Thirty years ago today, August 6th 1989 is a day that will long be remembered by the Gaels of Antrim
Thirty years ago today Antrim caused one of the biggest upsets in hurling history when they beat Offaly in the All Ireland semi-final at Croke Park. Well that is the general media perception of the game, but in truth it was no real shock for the Saffrons had already beaten the Faithful county twice that year, once in the league in Birr and again in a relegation play-off in Drogheda, of all places
The game was expected to be the tame curtain raiser to the Tipperary-Galway clash, the repeat of the previous year’s All-Ireland final, but it produced one of the biggest stories of the 1980s.
There was little between the sides in the opening half. Offaly were on top but Antrim were always in contention, without ever playing anywhere near their bes t and an Aidan McCarry goal just before the break cut the gap back to four.
In the second half, Antrim’s full forward line ran riot, with captain Ciaran Barr and Brian Donnelly causing havoc and Olcan Clute McFetridge firing in two memorable goals.
By the time, Beaver McCarry fired in the fourth goal to put Antrim 4-14 to 1-15 ahead, it had become clear that Antrim would were on their way to their first final since 1943
In a fantastic gesture of sportsmanship Offaly players formed a guard of honour as a mark of respect to their unlikely conquerors, and Antrim manager Jim Nelson was chaired off the pitch.
Here are photos from the game and the celebrationns aftewards in the team hotel, the Grand Hotel in Mallahide
Dessie Donnelly is congratulated by fans in the Hogan Stand
Olcan Clute McFetridge carves his way through the Offaly defence. The little Armoy wizard scored one of the greatest goals ever seen in Croke Park in that historic win over the Leinster champions. Pic by John McIlwaine 
Antrim players greet their fans in the Hogan Stand after their historic win over Offaly in 1989. Pic by John McIlwaine
After the game we all went back the Grand Hotel in Malahide where the team had stayed the night before the game. Sadly a few of the people in these pics are no longer with us, which brings a tear to my eye as I write this, but they will be remembered as long as the game is played in Antrim.
