Name:  Andrew Barbour

Position:  Forward

Caps: (last update 22/09/05)  43

Height:  5ft 8

Weight:  66kg

Born:  4 th August 1977

Birthplace:  Magherafelt

School:  Cookstown H.S

Club:  Cookstown H.C

Occupation:  Physiotherapist

Honours and Achievements:  1st Cap: vs Belgium, 2003

1. What do you remember about your debut in a red shirt?

My debut for the club was away to Saintfield in September 1992 playing for the fourths. At that time the club only had 4 men's teams, and the captain of the team was Uel Henry. I remember being stuck out on the left wing, so happy that I had finally 'made it' by playing for the club. We won 2-0 that day and both me and Alastair Brown (who was also making his debut) scored. My dad played left back in that team and the fourths won the league on the last day of the season at Newry.


2. Who has had the biggest influence on your hockey career?

There are a lot of people who I feel have had a big influence on my career. For the first 4 years at high school Stephen Hamilton coached our under age teams and that certainly gave us a great foundation to build on. Alan Ferguson coached me for the remainder of my time at school (4years instead of 3 as I repeated) and he had a unique coaching style which I really enjoyed. The obvious person to mention here is Marty Sloan. I was lucky enough to play with him for a number of years and he was the bench mark to try and aim for in terms of ability and attitude. He has also been very encouraging to me with the whole Irish set up over the last few years which mean a lot also. Although I have had club and representative coaches that have helped me along the way, I feel that my family genuinely have been the biggest help to me and always been very supportive.


3. Who is the best player you have played with/against?

Again here it would be Marty as the best player I have played with. He made the game look easy, even at international level and really was head and shoulders above every one else in the country at his peak. In terms of any of the representative teams I have played on then the best player I have played with is Davy Smyth of Annadale.

The best player I have played against would be Michael Green of Germany. I played against him in the 2003 Europeans in Barcelona. I did ok against him that day but he really is an amazing player and is rated as one of the best players in the world.


4. Who used to win at back yard hockey - you or Phil?

I guess it depends who you ask. Phil would definitely say him, but more often than not the games would have to be cut short due to him pulling a hamstring or taking cramp. Initially back yard hockey used to involve me standing in the goals and Phil hitting the ball as hard as he could at me, but it developed into quite competitive games. As far as I can recall I won the last ever game of back yard hockey many years ago so that would mean I am the current back yard champion. To be honest if dad was playing he would beat us both.


5. You now have played over forty times for Ireland, what game stands out for you?

I suppose the obvious answer there is my debut against Belgium in Barcelona in Feb 2003. I never thought I would get that far in hockey and thought the chance had passed me by so I was very honoured when it did happen. Having said that I really go out to try and enjoy every game because you never know when it will be your last game for Ireland and each one is an honour. I've been lucky enough to play in 2 European cups and it is special to play in tournament situations like that. My last cap was when we won the European B div last month and that was a big highlight and made all the hard work worth while in the end.


6. What is a typical weeks training for you?

       Mon - Strength and conditioning and
                 core stability session at Jordanstown
       Tues - Club training
       Wed - As Mon night
       Thu - As Tues night
       Fri - Rest
       Sat - Club match
       Sun - Regional training


When the club season is over, weekends, in build up to tournaments, tend to Be spent in Dublin for Irish training or away playing matches.


7. What is your funniest memory in association with the club?

You could probably write a book of funny stories and to be honest I don't think there is a single match or training session that i've been at where I haven't had some sort of a laugh. But how could you not with characters like Pete, Mav and Noel. There are a lot of stories like the day Fergie gave his team talk wearing just his Y fronts; the day the Tufty club was disbanded and the day Pete thought we were unlucky to not get a point from a 3-3 draw with Ban.

One of the funniest things I ever seen (although not funny at the time) on a hockey pitch was in a senior cup match a few years ago at home to UCD. The UCD defender hit a long hopeful ball out of defence and it ended up beside the water tap. Our keeper, Noel, ran over to get it and gave it to John Howard. John decided to take a quick hit out, but duffed the ball to the UCD centre forward who couldn't believe his luck and rolled it into the empty net as Noel still was only about half way back to his goal. Luckily we won the game.


8. You are a keen Spurs and Northern Ireland football fan who are your favourite players on these teams?

I've been going to see Norn Ireland play from the early 1990's, and get along as often as I can. The team seem to have gone through a bad time over the last few years, but I think we have turned the corner and with a fairly youthful team I hope there are plenty more results like the one against England last month. Unfortunately, I missed that game due to the Europeans in Rome. My favourite players are a certain Aaron Hughes and David Healy. It is great to see Aaron doing so well for himself and develop into a truly great player. I'm sure he could have gone onto big things in hockey if he had stuck at it, but I think he made the right decision! I would really love to see Healy play in the Premiership, perhaps a top three team, like Spurs, but as long as he keeps knocking in the goals for our wee country then I'll be happy. Spurs too have turned the corner. They have a load of young players, but Defoe, the real Keano and Ledley king (of the Lane) are definite quality. I can see Ledley leading the team into Europe next year....after lifting the FA Cup next May.


9. What is your favourite food, film and sportsperson?

Food: Can't beat the Sunday roast, although I would be prone to the odd bacon and cheese burger too.

Film: Good Will Hunting ("You like apples? Well how you like them apples? I got her phone number")

Sportsperson: Lance Armstrong - what he has achieved is amazing, but after what he went through makes it even more amazing. Read his book if you get a chance, if not, speak to Godfrey or Noel and they will tell you what it takes to be a top class cyclist!