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by thesaffrongael

Lámh Dhearg Favourite 15 Hurlers

Our ‘Favourite 15’ hurlers feature has been interupted by the juggernaut of fixtures that has come flying down the track and our photographers and reporters have been out every night covering live games. We intend to complete the series as we did with the football ‘Best 15’ and today we look at Lamh Dhearg’s ‘Favourite 15’ hurlers.

A number of clubs have not yet submitted their ‘Favourite 15’ hurlers and we appeal to you to do so. Simply send it with photos, if you have them to john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk or ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk

LAMH DHEARG ‘FAVOURITE 15’ HURLERS

Keeping consistency with their footballers so the Hannahstown selector decided to remain anonymous. The selector has a very close affinity and involvement with hurling in the club for over 30 years. He found it a very enjoyable but tough task as the club has produced many fine hurlers since its re-emergence in the mid 80’s. The selector was keen to stress it is his own personal selection and would be first to acknowledge and admit that his selection will generate much healthy debate among club members.

1 Gary Agnew [RIP]

A colossus of a goalkeeper. One of the best in the country. Failed get the recognition he deserved outside his club. He was a magnificent shot stopper, very brave and always marshalled his defence well and inspired them with confidence. 

2 Marty Collins. 

What a warrior. Wore steel toe cap rugby boots. Marty did not seem to feel pain. Aggressive, tenacious and a tight marker. 

3 Dan McGreevy.

Another warrior and a superb full back. Always reliable and efficient at full back. Never got ‘cleaned out’ by a full forward. Great in coping with high balls and hard as nails.

4 Paul Brunty.

Paul played in several positions but corner back was his best. He was a very skilful and technical corner back and super for long clearances relieving pressure of the defence.

5 Christy Tumelty.

Christy played in the forward positions throughout his underage hurling. He was moved to wing back during the last year in Div 2 and formed a very formidable half back line. He was physically strong, super under the high ball and a very gifted hurler.

6. Ciaran Herron.

What can be said about this guy. Would surely have won numerous All Irelands and All Stars if he had lived down south. He was such a top quality player as he had all the skills and such a positive attitude. A great captain who hardly spoke. He let his hurling on the pitch do the talking. Inspirational player and great reader of the game.

7. Brendan Herron.

Another fabulous player that formed part of this really good half back line. Had really silky skills and was tremendously mobile and fit. He made the game look so easy . Very commanding in the air and consistently good at scoring long range points. Another inspirational player.

8. Paddy Tumelty.

The best left handed hurler in the club. Paddy had a great engine and was a real driving force in midfield. He was really tenacious winning way more than his share of possession in the middle third of the pitch. He was also a great leader driving the team forward when things got tough.

9. Michael “Micko” Herron. 

Worked really well with Paddy in midfield. His skill levels, athleticism and intelligence enabled him to play in several positions but midfield is were his talents shone. An inspirational leader in the team. His team talk before the Cushendall match set the tone for the performance that followed. When he was U14 he scored two wonder goals against Gorey (Wexford). The legendary Billy Byrne couldn’t sing his praises enough. 

10.Gary Murray.

Another quiet man. Always played at wing forward. ‘Cuff’ was guaranteed to get scores. He was very capable striking of either side from distance and made hurling look easy. 

11. John O’Donovan.

 Father John was pivotal figure in the club in the late 80s. He was an inspirational figure with an enthusiastic personality and great presence.  He had that ‘Cork’ will to win and determination to succeed. He hated losing. He was a sublime hurler and really knew how to take scores. He was a huge loss to our teams when he was moved back home to Cork.

12. Brendan McComb. 

‘Reg’ was a very good ball winner across the half forward line. He had a great engine and was very capable of getting scores as well.

13 Kieran Stewart.

‘Stewarty’ was another hurler whose skill enabled him to play in several positions. He was a very intelligent hurler bringing others into play and getting valuable scores. He gave us valuable experience when we were promoted to Division 1 and was part of the intermediate championship winning team. 

14. Damien Kane.

‘Kaneso’ was really laid back and he seemed to take everything in his stride. He never seemed to get phased by anything. He hated training but loved his hurling. He had the most difficult stroke to hook or block as he always threw the ball high and he didn’t half hit it. His skills were unreal and a fantastic fielder of the sliotar. He always had a Mars bar in his pocket for his sugar levels. 

15. Kevin Elliot.

Kevin was a real maverick. He was a wizard with a hurl. You never knew what he was going to do next. He had that real gift of doing something special that you never saw coming. Very skilful and astute hurler and great eye for goal.

Others to mention and just missed out on the selection 

Raymie Herron

Captained the winning division 2 team and was at the forefront of the clubs push to play Division 1. Tough and tenacious defender and totally committed player.

Colm “Bruce” McKiernan

A very gifted forward with loads of tricks to get the better of defenders. ‘Bruce’ didn’t take any nonsense on the pitch either

Kevin Finnegan

Kevin played in the corner for years. He was very sharp and skilful and effective there and knew where the nets where.

Connor McConville.

‘Baby’ was a really tight physical and skilful  corner back. He effectively man marked many of the opposition sharpshooters.

 Eamon McGarry

Eamon was very under rated as a hurler as he was also an accomplished footballer. He played in midfield for many seasons. His  workrate , intelligent positioning and leadership were an integral part of those teams

Joe Doone.

    Joe’s commitment to the hurling teams was unreal. He had to work so hard at maintaining his fitness levels to play senior but always his physical presence and skills were a great asset to the team and was a great target man . Versatile player as he played in goals and full forward.

    1992 Minor Hurling Champions
    1986 Junior Hurling Champions
    2003 Intermediate Hurling finalists
    by thesaffrongael

    Community survey – Gaeil na nGlinntí 2020

    3 groups in the North Antrim Area have come together to survey interest in the Irish Language within their communities and help with the planning and promotion of Irish language and cultural events. Glór na Maoile, Dunloy Comhaltas and Gaeil Ruairí Óg organise Irish classes and activities throughout the year.

    The survey is for people over 18 years old and takes about 5 minutes. All that is required is to fill in a short, simple form which is found at the link below

    https://forms.gle/d7mwpYG7zer7TnSB6

    The groups under the name Gaeil na nGlinntí are seeking the assistance of everyone to ensure they achieve a representative sample of the various communities in the area.

    Glór na Maoile, (which means Voice of Moyle) organise the community Irish classes group in Ballycastle and earlier this year organised a Céilí to celebrate the progress they have made so far.

    CCÉ, Dún Lathaí / Dunloy Comhaltas organises classes and activities in Irish Traditional music, and Irish Language and Culture in all their forms.

    The popular Cushendall group, Gaeil Ruairí Óg provide tuition and workshops across all age groups with many adults and children taking part in a wide variety of activities.

    When the lockdown took place, Irish Classes continued via Zoom and very limited, socially distanced, activities took place.

    These groups work with local and national Irish language and culture groups including Co. Antrim Comhaltas, local GAA Culture Officers , Conradh na Gaeilge / Gaelic League, Glór Dhál Riada (Ballymena) and Glór na nGael.

    With the restrictions imposed on all of us by the pandemic it has been astonishing and inspiring that more than 400 people have already completed the survey. However, Gaeil na nGlinntí want to hear from everyone. A large response will improve the quality of the information received and enable Gaeil na nGlinntí to offer an improved service to the community.

    Spread the word and ask your household, family, friends, neighbours and strangers to complete the survey at the link below.

    https://forms.gle/d7mwpYG7zer7TnSB6
    by thesaffrongael

    ‘Joe de Meulemeester My Favourite 15 – Davitt’s

    With games getting under way at the weekend and a full list of fixtures pretty much every day since we have had to suspend our ‘Favourite 15’ hurling feature but we intend to continue it whenever possible and hopefully post the ‘Favourite 15’ hurlers of every club in the county.

    At present we have submissions from Armoy, Lamh Dhearg, All Saints and Glenravel waiting for publication but a number of clubs have yet to submit their ‘Favourite 15’ There’s still time so if you would like to send your submissions and any photographs you may have to john.mcilwaine@yahoo.co.uk or ptrckmclwn@yahoo.co.uk we will get them up on the site over the next few weeks.

    Today we look at the favourite 15 from Michael Davitt’s as selected by one of the clubs legends, Joe de Meulemeester. Not everyone will agree with his selection. It’s just one man’s opinion. Just a bit of fun!

    “NINETEEN FIFTIES” to the “NOUGHTIES”

    The Chairman, having recently, so eloquently highlighted the Footballers that represented the Club with great distinction, has now handed the baton to me, to provide my recollections of those that played the real game “Hurling”.

    Unfortunately, hurling in the Davitts during this period, took a back seat to the football and as result the hurlers struggled to get out of the Junior ranks. We did however achieve Intermediate status for a period and in fact we were beaten in the “ Intermediate Championship Final” by St.Galls in the eighties. Hurling in the Club has however taken a massive step forward in the last six or seven years and we now have half a dozen teenagers who at this stage of their development are way ahead of anyone who has previously played for the Club. Hopefully they will continue to progress over the next few years and will help bring Davitts Hurlers into the Senior ranks, because we have an Under 12 team coming behind them that are fantastic and of course we now have the facilities to enable them to reach their full potential.

    I have not however considered them for selection in my “Best Fifteen”, I am more inclined towards those players that brought us to Intermediate level in the eighties, despite the lack of facilities. The young lads will have their recognition in the future.

    Two “Superstars” of the Fifties, Phonsie “Red” McVeigh and “Big Rab” McCann who I think I can remember playing alongside, against Wolf Tones on the Whitewell Road, were players who could never be omitted from any Davitts hurling team

    Micheal MacDaibheid

    Best 15 Hurling

    By Joe de Meulemeester

    1       Frank McKay

    A good reliable shot stopper, Frank held this position for many years

    2       Martin Tully

    Martin is a multi-talented sportsman, he played Minor Football for the County and was a Boxing Champion and a great Hurler

      3       “Big Rab” McCann

            A colossus of a man on the edge of the square. Rab Captained the Belfast Primary School Team that defeated their Dublin counterparts

            4       Eugene Gallagher

            Hard as nails, just like his Dad who was the Antrim and St Johns corner back for years. Nobody getting past here!

            5       Sean Og Prenter

            Sean was an all-round steady player, great ball striker, consistently knocking points over from the middle of the park.

            6       Tony Loughran

            Natural Centre- Half, very strong in the air and always in control of the situation.

            7       Gary Nelson

            Grandson of Jim, easy to see that he was born with a hurl in his hands. Fabulous first touch.

            8       Martin Mooney

            “Shiner” was a great reader of the game, always in the right place, always looking for someone to pass the ball to, never wasted possession.

            9       Joe de Meulemeester

            “Modesty” forbids me telling you how good I was. Let’s just say I played for 50 years and loved every minute.

            10     Mickey Topping

            Top Class hurler, Michael was on the Antrim development squads from he was Under 14. Unfortunately we had to keep chasing after him to get him to play ( and we did, and he did ) but he was a great talent and could have been so much better.

            11     Phonsie McVeigh

            “Red” was on the verge of retirement when I became part of the Club, so I didn’t get to witness his greatness, but he was a “Legend” according to the “auld hands” back then.

            12     Stephen Brady

            Another all-round sportsman, Stephen played on the County Football Team, dedicated, quick,, tricky, always eager for possession, never stopped running. Still the same on the handball court today.

            13     Paddy O’Neill

            Great player all over the park, I struggled as to where best to slot him in, for he could have played anywhere and did, Centre-half, Centre-three quarters, but he had an eye for a score and hit (3-3) in the no. 13 shirt in the Junior Hurling Championship Final in Casement Park in 1979

            14     Terry Fallon

            Terry at full-forward was a luxury we could seldom afford, he was generally more needed out the field. A Fireman by trade he was very fit, very strong and fearless, an ideal no.14

            15     Jackie Loughran

            Jackie read the game well, attacked the ball and was very adept at picking off a few points

            A Few Players that I found very difficult to leave out

            Bobby Reilly was one of the elders on the team when my generation of players joined the Club in the early fifties. Bobby retained his playing status for many years after that. He was a very organised player and he taught us and encouraged us so much

            Bobbys son Robin was a very good hurler but I imagine Robin always counted himself more of a footballer

            My brother Pat de Meulemeester played alongside me at midfield for at least 10 years. Pat like myself was only about 5 feet 5ins. But he still managed to play Basketball for the Ulster Schools Team because of his ability to man-mark. I could always depend on him to cover for me when I went chasing off after the ball. I miss him dearly.

            Nishy Lewsley, played Senior Hurling with Sarsfields and obviously the experience gained there stood him in good stead when playing in the Junior ranks with Davitts. I don’t know how he didn’t get on my team.

            Seamus Hurley from the same generation as myself, partnered me at midfield through our juvenile years, left the country as a young man and when he returned his chance was gone.

            One other player that it would be remiss of me not to mention for he was a great talent, is Dee Manning who “emigrated” to Galway as a teenager, Top Class player, potential unfulfilled.

            • Michael Davitt’s GAC winners of the Frank Hamill Memorial Cup 1951 (South Antrim Hurling League)
            by thesaffrongael

            Cuchullains in cruise control

            Senior Reserve Hurling Cup – Group 2

            Dunloy 5-25 St Galls 2-12

            Monday July 20

            Report and pictures from Brendan McTaggart

            Dunloy cruised to a 22 point win over St Galls in the senior reserve championship opener in Pearse Park on Monday evening.  It was a superb attacking display from the Cuchullains who scored 5-18 from play and 10 different names on the scoresheet.  The home side held a 23 point lead at the short whistle and St Galls improved after the interval to close the gap but it was a more than comfortable win for the Cuchullains by the end of the hour.

            Dunloy were slick all over the field with Chrissy McMahon, Anton McGrath and Liam McCann outstanding.  They scored their opening goal in the fourth minute with Ryan McFarlane finishing.  Their second and third goals came in the space of 60 seconds, Kevin McQuillan and McMahon opening a 19 point lead in the 25th minute.  McQuillan’s major meaning the front eight for the Cuchullains had all registered scores.

            The Milltown Row men had points from Gregory McGreevy (two frees) and Ewan Rush in the opening 30 minutes but McQuillan’s second goal and McMahon found his range once again to take his tally to 1-4 for the first half.

            St Galls had the help of whatever wind there was in the second half and they scored their first goal of the game just two minutes after the restart.  Patrick Friel sending the sliotar to the Dunloy goals and Niall Burke did enough to put Paul Doherty off as the ball dropped into the Dunloy net.

            Kian Cruikshank (two) looked lively from play while McGreevy remained accurate from placed ball to keep the scoreboard ticking for the Milltown Row men but McGrath, McMahon and McCann were responding in kind for the Cuchullains.

            The home side scored their fifth goal of the game in the 50th minute, substitute Daithi Cree firing home from close range.  St Galls second major came with the last action of the game, Niall Burke deflecting a dropping free from McGreevy and giving Doherty little chance in the Dunloy goal.

            Both sides were reduced to 14 men late in the game with McCann and Ronan Crossan seeing red for an off the ball altercation and tempers threatened to boil over but it was a win for the Cuchullains and they have a two week wait before their next game in the group.  St Galls welcome Loughgiel to west Belfast next Monday.

            Dunloy: Paul Doherty; Oran Quinn, Karl O’Kane, Oran Shivers; Callum Scullion, Eamon Smyth, Ciaran McQuillan; Liam McCann, Ciaran Elliott; Gabriel McTaggart, Anton McGrath, Chrissy McMahon; Ryan McFarlane, Kevin McQuillan, Miceal Murphy

            Scorers: Chrissy McMahon 1-8; Ryan McFarlane 1-3; Kevin McQuillan 2-00; Liam McCann 0-5 (1 f); Anton McGrath 0-3; Miceal Murphy 0-3 (3 f); Daithi Cree 1-00; Eamon Smyth 0-1; Ciaran Elliott 0-1; Gabriel McTaggart 0-1

            St Galls: Cormac Sheehan; Liam McCluskey, David Sheehan, Paul Loughran; Michael McMullan, Jack Hopkins, Anthony Healy; Eoghan McCurdy, Gregory McGreevy; Kian Cruikshank, Patrick Friel, Ewan Rush; Ronan Crossen, Niall Burke, Colm McCloskey

            Scorers: Gregory McGreevy 0-6 (4 f’s 1 ’65); Patrick Friel 1-2; Niall Burke 1-00; Kian Cruickshank 0-2; Jack Hopkins 0-1; Ewan Rush 0-1

            Referee: Paul McSparren (Cushendun)

            by thesaffrongael

            Glenavy comeback secures victory

            ACFL Div.2. Group 2

            Glenavy3.13 4.05 St.Teresas’

            Photographs: Bert Trowlen

            With home venue and excellent pitch the hill side were looking forward to a win in the opening game of this year’s league but they didn’t get things easy. Inside the first five minutes St.Teresa’s were 2.1 in front.

            Darren McCann had the opening point quickly followed by goals from Joe Rafferty and Niall McCann. To their credit the young St. Joseph’s side rallied. Six unanswered points from Conor Hamill, Fergal Green with two, Patrick Gallagher, Fergal Henry and Niall McCann to leave two between the sides.

            St.Teresa’s were awarded a penalty which was dispatched to the net. Fergal Green showed all his class with three excellent points, one from play and two pointed frees from difficult angles.

            Halftime score 0.08 v 3.01 to the visitors.

            Fergal Green added a pointed free to get the second half going. The home defence was breached again with a long ball in which fell to Jay Mellon who gave the home keeper no chance. The orange men would have been in serious trouble only for two excellent saves to keep his side in the game.

            Once again back came the home side with a point and a goal from young Fergal Henry.  County player Patrick Gallagher finished an excellent move with a well-executed goal to put his side in front for the first time.

            The city side were not going to give this one up without a fight. Jay Mellon had a point from play and one from a free but Glenavy replied and Fergal Henry split the posts from the sideline. Phillip Maguire got in on the act with a point from play for the visitors but once again Ferga l Henry raised the white flag. Joe Rafferty had the Glen Road side’s last score with time moving into time added on but the final score of the game fell to Conor Hamill who fired to the net in injury time to give his side a five point victory.

            St.Joseph’s J. Nelson, L. Henry, R. Malley,  P. O’Neill, M. Hamill, C. Gallagher, J. Phillips, O. Hamill (M. Kane), M. Johnston, C. Loney, P. Gallagher, C. Hamill, F. Henry, F. Green (S. Doone) N. McCann (A. Gallagher).

            Referee Paul Burns.