Leanne O' Neill

 

   

What year did you begin playing Ultimate Frisbee? 

October 2010

 

How did you start playing?  

UCC students came out to my sports science class and ran a session for us. They then decided to start a school team and I signed up straight away. 
 

Who was your first frisbee crush? 

Hobs

 

What was the best frisbee tournament you ever attended and why?     

EYUC in Germany, 2013. Everything just went well for us. We had the best week ever. I tore my groin and was out for 10 months after but it was worth it because we finished in the top eight and beat GB!
 

What was the worst frisbee tournament you ever attended and why?  

WJUC 2014 in Lecco, Italy. #leccoed is explanation enough I think. 

 

If you were an animal that could play frisbee what animal would you like to be and why??         

Maybe a dog, they’re pretty good at catching.

 

If a theme song was played every time you were announced onto the pitch, what theme song would you choose?       

Anything by T Swizzle. 

 

What was your best Ultimate Frisbee moment?         

When I threw a hammer to Caitlin for the Junior Women’s first ever score at EYUC 2011...and it was against GB. Everything about that sentence makes me happy. 
 

Which player did you look up to when you first began playing frisbee?       

That’s gotta be Hobs. Not for his flick but for his passion, coaching ability and overall greatness.
As players I thought Nicola, Mairead and Mary were the greatest in the whole world. 

 

What player do you look up to at the moment?

There’s so many on the pitch but I look up to Mary McCoach for her off the pitch stuff. She’s unreal on the pitch too of course. She put so much work into coaching UCC ladies this year and she buys us drink when we win ;) She puts up with my endless questions and is always so helpful and supportive. 

 

Have you ever played a joke on one of your teammates?         

In preparation for Juniors last year the whole team went to DCU for a week long training camp. We had two kitchens between us. Myself and Aine went down to the kitchen that wasn’t our one and rearranged the whole place. It was funny seeing their reactions the next day. Of course everyone knew it was me straight away! 
 

Where do you see your frisbee self in 5 years time -   

Hopefully injury free and playing more than ever. 

 

What was the best frisbee team you ever played on and why?    

Rebel 2013/14. I had the pleasure of being Vice and we got to both the indoor and outdoor final. I was injured for the indoor season but still had fun watching and the outdoor season was just amazing to be a part of. 

 

Do you have any other hobbies?   

Nope. All of my time is taken up by coaching, playing, reading frisbee articles and watching games and a bit of college too. 

 

What was the best frisbee party you were ever at?        

Golden Keg 2014. It was an amazingly well organised tournament and the party was class. We wore GAA gear and Brian T was even dancing. 

 

Have you ever thought about quitting frisbee?    

Ehm, yes I have. It’s quite tough going through seemingly endless months of being injured. I do loads of recovery and injury prevention work but still manage to get injured. I go to most trainings and tournaments just to watch. It’s hard not being able to play as much as I’d like to or to the best of my ability.  

 

Why do you continue to play frisbee?     

I love the people. I’ve started coaching now too, it’s so fulfilling to be able to teach people and help to grow the sport. I got the best beginners ever this year, coaching them helped me get through another season of injury. 

 

Choose your ideal frisbee player mush-up       

Mary McKee. 

 

An interesting fact about you that people should know      

I got my appendix out in 2010. 

 

If you had to pick one person on your frisbee team to be stuck in a submarine with for 9 days who would you choose and why?   

Caitlin, she’d have to listen to me eventually if we were alone for 9 days. 
 

Do you have any nice saying - frisbee or just in general - you would like to share with us?         

I think it was Aine Ahern’s dad that once said this “You either win or you learn”. I like it a lot. 
 

Do you ever wonder how different your life would be if frisbee didn't find you>

It would be super different so I try not to think about it.

 

Your dream job?
If coaching frisbee paid that would be great. Maybe a P.E. teacher. I’ve loads of time left to decide anyway.