Today we take a look at the ‘Best 15’ from O’Donovan Rossa through the eyes of former keeper, Hugh McGettigan. Hugh has a long association with Rossa and Antrim and managed the county to the Ulster U20 semi-final in 2019 where they lost narrowly to eventual winners, Tyrone. He has been instrumental in the development of many of Rossa’s juveniles for more than a decade but has gone back to the 80’s for most of his selection. Not everyone will agree with choice but it’s only one man’s opinion. ‘It’s just a bit a fun!’
Hugh McGettigan’s Rossa ‘Best 15’
Like all the previous contributors I found this a difficult task having played for Rossa from the late 70’s and played with many great footballers. ‘The Rossa best 15 I played with’
1- Dominic McEnhill was an excellent keeper and also played for the county; although when I started playing Brian McCaffrey kept goals and he was an unbelievable shot stopper and character and Paul McAteer was a fine minor keeper who also played a lot of senior football.
2- Gerard Morgan gets the right corner back slot. He was ever dependable and a dedicated trainer. Brendan McCormick was also a fine corner back but Gerard gets the number 2 jersey.
3 Gerard Rogan, a brilliant fullback and he was an excellent reader of the game. Gerard had a massive kick out which was an important asset for any full back in the 1980s, but which generally left Gerard one of the busiest player on the field. He is the first of a number of dual players I’ve selected.
4-Mickey Brady completes the full back line and he was really an outstanding footballer. However, he headed to Chicago not long after winning his second senior championship medal in 1991 and this proved to be a great loss to the club. John McCavanagh also made a considerable contribution to Rossa in this position.
5- Mark Barr is the selection for right half back and was an outstanding defender not only for Rossa but for the Ranch and Antrim. Mark came back from a serious knee injury to win two championships and is another dual player.
6- Pat Armstrong was one of the best footballers in Ulster and a brilliant club and county player. Pat had the ability to play any position and was a superb fielder and had impeccable timing. Adrian Murray was also a fine centre half back and was unlucky not to gain a defensive position.
7- Peter Murray I would consider to be one of the best footballers the club has ever produced. He had a brilliant left foot and tremendous energy for an attacking half back. He juggled his Gaelic football with a successful soccer career at both Glenavon and Cliftonville.
8- Stephen Faulkner was a fine mid-fielder and played for both Queen’s University and the county. His career was curtailed as he moved to London and was another great loss to the club. Damian Barr was also a fine mid -fielder and worthy of a mention as another excellent catcher but Damian headed to Boston and again was another great loss to the club.
9- Brian White another big character and a fine fielder who takes the second midfield position. Whitey was always prepared to do the hard work and was a great team player. Jim Fagan is another superb dual player who plied his trade around the middle of the field for many seasons.
10- Jim Close gets the number 10 jersey but was a versatile player who was equally good in defense or attack. Jim was always committed to every tackle and always had an eye for goal. Another dual player who proved to be a great servant to the club .Tony Austin was also a fine half forward and was the fastest player in the club during his club career.
11- Donal Armstrong was always a crucial footballer and hurler for Rossa and probably played his best football as a centre half forward. Donal was strong in the air and could deliver a deadly pass and always ended up on the score sheet .He was a star footballer both at Queen’s and for Antrim.
12- Pat Kane was always a footballer I admired whether he was playing for Rossa and for Antrim .Pat who played during the 1970’s and early 80’s was an excellent free taker and an excellent score taker and overall top footballer .Ciaran Austin was also a fine half forward with unbelievable speed and had the ability to carve up defences when he went on a run.
13- Colly Murphy gets the corner forward jersey and is another dual player who had great tenacity and will to win. Colly always had an eye for goal and had a fabulous ability to score goals at vital times. He pips Ciaran Barr to the corner forward position and although not well known as a footballer Ciaran was another dual player who could play anywhere in the forward line .
14- Aidan Hamill was finishing his career as I was starting but what a great footballer he was. Aidan was a winner both as a footballer and hurler and was a player who was unstoppable once he had possession. Noel Murray was another excellent forward and free taker and also another fantastic dual player.
15- Gerard Armstrong (Yash) gets the corner forward jersey and was probably the outstanding club player in Antrin for many years. Not only could he take a score, but when he gained possession was almost impossible to dispose. Other corner forwards of note include Sean Fleming who was a accurate free taker with a great left foot. Brian McGurk was a speed machine and would have been very much suited to the modern game.
The ones that got away
16- Mark Reynolds was another dual player and another great loss to the club after winning a couple of football championships. He headed to San Francisco and left a big hole in the Rossa defence. Mark was strong and tenacious and a wonderful competitor.
17- Brian Teddy Quinn was the standout underage dual player in Rossa during my time. He only played a short time for the seniors before heading to Everton and then on to California where he continued his soccer career. But Teddy was sorely missed by Rossa; as a forward and a free taker he was top class .
18- Gerard Clarke was another brilliant underage footballer who only played senior for a short time. Gerard was another ace forward but left for Australia and again was greatly missed by everyone at Rossa .
19- John Murray RIP was murdered in Milltown Cemetery in 1988. He was a great character and was greatly missed by everyone at Rossa .John was an outstanding underage footballer and cross country runner while at St Mary’s CBGS and was a tenacious attacking wing half back for the senior footballers.
