World Mixed Doubles profile – Jen Ward

And now it’s Irish World Mixed Doubles team member, Jen’s, turn for some in-depth analysis:

Name – Jen Ward
Age – 31
Occupation – HR Officer
Three things you really like? – Holidays, cinema and going to gigs/music festivals.
Three things that really annoy you? – People who walk too slowly, bad manners and bad drivers.
Three things from your ‘bucket list’ – Drive the west coast of USA, see the northern lights, camp on Keel beach in Ireland.
What was the last film you saw? I, Tonya
Give us a playlist of five of your favourite songs (and artists)
(I’ve gone for some old school ones!)
* Waiting in Vain – Bob Marley ,
* Everybody Wants to Rule the World – Tears for Fears,
* We Close Our Eyes – Go West,
* Pour Some Sugar on Me – Def Leppard,
* Holiday – Madonna
And one song you never want to hear again?Wrecking Ball by Miley Cyrus. Eoin has started singing it whenever I get into the hack to throw a strike – it gets more annoying every time!
What’s your favourite meal? Caesar salad and chips.
Washed down by? 4 bottles of Blue WKD (obviously!) and a G&T.
You can save one prized possession. What is it? My puppy, Maggie, and my photographs (I know that’s two things).
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? There’s no meaning or point to life; you have to give it one. (My brother heard from two old guys in a pub one night and we thought it was quite good).

World Mixed Doubles profile – Eoin McCrossan

Ireland will be represented at the World Mixed Doubles Curling Championships in ÖstersundSweden, April 21-28, by Eoin McCrossan and Jen Ward.

The team are hoping to boost Ireland’s ranking up from 23 into the top 12 to gain Olympic qualification as part of the Irish Curling Association’s strategy to have representation in the Olympic Mixed Doubles in Beijing in 2022. Eoin and Jen won the Irish Mixed Doubles Championships in December 2017 and have been putting in hours of practice on the ice ahead of their debut in the world championships, although both have represented Ireland in International competition.

Let’s find out a bit more about both of them, beginning with Eoin:

Eoin’s on the left…

Name – Eoin McCrossan
Age – 24
Occupation – Competitions Coordinator, Scottish Curling
Three things you really like? – Napping, gin, being on commentary
Three things that really annoy you? – Open mouthed chewing, selfishness, ill-considered rules
Three things from your ‘bucket list’ – Making a nominated triple (on the out turn), learn how to drive, go to Eurovision.
What was the last film you saw? Ready Player One
And the last book you read? ‘Curl to Win’ by Russ Howard
Give us a playlist of five of your favourite songs (and artists)
* Boy in the Bubble – Paul Simon
* Fairytale – Alexander Rybak
* Big Yellow Taxi – Joni Mitchell
* Africa – Toto
* Fox on the run – Sweet
And one song you never want to hear again?What Does the Fox Say – Ylvis
What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind? – 2017-18 Irish Curling Champions
What’s your favourite meal? 20 Nugget Sharebox (not to share)
Washed down by? Gin (and tonic I suppose)
Tell us something about yourself that will surprise people? I can’t actually Irish dance.
You can save one prized possession. What is it? My curling shoes (they have my name on them!)
What keeps you awake at night? Last minute competition withdrawals
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? – “The best thing we can learn is how to fail.”

Euro C profile – Andrew Gilmore

Last up is the ‘baby’ of the team, Andrew Gilmore.

Name – Andrew “Happy” Gilmore
Age – 19
Occupation – Student
In-turn or out-turn? – In-turn
Best ever curling memory? – Bronze medallists in the European C League 2016
If you had to switch careers, what job would you do? – Competitions Coordinator at Scottish Curling, the current person in this position just doesn’t have what it takes.
Apart from the ICA, what website do you spend the most time on?  – Netflix
Best / worst subjects at school? –  Best (Maths/Physics), Worst (Art)
Who’d be your four ideal dinner guests? – I would say the Irish men’s team but there have been too many discussions regarding mathematics over the past two days.
Earliest curling related memory? – Throwing my first curling stone at the age of six, I think (didn’t quite have the same strike weight back then).
Favourite curling destination and why? –  Stranraer Ice Rink – They have a great DJ.
How do you relax away from work (and curling)? – Going around the World on a boat.
The person you most admire, alive or dead, and whyErnest Shackleton – even when all was lost he never gave up.
What did you have for breakfast this morning? – Buffet breakfast at the Airport Hotel Dan.

Euro C profile – John Furey

John Furey has been representing Ireland since 2004 and has answered every question I could think of. However, his Euro teammates still had a few things to ask him……..

John when he had hair…..

The Furey Five!

Name – John Furey
Age – Senior curler (available for requests)
Occupation – MOL (man of leisure)
Red or yellow handles – red or dead
Last time you had a haircut – every two days
Any pre-game routines – a PGJ
Favourite WCF tournament you’ve participated in?  – World Mixed Doubles  with Louise (at Dumfries 2014)
Favourite ICA calendar event?  Senior mens  championships
Any remaining curling goals to accomplish? 100 caps (currently on 57)
Who is your ICA dream team? The Furey Five……….
Favourite place you’ve ever lived? – Tampere, Finland
Best non curling sporting achievement? – runner up Scottish Junior Scottish chess champion

Euro C profile – Craig Whyte

As the Irish men’s team limber up for on-ice action at the C League in Denmark tomorrow morning, let’s have a delve into the minds of the rest of the team, beginning with Craig Whyte:

Name – Craig Whyte
Age – 29
Occupation – Valuations Manager
The unlikely interest that engages your curiosity – ranking burrito establishments in Edinburgh
What’s your guiltiest pleasure – Night time cereal
What is your favourite word – Dud
What’s your biggest fear – Being in C league forever
Last gig you went to – Bon Iver
The film you can watch time and time again – Django Unchained
What are you best at – Speed nappy changing
The sport you won’t watch – Dressage

Euro C Profile – Eoin McCrossan

Ahead of the Irish men’s team heading off on Tuesday to compete in the European C League in Denmark, let’s get up close and personal with lead Eoin McCrossan through our in depth ‘profile’ questions:

Name: Eoin McCrossan
Age: 24
Occupation: Competitions Coordinator, Scottish Curling
In-turn or out-turn? Out turn (allegedly)
Best ever curling memory? Winning the Irish MD title, December 2017.
If you had to switch careers, what job would you do? Well, I kind of did! I moved 6 months ago from working in data analytics for a bank to working in curling. I guess any switch would mean having to go back to a proper job so no thanks.
Apart from the ICA, what website do you spend the most time on? At the moment it’s definitely the team tracker on the grand slam of curling website… I’m an absolute curling gossip fiend.
Best / worst subjects at school? – Best, Maths. Worst, Art.
Who’d be your four ideal dinner guests? – The Irish men’s team of course! But really; Andy Murray, Jesse Lingard, Meryl Streep and Joe Root.
Earliest curling related memory? ­– Begging my parents to let me stay up to watch Rhona’s march to gold in 2002.
Favourite curling destination and why? – Dumfries obviously…
How do you relax away from work (and curling)? – By watching curling probably.
The person you most admire, alive or dead, and why? – Sir Alex Ferguson, a remarkable bastion of success and staying true to your ideals.
What did you have for breakfast this morning? A protein shake, because obviously I’m all about those gains.

Euro C League Profile – John Wilson

The Irish men’s team will shortly be heading to Tårnby, Denmark, for the European C League Championships, 11-16 April.

New to the team this year is skip John Wilson, so let’s find out a bit more about him with our traditional ‘profile’ questions:

Name: John Wilson
Age: 32
Occupation: Teacher of Mathematics
Status: Legally single but definitely not.
Children:  zero, zilch, nada
Years curling: ten…then a ten year gap…then two.
Home club: Limekiln (Stranraer) but now Auchterarder (Perth).
Sport to watch:  Rugby.
Sport to play:  Trail running.
Who would I like to meet:  Mo Farah.
Fav TV: Game of Thrones.
Fav holiday: California. Why? desert, mountains, beaches, sun and cities all in the same state.
Fav Irish curler:  Peter J D Wilson. Why? Because there is only one Peter Wilson!
Prize possession: My photographs. I have had some awesome adventures and it sometimes amazes me to look at where I have been.
Marooned on a desert island with: Iona Siwo
Me in five words: Always planning my next adventure.

World Mixed profile 4 – Ross Barr

World Senior's Curling Championship 2016, Karlstad, SwedenWorld Senior bronze medal winner Ross will be playing second stones in the Irish team in Kazan, so let’s see what Ross likes to get up to:

Name? – Ross Barr
Age? – 62
Occupation? – Retired Civil Engineer
In-turn or out-turn? In-Turn
Best ever curling memory? – Winning a bronze medal at the World Senior Curling Championships in Karlstad, 2016
If you had to switch careers, what job would you do? – Architect (large bridges)
Apart from the ICA, what website do you spend the most time on?  – www.chess.com
Best / worst subjects at school? – Physics/French
Who’d be your four ideal dinner guests? – Brian Cox, Ruth Davidson, Jeremy Vine, Judy Murray – No shortage of discussion topics!
Earliest curling related memory? ­– Chasing stones around Crossmyloof
Favourite curling destination and why? – Cortina (Dolomites) has a well organised summer social competition in a spectacular mountain setting. (And provides prizes of locally produced cheese and ham).
How do you relax away from work (and curling)? – Glass of Montepulciano on the garden swing beside Alison and her G&T.
The person you most admire, alive or dead, and why? – Stephen Hawkins because of his scientific achievements and fight against motor neuron
What did you have for breakfast this morning? Porridge.

Worls Mixed profile 3 – Jacqui Davidson

jacqui-pictureNewly-wed Jacqui is making her international debut for Ireland at the World Mixed, playing with dad Ross, so let’s find out a bit about the team rookie :
Name? – Jacqui Davidson
Age? – 30
Occupation? – Chartered Accountant
Status? – Newly married
Years curling? – Fourth year curling
Home club and ice rink? – Bearsden; Braehead Curling Rink
Favourite sport outside curling:
To watch? – Road cycling
To play? – Mountain biking and Trail Running
Who would you really like to meet? – Ulei Steck; Swiss mountaineer renowned for his speed climbing. I have seen a number of his climbing films and his passion and drive for what he does is inspiring.
Favourite TV programme? – Made in Chelsea (guilty pleasure)
Favourite holiday destination and why? – Italy for the good food, good wine and the stunning scenery. I love going on an adventure holiday, there is nothing better than a big day out followed by a well-earned meal in the evening.
Favourite other Irish curler and why? – I would have to say my Dad. Not only for winning the bronze medal at this year’s World Senior Championships, but for the support and encouragement that he has given me which has led me to this exciting opportunity to be part of the Irish Mixed Team!
You can save one prized possession. What is it? – My mountain bike! I brought it back from Canada last year and I have had some great adventures with it – including my honeymoon.
Who would you choose to be marooned on a desert island with? – Bradley Cooper.
Sum yourself up in five words – Happy, enthusiastic, determined, stubborn and fun.

ECC-C League – profile 7 – Alan Mitchell

AlanMitchellProfilePicHere’s Alan’s take on life….

Name – Alan Mitchell
Age – 46
Occupation – Fashion Designer

Three things you really like?  the beach, Tom Roche, Baxter the dog

Three things that really annoy you? People who are always late, cauliflower, litter

Three things from your ‘bucket list’ – sail the Atlantic, visit Antarctica, Surfing in Hawaii

What was the last film you saw?  The Force Awakens

And the last book you read? Billy Grump

Give us a playlist of five of your favourite songs (and artists) –
Dignity, Deacon Blue
Nothing Compares to U, Prince
Open your eyes, Snow Patrol
Tinseltown in the Rain, The Blue Nile
Sweet Dreams , Eurythmics

And one song you never want to hear again?
Karioke from Tom Roche

What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?
Scottish football 1988-2000

What’s your favourite meal?
Fish + Chips

Washed down by?
Irn Brew

Tell us something about yourself that will surprise people?
Once caddied for golf superstar Payne Stewart

You can save one prized possession. What is it?
Baxter the Dog

What keeps you awake at night?
nothing, not even Tom Roche’s snoring

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
What’s the worse that can happen?