Tell us a little bit about yourself:

My name is Neil Crean, I am 43 years old and originally from Gurranabraher. I moved to Banduff in 2006 after I met my future wife Eimear who is a Mayfield woman. We have three boys Ryan aged nine, Daniel aged six and Luke aged four who are all involved in Mayfield GAA Club. 

I work in SR Technics and have been there for the last 22 years. 

I became involved with Mayfield GAA Club a number of years ago when my eldest boy joined and since then have coached him and his team at under 8, under 9 and now under 10 level.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night? 

My typical Friday night during the Spring/Summer months is spent training our team with fellow coaches Jerry and Paul at Mayfield GAA pitches. During the Winter months I can be found cheering on my younger two sons during their training sessions as our training moves to a Saturday morning in the Winter. Following this, it is normally a movie and popcorn with the boys at home but when we get the chance my wife and I try to get out for a meal together.

Lie ins or up with the lark.. which is it for you?

I am up with the lark anyway as I keep Racing Pigeons and try to get my jobs done as early as possible before heading to matches or other activities with the boys.

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

I do work some weekends.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

If money was no object I would head to Disneyland Paris with the family and New York for an extended weekend with Eimear.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

Spending time in the loft with my pigeons recharges the batteries for me and I immensely enjoy it. I am a 4th generation pigeon fancier so was born with a scraper in my hand!!! I am proud to say that we are one of oldest pigeon fancier families in Ireland.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

As Eimear and myself both have small families, we would see them on a regular basis and at the weekends support my niece and Eimear’s nephews in their various activities.

Do you get to indulge any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

GAA and pigeon racing are my hobbies and as they take up quite a lot of my time I haven't much to spare for any other hobbies.

Entertain or be entertained? If it's the latter do you have a signature dish?

I prefer to be entertained and enjoy heading to Cafe Mexicana for dinner as I worked there after finishing school many years ago.

Sunday night comes around too fast.how do you normally spend it?

Sunday night is normally spent relaxing at home with my family.

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

I have an early start on Monday mornings with my alarm going off at 06.30am.

* Neil who is a member of Mayfield GAA Club, will be marching in the Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday March 17. Mayfield GAA Club which was founded in 1893 have more than 200 players and they field teams in hurling, gaelic football and Ladies GAA.

The 2019 Cork St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be a vibrant carnival of colours, music, marching bands, amazing floats and community groups with up to 3,000 participants taking part. Organised by Cork City Council, the Parade will begin at 1pm and the theme is “Stories of Cork”.

See www.corkstpatricksfestival.ie for more