In The Spotlight - Ciaran Mullan (Drumsurn)

They may be languishing in mid table mediocrity in Division Two but Drumsurn’s championship run, despite being unexpected just proves that championship football is all on the day. 

Gaels in the county will surely have raised an eyebrow at their 5-22 to 0-4 defeat at the hands of Craigbane a few weeks back.  The margin of defeat would suggest relegation form, rather than a team 120 minutes away from a county title. 

Due to the work situation, many of the Drumsurn players are working away and have to pick the weekends they come home.  That league game just wasn’t important enough.  Promotion will not have been order of the day.

This week will be a different story.  When they take the field they should have their entire hand to pick from.  Work won’t be top priority, with all roads leading to home.  One man who will make that journey is Ciaran ‘Banty’ Mullan.  He is the man that makes Drumsurn tick, acting as provider for inside forward Pearse McNickle.

A vital part of Derry’s 2002 All-Ireland minor team, ‘Banty’ has yet to force himself into John Brennan’s plans.  Last season a serious knee injury kept him out of action.  They often say you never miss anything until it’s gone, Mullan will fully appreciate his football this season and the buzz that a championship run brings.

With the travelling involved, championship preparations are very different for Drumsurn than for other teams, but this weekend the scoreboard will start at 0-0 each and the 23 point defeat will count for very little. 

In our second part of the semi-final build-up, we find out about the man behind Drumsurn’s attacking threat and what makes him tick.

Name: Ciaran Mullan

Nickname: Banty

Club: Drumsurn

Age: 27

Height: 5 '9'

Weight: 12st

Occupation: Electrician.

Boots/Gloves Worn: Puma King Boots/PFS gloves.

Favourite Film: Gladiator.

Favourite Song: U2 With or Without You.

Favourite Food: Chicken/chocolate.

Favourite Drink: Powerade.

Favourite pitch: Drumsurn.

Best thing about playing football: Winning.

Worst thing about football: Losing.

Pre Match Meal: Scrambled eggs, beans and toast.

Pre Game Superstition: Use the toilet.

Toughest opponent: Them all.

Best player played with: Patsy Bradley.

Sporting Highlight: All Ireland Minor Champions 2002.

Biggest Disappointment: Cruciate injury last year/losing championship final 2002.

Childhood idol: Maurice Fitzgerald.

Biggest influence in your career: Parents, Seamus Mullan (Arty) and Richard Ferris.

Advice for young players: Work both sides - left and right foot.

Best trainer in the club: Ciaran Ferris in gym and Thomas O’Kane on the pitch.

Worst trainer in the club: Steven Harbinson, though some say I am.

Other Sports played: Rugby.