We caught up with Kildare and Celbridge defender Mick O’Grady recently to try and get to know him a bit better.

On the pitch he is one of the tightest markers in the country but off it find out why magpies, dinosaurs and Costa Rica are of interest to him!

Name: Mick O’Grady

Club/county: Celbridge and Kildare

Current position: Full Back

Any superstitions before a game? I have to salute a magpie if I see one on its own.

If there was a Gaa transfer market, what 2 players(male/female) would you want your team to sign? Michael Murphy and Sean O’Shea

What is your greatest achievement? Playing with Kildare/Making it through college alive.

Favourite Position(on the pitch)? Full Forward – I’m wasted in the full back line.

Played my first game: An under 10 competition with Celbridge and against AIT in the O’Byrne cup in 2014 for Kildare.

Favourite players growing up: Darragh Ó Sé and Dermot Earley

What or who made you want to play football: My Dad is a Kerry man so I grew up watching them win All Ireland’s in the 2000’s and I think that was a major factor in why I wanted to play football

Best piece of advice for up coming player: Don’t let any setbacks define you. There’s always another path if you work hard enough.

Other sports you play or would like to play: I used to play hurling and soccer. I’d love to play a competitive American Football match.

What was the best sporting event you ever witnessed? Liverpool’s comeback in the Champions League final 2005.

If you could go back in time to witness an event, what would it be? Building of the Pyramids or Prehistoric times to see dinosaurs roaming.

Where would you love to go on holiday? Macchu Picchu or Costa Rica

Favourite TV show? Father Ted

What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done? Grabbed hold of Mark Donnellan’s beard

Favourite month of the year and why? December – Christmas and silly season

Cats or Dogs? Dogs

Skinny or chunky chips? Chunky

Tayto or King? King

Fanta Orange or Club Orange? Club Orange all day

Tea or Coffee? Coffee

Quickest teammate: Daniel Flynn

Funniest teammates: Keith Cribbin/Mark Donnellan

Most skillful teammate: Niall Kelly

Fittest teammate: Paul Cribbin

Player who spends most time in front of mirror: Kevin O’Callaghan

Most Committed: Eoin Doyle

Best Dresser: David Slattery

Worst Dresser: David Hyland without a shadow of a doubt