As the dust settles on a massive weekend for Antrim club hurling, attention now switches to the football scene as Erin’s Own Cargin and St. Enda’s make their debut on this year’s Ulster stage. Saffron Gael reporter, Geordie McGuckin speaks to one of Cargin’s youngsters, Jamie Gribbin who is looking forward to his Ulster debut against Gaoth Dobhair of Donegal at Corrigan Park on Sunday.
Tuesday evening and the dust had begun to settle and the celebrations were nearing closure as the Cargin men having celebrated their latest championship success the ‘new kid on the block’ Jamie Gribbin sat down for a chat and reflected on the previous Sunday and the day he pocketed his first senior medal.
The nineteen year old who had been brought into the ranks of the seniors last year by John Brennan whilst still involved in the ‘minors’, was thrust into championship fare as the defending champions opened in defense of their title in an opening round victory over Aghagallon and he went and retain his position against St John’s in the initial drawn affair, and again in the replay in which the Toome men were to lose their crown.
A change in management at the Shore road club for the present season saw Damien Cassidy assume the ‘hot seat’ at Cargin, and the Bellaghy native who arrived as an All Ireland medal winner with Derry, and an impressive CV in both club and county management, kept faith with Jamie Gribbin, and as the events of 2018 were to unfold the vote of confidence was to prove well founded.
The rookie was given a good introduction on the ‘bread and butter’ scene of the league before going on to impress in championship fare.
A slim individual, fair of feature with a cheeky grin who would most likely be asked to produce his ID if he looked to purchase a beer, is in fact a second year student studying ‘Building and Surveying’, at UUJ, pulled up a chair and with a mug of coffee In hand and still wearing that broad smile which had been evident since the previous Sunday evening as he recounted his arrival to the senior ranks and championship success.
Jamie Gribbin was destined to make his way in the GAA as his dad Matthew, from a family that needs no introduction in the Association having represented both Derry and Antrim at under-21 level, and senior competition and his mum Patricia hailing from the Moneymore based Young family equally steeped firmly in the GAA tradition.
“I really enjoyed my progress through the under-age system, he started, and especially my time in the minors in which I learned a lot from JC Devlin and when John Brennan asked me into the senior ranks in the summer of 2018 I leaped at the opportunity.
Jeez I was to be standing shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Mick and Tomas Mc Cann, Kobo, Justy Crozier and Tony Scullion. Sure I remember my dad taking me down to Tullamore six or seven years back and watching those lads in an Antrim team line out against Kerry in an All Ireland qualifier, and I will never forget Tony Scullion’s goal.
I had a few senior league outings prior to championship and although we were not hard pressed in the opener against Aghagallon ultimate disappointment was to follow as we eventually went out to the Johnnies when after an initial drawn affair and a replay which followed ended level again the Corrigan men nicked the verdict after extra time.
My first taste of senior championship and those exhausting 150 minutes and more than a few welcoming knocks left a lasting impression.”
“A new management team had arrived at Cargin for the new season and I was delighted that my presence was still required under the new regime as Damien Cassidy and Ronan Devlin were installed.
The new management required no introduction with the lads being well aware of their capabilities and the entire panels were impressed right from the outset with the new approach to training.
We were all made aware that the ‘championship’ was the focus and although a few results went against us in the early stages of the league, and we lost out to our neighbours from Creggan in the O’ Cahan cup final the upcoming game against the reigning county champions from Lamh Dhearg occupied most attention”.
.“Despite preparations being hampered by a lengthy injury list we stared well against Lamh Dearg in the opening round of the championship up at Creggan, but despite holding a six point lead at the end of the first half a couple of Paddy Cunningham goals saw them move ahead by a couple of points before Tomas Mc Cann’s late scores earned us another chance.
That was a close call but we made no mistake in the replay despite seeing Mick (Mc Cann) sent off and coming away from Corrigan with a handy advantage we were set to meet up with the St Gall’s men in the semi-final.
St. Gall’s had impressed this season and had proved too strong for us in both the league games but we had prepared well and approached the game, switched to Creggan in a positive frame of mind.
An incredible game in which we trailed throughout and although I was lucky to arrive on time to gather a cute Michael Magill flick and sent to the net to see us on terms late in the game but the city men struck back with a couple of points from Eoghan Mc Cabe and Michael Pollock and it looked like we were out.
Tomas had other ideas however and he came to the rescue again and that injury time strike which has enjoyed a wide audience all over the country since provided an incredible finish and we were in the final.
Another county final for Cargin and having been as a spectator previously in four or five I had to pinch myself to believe I was to be involved in this one.”
“We had anticipated a final against our near neighbours and when Creggan duly delivered with a couple of points to spare in their semi-final win over the Johnnies the next day the prospect of a championship final against our keenest rivals had everybody talking.
The next couple of weeks in preparation for what was to be a historic occasion ensured that tension increased day by day but we were well prepared and arrived at the Ahoghill venue in confident mood.
A huge crowd had gathered in anticipation and in truth the whole thing passed me by on the day but I have had time to reflect on an occasion I will remember for the rest of my life.
Sure, the pundits were unhappy and passed comments aplenty on the content of the final, but in the event we did what we had to do and having been well prepared by Damien and Ronan for whatever circumstances dictated, and despite the negativity the MacNamee is back in Toome and I have a first ever senior championship medal.”
“Some have suggested that this will be the Cargin ‘swansong’ but I don’t know where they are coming from to reach such conclusion.
I hear no suggestions of imminent retirements from within the ranks and with a big panel which includes a big number of lads of 17 and 18 and the return to the green and white of both Podgy (Ryan Mc Kiernan) and RD (Ronan Devlin) imminent the prophesy of Cargin’s demise is unfounded”.
“We will now prepare for Ulster and no doubt the champions of Donegal will travel up to our neck of the woods in confident mode.
We will start as underdogs but those who would suggest as no-hopers may have to eat their words”
Whatever happens on Sunday Jamie Gribbin is sure to play his part if called upon. He has been a breath of fresh air since coming into the Cargin side last year and his skill, pace and insatiable work-rate could cause problems for the Donegal champions.