There really is no place like home for former Cork camogie star Anna Geary, who talks about Footloose, a St Mary’s statue and her childhood dreams of being the next Sonia O’Sullivan ...
How would your best friend describe you? I hope they’d say I’m an energetic and positive person who loves a challenge and requires little sleep! People who meet me know I love to talk but people closest to me know I’m a good listener.
Who was your sporting hero when you were 10 years old? It was Sonia O’Sullivan. I always wanted to be a runner and I ran with North Cork AC, but I learned pretty fast that my body wasn’t designed to go over 200m. I admired Sonia. She was humble and gracious, both in victory and with her setbacks.
Tell us a funny story from your childhood: Years ago when I was at school at St Mary’s Charleville, we were playing in a Munster final, I think, and getting on the bus Elaine O’Riordan complained that her bag was heavy. In the dressing-room, when we were getting ready, Elaine pulled out a large Holy Mary statue that her three older sisters – all messers – had put in, plus they stuffed her football boots with potatoes!
Where would you recommend for a weekend away? Having moved to Dublin last summer, I appreciate home more than ever – and anywhere in West Cork is ideal. It’s a beautiful place with great characters.
If you were on an island and could only bring three things, what would you bring? Certainly not my iPhone. I’d bring friends and family, Factor 50 and some sort of entertainment – like tennis rackets or a football.
If you could go back in time, where would you go and why? One of my favourite films is Invictus. I’d love to go back and hear Nelson Mandela speak, and even meet him. What he did for South Africa and using sport to bring the nation together was immense. He was an extraordinary man.
What song best describes you? My favourite song is Footloose. I love to dance and let my hair down.
What is your least favourite word? Squelch. It’s onomatopoeia. I just don’t like how it sounds.
What’s the world’s greatest invention? Electricity. I’d be lost without it. I couldn’t work without my GHD, my curlers or my iPhone!
If you know you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day? Packed into a room with all my favourite people and all my favourite foods – I’d like to go out with a bang.
A penguin walks into the room wearing a sombrero, why is he wearing it and what does he say? Jesus, what a question! He’s coming from a fancy dress party and the first thing he says is ‘do I look like a penguin in this?’
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