Bernard Allen

Name: Bernard Allen

Club: Tubber

Date of Birth: 19 March 1991

League Debut: 06/02/2011 v Cavan
League Appearances: 27

Championship Debut: 28/05/2011
Championship Appearances: 6

Occupation: Sales Rep with Molloy Environmental Systems

Schools/College Attended: Moate Community School and Dublin Institute of Technology

Position: Corner Forward

Weight: 12 stone

Height: 5ft 10

Achievements with club to date: U-14 ‘B’ Football Championship, U-16 ‘B’ Football Championship, U-21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship, Junior B Hurling Championship

When and where did you first start playing football? I started playing football when I was about 6 or 7 down in Tubber. I was a chubby little corner back way back then!

Biggest influence on your football career: Parents definitely. They’ve probably only missed a handful of games since I started playing football. I still remember days they used to drive all over the country for U-14 development squad games.

What sporting event would you most like to attend? Has to be the Super Bowl

To date what is your favourite moment in sport? All of my best days playing football have been with my college, DIT, so it would have to be winning the Sigerson Cup in 2013. Scoring a sensational goal against DCU in the semi-final was also very memorable.

Favourite Venue: Croke Park

Favourite G.A.A. player: Ciaran McManus

What sportsperson would you most like to meet? David Beckham. Top man

What is the hardest part of your sporting life? I enjoy playing sport so it’s not hard really. I suppose obviously no one likes the running in winter and after that keeping the diet strict would be the hardest part for me

Toughest player to mark in training? Sean Pender

Who is the ‘joker’ on the panel? Our S&C coach, Dave Hare is probably the biggest joker of the lot. He is a Dub so he never shuts up! He’s a great character. After that, I’d say Joey O’Connor for thinking he is a hurler.

If you won the lotto what would be the first thing you would buy?! Depending on the amount, I’d like to buy a League one/two football club in the U.K.

Favourite holiday destination: Anywhere with Sun!

Favourite Food: Lasagne

Favourite Drink: Milk

Favourite Music: I’d listen to anything really. From One Direction to Kanye West.

Favourite Film: Marley and Me

In ten years time I hope to be: Healthy anyway. After that hopefully settled, happy and successful in both my personal life and work.

One thing you may not know about me…… My good friend Caomhan Sheridan gave me the nickname ‘Panda’. I was 13 and a little chubby guy just trying to get by. I had a black and white jacket I used to wear to school. He referred to me looking like a ‘Panda’ one day and somehow it managed to stick ever since. I don’t know how. There are actually people now who don’t know my real name it’s got that bad.