Many of the crowd who stood on the Clones terraces to applaud Antrim, long after the full time whistle travelled to Tullamore to support their heroes. Despite defeat to Tyrone in the Ulster final there was a carnival atmosphere amongst the hordes who made the journey to the Offaly venue, some daring to believe that their heroes could topple the mighty Kingdom.
Kerry 2-12 Antrim 1-10
Sunday, 26 July 2009 15:49
The big crowd who made the journey to Tullamore hoping for a giant killing performance from Antrim were certainly not disappointed by the Antrim performance if not by the result.
Kerry finally made it to the All-Ireland quarter-finals, but once they were made to battle by would be giant-killer in Antrim. Jack O’Connor and his much vaunted side were relieved to hear the final whistle as they were pushed to the wire by an Antrim side showing little regard for the reputation of the Munster side.
A superb individual first half goal from Cargin’s Tony Scullion had the Saffron hoards in raptures and a late Ciaran Close point sent Baker’s men to the dressing room leading by a point at half time.
An upset still looked on the cards as Michael McCann struck three successive frees to leave it level with ten minutes remaining but a Paul Galvin goal for the Kingdon late in the game finally swung it in favour of the Kingdom.
He will however have been encouraged by a much-improved second-half performance in Tullamore, Having struggled to get the better of Longford, Sligo and now Antrim, the Kingdom continue to struggle for form. Kerry struck a major blow in the 12th-minute when Tadhg Kennelly slipped a pass inside to Tommy Walsh, and the big Kerins O’Rahilly’s man drilled a low shot past John Finucane. Moments later, Finucane pulled off a brilliant save from Darran O’Sullivan, who got on the end of a sweeping move involving Paul Galvin and Declan O’Sullivan.
Tony Scullion who scored a spectacular goal against Kerry in 2009 in Tullamore
Declan O’Sullivan eased the Kingdom into a 1-02 to 0-01 lead, but Antrim responded with a well-worked goal, with James Loughrey making ground on the right before slipping the ball to fellow wing back Tony Scullion, who rounded goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy before planting the ball in an empty net. Kerry went 17 minutes without scoring, during which both Sean O’Sullivan and Declan O’Sullivan were guilty of glaring misses from easy frees, prompting the introduction of Colm Cooper on the half-hour. Tommy Walsh brought the Munster men level, but Ciaran Close’s fisted point in stoppage time sent the Saffrons in with a 1-04 to 1-03 interval lead.
Cooper converted two frees to bring the sides level 10 minutes into the second half, and two minutes later regained the lead for Kerry. Mike McCarthy’s surging runs forced Antrim to concede the frees from which Cooper punished the Ulster side, but Michael McCann steered over three Antrim frees, and with 10 minutes to play, the sides were still deadlocked on 1-08 each. But the game took an irreversible twist in the Kingdom’s favour when Michael Quirke fetched at midfield, and Donnacha Walsh sent Galvin in to finish to the net from close range. It was all over for brave Antrim, and Kerry finished the job off with a string of points from Paul O’Connor and Galvin.
The Kerry team who defeated Antrim
Kerry: D Murphy, M O Se, T Griffin, T O’Sullivan, K Young, M McCarthy, A O’Mahony, D O Se, S Scanlon, P Galvin (1-2), T Kennelly, Darren O’Sullivan, T Walsh (1-2), Declan O’Sullivan (0-1), S O’Sullivan (0-1, f).
Subs: C Cooper (0-4, 4f) for S O’Sullivan (30), T O Se for O’Mahony (43), D Walsh for Kennelly (43), P O’Connor (0-2, 2f) for Darran O’Sullivan (56), M Quirke for Scanlon (58)
Antrim: J Finucane, C Brady, A McClean, K O’Boyle, T Scullion (1-0), J Crozier, J Loughrey, M McCann (0-4, 3f), A Gallagher, T O’Neill, C Close (0-1), N McKeever, P Cunningham (0-3, 2f), K Niblock, T McCann (0-2).
Subs: A Douglas for O’Boyle (13), C Murray for Close (49), K Brady for O’Neill (53), S Burke for Niblock (64)
Referee: J White (Donegal)
Despite this defeat hundreds of Antrim supporters invaded the Tullamore pitch at full-time to applaud their side and many remained there to have photographs taken with their heroes. It had been a great season for Antrim football and things were to get better the following year with promotion to division 2 of the NFL.
Máiréad is pictured centre with the O’Duffy Cup flanked by her nieces Jackie (left) and Siobhán who also played in that All-Ireland winning Antrim team of 1979 and who make it into Máiréad’s top 15 Players from Ulster
Máiréad McAtamney made her debut for Antrim seniors when she was just 14 and was a permanent fixture at midfield for the Saffrons for more than two decades.
During her playing career Antrim dominated Ulster and reached seven All-Ireland senior finals winning the O’Duffy Cup on two occasions, 1967 and 1979. Máiréad was the 1979 captain. She also won a Gael Linn senior inter-provincial title with Ulster in 1967.
She was the only Ulster player selected on the Camogie Team of the Century in 2004, and she picked up a plethora of individual awards over the years including the Gaelic Games All-star (1965) and the B and I Player of the Year in 1979.
While still a student in Dominican Convent Portstewart, she coached and captained the school team to the only three Ulster senior finals they played in, collecting Corn Uan Uladh in 1961 and 1962.
Her club Portglenone didn’t win their first Antrim title until 1971, but between then and 1982 she helped them win seven Ulster club titles and she finished her club career in 1988 with her tenth Antrim club title.
Máiréad continues her involvement in camogie right up to the present day in her adopted club Tír na nÓg in Randalstown where she was coaching the under 14s last year.
She played all her camogie on 12-a-side teams and was able to dominate the game from midfield. She was asked to select a team of players from Ulster that she had played with or against in her career and therefore every one of the players she has chosen were from the 12-a-side era.
“This is a 15-a-side team, but I have no problem with that. Most of the players I have selected were very adaptable and had they all been available at the peak of their careers, I am confident that we could have taken on anyone.”
“Having played for Antrim for 25 years and for Portglenone for 30, I could select 3 teams. I am forced to omit a number of excellent players I would love to have kept.
“During my playing career Antrim were Ulster senior champions and other counties played in the junior championship. The majority of players on my Ulster team are from Antrim but, having played on successful Portglenone senior club teams outside the county, I faced many excellent club players from the other counties.
Goal-keeper. Theresa Kearns/Cassidy (Dunloy and Antrim) and Carol Blaney/McAllister (Williams and Antrim).
I just cannot separate these two great goalies, so I want to play Theresa in the first half and Carol in the second.
Theresa was just 14 when she won her first All-Ireland in 1956 with a superb display against Cork in the final. She took centre stage again in 1967 where her aptitude for the role contributed to another Antrim victory.
Carol Blaney/McAllister took over as Antrim keeper in 1979. On her 21st birthday she gave an exhibition of goal keeping in 1979 in the final against Tipperary for which she received the AIB award.
The Antrim team who beat Tipperary in the 1979 All Ireland final at Croke Park Back row, L-R – Josephine McClements Kathleen McGuaghey, Carol Blaney (McAllister) Philomena Gillespie (McKay), Siobhan McAtamney (Bradley), Mary McMullan (Connolly) Rita McAteer (Moran), Maeve O’Hagan Front row, L-R, , Susan McLarnon, Ann Marie O’Neill, Anne McAllister (McGlue), Mairead Donnolly Mairead McAtamney (Magill) (capt), Mairead Quinn (Diamond), Jackie McAtamney (McGuigan) Kathleen Kelly
RFB Moira Caldwell (Ballycran and Down)
Moira was small in stature but solid in defence. She captained the victorious Down Junior team in 1968. She played for Ulster seniors in 1967/68 and won a Gael Linn medal in 1967. She was a good reader of the game and fast off the mark which made her an excellent defender.
FB Moya Ford (Ahoghil and Antrim)
Moya played in this position for Antrim and Ulster for over 2 decades from 1950-1969 and played in 11 All-Ireland finals. She was well-known for her long pucks but was equally effective on the ground. She won senior All Ireland medals in 1956 and 1967 and a senior Gael Linn with Ulster in 1967 and also won an Ulster club medal with Ahoghill.
LFB Patricia Crangle (Tullylish and Down)
Pat was a very strong fit player who could have played in many positions. She won an All-Ireland junior medal with Down in 1968 and a senior Gael Linn medal with Ulster in 1967. She was a very determined player and covered a large area of ground during a game.
RHB Mary McMullan/Connolly (Loughgiel and Antrim)
Mary came to the fore in the late 70’s. She was an exceptional defender. Fleet of foot and slick of stick, she took no prisoners. She won a senior All-Ireland with Antrim in 1979 and played for many years after and won an All-Ireland Junior in 1997.
1963 final against Dublin. L-R, 1 Maeve Gilroy, Maeve Laverty, Mary Phillips Jamison, Marian Kearns McFetridge, Leontia Carabine, Betty Smyth, Mairead McAtamney Magill, Chris Hughes OBoyle, Margo Kane, Moya Forde, Theresa Kearns Cassidy, Sue Ward Cashman
CHB Sue Ward/Cashman (Deirdre and Antrim)
Sue was a very strong aggressive player. She was a tireless player who had remarkable stick and ball control. She captained Antrim in 1967 and won a Gael Linn with Ulster in the same year. She won the Texaco award in 1967. A great leader she captained Deirdre to the first five Ulster club titles. Unfortunately for Antrim she retired after the 1967 final.
LHB Jackie McAtamney/McGuigan (Portglenone and Antrim)
My niece Jackie was a player of outstanding ability who could control a game from the backline. I played with her and coached her at club level for a number of years. At the age of 16, she won three club championship on the same day at Glenariff with Portglenone (senior, junior and under 16). In the same year (1979) she won an All-Ireland senior medal with Antrim and an Octupus award. Unfortunately, she emigrated to USA at the age of 20 and never realised her full potential.
Jackie’s sister and another niece, Siobhan was a formidable and very stylish player who could compete with the best in midfield or forwards. She won several senior club championship medals with Portglenone and an All-Ireland senior with Antrim in 1979. She could cut a ball over the bar as good as Joe Canning.
RHF Marian Kearns/McFetridge (St Malachy’s and Antrim)
Marian possessed a particularly quick turn of speed. Her striking was fast and accurate. A very stylish player she won All-Ireland medals with Antrim in 1956 and 1967 and represented Ulster for many years until she retired in 1967.
Mairead Quinn/Diamond (Creggan and Antrim)
Mairead was a stalwart for Creggan for many years winning two Ulster club medals. A very versatile player having played in defence and in forwards she was strong and forceful and pulled the ball out of the sky on many occasions with her hand. She played for Antrim and Ulster for a number of years and won 2 All Ireland senior medals in 1967 and 1979 and a Gael Linn with Ulster in 1967.
RHF Maeve Gilroy (St Malachy’s and Antrim)
Maeve was also a very versatile player and represented Antrim and Ulster for many years in a variety of positions. Maeve was a player who encouraged everyone around her. She won All-Ireland medals with Antrim in 1956 and 1967 and a Gael Linn with Ulster in 1967. She was honoured with both a Cuchulainn and an Gaelic Games All-Star award.
RCF Sarah Anne Quinn/McNicholl (Swatragh and Derry)
I played against Sarah on many occasions in Ulster club matches. She was a very athletic player who glided around the field with ease. She was a good reader of the game and used the hand-pass to great effect bringing many other players into the game. She won an All-Ireland junior medal with Derry in 1978 and an AIB award in that same year. She played on the victorious junior Gael Linn teams in 1989 and 1991.
Goalkeeper Teresa Kearns was only 14 years old when she won her first All Ireland medal in 1956
FF Lily Scullion (Ahoghill and Antrim)
Lily always played in full forward and used her hand with telling effect. She caught the sliotar, turned and hand-passed to the net in one movement. She was very difficult to mark. She won a senior Ulster club title with Ahoghill in 1969 and an All-Ireland senior medal with Antrim in 1967. She also won a Gael Linn with Ulster in 1967. She became a nun in the mid-70s.
LCF Ursula Daly/Jordan (Eglish and Tyrone)
A very competitive player who never gave up. She was a very fit and fast player and broke many a defender’s heart. I played against Eglish on many occasions and Ursula was the player to look-out for. She won many senior championship medals with her club in Tyrone and four Ulster club medals. She could take her place on any team in Ulster.
Subs: All of these players have represented county and province in their playing careers but unfortunately, I could only select 15. I would love to have included these as well
Antrim players : Kathleen Kelly, Rita McAteer/Moran, Josephine McClements, Eileen Collins, Ann McAllister/McGlue and Philomena Gillespie
Down’s Veronica McGreevy and Stephanie Kelly
Armagh’s Angela Toal
Carol Blaney (McAllister) with O’Duffy Cup back in 1979
Antrim’s defeat of Donegal in Ballybofey and then Cavan in the semi-final in Clones ensured that expectations were high when the Saffrons headed back to Clones to face Tyrone in the Ulster final of 2009 but Micky Harte’s well drilled All Ireland champions were to burst Antrim’s bubble.
Ulster Championship final
Tyrone 1-18 Antrim 0-15
Tyrone got off to a flying start and were 1-8 to 0-2 up in the first half and that was a deficit the gutsy Saffrons simply could not overcome.
Liam Bradley’s side never gave up and indeed outscored Tyrone for the remainder of the game but all the damage had been done in the opening half.
All Star Sean Cavanagh scored a goal and four points from midfield in a man of the match performance.
Paddy Cunningham scored 11 points for underdogs Antrim who gamely stuck to their task but it was Tyrone who lifted the Anglo-Celt with a six-point win.
Mickey Harte’s men deserved their success but credit has to go to Antrim for the way they responded to Tyrone’s early onslaught.
Liam Bradley’s unfancied side got the first point through a Cunningham free but then Tyrone took over.
Ryan McMenamin fisted over, Tommy McGuigan landed a long-range effort and Joe McMahon sent over a third point to get the Tyrone bandwagon rolling.
The Red Hands sliced through Antrim again and Cavanagh took Stephen O’Neill’s pass to net a classy goal.
Joe McMahon added a score before Antrim temporarily stemmed the tide with another Cunningham free.
Back came Tyrone with Owen Mulligan, Kevin Hughes and Tommy McGuigan all landing points from play.
Antrim fought bravely to get back into the game and got the last the scores of the first half through Aodhan Gallagher and Cunningham (2).
Paddy Cunningham who scored 0-11 leads his side in the pre-match parade in Clones
Any notion that the All Ireland champions had eased their foot of the throttle were soon dashed when Tyrone came out after the break and rattled off three straight points through Mulligan, McGuigan and Cavanagh.
Antrim refused to throw in the towel against almost impossible odds however and hit back with three scores from Cunningham and one by Michael McCann.
Scores were exchanged fairly evenly after that but the goal that Antrim needed to get them back into wouldn’t come.
In the end it was comfortable enough for Tyrone but having been overpowered so dramatically early on, the Saffrons are entitled to be satisfied they did not let themselves down against the team many rated as the best in Ireland at the time..
Tyrone: J Devine; P J Quinn, Justin McMahon, R McMenamin (0-1); D Harte (0-1), C Gormley, P Jordan; K Hughes (0-2), S Cavanagh (1-4); B Dooher (capt), T McGuigan (0-2) , Joe McMahon (0-2), M Penrose, S O’Neill, O Mulligan (0-3). Substitutes: E McGinley for McGuigan (50 mins), C Cavanagh for Dooher (54), C Gourley for McMenamin (65), B McGuigan for Penrose (67), C McCullagh for O’Neill (67). Yellow cards: McMenamin (12 mins), Cavanagh (41 mins0, McGinley (61).
Antrim: P Graham; C Brady, A McClean, K O’Boyle; T Scullion, J Crozier, J Loughrey; M McCann (0-2), A Gallagher (0-1); T O’Neill, K Brady, N McKeever; P Cunningham (capt) (0-11, 0-6 frees), S Burke, T McCann. Substitutes: K Niblock for Brady (26 mins), C Murray for Burke (44), C Close (0-1)for McKeever (50), D O’Hagan for O’Neill (64), S McGreevey for Graham (66). Yellow cards: Scullion (3 mins), McKeever (100, Murray (55)
Referee: P Hughes (Armagh)
The Ulster campaign of 2009 was over but Antrim would have one more day in the sun when they were drawn against the mighty Kerry in the qualifiers in Tullamore.
Paddy Cunningham fires over one of 0-11 points he scored against Tyrone
A week before they played Dublin in the 1994 All Ireland Football final Down manager Pete McGrath decided his team needed a weekend away to get their heads right for the challenge that lay before them. You would think the men from the Mournes would be planning to head to one of football’s strongholds like Kerry or Mayo but instead they came to Glenariffe a place where many of the natives probably hardly ever seen a football.
Down legend Mickey Linden heads out for the training session
They stayed at Kilmore House in the one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland and trained down at the Oisin’s ground each morning. I remember at the time hearing about it happening so I went down to see if I could capture this little bit of history. I was a bit apprehensive about gatecrashing their training session but I spoke to Ross Carr and he made me feel at ease right away. I worked away all morning and nobody gave me a second glance. Ross was a real gentleman and could not have been more accomadating and any time I met him afterwards he always had time for a chat. (Little did I know that day that over a quarter of a century later I would be photographing his daughter’s wedding to a man who only lived less that a couple of miles from the pitch)
Team manger Pete McGrath gives a team talk
Whatever Peter McGrath and his team found that weekend in Glenariffe it stood them in good stead, for one week later they beat the Dubs in the All Ireland final in Croke Park by 1-13 to 0-12 before a crowd of 58,684. Wee James scored the vital goal with Mickey Linden hitting four points and Ross Carr three, the target practice into the ‘Waterfoot goals’ a week earlier standing them in good stead.
Ross Carr in action during one of the training sessions
Ross Carr and DJ Kane came back a few weeks later with the Sam Maguire Cup and called into a few of the local hostalries, as a thank you for the welcome they received during their last visit there. Friendships were forged that have lasted to this day and while the Glenariffe men may not have been influenced by a visit from such legends as Ross Carr, Mickey Linden, Greg Blaney and Wee James McCartan, it maybe rubbed off on the ladies in the area for many years later they started playing the game and just two seasons ago won an Antrim Junior B title.
Wee James McCartan, whose goal a week later would prove the decisive score in his team’s win over Dublin in the All Ireland final. DJ Kane and Ross Carr with Tony ‘Russell’ McAuley in the Glensway Tavern shortly after the 1994 All Ireland win
DJ Kane speaks with Sean ‘The Burns’ McKendry in Glenariffe. Could it be that this is where the Down men found that extra edge to see them home a week later
It’s a great game when your winning’ an old friend of mine used to say and it had been nine years since Antrim last won an Ulster Championship game. The National media had been begrudging in their praise of Antrim’s win over Donegal but the Antrim supporters were having none of it.
Despite the semi-final against Cavan in Clones being fixed for a Saturday night a good crowd made the journey to the Monaghan venue. Cavan had been installed as favourites but as I made my way to the ground through hundreds of supporters decked in Saffron it was clear that there was an expectation that Baker’s Boys could deliver.
Ulster Football Championship semi-final
Antrim 0-13 Cavan 1-7
Antrim continued their recent good run of form to make light of the underdog tag when they overcame the challenge of Cavan in the Ulster semi-final in Clones. The Saffons were 0-7 to 0-6 up at half-time but could have been further ahead but Cavan keeper James Reilly made a good save to deny Tomas McCann’s goal attempt.
The Saffrons stepped up their game on the resumption and five consecutive scores in the second half put Liam Bradley’s men in command.
A scrambled goal from substitute David Gibney gave Cavan hope but scores from Kevin Niblock and Paddy Cunningham ensured a famous victory for Antrim.
They bossed the first half and landed early points from play through Sean Burke, Tomas McCann and Terry O’Neill.
Cavan’s first four points came from Seanie Johnston but Antrim kept their noses in front through Michael McCann (2), James Loughery and Paddy Cunningham.
Martin Reilly and Ray Cullivan replied for Cavan who were probably satisfied to be just one point down at the break after being outplayed with Niall McKeever dominant at mid-field and Terry O’Neill superb in the sweeper’s role.
Tommy Carr’s Cavan were immediately under the cosh again after the break and points from play by Burke, Aodhan Gallagher and Justin Crozier, plus two Cunningham frees, had Antrim in complete control at 0-12 to 0-6.
Cavan fought hard to get back into the game and substitute David Gibney found the net from close range to revive their hopes and a point by Larry Reilly left just two in it and questions were being asked about Antrim’s ability to kill off their opponents.
However, Antrim were not to be denied as Kevin Niblock calmed the nerves with a score from play and Cunningham added another free as the Antrim support urged their side to greater effort.
Cavan pushed hard in the closing stages but a well marshalled Antrim defence stood tall and the scenes of celebration at the end were reminiscent of a side that had just won the championship.
When things settled down however it was clear that there was still the considerable hurdle of Tyrone to face in the final but this night was very much for Antrim and their delirious bunch of supporters to enjoy.
Antrim: P Graham, C Brady, A McClean, K O’Boyle, T Scullion, J Crozier (0-1), J Loughrey (0-1), N McKeever, A Gallagher (0-1), T O’Neill (0-1), K Brady, P Cunningham (0-4, 3f), S Burke (0-2), M McCann (0-2, 1f), T McCann (0-1). Substitutes: K Niblock for McKeever (59), C Close for K Brady (64).
Cavan: J Reilly, M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides, J McCutcheon, E Keating, P O’Reilly, N Walsh, C Galligan, S Brady, R Flanagan, C Mackey, S Johnston (0-4, 2f), R. Cullivan (0-1), M Reilly (0-1). Substitutes: P Brady for P Reilly (20), R Dunne for McCutcheon (40), L Reilly (0-1) for S Brady (44), D Givney (1-0) for Mackey (53), J O’Reilly for Keating (62).
Referee: J Bannon (Longford).
Antrim selector, Tony McCollum embraces Anrew McClean at the end of the game
