Michael McAlister Interview



Michael McAlister
Introducing Michael McAlister, GAA goalkeeper

Personal Details
Position : GAA Goalkeeper
Club : Clann na Banna
Age : 21
Height : 5' 11"
Position : GAA Goalkeeper




1: What’s your earliest footballing memory?
Going to Tottenham with my dad and watching them get beaten 4-1 by West Ham!!!!
2: When did you realise you wanted to become a goalkeeper?
When I realised how much I hate running!!!
3: What route/how did you get into the game?
All the boys in the estate were older and threw me into goals.
4: what’s your best moment in football?
Winning the all Ireland Minor Championship and Sigerson cup.
5: and your worst?
Losing The Sigerson final 2007 and various howlers for my club!!!
6: Has the boss ever given you a ticking off at your club or with the Down GAA County Team?
Too often, hopefully as I get older they will become less frequent.
7: Who's the best player you've ever played against?
Benny coulter and Ciaran Brannigan in GAA and Darron Gibson in soccer
8: You've just been given permission to sign any player in the world, who would you go for, that’s for GAA and soccer?
Mark Farren from Derry City for his goals and Dennis Glennon from Westmeath.
9: Do you have any superstitions?
I like a window seat on the bus.
10: Who's the most famous person you've ever met?
Raymond van Der Gow
11: What's your favourite TV Program?
Top Gear
12: Would you say that height matters to be a good goalkeeper? If so why???
I suppose it is, but if you’re a big dummy and can't catch or kick a ball what use are you? Finding a happy medium would be great, my jump is something I need to work on.
13: What's the last CD you bought?
Kings of Leon new album
14: What CD do you have in your car at the moment?
Hed Kandi Ibiza 2008
15: What is your favourite meal?
Pizza and Chips
16: If you could be automatically fluent in one language, which would it be?
Italian, some women floating about that country.
17: If you could reverse any refereeing decision in the history of GAA football and soccer, which ones would you choose?
The 8 mins added time in one of our club games last year.
18: If you could be famous for something other than football, what would you be?
A superstar DJ.
19: What's the best piece of advice that's been ever given to you? And by whom?
Play with a smile on your face, from various managers.
20: Who are the worst dressed footballers you've worked with?
Packie Downey and that Brazil T-shirt, lucky he has the looks to pull it off.
21: What gloves do you wear?
MDG at the minute
22: What boots do you wear?
Puma V Konstruct
23: What clubs have you played for in your football career?
Clann na Banna are my Gaelic club and Banbridge town for soccer.
24: Approximately how many penalty kicks would you have saved in your career?
About 40
25: Would you say you are good at saving penalties?
I’d say I am average.
26: And what technique would you use?
Think where would I put it if I was hitting it.
27: what advice would you give to somebody who wants to become a goalkeeper?
Don’t!!!!! Seriously listen to your coaches and take pride in clean sheets.
28: what do you think of Ross Carr your manager at Down GAA?
Dead on but doesn’t understand my love for jaffa cakes.
29: who is the best goalkeeper in the world?
I’ve always liked Buffon.
30: Do you think that it is important to have a goalkeeping coach at all football clubs? Do you have one at your club, and if so who is he.
They are very important; our manager tries to do a bit of traning with me when he can. Every little helps
31: how many times have you played for your county?
Every level from under 16 up
32: what is the best ground that you have ever played at?
Croke Park and Newry
33: What is you ambition as a goalkeeper ??
To be the best I can be.
34: Have you got a strength and condition coach at Down GAA? who is he and what’s he like to work with.
He is Paul Murphy and he is a tough cookie. This is my first full season with him and I am looking forward to the gym work, his knowledge is amazing.
35: You have now started to prepare for the Down GAA county team and are working hard with Alan Simpson and Eamon Connolly your goalkeeping coaches at Down GAA, what are they like to work with? Be very careful how you answer this one.
They are very professional, which brings pressure but pressure usually makes you over perform. They are improving us by about 80%. Which should mean 80% less goals. It’s the closest I will ever feel to being a pro. I am enjoying every minute of it.
36: Describe yourself in five words…
Loud, Crazy, Chunky, Honest, Committed(not in the mental way)