Sean Armstrong | Niall Bogue | Eoin Brosnan | Paddy Bradley | Sean Cavanagh Aidan Carr | Kevin Cassidy | Ronan Clarke | Bryan Cullen | Colm Cooper
Shane Curran | Brian Dooher | Kieran Donahy | Mattie Forde | Thomas Freeman
Raymond Gallagher | Paul Galvin | Leighton Glynn | Ciaran Hanratty
Stephen Kernan | James Masters | Andy McClean | Oisin McConville
Ciaran McDonald | Stephen McDonnell | Michael Meehan | Barry Monaghan
Finnian Moriarty | Adrian Morrissey | Conor Mortimer | Eoin Mulligan
Ross Munnelly | Nicholas Murphy | Eamon O'Hara | Stephen O'Neill
Tomas Ó Sé | Darragh Ó Sé | Declan O'Sullivan | Colm Parkinson | Tomás Quinn
Donal Shine | Ciaran Whelan | Fergal Doherty
Down in the midlands, they are calling Ross Munnelly the new “Boy Wonder” of Laois football. Since bursting onto the scene in 2003, he has entertained fans of Gaelic football, not just in Laois, but all over the country. The Arles-Kilcruise dangerman is possessed with great natural skill and speed that allows him to create space to score fantastic points from all angles. Even though they have contested the last three Leinster finals, Laois have found it difficult to re-create the form of 2003 when they stormed to their first provincial title since 1946.
They opened this year’s campaign against Offaly and even though Laois made a poor start, a last minute goal by Ross kept them in the hunt. A demolition of Kildare followed and suddenly they were contenders. But alas, it wasn’t to be as they were beaten by the Dubs in a pulsating Leinster final. Their 2005 Championship came to an end against Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter-finals but Ross is confident that with Micko in charge and a good crop of new talent coming through, the future looks bright for football in the O’Moore county for some time to come.
What has been your greatest sporting moment?
My Championship debut in 2003 and winning the Leinster title that same year.
To see all the fans with their blue and white swarm onto Croke Park was something to behold
Which is the toughest team you have ever faced?
Without a doubt, Armagh.
Who was your toughest opponent?
Joe Higgins. I always get to mark him in training and he sticks to you like glue.
How do you balance your teaching job and football?
As Micko says, everything in moderation. I enjoy my training and it’s a good way to get a break from other pressures. I think I have a good balance.
Which player do you admire the most?
That would be a close one between Maurice Fitzgerald and Peter Canavan.
Both players show amazing dedication to the art of free-taking and are two of the most exciting forwards to have played the modern game.
Who was your childhood sporting hero?
Roy Keane.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Arles-Kilcruise and our biggest rivals are our neighbours Arles-Kileen.
Do you play any other sports?
I play some golf and I used to play soccer.
What are your hopes for the future?
For 2006 it would be great to reclaim the Leinster title. In my own game I want to constantly improve myself, and play to the best of my abilities.
What advice would you give to young players?
Eat healthy, enjoy training and focus on improvement rather than winning. © December 2005 |
