Down to basics...

Name:  Ivan Steen

Height:  5-11

Weight:  13.5

Born:  Craigavon 02/09/1975

Occupation:  Ministry student

1. Why come to Cookstown and how did that all start?

Originally through Gareth Cuddy whom I am friendly with. Over lunch we discussed coming to Cookstown. I thought I wasn't getting enough pitch-time at Garvey where the competition for places was really fierce. I went to work and live for a while in Guatemala, and even then I was thinking of Cookstown. When I came back I had a meeting with Stephen Cuddy and Andy Barbour, and I was impressed with the team's goals and objectives and decided that I wanted to play for Cookstown.


2. What are your impressions of Cookstown as a club, both on and off the pitch?

Truly very impressed. The club has strength in depth and character. The 1sts have a high skill level from keeper right through defence, midfield to forwards. The training sessions are well organized and what I like is the fact that the coaches are not afraid to ask for advice. When I heard that training nights were for the whole club I thought that there's no way this is going to work. But fair play to everyone who comes up and are not in the 1st panel, they put everything they have into training and that's what makes it really enjoyable for me, a great club spirit which is evident.

Off the pitch Cookstown are a very welcoming club and I have been very impressed again with the club spirit evident on the sidelines and in the clubhouse unique, and we should all be proud off this. I am the only player in the Firsts who did not attend Cookstown High School but yet this has not mattered. I am probably more aware of this than anyone else but yet I already feel part of the team. I've also noticed how well everyone gets on with each other, including the Ladies teams. To me socializing is an important part of club hockey, the Firsts are not aloof and it's great to hear the 'stick' we get from other club members during games and afterwards.


3. You were seen at the Halloween do and you took the time and effort to dress-up... what did you think of the night?

I really enjoyed the night and was amazed at how many people were in fancy dress. It was a good nights craic and seemed to be well supported .I've been told that this is now an annual event.


4. You have played for Ireland how many times now?

Either 29 or 30 times. This was during my Newry and Surbiton days.


5. Who has been the biggest influence on your hockey career?

Sam Martin during his time at Newry.


6. Who is the worst trainer at the club?

Keith Black is shocking. I've yet to see Hexsie do any running but I've heard he used to hit a mean ball!


7. Who is the longest in the showers?

Me, time wise it's got to be Ewan.


8. Who is the slowest at the club... physically and mentally?

Physically it's Steve, the Titanic could turn quicker. Mentally it's Thomas. We were playing Kilkeel at home on the Saturday before the Kirk semi and Thomas was injured and sitting on the bench. He had told Jules to take his place at short corners i.e. pull the ball out. Kilkeel won a short and Jules shouted at Thomas to see if he needed to do anything. Thomas roared at him to pull the ball out. Jules told him it was Kilkeel's short... Thomas roared 'pull the ball out, someone tell him to pull the ball out' It should did not register with Thomas the fact that it was Kilkeel's short corner and not ours.


9. What's in your car's CD at the moment?

A compilation of everything, movie soundtracks and a bit of Bruce Springsteen.


10. What 3 things are always in your fridge?

I'm a student so there's never a total of 3 things in my fridge at any one time.


11. What 3 things always stay in your kitbag?

Deep heat. Iprufen tabs and a pair of trainers.


12. Give 3 words to describe yourself...

Quiet, gentle and relaxed.


13. Favourite film?

Old school.


14. Favourite food?

Large quantities of anything!


15. Favourite sportsperson?

Daley Thompson.


16. Before coming to play for Cookstown, what were your thoughts on us as a team?

I've always had experience of playing against Cookstown. They were always hard games physically.


17. As a club, we feel that we are a bit out of the way and not close to the heart of hockey in Ulster. Is this how other clubs perceive us?

Not at all... Cookstown are an important club in Ulster... just look at how many of the young lads are playing for Ulster sides at the moment. Other clubs perception of Cookstown is that on our day we are a dangerous side who could beat anybody. But they also think off us as being temperamental, and inconsistent. However, they also know that we will definitely give them a game.


18. Describe playing in the Kirk semi-final...

I think that we can play better. We wanted to win more than they did and to me that was the major difference between the teams. We were genuinely hungry for it and can't wait until Boxing Day. The support was brilliant, although I personally am not really aware of it during the game, don't get me wrong, I know it's there and that everyone is behind us and share our highs and lows, but I am just concentrating on doing my job for the team. I was certainly aware of the support during the flicks and it was great to do our lap in front of the supporters and to thank them and applaud them.


19. On to Boxing Day... does it mean more to you that it's Garvey?

No. It doesn't matter to me who we play. I'm just excited to be part of a good Cookstown team that deserve to be part of the big day. A Kirk Cup medal is the only thing that's missing from my locker. I've heard about the Red Army and am looking forward to seeing and hearing them in action. Let's hope everything goes to plan.


20. What is a typical Ivan Steen Saturday night?

Chinese food / out with friends / to bed early, Sunday is a busy day for me.


21. What is a typical Ivan Steen Sunday then?

I take youth church in the morning at Fisherwick Presbyterian in Belfast. I also attend Church on Sunday night. Even after our semi final win, I still got to Church.


22. Lastly, the important bits that everyone wants to know...

Wet/Dry shave: Wet shave

Jelly babies/Wine gums: Wine gums

McDonalds/Burger King: Burger King

Pace/Skill: Neither... I usually chip and charge

Shoot/Pass: Always shoot

Boxers/Knickers: Boxers

Rugby Union/Rugby League: Rugby Union

Cheese 'n' Onion/Smokey Bacon: Cheese 'n' onion

Tennents/Harp: Tennents