In a West Cork Minute - Niamh Hayes

Galley Flash Rowing Club athlete Niamh Hayes (27), from Castlefreke, reckons that if she ever joined a circus she’d be the perfect liontamer!

What’s the one thing you can’t live without?  Water. I always have a bottle in my hand/bag/car/on my desk.

What would I find in your fridge right now?  I just restocked it for the week ahead so it’s packed with meat, fish and veggies, and a birthday cake for my mammy!

Name one element your sport could/should take from another? I love my sport but I envy rowing clubs in other countries that get to row in the sunshine all of the time. Unfortunately we have to train and compete in all weathers.

What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? This happens quite a lot on my daily commute to and from Cork city – what am I going to have for dinner, what do I need to get done before bed, what training session needs to be done this evening, what is the meaning of life! Or else I try and clear my mind and sing along to the latest tunes on the radio!

Pick two celebrities to be your parents: Martin and Breeda Hayes … you’ve heard of them right?

What do you think cats dream of? How they plan to try and take over the world when they wake.

If you could play any other sport for one day what would it be? Surfing – it’s my other love!

If you joined a circus, what would you perform? I’d be a lion tamer – I’ve always been told that I’m good at remaining calm in any situation.

If you could get rid of one county in Ireland what would it be and why? Cavan, so that my bestie Edel could live in West Cork permanently! 

What would you do if you found a penguin in your freezer? Gift it to my Galley Flash club-mate Paddy Harrington. He is slightly obsessed with penguins!