireland final goal hero Kevin McManamon, who is in action for the Dubs against Mayo in the Allianz League on Saturday night in McHale Park.

Q: Would you swap your All-Ireland winner’s medal for this weekend’s Lotto numbers?
A: No. You just can’t buy that sort of feeling we had for 20 minutes on the pitch after winning the All-Ireland.

Q: What sport would you play if you lived in a different country?
A: Probably darts I’d say! Or a bit of golf I suppose.

Q: Do you think you’ll get involved in coaching when you retire?
A: I hadn’t really thought about it to be honest. I’d have to see. I’ll obviously be looking to play as long as I can. But maybe some time if a few young lads come along I might be managing my kids.

Q: If you could take one former player out of retirement and put him into the Dublin squad, who would it be?
A: You would have to be looking at someone like Jimmy Keaveney. He was a great goal scorer.

Q: What’s the most memorable game you have ever played in?
A: For obvious reasons, it’s got to be the 2011 All-Ireland final.

Q: What’s your opinion on GAA players wearing tights and snoods?
A: I would have worn the Under Armour tights at training, especially on some of the cold early mornings. I wouldn’t wear them in matches because it would just annoy me more than anything else. On some of the ice cold mornings it just has to be done.

Q: Who do you least look forward to doing one-on-one drills with in training?
A: You have to look at someone like Philly McMahon or Kevin Nolan. They are some of the best tacklers around and they always bring the intensity that sometimes you don’t want when you are a bit tired after work or something.

Q: Would you rather take an ice bath or do a 6.00am training session?
A: An ice bath. The 6.00am sessions are very hard to get up out of bed for. Sometimes you think: ‘If only I could just turn over and go back to sleep.’

Q: Would you rather take a five-foot putt to win the US Masters or a 21-yard free to win the All-Ireland?
A: Not the 21-yard free to win ‘Sam’. There’s too much at stake if you miss.

Q: Would you rather see Ireland win Euro 2012 or Dublin win the Liam MacCarthy Cup next summer?
A: I’d say the hurlers. It would be a great lift to hurling in the county.