Quickfire questions with Mark Ronaldson (Shrule/Glencorrib)

Name: Mark Ronaldson
Club: Shrule/Glencorrib
Age: 30
Occupation: Teacher

Tell us something about yourself we don’t know?
I have eight international soccer caps, scoring twice against Serbia, on my debut, and against Poland. On my second cap I marked Man City’s captain Vincent Kompany against Belgium in Bruges. Brian Kerr was our manager and teammates included Aiden McGeady, Stephen Ireland, Paul McShane, Joey O’Brien, Andy Keogh and Stephen Quinn.

What’s your favourite TV show?
The Missing on BBC. Gripping stuff!

Which three guests would you invite to your dinner party? Why?
Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane- that would be awkward but very interesting! And Graham Norton- to diffuse the situation and inject some humour. Two Corkmen. Two very different Corkmen!

Who’s your ideal date?
My fiancée, Ruth. She’s the one!

What makes you nervous?
I don’t get nervous before matches but Barry Solan’s 1km fitness tests in 2015 were nerve-wracking. A 10 x 100m yo-yo test that had to be done as quickly as possible. The standard was unreal with the likes of Donie Shoes, Stephen Coen, Drakey, Paddy Durcan and Leeroy all getting sub 3 minutes. It was squeaky-bum time standing on the starting line knowing the pain that was coming down the line.

What makes you angry?
Poor grammar, spelling, attendance, wi-fi and pitches.

Last time you cried?
May 13, 2012. Aguerrrrrrrrrroooooooooooo!

Favourite guilty pleasure?
Bieber.

What’s been your worst holiday?
Far from a holiday really but on a training camp with Mayo in 2008 I got food poisoning on the second day. I remember being at a team meeting and just puking all over the place. It was the chicken not the tactics Johnno, I swear!!

Any football superstitions?
I’m not superstitious but I eat lots the day before games. Caroline Brosnihan, the Mayo dietitian, would always tell us to carb-load in the days leading up to games to fuel the body for the battle ahead.

What do you miss most about being a kid?
Not having to warm-up.

What’s your most prized possession?
My All-Ireland Under-21 medal or my international caps.

Best football memory?
All-Ireland Under 21 final in Ennis in 2006.

Most under-rated player in Mayo club football?
In our club, Ronan Walsh is a top class defender. My brother Eoin has been one of the most skilful and intelligent forwards in club football for the past 10 or 15 years. Outside our club, Westport’s Keelan Dever is a strong, quick and sticky defender.

Best thing about playing with a Mayo team?
The fact that Mayo is a real football county and that the fans have a huge pride in their team.

Worst thing about playing with a Mayo team?
The remoteness of the county and lack of a motorway serving the county. If you don’t work or live near Castlebar you usually have long, arduous treks to and from training and matches.

Favourite footballer from another county?
James O’Donoghue. Such swagger, so direct, and a real threat.

Best advice you ever got?
My Dad always lived by the mantra “It’s not practice that makes perfect, but perfect practice” and instilled that in me as a kid so I always try to train hard and well.

Three things you’d bring to a desert island?
United We Stand fanzine, internet-connected iPhone and a football.

Favourite Mayo county footballer?
Keith Higgins. A Rolls-Royce of a player.

Describe yourself in three words?
I love football.