A Philly Minute with...Joe McFadden
Name – “Promo” Joe McFadden, first of his name and protector of the realm
Club – Allentown Hibernians Hurling Club
Position – Equipment Manager/Halfback
Sporting hero – Michael Jordan
Biggest achievement – 2015 Philadelphia GAA Hurler of the Year and escorting the 2016 Philadelphia Rose of Tralee
Favorite song – Whoomp! There it is
Any pre-match ritual – Sunday Mass and full Irish breakfast
Favorite TV show – Game of Thrones
Favorite food – Chipotle
Favorite Drink – Miller High Life
Favorite movie – Forrest Gump
Three people you would invite to a dinner party – Benjamin Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, and Connor McGregor just to mix things up.
Ideal Holiday Destination – Hawaii. I’ll start a hurling club there one day.
If not involved in GAA what would you be doing – Housework. Have you seen my lawn lately?
Best trainer on your team – Dan Quay. Rumor has it he runs with his hurl on the treadmill.
Worst trainer on your team – Timmy “Flounder” O’Brien. He never shows up. I think he owes the club some money…
Best GAA moment – Representing the USA at the International Hurling Festival in Galway Ireland. First and last time someone asked me for an autograph.
Best piece of advice you were ever given – YOLO
Where do you like to go out and celebrate after a big win – Filling up the cup with grapefruit mead slushy at the Colony Meadery
Any odd items in your hurling bag – Air horn. You never know when you’ll need it!
Who’s the biggest joker on your team – Yours truly
Who spends most time in front of the mirror in the dressing room – Dave Mahon. The man shows
up with a different hair cut every week. Must be a Mayo thing…
Who’s the best/worst person to share a room with on away trips – If there was an award for Most Valuable Snorer Jay Ehritz would win hands down! You can always count on Jeff “Yo-Yo” Purtell to mix up the Jameson cocktails when you’re trying to catch a nap.
Who’s the best/worst person to sit beside on the team bus – Cormac Staroselec. I don’t know what’s worse the smell of cigarettes or his iPod playlist.
Who has the best and who has the worst diet on the team, and what does it include – Tie between brothers Danny “Donkey” O’Donnell and Pat O’Donnell. Danny eats 5 egg omelets for breakfast, 2 PB&J and 2 turkey sandwiches for lunch and washes it all down with a protein shake. Pat lives on pretzels, peanut chews, and water.
Toughest opponent you have faced – Our very own TJ “Red Helmet” Hirsch. I pity the fool who gives him space.
Best part about playing in Philadelphia – There are only 2 hurling clubs. You beat the other team enough times you get to go to the NACB Finals.
Best or worst quote you’ve heard, either from a manager, player, opponent – “Don’t worry about who’s here or who’s not here, just worry about what you’re doing here.” – Dave Mahon
“I’m the f@#$ing MANAGER!” – Damien Butler
Best ever performance – 2015 NACB Finals in Chicago. We played our best hurling ever just fell a few points short of bringing home the Junior C cup.
One to forget – 2013 NACB Finals in Cleveland, OH. Don’t worry we quickly forgot at the $2 Buck Bar.
