Q&A With New Signing, Josh Marchbanks

With the Senior Team is set to kickoff their 2017 season this Sunday, we speak with new recruit Josh Marchbanks to find out about more about him and how he has settled into the team.

Who is your favourite NFL & College team and player?
"I don't really care too much for the NFL but I like Oakland, Seattle, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami. I mostly follow for fantasy football. College team, die hard Oregon State Beavers! Home town team. I also follow the Miami Hurricanes closely as well as Washington Huskies. Favourite NFL player ever would be Maurice Jones-Drew who has now retired."
 
If you could compare your own playing style to any NFL star, who would it be and why?
"I don't compare myself to NFL players, they are that 1% elite athlete so it doesn't make sense to me. But I like watching highlights of Mike Vick, Sean Taylor, Ed Reed, and Randy Moss. 'The U' part 2 on 30/30 gets me going."
 
You have played in Brazil most recently, how did you find the language barrier?
"Brazil was very hard for me as far as language went. I started at QB, we were 3-1 with the 2nd highest scoring offense at that point but I couldn't call audibles or communicate simple changes in the huddle so I switched to OLB/S which worked out better. Easy to see the plays before they develop over there."
 
What is your favourite memory from your Football career so far?
"3 favourite memories. Playing in the ICFL vs RMFL game in Salt Lake City Utah. Taking a few ICFL guys and playing against the central Oregon blizzard team in Idaho. Winning the LIFFA championship last year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil."
 
There has been quite a few rookies on board at the Cowboys this season, how do you find training up guys who are completely new to the sport compared to back home where the sport is so much more mainstream?
"Brazil and Ireland have a lot of new guys. One thing in common is the physical part. Outside of the US it seems people don't have that killer instinct to smack someone. They don't like the physical part of the game. But I prefer working with the new guys, they seem more eager to learn, most of them absorb the information and I like teaching."
 
Obviously in Craigavon the weather quite a lot different to Brazil, do you think overcoming the conditions will be a factor when playing here?
"HUGE difference. Brazil you are playing in 90-95F weather with a mid-day kick off. Fields are dry, ground is hard, you have to force water down 2-3 days before game day. Here, it is hard to get warm, field is always wet, slick, gripping the ball is hard when throwing, WRs dropping balls, fumbles. Weather will be difficult to play in for sure."
 
We have a lot of rookies this season, what advice would you give to the new guys that have just came on board? 
"Get involved and stay involved. You won't get on the field very much so when you do, make a statement. Light someone up, throw a key block, get an INT, and score a TD. Coach can't sit a hitter or playmaker. STAY POSITIVE."

The Cowboys will take on the Westmeath Minotaurs this Sunday at Mullingar RFC, kickoff scheduled for 2pm. There are a limited amount of seats left on the bus, if you want to come and support the 'Boys, drop us a message here or on Facebook.