Many reading this will be well aware of Neil ‘Vic’ McCann. Playing football and hurling with passion for Con Magee’s for many years, he is a well-known character in GAA circles.
Still performing well on the hurling field into his mid-forties, he finally decided to hang up his boots – probably more from a point of view that ‘I shouldn’t really be doing this at my age!’ than any drop in performance levels.
Speaking as his brother, along with the entire family, we sort of viewed him as a bit of an anomaly. A freak of nature certainly, to retain his athletic abilities for so long, and we viewed him as an invincible character – he barely missed a game in 35 years due to injury.
What would transpire though, was that he wasn’t invincible. Even more remarkably, it turned out he must’ve played his last few years a cancer sufferer without even knowing it.
‘Vic’ in the City Hospital the day after his surgery.
Persistent stomach discomfort and pain over a long period had us all scratching our heads until things got really bad and he was admitted to hospital. Scans, looking for something else entirely, discovered tumours, and a long road of further tests finally diagnosed neuroendocrine cancer with what appeared to be a primary on his pancreas and various secondaries on the liver.
Treatment commenced and, as part of that, major surgery was viewed as the way forward. As Vic went under the knife last week to remove spleen, gall bladder and pancreatic and liver tumours, Rodney Kerr deemed it time to spearhead a charity fundraising campaign in his name.
The recently established Glenravel half-pace hurlers, led by Rodney, will walk from Dungonnell Dam to Carnlough on Saturday 12th March to raise vital funds for the fight against cancer. Other events in and around the Glenravel club in the lead up will add to the overall effort.
As we discussed things with Vic’s wife Claire and with Rodney prior to launching the charity we wondered about a target goal for our fundraiser. We felt maybe £5000 could be an achievable amount for us. To our amazement, in just over 24 hours we had in the region of four and a half thousand pounds raised from donations. We don’t want to stop now and will consider revising our goal, as we want to achieve the maximum possible.
We can only thank the incredible generosity of the people in our community and beyond for their support. We really are touched, and this has given Vic and the entire family added impetus in this battle.
Our thanks also go out to all the medical professionals in the NHS who have done a fantastic job in treating Vic. We are blessed to live at a time in history where scientific advances have led to a scenario where his illness can be treated so successfully, and we want good news stories for many more cancer sufferers in the future. We only hope that our efforts can play a part in that.
Build up to Saturday’s meeting of Antrim and Limerick at Corrigan Park
Following a promising NFL Division 3 opener against Fermanagh at Brewster Park, Antrim now entertain Limerick in Round 2 at Corrigan Park this Saturday and a win here would keep their second promotion in two years on course but they will be facing a Limerick side with similar ideas after their impressive Round 1 win over Longford.
The sides last met on the 1st March 2020 in division 4 of the NFL in Portglenone with the Shannon-siders arriving at Kelly Park as league leaders and firm favourites to account for an Antrim team who hadn’t been going well.
Antrim turned the form book on its head as they produced their best performance for a long time to over-run the visitors with every player playing his part in a remarkable 12 point win.
Limerick went on to gain promotion to division 3 while Antrim had to wait until this year to join them and while that 2020 victory for the Saffrons is unlikely to have any bearing on Saturday’s fixture, we thought we would take a look back at it in our build up to this weekend’s game
Allianz NFL Division Four (round five) 1st March 2020
Antrim 2-21 Limerick 1-12
Antrim put themselves firmly back in the promotion race when they proved much too good for visiting Limerick with a hugely impressive performance at Portglenone today.
Lenny Harbinson’s charges had blotted their copy book somewhat last time out when they had to dig deep to earn a share of the spoils with Carlow but although they trailed the Treaty men by a couple of points at the break, a 41st minute goal from Odhran Eastwood saw them hit the front and they pulled away to win decisively.
Limerick did have the benefits of the brisk breeze in the opening half and took the lead through an early goal but the home side soon settled to the task on hand and a couple of points from Colum Duffin ensured parity by the 15th minute.
Limerick took control in the central zone with the towering Tommy Griffin and Tommie Childs dominating but the Saffrons found a response and despite the strong breeze, they were only two in arrears, 1-09 to 0-10 at the interval.
Antrim made a bright start to the second half as Patrick Bride pointed and a well laid counter strike a few minutes later saw Odhran Eastwood find the net and the tide had turned and the home side were ahead for the first time and it was a lead they were not to lose.
Antrim were off and running and to the delight of the attendance they were on the cusp of a hugely impressive thirty minutes of dominance.
The unbeaten league leaders did their utmost to repel the waves of Antrim attacks but in the event a 35th minute Padraig Scanlon point was to prove their penultimate contribution on the scoreboard.
The home side were on top and when St Enda’s club man Odhran Eastwood grabbed a second goal, courtesy of a strong Colum Duffin approach and a subtle Conor Small delivery they had earned a 2-16 to 1-11 advantage well into the last quarter and that was that.
Limerick attempted to produce a late rally but the home defence were giving nothing away and despite plenty of honest endeavour from the Treaty men their only reward was a solitary point when late replacement Seamus O’ Carrol raised an injury time white flag and Antrim breasted the line good value for a healthy 2-21 to 1-12 winning scoreline.
Pairc O’ Ceallaigh was in excellent condition as Antrim played hosts to Munster based, and top of the table Limerick today.
The home side needed maximum points from this one if they were to maintain any hopes of promotion and a good crowd had assembled to cheer on their side.
Limerick were aided by the strong breeze in the opening half and took the lead as Hugh Bourke was placed by Padraig de Burke to raise white and open their account.
Antrim made quick reply as the pace laden Peter Healey made his way forward to strike back but Limerick were soon back on the offensive and a well laid approach involving Iain Corbett and Danny Neville opened the way for Padraig Shannon to fire to the net.
The home side were quick to reply and a point from the hard grafting Conor Murray was followed by a brace from the strong running Colum Duffin, the second was a real gem delivered from long range to see his side draw abreast 0-04 to 1-01with the clock at 15 minutes.
It was tit for tat in the second quarter with the Saffrons strong running game troubling the opposition and score at one end provoked reply at the other and after Padraig de Brun and Patrick Gallagher swapped points Tommy Griffin and Odhran Eastwood followed suit.
The visitors nipped a couple ahead for a time but Patrick McBride replied before a late brace from Hugh Bourke ensured a two point lead, 1-09 to 0-10 for the visitors at the end of a hugely entertaining opening half.
Patrick Mc Bride and Padraig Scanlon swapped points on the restart but it was Antrim who were to take almost complete control as the half went on.
Patrick McBride added another point after being placed by Declan Lynch but Limerick found a response from the resulting kick-out when Tommy Griffin collected in the middle.
The midfielder delivered into the danger area and it looked like they were in for a goal but Michael McCann was in the right place at the right time to clear the danger.
McCann found Conor Murray from his clearance and following a strong run he found Patrick McBride and the Johnnies club man’s cross was finished to the net by Odhran Eastwood and the Saffron’s were on their way.
Conor Murray followed with a further point and although the visitors replied a couple of minutes later through Padraig Scanlon’s it was to prove their penultimate score.
Antrim were in total control with Dermot McAleese providing the pick of the scores to follow which included 0-3 by replacement Paddy Cunningham.
Seamus O’ Carroll‘s late point for the visitors was very much of the consolation variety with Antrim breasting the winning line full value for their 2-21 to 1-12 winning scoreline.
This win moves Antrim to within a point of previously unbeaten Limerick and with games to come against Waterford at home and Wicklow away the race for promotion looks like going right down to the wire.
Antrim: Andrew Hasson, Patrick Gallagher (0-01), Ricky Johnston, Mark Gardiner, Declan Lynch, James Mc Auley, Peter Healey, Colum Duffin (0-02), Marc Jordan, Martin Johnston, Patrick Mc Bride (0-07), Niall Delargy, Odhran Eastwood (2-03), Fintan Burke, Conor Murray (0-03)
Subs
Michael Mc Cann for M Johnston
Dermot Mc Aleese (0-01) for M Gardiner
Conor Small for F Burke
Paddy Cunningham for M Jordan
Eunan Walsh for N Delargy
Limerick: Donal O’ Sullivan, Paul Maher, Brian Fanning, Michael Donovan, Tony Mc Carthy, Iain Corbett, Robert Childs, Tommy Griffin (0-01), Tommie Childs (0-01), Adrian Enright, Cillian Fahy (0-01), Padraig de Bruin (0-03), Hugh Bourke (0-02), Danny Neville, Padraig Scanlon (1-02)
After a lengthy bus journey to the centre of Ireland the Queens hurlers got the better of their longstanding opponents, Athlone in last week’s Ryan Cup game. Coming off the back of a heavy defeat to UUJ, Queens had a mountain to climb to maintain their chances of a Ryan Cup semi-final place, and they did so in emphatic fashion with a 4:15 to 0:05 win on a rather damp Wednesday night. Having travelled material distance to play the game the hurlers could have been expected to start the game the more sluggish of the two competitors, but nothing could be further from reality as the men in green racked up 2:11 to 0:01 point half time tally with goals coming from Davitt’s Marcas Toner and St. Johns’ Conall Bohill, who’s clubman Oisin Donnelly lead the Queens defence from centre back, denying any encroach from the Athlone attack. The following half was one of some retribution for the Athlone side, who effectively closed down their northern visitors and prevented them from playing the ‘samba’ hurling that had created the deficit in the first half. Eoin McFerran was a powerhouse in midfield, acting as play maker and taking his own scores when the opportunity presented itself. Daire Murphy of Rossa was a reliable marksman, efficiently capitalising on any Athlone error, and finding the net from play in the second half. Stuart Martin of Ballycran was a handful for the home team’s full back line, and powered through the defence with a turn of pace derived from his rugby alter-ego, finishing with a fine major. The midlands side racked up more points this period than last, but ultimately the day belonged to the Belfast men who returned home with a renewed drive, now looking toward another old foe – Thurles – for the ticket to the Ryan Cup Semi Finals. Team : Adam Murtagh, Caolan McReynolds, Tom Murray (c), Niall McNicholl, Tim Rankin, Oisin Donnelly (c), Fintan Oliver, Sean Campbell, Eoin McFerran, Dermot Maguire, Conall Bohill, Patrick Friel, Daire Murphy, Stuart Martin, Marcas Toner.
Loughgiel started the game strong but failed to score in both halves after the water break and allowed Ballymacnab to get back into contention both times. Ballymacnab took the lead for the first time in the 26th minute in the second half and looked like they might have done enough to steal the game, but a free from Orlagh Laverty in the 28th minute levelled the game and ensured extra time.
Ellie McKee from Ballymacnab was first to get a shot at the target in the 2nd minute but the wind pulled her shot to the right and wide. Loughgiel’s Úna McNaughton made a great run through the middle before being fouled and Loughgiel raised the first white flag through a free from Katie McKillop, this was followed up by a point from Louise McKillop after a good clearance out of defence by Megan McGarry straight into McKillop’s path and she made no mistake as she fired between the uprights. The first of three green flags were raised on the 12th minute by Loughgiel’s Ciara Connolly. Again, hard work by McNaughton in midfield, the ball was played into the square where Loughgiel’s Orlagh Laverty won ahead of Tierna Maguire but good defending by the full back line of Mairead O’Toole, Maguire and Michelle McCone ensured Laverty didn’t get a sniff at the goal instead the ball was fumbled. But Ciara Connolly was on hand to collect and smash to the back of the net.
Ballymacnab were having no luck at the other end as they missed another scorable free as it went to the wrong side of the post. They got on the scoresheet just before the water break through Aoibhín O’Hare after a few initial shots were saved but never cleared fully out of danger when O’Hare pounced on the opportunity to settle the Armagh team.
They say a water break can break a momentum, and this it did, Loughgiel raced to a 1-3 to 0-1 start but failed to score in the second quarter and Ballymacnab tagged in 0-3 to leave just two points in it at half time. Eimear Smyth got the first of the 3 points straight away with a great point from play. She should have had a goal quickly after the point but seemed to panic and took the wrong option and allowed Loughgiel to get the defence back into shape and clear the ball out of dangerous. Another goal chance went missing with Aoibhín O’Hare this time and her shot narrowly going to the outside of the post.
Loughgiel had a goal chance at the other end but a great save from Catherin Toner denied Orlagh Laverty’s shot. A poor clearance from Loughgiel’s defence allowed Ballymacnab’s half back Laura Smyth collect the ball and place between the posts with ease, this was followed quickly by another point from Eimear Smyth.
Half Time Loughgiel 1-3 Ballymacnab 0-4
Loughgiel started the second half the same way they started the first, fast out of the blocks. Úna McNaughton won the throw in and good team play between her, Orlagh Laverty and Katie McKillop resulted in McKillop getting her third point of the day. McKillop was working the ball well up the wing when Mairead O’Toole tried to stop her getting any closer to goal, Orlagh Laverty took the subsequent free and raised her first white flag. A great team score for Loughgiel followed in the 10th minute as Megan McGarry took a free out of defence and played it into corner forward Ciara Connolly, she got bottled up quite quickly by Michelle McCone, but Connolly played the ball back out to Ciara Boyle who spotted the run of Mary McKillen and a simple pass ensured McKillen would get her name on the scoresheet. Orlagh Laverty picked off another in the 12th minute after a quick free from Katie McKillop. Ballymacnab were trying to create opportunities for their forwards and they almost got another sniff at goal as Danielle McKee tried to drop one into the square but Finvola McVeigh was on hand to block and keeper Eimear Boyle made sure it got out of the danger zone. Ballymacnab tightened their defence and stopped Loughgiel’s running, making it very difficult for scores but a poor clearance by keeper Toner she hit straight to Loughgiel substitute Ciara Dobbin who pointed with ease. Ellie McKee made sure Ballymacnab added a score before the second water break leaving the score 1-8 to 0-5 at the end of the third quarter.
It was do or die for Ballymacnab in the last quarter and they went for broke scoring 2-1 to Loughgiel’s 0-1 in the final 15 minutes. Their first major came from a long range free out on the sideline near the 45 as Ellie McKee’s shot just dipped at the right time and under neath the cross bar to leave just three points in it with 10 minutes’s remaining. The game was in the mix by the 23rd minute when Eimear Smyth hit a rasper of a shot from a tight angle and although Loughgiel’s Eimear Boyle got a touch to it, there was too much power and it ended up in the back of the net leaving the game all square. In the 29th minute Smyth again looked like she might have won the game for the ‘nab as she scored a free from inside the D. But Loughgiel showed great grit and determination to not give up and for the first time they were chasing the game, they threw everything at Ballymacnab’s defence and were awarded a free for the efforts, Laverty made no mistake by scoring her third point of the day to leave the final score Loughgiel 1-9 Ballymacnab 2-6 and bring the game to extra time
Both team’s exchanged points in the first five minutes to keep the game nip and tuck, but Loughgiel hit two unanswered points before the break to put a little daylight between the teams. The first was a well worked score, a free out of defence from Finvola McVeight straight up the line to Katie McKillop who fired in quickly to Charley McCarry on the edge of the square again solid defending by the full back line forced McCarry to play the ball back out the field but Úna McNaughton was on hand to score a fine point from outside the 21. The second point came from the ever-dangerous Katie McKillop again a free out of defence by Megan McGarry found McKillop and she finished with a nice point from distance, leaving half time in extra time Loughgiel 1-12 Ballymacnab 2-7. Ballymacnab were hit a huge blow in the second half as Laura Smyth had to be stretchered off after an awkward fall, after a five-minute recess the game commenced again, but credit to both sides their backlines stood tall and allowed the forwards little or no space at any time forcing several turnovers. Ballymacnab’s Michelle McArdle made a superb run at the death towards goal to try and get the three pointer for the win but brilliant defending kept her just wide enough that her shot went to the wrong side of the post.
In terrible conditions at times both teams showed great character throughout the 80 minutes with both teams coming out on top. But in the end Loughgiel created more opportunities and got the scores when they were needed leaving the final score Loughgiel 1-12 Ballymacnab 2-7, they now face Eoghan Roe (Derry) in the Ulster Final next weekend. Possibly the Sunday as Cross and Passion play in the College’s All Ireland semi-final on the Saturday, but the time, date and venue will be confirmed during the week.
Loughgiel Scorers 1-12:
Katie McKillop 0-4 (0-1f), Orlagh Laverty 0-4 (0-2f), Ciara Connolly 1-0, Louise McKillop 0-1, Mary McKillen 0-1, Ciara Dobbin 0-1 and Úna McNaughton 0-1
Ballymacnab Scorers 2-07:
Eimear Smyth 1-4 (0-1f), Ellie McKee 1-1 (1-0f), Aoibhín O’Hare 0-1 and Laura Smyth 0-1
Scoil Cháitríona Dublin 1-8 St Killian’s Garron Tower 2-13
Report by Seamas McAleenan
Pics by Brian McKee
FRESH from their hard-fought 4-7 to 1-11 victory in the Fr Davies’ Cup final in the Loup the previous Saturday, St Killian’s Garron Tower travelled to Dublin on Saturday for an All-Ireland quarter-final against Dublin schools’ champions Scoil Cháitríona on Mobhi Road.
The new Ulster champions however hit the ground running and moved into a lead of 0-6 to 0-2 by the first water break with two each from Kady McNeill and Niamh Graham and one each from Cara O’Boyle and Orlaith McAlister.
There were still four points between the teams at half time with each adding a goal to their total. Monique O’Boyle’s green flag in the 26th minute was quickly cancelled by Aoibhinn Ní Ghormáin who was left in the clear as the Garron Tower defence were caught ball-watching. That left it 1-8 to 1-4 at the change of ends.
However the defence tightened up after the break and St Killian’s pushed on with a goal from Orlaith McAlister on the re-start. Points followed for Kady McNeill (2) and Síne Woodhouse as the Tower moved to an advantage of eight points by the second water-break.
From then on in, it was straightforward enough with Woodhouse and Cara O’Boyle adding points to the total.
Abi McNeill was excellent at centre-half back throughout, closing off Scoil Cháitríona’s path to goal. Cara O’Boyle and Lára Haughey battled well at midfield while Clodagh McPeake was a real problem for the home defence at full-forward.
The win brings complications for St Killian’s who already had an All-Ireland junior (under 16) quarter-final against Loreto Balbriggan booked in for next Saturday.
They now have to travel to Moneygall in north Tipperary for a senior semi-final against Coláiste Phobail Ros Cré on Saturday with the Balbriggan game brought forward to Wednesday 2pm in Cushendun.
St Killian’s : Orlaith McAlister 1-1 (0-1 free), Monique O’Boye 1-0, Kady McNeill 0-4, Síne Woodhouse 0-3, Niamh Graham 0-2, Cara O’Boyle 0-2, Clodagh McPeake 0-1.
Scoil Cháitríona : Aoibhinn Ní Ghormáin 1-0, Ruby Ní Chonchoille 0-7 (2fs), Keeva Ní Chaiside 0-1 (f).
St Killian’s: Orla Donnelly, Rose Black, Eimhear McMullan, Úna McAlister, Catherine O’Boyle, Abi McNeill, Erin McCambridge, Cara O’Boyle, Lára Haughey, Orlaith McAlister, Síne Woodhouse, Kady McNeill, Monique O’Boyle, Clodagh McPeake, Niamh Graham.
Subs: Aisling Mullholland for Una McAlister, Ellie Jo Butler for Niamh Graham, Molly McNeill for Kady McNeill, Laura Black for Erin McCambridge
Scoil Cháitríona: Caitríona Ní Fheinneadha, Erin Ní Thuathail, Kellie Ní Chinnegáin, Keelin Ní Chorcoráin, Amy Ní Chumascaigh, Éabha Ní Mhaolagáin, Keelin Ní Chorcoráin, Aine Ní Brádaigh, Ruby Ní Choncoille, Naoise Koppel, Síomha Ní Dhonnchadha, Muireann Ní Dhonnchú, Aoife Ní Fhlionn, Keeva Ní Chaiside, Chloe Ní Chaiside
