Today we look at the ‘Best 15’ footballers of St. Comgall’s GAC Antrim as seen through the eyes of one of their stalwarts, Oisin Crilly. Oisin has concentrated on the players he has played with and saw over the last 20 years and has come up with a solid looking 15. As I’ve said before, this selection will not receive universal approval. It’s one man’s opinion but remember it’s only a bit of fun.

Oisin Crilly’s ‘Best 15’

The difficulty with writing up the best 15 of any club is that those who are qualified to comment on decades of player turnover are few. St. Comgall’s teams have been within a kick of the ball away from the senior county final, have climbed 5 divisions in successive years, and have upset the odds in a junior county final by defeating a St. Johns team whose senior county medals lined side by side would have lined the Lámh Dhearg pitch on which they succumbed to defeat on what was supposed to be, for many of them their swan song. Dining at the top table of club football in Antrim in the 70s came as a result of a close-knit team of families which included McNeillys, Taggarts, McKees and county player Paddy Mc Guckian. The 80s saw rebuilding under Seán Smith with players like John Smith and Rónan O’Donnell selected among the County’s finest. The 90s brought tremendous success in junior championship titles in ’95 and ’98, the latter being the last time an all-county title made its’ way up Bridge street in the town. What we have left is to look at the best 15 of the last 20 years, the new millennium. A mixture of those who have given their all and those whose potential may still yet be unfulfilled.

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Goalkeeper – Ryan Mc Allister

A giant between the sticks. Doodles’ size and presence was at times met with astounding agility. A thunder cannon of a kickout saw the Comgalls launch attack after attack from their own 21 in a period that saw them climb out of the basement and clinch silverware in the form of the 2013 Mc Cormick cup.

Right corner back – Conor McLornan

Strong, assured in possession and tight in the tackle. A more creative defender than he was given credit for. Often deployed further up the páirc, his handling and ability to retain possession made him almost universally reliable.

Full back – Callum McCabe

Many a steady full back has turned out in the white and green. Despite his youth Callum McCabe has shown already that he has the head and hands for the big challenges. He has been an outstanding performer in many of the Comgalls’ most recent glorious failures and his attitude suggests that he may lay claim to the number 3 jersey for the foreseeable future.

Left corner back – Feilimí O’ Connor

The Louth native arrived at the Comgalls having made a move to the county in 2008. A graduate of ‘The Pats’ in the Cooley peninsula which produced Louth legends Paddy Kennan and Ray Finnegan, he quickly settled in with the Antrim natives. His tenacity and ferocious tackling saw him lead the charge out of Division 6 and on to McCormick cup glory.

Right half back – Dylan Murdock

A position several current players will feel aggrieved not to have been selected at. Dylan Murdock makes it for a number of reasons. Pace, handling, tackling, fielding to name but a few. A tremendous ball carrier and a sweet shooter, few at the Comgalls are blessed with his abilities. With a growing abundance of experience and much room for maturing the best may yet be to come.

Centre half back – James McLornan

A career which started too late and ended too early. The Comgalls will forever rue McLornan’s late arrival to the senior team having began playing in his late 20s. An unforgivable tackler and an all-round nuisance to the opposition. Gifted with a sweet left foot which saw him receive trials with Norwich City as a youth, Jamesie popped up with crucial goals as a resurgent Comgalls team pushed out of Division 6 and on to McCormick cup glory in 2013.

Left half back – Paddy O’ Connor

The current captain brings an abundance of qualities to any team. Blistering pace, mesmerising skill and a continuous goal threat. O’Connor’s debut season in 2013 seems a life time away, the end of his career even further. To get the success he deserves O’ Connor may well have to put in the hard yards over the next decade and drag a few gifted yet reluctant players with him. He has that ability. If silverware is to make its way into the town it’ll be on his shoulders and under his leadership.

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Midfield – Daryl McNeill

The quiet giant. A man who watched the Comgalls train from a distance before deciding to commit became at times indispensable. A team lacking in a primary ball winner big Daryl became the engine with which the Antrim team would drive their way out of the doldrums. Approaching the winter of his career, only time will tell if that all elusive all-county Celtic cross will make its way into his back pocket.

Midfield – Louis Higgins

That Mc Neill is approaching the twilight is a source of massive frustration for many who frequent the Ballymena Road and Dunsilly to enjoy their football. Had Higgins and McNeill enjoyed 10 years together at 8 and 9 there’s no doubt that a trophy cabinet would have needed to be installed somewhere in the town. A domineering presence and a tremendous fielder, Higgins only let down may be his inability to admit his worth. Success can be built on his shoulders if he puts in the work that his potential deserves.

Right half forward – Brian Williamson

A small man, a massive character. The only survivor of the championship winning team of ‘98’ Barney brought a multitude of qualities to the Comgalls. Energy, determination and an enviable desire to win possession. Dirty ball came easy to Williamson. It was his bread and butter, he lived for it and thrived on it. Chipping in with scores and driving on those around him puts him on this list. In another 20 years he’ll still be hard to shift.

Centre half forward – Kieran Quinn

The Swatragh native arrived around the same time as his compatriot Feilimí O’ Connor. A prolific kicker of the dead ball Quinn’s long range scores dragged the Comgalls through many a close encounter. Inexplicably left out on numerous occasions by a multitude of managers Quinn finally got tired of trying to prove his worth. His long range scoring in the second half of the 2016 county final may well have yielded a different outcome. Had Glenravel not pulled away in the closing minutes we may be describing his exploits that day as heroic. Profligacy was not his thing, finding the back of the black spot was.

Left half forward – Ruairí Griffin

If Dylan Murdock has tonnes of ability yet a lot of maturing to do then one would need to multiply that many times over to get close to Ruairí Griffin. Griffin is as adept going forward as he is defending, should he manage to successfully blend the two then few will touch over the next two decades. His absence in the 2018 championship defeat to O’Donnells is, with the benefit of hindsight becoming a major reason for the Comgalls failure to overcome that particular hurdle. His increasing scoring rate makes him an automatic selection. With many miles left on the clock, success beckons.

Right corner forward – Peter McAuley

A potential still somewhat unfulfilled McAuley makes it in just in front of his brothers. A potentially career ending injury in his youth may be the reason why many feel the best is still yet to come. Having played a major role in two McCormick cup successes McAuley makes the best 15 of the last 20 years on hope and expectation as much as his achievements. He may have struggled to find a rhythm to his career but he has been there on most of the big days in recent years and it’s only a matter of time before his outstanding performances come at a time when those around him are doing likewise.

 Full forward – Paddy Quinn

The Comgalls top scorer at senior level this century he has recently developed from sharp shooter to industrious battler. His scoring exploits have in the past dragged the Comgalls to victory and often at crucial times. An ever reliable free taker, Quinn has successfully blended grit with skill and flair. A player whose efforts deserve a county medal and given the number of current crop who make this list it may only be a matter of time. Time, however is running out.

Left corner forward – Miles Devine

Probably the standout player of the last 3 years. A huge talent from an early age, Devine is quickly settling into a role as a leader. His individual brilliance carved out a truly exceptional goal in the 2018 championship defeat to O’Donnells. Had the Comgalls come out on the right side of that round it would be a moment that would quite rightly have been talked about for years. His father once produced a moment of utter brilliance to help win the ’95 champioship final, with the things Miles Devine is capable of it remains only a matter of time before he emulates that. Should this current crop of players deliver the success they promise Miles Devine will be front and centre.

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Honourable mentions

Ryan McAuley – Another member of the current squad who has been a presence at all the recent big occasions. His work ethic is unfortunately only matched by his temper. A tremendous competitor who will no doubt make the next list.

Ritchie Leahy – A story of too little, too late. The Dubliner was a resident of the town for 10 years or more before making his way to the Gaelic pitch. As the Comgalls dragged themselves through Division 6 and Division 5 Leahy seemed to find the back of the net at just the right time. A fantastic spring in his jump and blistering pace over 15 yards made him a nightmare for opposing defenders.

James McCabe – An extremely talented individual who misses out due to his absence throughout his early 20s. His return to the fold is a welcome one. Should Mc Cabe continue on his fine run of form and if a similar article were to be written again in 10 years time, McCabe will be the first player written about. Hypothetical future success will be built largely around him. His effortless glide over the pitch, his dead ball kicking and his work rate make him one of the most talented individuals possibly in the clubs history. The good thing for Antrim is that most of his career is still ahead of him