St. Ergnat’s man relishes Tyrone challenge
When Antrim take the field to face Tyrone tomorrow evening at the Athletic Ground Moneyglass youngster, Patrick McCormick is the man likely to be wearing the number 2 jersey and the St. Ergnat’s defender is looking forward to his championship debut against Tyrone.
The Saffron Gael spoke to the St. Ergnat’s man, who made his debutant at the start of this year’s National League and has established himself as a regular in Lenny Harbin’s side to get his thoughts on tomorrow’s encounter.
McCormick made his debut on the Moneyglass side as a raw 16 year old and was quick to establish himself as a regular on the St. Ergnat’s side. Honours at senior level have evaded him to date but his side are going well in division 2 of the ACFL and should be in the shake up for promotion come the end of the season.
He has enjoyed success at under age level however with his club, winning U16B and U21B championships with the Marrion Hill side while representing Antrim at every age level up to U21 before making his senior debut this year.
McCormick was one of the Saffrons most consistent performers over an up and down league campaign but takes a lot of positives from a campaign which failed to deliver the ultimate goal of promotion.
Patrick McCormick Interview
Question: This is your first year on the Antrim Senior team how have you found it and how have you enjoyed it?
Answer: I have really enjoyed my first year on the senior team. The training has been challenging but playing with the best players within the county has been enjoyable.
Question: Have you represented Antrim at any other level prior to your call up to the Antrim senior panel?
Answer: I have represented Antrim from U16 right through the ranks to senior.
Question: You have been a regular on the Moneyglass team for quite a number of years now. What age did you make your senior debut at and what honours have you won with your club?
Answer: I was 16 years old when I made my senior debut. I was part of the teams that won the Minor B championship and U21 B championship with my club.
Question: You will be looking forward to your championship debut on Saturday evening. How has the build-up been?
Answer: The build-up has been really positive and exciting and the team is looking forward to throw in.
Question: Have the team been doing anything different in their preparation as opposed to what they did in the build up to their National League games?
Answer: We have been building on our performance and fine tuning tactics.
Question: What has the mood been like in the Antrim camp?
Answer: The mood in the Antrim camp is very positive and when you reflect on our performance in the national league we can take some heart from the fact that three of our defeats were only by one point and we have the best defensive record in Division 4.
Question: Tell me about the friendless-challenge games Antrim have played in the build up to Saturday. How did they go?
Answer: We played a challenge game against Down and were beaten by a goal, but overall team performance was strong.
Question: Who are the players who have impressed you since you joined the Antrim panel? Who do you look up to and what players have had the most influence on your career?
Answer: Fitzy and Ryan Murray have impressed me and always give me a toasting at training.
Question: Antrim will go into Saturday’s game as massive underdogs but how do you rate your chances.
Answer: We have a solid platform from our NFL campaign and our challenge games. Going in as the underdogs we have nothing to lose and are comfortable in that knowledge.
Question: Is there anything else you would like to add about Saturday and about your first season as an Antrim senior player?
Answer: Really looking forward to making my senior debut on Saturday and hope I have many more games to follow.
Patrick McCormick has been one of Antrim’s most consistent performers this season. At a time where some of Antrim’s more experienced players have called it a day with the Saffrons it is refreshing to see a new breed of young players taking up the challenge.
Antrim will start as massive underdogs tomorrow night and that could be a positive motivating factor for Lenny Harbison’s side. One thing’s for sure, whoever Patrick McCormick is marking will know they have been in a game.
Let’s get to the Athletic Grounds tomorrow night and get behind our side and encourage them every kick of the ball and minute of the game. We may be underdogs but underdogs do win games.
Come on the Saffrons!