The Irish Curse
...Or Sheamus O'Shaunessy (SOS) to his 'friends' is two time Irish whip wrestling champion. Shelley Marsden tackles him about wrestling, the true meaning of his nickname and being ginger..... - 17/01/07
Did you wrestle your mates to the ground as a child or were you meek and mild?
From a very early age, I was always bigger and stronger than the lads in my immediate peer group. I would challenge all my close friends and arch-enemies to see if they could take me down. After a while, no one bothered as they got fed up going home beaten and bruised. I was a bit like Setanta in that way!
You're a big bloke - how much training do you do and what does it consist of? And what do you eat?!
To be the best at any sport you need to commit yourself to your training 110%. I hit the gym every morning at 6.30am for a full hour. On top of that I hit the wrestling gym three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two hour sessions. It's the only way to keep me top of my game. I also fight competitively twice or three times at weekends. I live for this sport and I can never allow myself to fall behind my opponent in strength or fitness. As for diet; on an average day I put away a meal Fionn MacCumhaill would be proud of which includes 20 eggs, 3 Protein Shakes, 4 chicken fillets and two tins of tuna. All the wholesome goodness a growing 19 stone Celtic Warrior needs!!
If you were in a pub and a fight kicked off what would you do?
It depends. Being someone that loves to fight I'd let them at it. I believe in a fair fight. However, if the numbers were unbalanced in one side’s favour then I may just have to step in and help out the underdog. It just wouldn't be fair otherwise. In the past I’ve provided personal security for Bono, so I’m well versed in quelling the braying mob!
Some say pro-wrestling is for pussies – how would you answer them?
Easy. Step in the ring with The Irish Curse and see how easy it is to stroke this Cat!
Now you're a celeb fighter do you have the ladies falling at your feet?
The ladies generally go for poncey pretty boys like David Beckham and Robbie Williams. And I certainly ain't no pretty boy. But just like Justin Timberlake’s ‘Bringing Sexy Back’ Sheamus O’Shaunessy is Bringing Ginger Back! The freckled Irish redhead is going to be the new look in the fashion capitals of the world in 2007. FACT.
How and when does the true Irishman come out?
How do you define a true Irishman? I haven’t met one in a while... What I am trying to do with the Sheamus O’Shaunessy character is redefine the image of the Irishman around the world. Now that I’m living in London, I’m tired of the ‘drunken Paddy’ stereotype. I want the next generation of kids growing up to think of a righteous warrior race when they think of the Irish, rather than plastic shamrock and shillelagh wielding piss-heads. Let’s face it, we were great once and hopefully will be again.
Have you succeeded in making ginger hair and freckles cool?
As a kid growing up in Dublin I took a load of verbal about being a ginger. I hated it and tried everything to play down my look by shaving my head and trying in vain to get a tan on sunbeds or out in the back garden. But since I’ve got into Wrestling being a ginger has become a gift rather than a curse. It sets me apart from everyone and makes me immediately recognisable as Irish or Celtic. An American professional wrestler, trying to make a name for himself using the Irish gimmick, once said in shock when he saw me: “My God, You are the most token looking Irishman I have ever seen in my life!” I took that as a compliment.
For the full article, see The Irish World newspaper.
If you want any more info on yours truly or want to join Clan SOS check out official website, www.sosofficial.com. I've Always Been, I'll Always Be, COME WITH ME
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