This week Adam Moynihan caught up with Matt McAuliffe to talk rugby, Dire Straits and his dream dinner guests

Hi Matt. Thanks for speaking to me.

No bother, Adam.

How has the season been going so far?

Not too bad. We started off a bit slow but we’re getting going now. We’ve won our last two games so we’re on a bit of a roll.

What are the team’s goals for the rest of the campaign?

Our main goal is to try and get promoted up to Division 2 of the Munster Junior League and if we could pick up a cup along the way that would be a big plus as well.

I have some questions for you about your Killarney RFC teammates… You need one of them to convert a long-range drop-goal to save your life – who are you picking?

I’d have to pick Ciarán O’Brien. He’s a man of many talents.

Which teammate spends the most time in the gym?

Darren Enright.

Who’s the biggest joker in the dressing room?

Either Brendan Fuller or Declan Fuller. It must run in their family.

Which teammate would you want backing you up in a fight?

Alan Mulligan. I’d definitely be confident with him by my side.

Which teammate would you least like to get stuck in an elevator with?

Dion O’Neill. You never know what he’s going to do next.

If you could steal any of your teammates’ attributes, what would it be/from whom?

I’d say Donnchadh Grealy’s speed and his ability to break the line. That would be very useful for me.

Who’s the best player you’ve ever played with?

In Killarney, Dave Howard or Ger Moynihan. I played with UL Bohs in Limerick and I’d have to say Evan O’Connell for them.

And the best player you’ve played against?

When we were under 18 we played Cobh Pirates and Edwin Edogbo of Munster was playing for them. That was not fun.

What was the low point of your sporting life so far?

We had a very good team under 18 but the season was cut short due to Covid. That was disappointing.

What was the highlight?

Any time we’ve won something. The year before Covid the U18s won the West Munster Cup and we have won a couple of Kerry Cups with the seniors as well. With UL Bohs we won the U20 Donal Walsh competition so that was another highlight.

If you had to compare yourself to a current professional rugby player, who would it be?

The Australian loose head prop Angus Bell.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

I think it would be my parents saying, “do whatever makes you happy”.

If you could change one rugby rule, what would it be?

Bring back the croc roll.

Are you interested in other sports besides rugby?

Yeah I try to play golf every now and then, obviously Gaelic football, and I like watching the NBA and the darts around this time of year.

How’s the golf going?

Not good. At all.

Are you watching a series at the moment?

I just started watching Say Nothing on Disney+. It’s about the Troubles.

I heard it was good…

Ah it’s brilliant.

Which actor would play you in a movie about your life?

John Travolta when he was a young fella back in the day.

What’s your go-to pre-game song?

I just throw on a Dire Straits playlist. Anything by them.

What would you sing at karaoke?

Crazy World by Aslan.

Great tune. Favourite meal?

Any sort of Asian food.

And your favourite spot in Killarney to eat?

Khao, definitely.

Shout out to Eddie. Final question: if you could invite three people, living or dead, to a dinner party, who would they be?

I’d invite the comedians Shane Gillis and David McSavage. They’d be very funny together. And then I’d throw in Danny Healy-Rae for the craic.

That would certainly be interesting. Matt, thanks a million. All the best for the rest of the season.

Thanks very much, Adam.