Up Close and Personal with...Neil McManus

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 www.gaa.ie gets 'Up Close and Personal' with Antrim and Cushendall star Neil McManus.

FactfileName: Neil McManusAge: 22 (2/6/1988)Club: Ruairí Óg CushendallHeight: 6'2"Weight: 14stPosition: Centre-back/centre-forwardInter-county debut: v Waterford 2007, All-Ireland QualifierCareer Highlight: Beating Dublin in the Qualifiers last year

What's on your iPod?A diverse range. I like Irish stuff like Christy Moore, as well as the Smashing Pumpkins and Foo Fighters.

What's your party piece?I don't have one but Shane McNaughton is quite good at the shuffle.

What are your hobbies and interests outside the GAA?I quite like my golf. I play a wee bit on the course out in Cushendall. I live in the countryside so I dabble a small bit in hunting and shooting too.

Who is your all-time favourite GAA player or childhood hero?Brian Lohan (Clare)

Who's your sporting idol?I would have to say American sprinter Michael Johnson.

When I was younger I wanted to be...It used to be a vet but now an engineer.

What's your favourite GAA memory?Cushendall winning the Championship in 1999.

What's your earliest GAA memory?Playing in the parish leagues when I was a young lad.

Which inter-county player would you take to Antrim on a transfer?Eoin Kelly from Tipperary. He's sheer class.

Who's the best player you have ever played with?Conor McCambridge, ex-Antrim and Cushendall.

Who do you share with on away days?Karl McKeegan.

Who is your most confident team-mate?Neil McAuley.

Who fancies themselves as a ladies man in the squad?We are all good mammies' boys in Antrim.

Name one Antrim player to watch out for the season?James Black. He's known as the 'rocket' and when you see him play you will know why...

Neil was speaking in an interview with www.gaa.ie at the launch of the 2011 GAA Hurling Championship. Neil will be in action for Antrim against Laois in the Preliminary Round of the Leinster GAA Hurling Championship at Portlaoise on Saturday evening (throw-in 7.00pm).