From Commonwealth glory to Lurgan Thirds

One week he's wrestling his way into fifth place at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the next he's getting his knees dirty on the rugby field at Pollock Park.

36-year-old Mark was given the honour of carrying the flag for Team NI at the Commonwealth Games where he went on to finish fifth in both the Greco Roman and Freestyle categories within the Wrestling discipline.

No sooner was he home from the games than he was turning out in a friendly match for Lurgan Thirds.

Mark is looking forward to relaxing and spending some quality time with his family after a busy summer in preparation for the games.

The 'MAIL' caught up with him this week to find out about his experience in Delhi and his plans for the future.

Before the games began there were a lot of negative reports in the media about the condition of athletes' accommodation, training facilities and the stadiums themselves. Mark reckoned the bad publicity may have worked in favour of the games.

He said: "I think it was just a bit of sensationalism from the media. The accommodation was five star.

"We were staying in three-bedroom apartments that are going to be sold off as luxury apartments now the games are over. I think whenever the team arrived out about two weeks beforehand the apartments were a bit rough. The workmen were living in them to save them going back and forward, but once we arrived they'd been cleaned up.

"In India they have different perceptions of things being on time. We expect things to be done in advance by about three weeks, but there everything is total chaos up to the day."

Mark added: "A lot of people didn't know the Commonwealth Games were coming up so as a result of the stories, the games got a lot of publicity."

He continued: "The food was first class. I didn't know of anyone who got Delhi belly. It was the same caterers as Melbourne. They had to feed 7,000 - the canteen was the size of a rugby field."

Mark spoke of the build up to the opening ceremony where he was to end up having the honour of carrying the flag for Team NI.

"We arrived on the 28th to give us a few days to get over the jetlag," he explained.

"The climate was warm, but you didn't have to be in the sun. You could get access to everything indoors. The training facilities were great.

"I found out on the Friday I'd be carrying the flag. Whenever you arrive you're thinking about the competition the whole time. If anything it took my mind off it. All the team got behind me, everyone was brilliant."

He continued: "Compared to Manchester, the team spirit was far, far better. The weekend before we went on a residential weekend and also did quite a lot of team building. When we arrived at the airport everyone knew everyone."

When Mark competed at the Manchester games he had done so in Judo. Since then he's transferred his talent to Wrestling thanks to Sport NI and coach John O'Rawe.

He finished fifth in both the Greco Roman and the freestyle categories. There's only been one person from Northern Ireland who has finished higher in the history of Wrestling at the Commonwealth Games.

He said: "My agreed target was to finish in the top eight in one event so to get into the top five in both was brilliant. I couldn't have done any better. I couldn't have been in better shape psychologically or physically.

"I was drawn against the Indian favourite in the first match (Greco Roman) and in the other event (Freestyle) I was against the Nigerian who went on to win it."

When the competitive aspect of the games were finished for Mark he had a bit of time to take in other sports and see parts of India.

"We went to the Taj Mahal - it was amazing. I went to watch the Rugby Sevens. I got on well with the Kiwis. One of the Kiwi boys had come over to train with me before the games.

"On Tuesday I went to watch the boxers. It was a really fantastic result for them. They set new records for themselves and finished highest out of the countries at the boxing. I think they were hoping three or four medals but five was fantastic."

Mark concluded: "Carrying the flag was the absolute highlight. It's the only multi-national tournament that Northern Ireland can enter on their own. It was a privilege to lead my country out. There's only been 19 Commonwealth Games so only 19 different people have done this."

The 36-year-old, who is married to Rosie and has three children - Luke, Eve and Anna, added: "I don't know what I'm going to do now. I'm taking a break for a month or so, playing a bit of rugby, and I'll take it from there.

"Before the games I was training nine times a week. Friends and family were pushed aside. For the next month I'm going to try to get back to what a normal family man should be."