By Denis O’Hara

TWO members of the first hurling team to represent St MacNissi’s College, Garron Tower, in Ulster Colleges’ combat, have sadly passed away in recent weeks.
Denis McKillop and fellow Cushendall day student Alex McCollam died aged 86 and 87 respectively.
McKillop, from Tavnahan, Glenaan, passed away in Antrim Area Hospital a few weeks ago.

He was once the goalkeeper for Antrim Minor and Junior hurling teams, and also the first goalkeeper in a Garron Tower team to debut in Ulster Colleges’ hurling competition during the 1951-’52 season
His funeral Mass and Burial were held (on Tuesday April 1) at St Mary’s Cushendall.
An avid historian, Denis lived for a time with his family in the Feystown area of Glenarm.
Born in November 1938 in Glenaan, he attended the local Primary School on Glenaan Road before securing entry to St MacNissi’s College in September 1951.
Forever devoted to the game of hurling he was selected, after trials, by the late Fr Paddy McKavanagh to the Tower’s first team – and in 1956 gained county honours with Antrim Minors.
He always bemoaned the fact his ‘minor days’ were confined to one session, even though winning the Ulster title – and was included in the squad for the 1956 All Ireland semi-final against Tipperary at Croke Park.
He was then 17 but his 18th birthday fell outside the January 1st ruling.
Later, he played one season in the Antrim Junior team, as goalkeeper.
Denis, who spent his closing years in Cushendall, enjoyed good times in club hurling affairs with Cushendun Emmet’s – where he impressed as a cornerback – and then with Cushendall Ruairi Og as their goalkeeper..
He also had an association with the Latharna Og team in Larne and the Shane O’Neill hurling club in Glenarm.

Alex McCollam spent one year at St MacNissi’s College, joining in 1951.
Fr Paddy McKavanagh, the College’s first hurling team manager, included Alex in the opening season action before the Cushendsll pupil left the Tower and joined Ballymena Academy.
Following some years working in Belfast he emigrated to Western Australia, where his son Declan is a club professional golfer. Alex Died at Perth, Western Australia.