St. Patrick’s GAC Lisburn man, Dr Martin McMullan began his virtual 120 Kilometer Camino walk from Logrono to Burgos this morning and Saffron Gael photographer, Bert Trowlen was there (at a safe distance) to capture the occasion.
A retired GP, Martin is a committee member of the Lisburn club and has three sons who play for St. Patrick’s GAC.
Martin retired as a West Belfast GP back in 2014 after battling through a form of blood cancer called myeloma.
“I ended up having a stem cell transplant and I retired at that stage. It was only then that I started walking more as I had more time on my hands,” Martin said.
“The idea for this trek came when I was drinking a nice bottle of red wine. And once I said I was going to do it I couldn’t go back.”
In his virtual walk, Martin will cover the distance of the Logrono to Burgos section of the Camino – without leaving his home
His initial target was to raise £500-00 for Trocaire but as his story has appeared in the Saffron Gael and other media outlets the total has spiralled to £15, 600
“Hopefully we can continue pushing that total higher and higher. So many charities are struggling right now and Trocaire is one I wanted to support.
“I am not an athlete. I am an old man who has survived cancer.
“I am on the highly vulnerable list during this coronavirus crisis so I am homebound for a while.
“I started walking after I received my cancer diagnosis. I have done a couple of sections of the Camino before, and I have always meant to do another one.
Martin began the first section of his journey this morning and intends to make the 120 Km journey in 5 or 6 days. The first stage is from Logrono to Najera (28.9km). Second day is from Najera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada (21.3km). Third day Santo Domingo to Belorado (22.4km) Fourth day Belorado to San Juan de Ortega (24.2km) Fifth day San Juan de Ortega to Burgos. (26.1km). I intend to “arrive” in Burgos for my Birthday on 4th May 2020!!
I realise that times for many are difficult and you may not be in a position to donate. I totally understand. I intend to match the first £100 of donations myself as obviously I am saving money on airfares etc!!
Martin said “Thank you for taking the time to read this. Trocaire is supporting the most vulnerable people in the developing world, while also raising awareness of injustice and global poverty in Ireland.
I also appreciate that at this time there are many charities needing your support. Donate if you can.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity”
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
This is just another story the Saffron Gael has carried of a fellow Gael who has given selflessly of his time to help those less fortunate than himself. Let’s get together and help him on his journey by donating through the link at the bottom of this article and we’ll keep you informed along the way.
What a birthday celebration it promises to be.
Good luck Martin. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all the way and we’ll see you in Burgos in five or six day’s time!
One man and his dog. Martin McMullan sets out on his journey this morning
In 1989 Loughgiel bridged a six year gap when they won back the Ulster hurling title by beating Portaferry in a thrilling final in St Patrick’s Park, Portaferry. The old park just outside the village was a special place for a big game, its steep banking on one side making it a great place to vue the action. Despite the home team’s defeat the match is still looked back on fondly by many of the Portaferry players and fans
Team captain Dominic McKinley receives the Four Season Cup
Battling Second Half earns Loughgiel Third Ulster Crown
Loughgiel 1-14 Portaferry 2-9
A battling second half performance in which they held their opponents to three points from frees saw Antrim Champions Loughgiel edge out Co. Down kingpins Portaferry in the final of the Ulster Club hurling Championship before an estimated crowd of 3,500 at the beautiful St. Patrick’s Park, Portaferry.
When the Down Champions went in at half time with a 2.6 to 1.6 lead after dominating for long periods of the first half, they looked well placed to take the Ulster Crown for the first time. However, the Loughgiel defence, which had looked decidedly shaky on occasions in the first half, tightened considerable in the second half and with sharpshooter Olcan ‘Cloot’ McFetridge punishing every error at the other end, the ‘reds’ won through to take the Four Seasons Cup for the first time since 1982.
It may seem an over used cliché but hurling was the real winnerin the games as both teams gave their all in search of that coveted title. In a hard fought but fair battle, in which the scores were level on six occasions, the sun drenched crowd were kept enthralled to the final whistle.
Clute McFetridge sends over one of the nine points he scored that day
McFetridge opener
Loughgiel opened brightly and McFetridge, who lined out at full forward despite wearing No.10 pointe them in front in the opening minute from a free after he himself had been fouled. Sean Paul McKillop added another in the second minute after being well set up by Aidan McCarry but this early burst fizzled out as the home team settled to play some fine hurling.
Level
With Noel Sands and Anthony Mageean getting on top at Midfield they edged back into the game and points from George Fitzsimmons and a Brendan Coulter free brought them level by the 10th minute. McFetridge created an opening and shot a point to restore Loughgiel’s lead but a well-struck ’65 from Leonard Donaldson tied the scores again. Sean Paul McKillop scored a nice point on the run to give the visitors a slight edge once more but straight from the puck out Brendan Coulter picked up a loose ball and sent in straight over to restore parity.
Eoin McFadden solos clear of two Porta ferry defenders
Mageean Goal
McFetridge picked up a pass from Trainor and pointed the Shamrocks in front in the 17tth minute but within a minute, Portaferry were ahead when a mishit free by Coulter bounced about the goal area and Chris Mageean fired to the net. McFetridge cut the arrears in half with a pointed free in the 19th minute and less than a minute later, they looked set to regain the lead when Paddy McCarry got in behind the defence but he shot weakly at the keeper when a goal seemed certain.
Loughgiel were made to pay dearly for that miss for as play was transferred to the other goal, George Fitzsimmons banged in the Down men’s second goal to put them four points ahead.
Captain’s role
However, some heroics from Loughgiel Captain, Dominic McKinley plus good work by Paddy McIntyre and Liam Quinn in the full back line helped stem the tide and back came Loughgiel as ‘Goosty’ Trainor pounced on a loose ball in the Portaferry square to bang home a goal.
This brought the Antrim Champions to within a point with half time approaching but in the minutes that remained, Portaferry gained the upper hang again and points from Coulter and Chris Mageean put them a goal to the good (2.6 to 1.6) at the short whistle.
Goal scorer Goosty Traynor makes a break
Fine Save
In the opening minute of the new half Loughgiel net minder Patterson was called upon to make a good save from Mageean and from his long clearance Trainor collected and sent over a lovely point at the other end. McFetridge cut the arrears to the minimum two minutes later but Coulter replied for Portaferry to put two between them again. McFetridge, from a free, and then from play tied the game in the 12th minute and three minutes later, substitute Eoin McFadden shot them ahead with his first touch of the ball.
The lead was short lived however as Portaferry came back with two points in as many minutes from Sands and Coulter to edge in front with just twelve minutes left to play.
Loughgiel on top
However this was to be their last score of the game as Loughgiel got on terms when McKinley pointed a ’65 and McFetridge put them in front with points from frees in the twenty second and twenty third minutes. The closing minutes were nail-biting as both team created chanced but defences held sway and the Shamrocks secured the Ulster Crown by a two-point margin.
Dominic ‘Jew’ Mcmullan jits a sideline cut
How the played
Niall Patterson, despite carrying an ankle injury had a fine game in the Loughgiel goal, as did Paddy McIntyre at full back. Liam Quinn was sound at right corner while left back Damien Carey had many anxious moments in the first half he settled to have a grand second. Dominic McKinley had a tremendous battle with Brendan Coulter at the centre of the defence and though both had their periods of dominance the Loughgiel Captain eventually got the upper hand. This was also the case with right halfback Declan McKillop who had a tough time when Chris Mageean moved out in the first half but like McKinley he finished strongly and made many telling clearances while midfielders McMullan and Connolly played second fiddle for most of the hour, but their persistence paid off in the end.
Like so often this season, the forward department depended on McFetridge who gave another fine display but he was well supported by Sean Paul McKillop and corner forward Goosty Trainor who had his best game in the red shirt for a long time.
Stephen Wilson, Marty Mallon and the outstanding Paul McMullan were Portaferry’s defensive stars while at midfield Sands and Mageean started brilliantly though they faded somewhat near the end. Up front, Brendan Coulter, Chris Mageean and corner forward George Fitzsimmons always caused problems for the Loughgiel rearguard.
Scorers:
Loughgiel: Olcan McFetridge (0:09), Gerard Trainor (1:01), Sean Paul McKillop (0:02) Dominic McKinley (0:01), Eoin McFadden (0:01)
Portaferry: Brendan Coulter (0:05), Chris Mageean (1:01), George Fitzsimmons (1:01), Noel Sands (0:01), Leonard Donaldson (0:01).
Loughgiel: N. Patterson, L.Quinn, P.McIntyre, D.Carey, D.McKillop, D.McKinley, A.McNaughton, D.McMullan, S.Connolly, S.P.McKillop, A.McCarry, P.McCarry, S.McNaughton, O.McFetridge, G.Trainor. Subs – E.McFadden for P.McCarry, L.McCollum for A.McNaughton, E.McGarry for S.McNaughton.
Antrim Senior Football championship winners, Erin’s Own Cargin have been the team to beat in recent year with the men from Toome striding the winner’s rostrum in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019 and currently sit fourth in the all-time role of honour with St. John’s, St. Gall’s and Rossa leading the table.
Cargin have bucked the trend in recent years as the dominance of the city sides has been broken and before the outbreak of Coronavirus the Toome men were setting their sights on three in a row and it would have been a brave man who would have bet against them.
Cargin can look back at their recent dominance with justified pride but it was 1974 that they lifted their first championship and today we take a look back at that success and the joy it brought to a parish steeped in Gaelic Football tradition.
The team who took the clubs first title back in 1974 included one, Geordie McGuckin now a prominent reporter with the Saffron Gael and was captained by his brother Packie who played a starring role at full-back and another brother Martin.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time looking for a report on that game in 1974 when Cargin lowered the colours of a fancied Sarsfields side and I’m indebted to Martin McAuley for all his help in putting this article together. Here is a report on the game that appeared in a local paper at the time.
It would be a further 21 years before Cargin would lift another title with Erin’s Own knocking at the door quite a number of times before achieving success in 1995 with further titles acquired in 1999 and 2000 and in recent times they have become the side to beat if championship success is to be achieved.
We at the Saffron Gael were deeply saddened when the news broke that Francis (Francie) Scullion had passed away following a long illness. I first met him many years ago at St. Olcan’s High school in Randalstown where he was a teacher and we struck up a friendship which lasted over the years.
Francis was a keen supporter of Erin’s Own, Cargin where his son Tony has been a star performer for many seasons and I would see him sometimes at Antrim county games where Tony was a regular for more than a decade.
I got to know his wife Margaret through her work at St. Oliver Plunkett’s Primary School where my daughter Tara taught and had the privilege of being the photographer at their daughter’s Belinda and Kyra and son Gavin’s wedding.
Francis Scullion came from Ballinderry and throughout his life he remained a staunch supporter of the Shamrocks and Derry.
His brother Colm (RIP) was the sponsor of the Shamrocks for a time and in fact such was in evidence when they captured the All Ireland club title bringing the Andy Merrigan cup to Ballinderry in 1991.
Francis moved across the river Bann when he married a Toome girl’ Margaret Brown in the 1980s and although he still retained a strong interest in the affairs of both the Shamrocks and Derry he became a Cargin man.
A member of the Erin’s own committee for years he held the position of chairman for a term with both his sons Tony, and Gavin collecting senior championship medals and a grandson, Benen Kelly prominent on the minor side which claimed the county minor title in 2000.
Poor health had forced Francis into taking early retirement from his teaching post in St Benedict’s where he was hugely popular and renowned for his keen brain and his empathy which endeared him to all who sought guidance over the years
To Margaret, Belinda, Gavin, Kyra, Tony, Maria and the wider family circle we at the Saffron Gael offer our sincere sympathy.
Glenavy’s Charles Gallagher will be better known to most of you for his prowess on the football field for St. Joseph’s GAC and he has had his fair deal of success with the Chapel Hill side. One of seven brothers who play for Glenavy, with both Patrick and Owen having represented the county and Patrick still very much an intricate part of the Saffron setup.
What many of us didn’t know was that the big Glenavy full-forward is at present in the front line in the fight against Corvid19. Charles is a doctor at the Mater and Royal Victoria hospital and he took time out from his vital work to speak to the Saffron Gael.
Hi Paddy, good questions, bit harder to answer writing down though so I hope this is appropriate.
By the way there are seven boys & two girls in my family, so I’ve six brothers, I also recently took a contract in Craigavon A&E after working in the Mater, Royal and six other A&E departments in the north.
Charles Gallagher with his brothers James, Owen, Paddy and Dominic
Saffron Gael: Charles tell us about your career with Glenavy, about playing alongside your brothers and about the honours you have achieved with the club?
Charles Gallagher: There’s nothing like playing with your brothers. That’s what Gaelic football has on other sports, the parochially knitted community that feels like family. We got to an Ulster Intermediate Championship Semi-Final in Newry in 2015, lost because we didn’t have Francie, may he rest in peace. I’ve never been able to have a full season in my ten years as a Senior, which broke my heart about this season being postponed, it was looking like my first.
S.G. Who were the people who inspired you during you Gaelic career?
C.G: Francie Doone (RIP), Paul Loney (RIP), James Heatley, Ollie Cormican, Stephen Ramsey, Ronan Hamill, not to mentioned my Dad’s motivation and Mother’s shrill support from the sidelines!
S.G. How long have you been a doctor, where did you train and qualify and what made you follow such an important but demanding career?
C.G: Trained in Glasgow for six years. Houseman in Stoke-on-Trent, County Staffordshire for two years. I suppose I wanted to be a man like my Dad and enjoy helping people. I knew quite early on I wanted to be a doctor. It’s an honour to be a Public Servant.
Charles Gallagher in action for Glenavy against Con Magees, Glenravel
S.G. You now find yourself in the frontline of this terrible pandemic. Tell us about a typical day at work, about the challenges you and your colleagues face in a typical day and anything else you would like to add.
C.G: When this pandemic really took effect in mid-March there was tangible panic in A&E at times. The bosses (consultants) had the majority of the labour and stringent new protocols were put in place nearly every day. With Government guidance we seem to have averted the terrific bedlam in Italy which will have saved many lives. That does not mean this is clear: worse is still to come by many projections, but we are ready.
Due to all of this everything is at ease in the hospital. I’m of the opinion Government should step up trails of appropriate relaxations on social distancing. We must balance with old normality to treat non-covid patients again and ensure the economy for our future health care.
S.G. I suspect, like the rest of us you will be looking forward to lacing up the boots again when this awful Covid19 passes even though Gaelic football is of no real importance given the scale of this pandemic but we all dream of the time when we can all return to some form of normality whatever that normality will be. Give us your thoughts?
C.G: I hope the GAA thinks of the grassroots first and club football is first on the agenda. Maybe I say that because I’m not county, so you can’t blame me! Oh and hurling too of course, for the folks in the Glens.
Got to take enjoyment in what you can now though. Glenavy seniors are digging vegetable patches. I wonder if the McKinley’s in Loughgiel or McCaughan’s of Armoy could do better? Vegetable Patch Championship in the summer instead?
Charles in action against Moneyglass in Creggan.
S.G. I’ve a granddaughter who is a student nurse and another providing care to the elderly in the community. I’m obviously concerned for their welfare while very proud of the contribution they are making. How has working in the front line affected you and your family?
C.G: I’ve been going to the family home and getting passed cups of tea out the back, maybe a plate of food. There’s seven in the house at the moment and I’m sure like most households going through these surreal times it’s nice to see everyone trying to pull together. My big brother Patrick & wife Niamh just had their first child, Peter Thomas Francis, that’s brought great commotion and joy! I go up and stand in my granny’s yard too, must be very hard on the elderly losing their social lives without the likes of work or social media.
S.G. Charles if there is anything else you would like to add feel free. Thanks for taking time and hopefully we will meet up at a game in the not too distant future?
C.G: Hopefully it’s a warm late summer evening after a hard fought, skilful game of football and you wink at me as I’m walking off the pitch and say ‘I may just have caught a good picture of that pass you made.’ Life’s in little moments. God Bless. Charles
My thanks to Dr Charles Gallagher for taking time out from his busy schedule to take part in this interview. I think I speak for all Antrim Gaels when I say, you are part of a remarkable group of people in the NHS who have gone far beyond the call of duty to ensure that those who need your care and expertise are provided for and if I’m lucky enough to get that great photograph of you in action it will be a pleasure.
