The Loves Of My Life

Anna Geary on her favourite things

The person

I’d better say himself, Kev Sexton. Though he’s a Dub, I don’t hold it against him.

The memory

My summers are filled with happy memories of playing camogie. Lifting the All-Ireland Cup as Cork captain in 2014 is a moment that will forever shine out.

The moment of the day

When you wake up before you alarm goes off and you realise you still have time to turn over and snooze!

The song

So many to choose from. 5ive’s Got the

Feeling always makes me smile. Such great memories attached.

The movie

Pretty Woman or Gran Torino — light years apart, but both equally appealing to me.

The hero

My mam. She is so decisive and always stands by her own judgment. She is easy-going and heart-warming, too. Best of both worlds. She’s the first person on my speed-dial list if I need advice, or if I need to have a rant.

The book

Unravelling Oliver by Irish author Liz Nugent, if you want a short, gripping page turner. Also Friday Night Lights by HG Bissinger, for motivation in a sporting setting. I was obsessed with the Netflix series.

The outfit:

Nothing beats a new pair of pyjamas for comfort and relaxation. When I am after a long day, I love the thought of coming home, washing the day off my face, taking off my bra, and putting on new PJs.

The accessory

I always feel great if I slip on a pair of high heels.

The gadget

My iPhone. It’s my portable laptop/ camera/notebook/calendar. It an extension of me, unfortunately, but I’m trying to practice a little ‘unplugging’ this year — it’s a work in progress.

The pet hate:

Being late! I like to fit as much as possible into every day, which means I’m often rushing. It’s one of the few things that put me in bad form, yet I cannot help it.

The friend

I am blessed to have great friends

— Claire, Joanna, Lisa, Brid, Miriam, Michelle, and that’s only the gals in my life. Shout out goes to Joanne Browne, who has seen me at my best and worst.

The celebrity

Probably James Corden or Jimmy Kimmel. I think they are both hilarious.

The beauty product:

L’Oreal liquid eyeliner and Benefit brow pencil. If I have 60 seconds to get ready, these are the products I use.

The holiday

I was in New Zealand for the month of January with my other half. What a country! We hired a jeep and drove down through the North Island. We didn’t have time to go the South Island, but it’s an excuse to go back!

The part of my body

My eyes — they are the windows to your soul, after all.

The piece of advice:

Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

The drink:

Nothing beats a well-made cup of tea. On a night out, it would be Jameson and ginger ale. Yum!

The hotel

Castlemartyr Hotel in Cork for the grounds and the dogs... and, of course, the sheer luxury!

The bar

There are a few — The Castle, The Courthouse, The Wash, and, of course, Rearden’s! Take your pick — these were our usual spots when we were on a Cork team night out.

The hobby

Camogie. It helped to shape me into who I am. I developed my passion for sport through playing camogie. I owe the game so much. It has given me over 20 All-Ireland medals, life-long friendships, the opportunity to meet some of my heroes, and, ultimately, camogie helped me to forge a career.

The virtue

Kindness. You can literally make someone’s day better just by smiling at them.

The vice

Cakes or sugary treats. The struggle is real!

The smell

Sun cream, my mam’s perfume and freshly cut grass — all of those things remind me of summers growing up at home.

The taste

Banoffee pie.

“I love the thought of coming home, washing the day off my face, taking off my bra, and putting on new PJs”

“Camogie has given me All-Ireland medals, life-long friendships and the opportunity to meet some of my heroes”