Natalie McFadden
Name: Natalie McFadden
Age: 30
Occupation: Special Needs Assistant and volunteer football coach with Special Olympics and Bonagee underage.
Team: Bonagee United
If you were throwing a party and you could invite anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would you ask around? Steven Gerrard without a doubt.
Where do you like to go out to celebrate after a big victory? Dry Arch and then Grill (Bonagee’s ritual at this stage).
What’s the worst pitch you’ve ever played on? Kilmac or Glenree.
Which character in any film are you most like? Jennifer Aniston we look so alike lol. Wouldn’t have a clue.
Any odd items in your kit bag? Foam roller if that’s odd.
Who’s the biggest joker in the team you play for? Alice Diver – absolute messer but great craic.
Which team mate has the best looking other half? Most of the team are single because no-one would take them.
Who is the worst/best trainer? Best trainer would probably be Julie McCloy and Anna Doherty. They work pretty hard. Worst trainer is Shannon McBride. Likes to take a few days off.
Who spends most time in front of the mirror in the dressing room? Julie likes to check herself out a lot.
Who’s the best/worst person to sit beside on the team bus? Best would probably be Alice and Julie. Worst would be whoever is the drunkest.
Who has the best and who has the worst diet on the team, and what does it include?
Best diet would definitely be Leona Russell. Lots of fruits and shakes, grilled chicken veg and eggs. I wouldn’t say worst but Julie can put away a lot of food and still be hungry after. Chicken burger with red sauce is her favourite.
Toughest opponent you have faced? I have come up against few strong defenders. Illies’ former defender Noreen Doherty would go through you for a short cut. Emma Duffy was solid when she was playing.
Best or worst quote you’ve heard, either from a manager, player, opponent? “Keep working even when no-one is watching” – Alex Morgan.
“You can’t score a goal if you don’t take a shot” – Johan Cryuff
Best manager you’ve ever played under? We had a good year under Seamie McGinty last year.. also our first year under Shane Kelly and Seamie. But no-one that really stands out.
Best ever performance? I put us through to All-Ireland semi last year. I equalised in the 91st minute and won it in extra-time.
One to forget? This year All-Ireland quarter-final losing 5 -4 on pens after extra-time. We worked so hard and deserved the victory. That’s football though.
Sporting ambition? Would have loved to have played professionally. Now to be a great coach and take what I’ve learnt and teach it to these young children.
When you were playing in the back garden, who did you pretend to be? Michael Owen
If you were in charge of transfers, who’d be in and who’d be out of the team? Wouldn’t put anyone out – everyone deserves to play. Wouldn’t mind having Julianne Herrity on the books at Bonagee full-time.
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