Real Name

Dermot McGovern

Location

Oxford

Occupation

Student (desperately trying to avoid getting a proper job), Father, husband, bon viveur and more recently dedicated follower of irish

Favourite: Movie(s)

Zulu, Lawrence of Arabia, Sparticus, Ben Huir, Gladiator – you get the gist.

TV Programme(s)

Ballykissangel (Orla mmm!), Robot Wars (sad but true), Columbo, Have I got news for you, Never mind the Buzzcocks

Book(s)

Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe Series, anything by Patrick O’Brian or Bill Bryson

Music

‘Craicing’ music, Meatloaf, Queen, U2, Opera, oh and any version of the ‘Fields of Athenry’ (reminds me of good times!). Not a big fan of the vile din unless played in an irish fiddle sort of manner.

Radio Station(s)

Classic FM, Radio football live, anywhere I can find test match special

Food(s)

Curry- Indian and Thai, seafood – in fact anything really just lots of it

Drinks(s)

AGs, Wine (big fan of Rioja)

Place(s) to visit

Kerry, Isles of Scilly (Tresco), Sri Lanka, Oz (Northern Territory), San Diego

How long supporting LI?

Passive- as long as I can remember. Playing rugby at weekends and living abroad made active support more difficult (though I was a member of an unofficial LISC in the middle east) – occasional visits to home matches around Xmas. Actively – since moving to oxford and particularly in the last 2 seasons.

Best ever LI game (Excluding 2002 cup final)

Tiggers away – 2003, Great craic with the LI supporters. Made a lot of noise – well received by tiggers supporters not to mention that the team were outstanding completing the double over the tiggers and 1^st ever win at Welford Rd and taking a giant step towards securing our premiership safety. I hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything for weeks worried as I was about our very future. Also honoured to secure a lift with Supporters supporter of the year thus allowing a few AGs and good banter in the car.

Favourite LI experience off pitch (Excluding 2002 cup final)

Has to be St Paddys 2002. We won (!) and a great party afterwards despite the rain. Craicing bus ride back into reading (singing, banter etc) where the party continued long and hard.

How did you start supporting LI?

Irish, rugby player, living in non-rugby area (ie no local strong team) in England, Father a LI supporter – no choice really. Having become more active as a supporter – now realise there is no alternative!!

What are your non-rugby pastimes?

Spending time with the family. Sport – golf, cricket, water sports, reading, sleeping and eating

Any Irish connection?

1/2 Irish (from limerick) and fiercely proud of it, 3/8 English (a ¼ of which is Cornish) and an 1/8 W*lsh. Dangerous Celtic mixture just about held in check by the English ‘stiff upper lip’

Most likely to say?

‘Guinness please.’ ‘Touch judge – get involved.’ ‘Dewi, Dewi whats the score?’ ‘It was God’ (Mrs G will understand)

Least likely to say?

‘Cherryaid and Malibu please.’ ‘Good game Ref.’ ‘Shut those bl**dy drums up.’ ‘No thanks I’ve had enough’

Tell us something about you we don't know.

Have played rugby against tofty and O’Sheas (at University) both in honourable defeats. They were both awesome. Recently presented some research at a meeting in Florida wearing a LI Rugby shirt. First question ‘Could you kindly explain to me the significance of that shirt you’re wearing?’. Sod the research let’s cut to the really important stuff!!