Trinity has an incredible array of sporting societies available to students. Whether they want to try their hand at a new hobby or train eight nights a week for fame and glory, there is something for everyone. But occasionally, it can be a little daunting joining a new team. Sometimes squads already know each other from previous years and often, the captain can appear like a larger than life figure who rules the roost! But lest we forget, they are mere mortals like ourselves and to prove it, we sat down with some of the captains of Trinity’s most prominent teams to find out all their secrets.
Name: Frannie Smith
Course: 3rd Year Immunology
Role: Trinity Women’s Soccer captain
- What is your earliest sporting memory?
My earliest sporting memory was probably playing soccer when I was like 4 years old and I just remember being terrified of the ball, so I did a lot of running from the ball instead of to the ball.
- What got you into your current sport?
I would say my parents got me into soccer. My dad coached me when I first started out and they both always encouraged me to stick with the things I loved, and I just really fell in love with soccer from a really young age. My parents really encouraged me to stay with it in high school and even into college.
- Who is your sporting idol?
My sporting idol is our star striker Aoife Robinson (she would want me to write that). But a professional sports star I’ve always looked up to is Christen Press of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer team — I always watched her growing up and I think she’s just a great example of an inspirational woman in sport.
- Highlight of this season
My highlight of this season was probably just our team atmosphere this year. Everybody was friends with everybody and it just made for the most fun, energized team dynamic both off and on the field. Our bus ride out to Sligo (where we won 12-0 in case anyone forgot) was also pretty great, bar Aoife’s music.
- Favourite sports film/TV show
Favorite sports film is definitely ‘Kicking and Screaming’ — iconic Will Ferrell
Or if you’re more into tear-jerkers I would have to go with ‘Miracle’
- How much is a cappuccino in the Perch?
I can honestly say I have purchased one thing in the Perch Cafe and that was an apple….would have to take a wild guess of €2.90, but please take into account that I rarely make it over to that side of campus. (She’s right on the money, €2.90 is exactly what ya need to get your caffeine fix in Trinity’s finest coffee dispensary)
- Do you have a memorable ‘where was I when’ moment?
I would have to go with when Ireland won the rugby Grand Slam against England on St. Patrick’s Day 2018 — I was watching the match at Blackbird in Rathmines with all my best friends, so it was a pretty special start to my first year in Dublin. Also, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 2016 NBA Championship after an incredible season, which brought the long Cleveland sports championship drought to an end (we miss you, LeBron). Go Cavs!!!
Name: Erica Markey
Course: 3rd Year Mechanical Engineering
Role: DULHC captain
- What is your earliest sporting memory?
My earliest sporting memory is a sailing summer camp when I was about 6 or 7. I just remember jumping in and out of the water and spending as little time in the boats as possible. It was so much fun.
- What got you into your current sport of choice?
My mum was playing with the local hockey club, so she brought me up to their kid’s sessions when I was around 5.
- Who would you say is your sporting idol?
I would probably say Brian O’Driscoll as my family are big into rugby, so I spent a lot of time watching him play.
- What has been your highlight of this season?
This season the highlight would be Varsities.It’s always a great weekend and at the end of it everyone on the team is so much closer.
- What is your favourite sports film/TV show?
I don’t watch many sports films, but I watched ‘The Dawn Wall’ (a documentary detailing Tommy Caldwell’s climb of El Capitan) recently and it was so different to what I had watched before and it was very inspiring.
- How much is a cappuccino in The Perch?
I don’t drink coffee so I’ve no idea but I’ve been told that anything more than the Hamilton €1 vending machine is too much.
- Do you have a memorable “Where were you when?” moment, and where were you?
I remember being in the Rugby club with all my friends when Sexton scored that drop goal in 2018 against France. The whole room just erupted, it was an amazing time.
Name: Genevieve Ruesch
Course: 3rd year English & History
Role: DUFC Women’s captain
- What is your earliest sporting memory?
Probably playing basketball with my older brother in our driveway. We used to go out after school and play lightning or 2v1, with my sister and I against him. He usually won and caused a lot of skinned knees since he never went easy on us.
- What got you into your current sport of choice?
I joined rugby my first year of high school because my sister joined the year earlier. Also I played because one of the coaches was my friend’s dad who always told me from about the age of eleven to play rugby. So I joined the team when I started high school and have stuck with it since!
- Who would you say is your sporting idol?
Probably Jordy Nelson from the Green Bay Packers. Amazing player and all-around great person
- What has been your highlight of this season?
Winning a match in the Aviva Stadium. We got the opportunity to play Wanderers for their 150th Anniversary. Since we were one of the first women’s teams ever to play in the Aviva, walking onto the field was an incredible feeling.
- What is your favourite sports film/TV show?
I’d have to say Miracle about the 1980 US hockey team winning gold at the Olympics. But for a rugby movie, Forever Strong is a classic.
- How much is a cappuccino in The Perch?
It costs non-EU tuition fees or your firstborn child
- Do you have a memorable “Where were you when?” moment, and where were you?
The last time the Green Bay Packers won the Superbowl was 2011. My entire extended family was packed in at my grandparents’ house watching and everyone went wild when they beat the Steelers. We all got to wear green and gold to school the next day instead of our uniforms which was very exciting as a kid. Such a fun memory
Name: Jason Boateng
Course: 4th year Environmental Science
Role: DUAFC captain
- What is your earliest sporting memory?
Absolutely dominating sports day in 1st class in primary school. My parents were there too so I had to give them a performance to remember. From there, I knew I was destined for sporting greatness.
- What got you into your current sport of choice?
All my friends at the time played football while I was playing tennis. Luckily, my instructor quit and I joined up with them to play ball. Haven’t looked back since.
- Who would you say is your sporting idol?
Ex-Manchester united midfielder Ji-Sung Park, what a baller.
- What has been your highlight of this season?
I’m going to be cheeky and give two because we don’t usually get many.
- Lifting the Lord Farquhar cup at college park- can’t beat it
- All the lads giving it socks at karaoke on the bus home from our game against Sligo. Richie, our manager, was a standout performer (bottle of wine helped his vocals)
- What is your favourite sports film/TV show?
Cool Runnings. Top tier film.
- How much is a cappuccino in The Perch?
Near enough 6 euro when you get it with coconut milk and caramel syrup.
- Do you have a memorable “Where were you when?” moment, and where were you?
When Luis Suarez handled the ball in the last second of the 2014 World Cup quarter final against Ghana. At the time I was on holiday in Ghana watching it at a massive sports bar. Everybody was crying at the final whistle and I remember my siblings and I just laughing; not really knowing the impact the loss had had on the nation.
Name: James Guinness
Course: 5th year Dental Science
Role: Trinity G.A.A. captain
- What is your earliest sporting memory?
First All Ireland Final in 2002 between Armagh and Kerry. Favourite day of the year every year and even though you never like to see Armagh win I’ll always remember it.
- What got you into your current sport of choice?
My Dad had me kicking a ball as soon as I could walk although he was always keen the ball was in my hands and not at my feet! Always enjoyed other sports but football was always the number one.
- Who would you say is your sporting idol?
Lebron James, proves that the best players work the hardest and always comes up with the goods when it matters
- What has been your highlight this season?
Unfortunately our season was just getting started! We had put a good run together towards promotion which hopefully won’t go to waste. Getting back in the starting team after a knee operation was the personal highlight.
- What is your favourite sports film/TV show?
The Fighter – classic combination of Bale, Wahlberg and an sporting underdog story
- How much is a cappuccino in The Perch?
Haven’t a clue unfortunately will have to find out once this is all over!
- Do you have a memorable “Where were you when?” moment, and where were you?
In the stand behind the goal when Shane Long scored that goal to beat Germany – nearly ended up under a pile of bodies but I don’t think any Irish soccer fans will forget that moment.
