by Liam Stewart

1 – Dessi O’Neill (1950s) – Father of Stoke City FC manager Michael O’Neill, Dessi represented Antrim and Ulster. He was a goalkeeper with a strong puck out and great eye for the ball. He was equally capable of playing out the field.

2 – Joe McDaniel (Jr) (1990s-ongoing) – Still playing. No fear. A reliable and hard tackling defender.

3 – Billy McDonald (1950s-60s) – Billy could play anywhere on the field. A very strong player who also represented Antrim.

4 – Kieran McGourty  (1990s-ongoing) – Still playing. A great reader of the game and an intelligent player. Represented Antrim.

5 – Mickey Gribben (1980-90s) – Also a great reader of the game and intelligent with his distribution. Great athletic ability.

6 – Hugh Sheehan (1950-60s) – One of many great Sheehan’s to play for the club. Excellent stick work. Hugh was probably the best I have seen (I was too young to see Tim and Pat was coming to the end of his career then). I have never seen a man field a ball like him.

7 – Artie McGlone (1960-70s) – Artie was a good strong hurler with a great hand.

7b – Aodhan Gallagher (2000s-ongoing) – A coin toss between Aidso and Artie for the half back position. Still playing and a real athlete. Strong in the air and could also play forward.

8. Karl Stewart (1990s-ongoing) – Represented Antrim and Ulster on many occasions.

9. Brother Barry Brennan (1960s) – A typical Kilkenny hurler – stylish, with all the strokes. 

9b – Johnny Flynn (1990-2000s) – Another coin toss here for the other midfield spot. A great striker of the ball, free taker and could cut a ball like no other.

10 – Jim McDaniel (1970-90s) – Big Jim was a big strong hurler with a great hand. Battled hard and a good leader.

11 – Sean McGourty (1970-00s) – What’s not to be said about Sean – an all-round sportsman with great natural ability. Very good at reading the game.

12 – Ciaran Carson (1970s) – Left the game early due to injury. Classy hurler with natural ability.

13 – CJ McGourty (2000s-ongoing) – A great man to get an important score at the right time. Natural scoring forward

14 – Hillary McDaniel RIP (1950-60s) – Could well have been picked to play in goal. Represented Antrim and Ulster.

15 – Sean McAreavey (Jr) (2000s-ongoing) – a strong forward with a great eye for a major. Just pips his Father Sean (Snr) for the corner forward position.

Subs

Sean McAreavey (Snr) – A lively forward.

Brother Frank Collins (1970s)– a limerick man who was a very good hurler.

Donal Sheehan (1980-90s) – A great full back.

Tim Sheehan (1970-80s) – tenacious.

Kevin Fanning (1990s) – While not the most natural of hurlers, I enjoyed Kevin’s bravery and effort.

Stephen Morrison (2000s-ongoing) – Still playing. A steady defender. He is very unlucky not to take a corner back position. Great blocker of a ball.

Sean Boyle (1970s) – A great servant.

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