For the first of our interviews in the build up to WJUC we decided to speak to our youngest team member, Jess Daly, or JD as she's become affectionately known.
1. You started playing having been introduced to the sport in PE in school. What was your first thought when you heard the words "ultimate frisbee"?
- Well at first I think I had the usual "frisbee is a sport?" reaction but once I found out all about it and gave it a try I was hooked.
2. What is it about the sport you love most?
- Definitely the people. Without a doubt. I've made friends through ultimate that I would never have without it and I hope to have these friendships for years to come.
3. Having come from a GAA background you've now made ultimate your number 1 sport. How have your family and friends reacted?
- My family just adapted, they saw how much I loved it and went with it. As for my friends, some of them play ultimate too so it hasn't been much of a jump for them, the rest don't really play sport so that's not a problem either.
4. You're a regular at the CUPA (Open junior training sessions) in Cork. What are your thoughts on how the sport is developing in your home county?
- It's really catching on, and fast. It's really good to see. I think once it starts being introduced in more schools we're going to have a massive ultimate community in Cork in a few years.
5. Going from complete beginner to Irish international in one short year, it must feel like it's all happened very fast?
- Yeah "fast" isn't even the word. But I had some great coaches when I started and the lads I played with in school who were on the Junior team last year taught me alot too so I have them all to thank for it. I love it so I'm just going with the flow and enjoying the ride.
6. You get to make your debut as an Irish player on home soil. You must be excited about WJUC in Dublin?
- I'm absolutely pumped. It's going to be an amazing week, full of ultimate and new people. What's not to be excited about?
7. Your squad number... number 43... Is there any story behind that?
- Well, originally I'd wanted number 8 because its my lucky number but Mags already had that since last year so that one was out. I'm a massive petrol head and Ken Block is a rally and stunt driver I admire. His number is 43 and I saw it one day when I was trying to decide which number to take and I said "hey, why not?". It's not a very common number either so I don't think I'll have to fight with anyone over it for jersey numbers.
8. At just 16 you're the youngest player on this years squad. You're also the sole representative from Ballincollig Community School. How have you settled in with your new team mates?
- Very well. Everyone on the team is great and I'm a pretty chatty person anyway so I think I get on pretty well with nearly everyone.
9. What do you think is the biggest strength you bring to the field?
- I'm fast enough so I like to think I'm good for cuts and going deep.
10. Allow yourself to dream... What would be your ideal WJUC result?
- Winning most of our matches and giving every single team we play a run for their money. I want us all to come away from WJUC thinking "we gave it everything we had."
11. Finally... Pick on a team mate...and a question you'd like to ask them for our next interview.
- Caitlin; what's it like being "an captaen is fearr" and having 18 other girls looking up to you?
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