A Conversation with Philadelphia Independence midfielder Sinead Farrelly | Our Game Magazine

University of Virginia alumni and 2011 WPS No. 2 overall draft pick Sinead Farrelly recently did the following interview, Courtesy of Our Game Magazine.


By David Bayer

Did you miss us? A minor thing called the "World Cup" interrupted our interview process. But we’re back, and we had a great time watching the games. We had a special treat this time … an interview with not only a player with our old hometown team, but an actual Philadelphia native!


Emma with Sinead Farrelly

 Sinead Farrelly – Midfielder – Philadelphia Independence
Birth date: November 16, 1989

Hometown: Havertown, PA

Nicknames: “Shin”, “Nade”, “Shinbad”. “Shay” is the newest one from her teammates.

Age she started soccer: 5

College: University of Virginia. She will be finishing electives in the fall towards a degree in sociology.

Why she wears number 14: It was the only number left. She originally wanted #17 – her college number.

Favorite pregame foods: Usually something high in carbs (chicken & pasta), but she loves sandwiches (chicken breast, spinach, tomato and onion…toasted)

Workout music: Anything upbeat (Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj)

Superstitions: She doesn’t have any, but her trainer insists on always taping her right ankle first.

Favorite Cartoon Character: Not a fan of cartoons, but she does like reality TV. Keeping up with the Kardashians is a favorite. “When I don’t want to do anything, and I don’t want to think, I like to just sit down and watch something that will make me laugh.”

Favorite Movie: “Notting Hill” with Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts. She likes romantic comedies.

Favorite Actress: She has a “girl crush” on Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl)

Mentor: Her family has always supported her soccer playing. She’s had some great coaches, including Steve Swanson at the University of Virginia.

Favorite Charity: She and her family have done walks for breast cancer.

Favorite Players from the 1999 U.S. World Cup team: Shannon MacMillan & Michelle Akers

Surprising Fact About Sinead: Her family recently had a house built in Ireland, and she’ll be heading over there after the Fall. She lived in Ireland for three years.
Our thanks to Sinead for talking to us. You’ve heard about the typical Philly fan, right? Rude, crazy and obnoxious? (I can say that because I was one of them). Sinead was nothing like that at all.