1. Hi Leanne, how have preparations been going for WJUC?
2. You started playing in school in Colaiste Choilm, what is it about the sport you enjoy so much?
There's so much I love about ultimate. I enjoy the fact that its a real team sport.One person can't run the pitch and score a goal, its all about passing it between the team and including everyone. Also the coaches are pretty great;)
3. You've become one of the most familiar faces on the Cork ultimate scene. How do you think the sport is developing in Cork and how realistic is the possibility an All Ireland women's trophy making its way Leeside in the coming years..maybe even this year?
Ehm have I? Its probably because all I do with my life is play frisbee! I think the sport is getting much stronger especially women's ultimate, the majority of people at our school trainings are girls which is great to see. CUPA is also a great way of getting us young people out training every week, I wish I had that opportunity last year. We have a great bunch of players down here and I think we'll put it up to the likes of LMS and Jabba and hopefully bring the trophy home come September.
4. You went to Poland with the Junior team last year. That was obviously a very exciting experience. When you look back at it, what are your abiding memories?
I know it's not all about winning and whatever but beating Poland on universe point was amazing. Ireland going crazy at the opening ceremony and getting up at 6 in the morning to go dancing on balconies are also great memories.
5. What on earth were you thinking when you threw that hammer against GB for our opening score of the tournament? :)
I was thinking "wow wouldn't it be class if I threw a hammer against GB for our opening score of the tournament":p Only joking, I don't know really, I suppose I just felt like we needed a score on the board and a hammer seemed fitting for the occasion. I didn't plan it, it just happened?
6. What is the biggest difference between the Leanne O'Neill who played at EUC and the Leanne O'Neill who'll be playing at Worlds next week?
I'm another year older even though the girls won't believe me and still insist on calling me J.T.M. I'd like to say I've improved my decision making on the pitch, I only look for the hucks most of the time instead of all the time this year.
7. You've been a handler since day one. Often players ply their trade as cutters before taking on the responsibility of handling. Is it something you put your mind to, did you find that you naturally had the throws for the position or are you just lazy? ;)
When we started in school I picked up the disc and Caitlin ran long, so i suppose I just liked handling from then on because our tactic always seemed to work. Now its just a bonus. I see all the cutters running all over the place and I just stroll over to pick up the disc, I'm deep in the zone too, so ya i'd say i'm very lazy!
8. You're team mates would probably consider you one of the jokers of the group. Yet you're always very focused and vocal on the pitch. Do you find it easy to switch from relaxing with your team mates to focusing for a game?
I don't know if they consider me a joker, they laugh at me more than with me but shur as long as we're all having fun it's ok:) It's easy to stay focused and be vocal when you're not doing much running around. I find it easy yes because when we start warming up I know whats ahead and I start to think about the game in hand so I stop yapping, most of the time.
9. What is the biggest difference between this years team and last years?
Both teams are very different and both have their strengths and weaknesses, I'd have to say the level of skill on this years team is better and not just from the 7 from last year, some of the new girls have really impressed me.
10. Do you have any personal goals for WJUC and what would you consider to be a positive week for the team?
Well last year was a hammer so this year I'm going for a chicken wing. In all seriousness though I just dont want to cause a lot of turnovers and hopefully assist a few scores for the team. A positive week for us would be to have a very good game against Finland in our group and hopefully win a few cross over games. I'd like to think we could place higher than our seeding of 12th too.
11. A question from Molly O'Toole - You were on the team last year... is there any team that you're specifically looking forward to playing against this year?
I think I speak for everyone on the team last year when I say would love to play France again and hopefully come out with a good result.Personally I'm looking forward to playing Colombia, it's not very often you get the chance to play world champions.
12. Lastly, Ciara Corrigan is next up.. do you have a question for her?
Ah good old Trinnitah. How does it feel to be the sole representative from Trinity and did you enjoy your time down here in the real capital for all those training weekends?
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