John Mullins, Bord Gáis CEO, is no stranger to the small ball and while he may be more comfortable these days on the golf course, with a handicap of 13, his hurling pedigree is in no doubt coming from Cork as he does and as this ‘Hurling In the Blood’ interview demonstrates.
1. How long did your hurling career last?
23 years
2. What age were you when it started/finished?
6 to 29
3. Did you win any hurling honours?
Minor and U21 County medals with club
4. What was your greatest moment on the hurling pitch?
Marking Tim Crowley, Cork great, in a match
5. Do you still pick up the stick every once in a while?
Yes, with my son. He plays with Kiltha Og in East Cork
6. Which hurlers do you most admire and why?
Henry Shefflin, glue that held the great 4 in a row team together
Jimmy Barry Murphy for his all round intelligence on the field
Tommy Walsh for his ability to play in any position to the same level
7. Which club/county do you support?
I support Bishopstown, my home club and Cork
8. What was the best match you ever attended?
The 1976 All Ireland Final at eight years of age – Cork won – It was first visit to Croke Park
9. Would you prefer a 65 into the wind and rain at Croker or a 12 foot putt at Augusta?
12 foot putt at Augusta
10. An Oscar acceptance speech or a Liam McCarthy victory speech?
Liam McCarthy Speech
11. If you could play with any county team which would it be and why?
Tipperary – great tradition and skill – my grandmother was from Emly
12. Have any of the skills you learned from hurling been of benefit to you in your current career?
Leadership and determination was emphasised in the North Mon
13. Who is going to win the Liam McCarthy in 2011?
Tipperary
14. Who will win the U-21 Hurling Championship in your view?
I was tipping Cork originally but having seen how Limerick performed in the Munster final i would have to give them the nod.
15. Which fellow businessman would you like on your hurling team?
Michael O’Leary
16. What is your favourite GAA ground?
Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney – the view is spectacular
17. Our website is called breakingthrough.ie. What was your break through moment?
Moving to North Mon school in 1976 and receiving a great coaching in hurling
18. Which hurling manager would you most liked to have played under?
Nicky English
19. What was your best attribute/skill on the hurling pitch?
Catching the ball and getting stuck in
20. What was the last hurling game you attended?
East Cork Final between Castlemartyr and Dungourney
21. You are one point down in the All-Ireland final and you have just been awarded a penalty in the last play of the game…goal or point?
Goal