(Featured Image: Roy McLarnon proudly lifts the cup with his son Declan and his grandchildren)
Big Roy McLarnon wore a smile as wide as the stand he had just watched from as his beloved St. Agnes collected their first Junior Football Championship title at Davitt’s Park on Saturday past.
Beside him, in tears, his son Declan couldn’t hide his emotions. Declan, a member of Antrim Over 40’s side had made a cameo appearance as the ‘Aggies’ overcame the challenge of Na Piarsaigh in a final they never looked like losing.
Roy McLarnon has been a member of St. Agnes since 1963. When I spoke to him after the game he gave me an insight into the history of his club.
“We were always in and around Division 4 but in successive years we won Division 4, Division 3 and were runners up in Division 2 and were promoted to Division 1.
We lasted only one year in the top grade and floated between Division 2 and 3 for a number of years. We played intermediate championship from 91 to 2006. We contested a number of Junior Championship finals over the years but lost to Cargin in 91, to Ahoghill in 2007, to O’Donnell’s in 2011, and to St Comgall’s in last year’s decider.
Big Roy has served St. Agnes through thick and thin as player, Treasurer 1977 to 1997, Chairman 1997 to 2008, county board delegate 1977 to and committee member through the highs and lows of the Woodlands club.
One of Antrim’s great GAA men, Roy McLarnon found time to serve his county and was assistant manager to Eamon Grieve from 1986 to 1990, a period in which Antrim contested a National League quarter-final where they lost to Kerry at Croke Park.
Roy was part of the Antrim minor management team from 1996 to 98 and was involved in various Antrim management teams under Aidan Thornbury, Lenny Harbison, Enda McGinley and most recently with Andy McEntee.
He was manager of the last Antrim U21 team to win an Ulster title in 1989 when they defeated Down in the final.
Like Roy his wife Maria is still involved with St. Agnes and Aine their daughter was a very good footballer and played for Antrim minors in both football and camogie, a real family affair!
It would be fair to say that Roy McLarnon has enjoyed contrasting emotions with his beloved St. Agnes, perhaps more lows than highs but he never once stepped away and was always there when the club needed him.
I asked Roy about the ‘Aggies’ manager, Martin Shortt and what he has brought to the side. Roy had high praise for the Tyrone native.
“Martin Shortt, has brought massive energy and enthusiasm to the side and all the lads have bought in and the level of organisation and belief he has brought to the side finally got us over the line”
On a weekend when Dunloy lifted their first Senior Football Championship title since 1936 when they defeated reigning champions Cardin and Moneyglass overcame the challenge of division 2 league winners, Sarsfield’s in the Intermediate decider it would have been easy to have overlooked the achievements of St. Agnes and Roy McLarnon but it would have been remiss of me to do so.
I’ve known Roy for most of my GAA life and even played against him on the old Hugomount pitch for All Saints. One of the games gentlemen and one of his club and county’s greatest servants.
Big Roy watched the game from the Davitt’s stand before joining his team and colleagues on the splendid Davitt’s Park surface as Dan Turley received the Cup from Antrim committee member, Ciaran McGraw, a life time of service finally rewarded!
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