Messages

Lamh dhearg player was left blind in one eye , eye ruptured by opponent hitting him with but of stick through viser.

Absolutely disgusted that what went on at the Lamh Dhearg game has been brushed over. The powers at be better throw the book at the country club and player. Only put on about five statuses in 4 years but horrified

I must qualify that I think ucc were worthy in the way they played over the weekend. The timekeeping and call at the end wasn't down to them

That was what was meant to happen but clock didn't stop. Morgan was out of order. Not the way to celebrate a win. Typical of the man

Two things...ucc deserve a lot of credit over the weekend, worthy winners.but firstly that point was a good 4ft wide. Secondly , the clock wasn't stopped at all in second half yet the hooter blew up on 30 mins therefore there wasn't one second of injury time played.

I think you are right ..but actually think our lad was tarred with wrong brush, he was wrong but some of abush he took from hill was scandalous . He took his beating apologised to the St. John's team. Apparently it was solely aimed at the hill, the case didn't stand up.

Ps are you inferring that Lamh dhearg had any blame in the rasharkin incident?

The same wee boy country bumpkin whose name you are trying to sully, was charged with striking. Apparently not one witness said he struck. If you watched the game you will see that he was struck several times, deserved or not but once that was thrown out , as apparently the report was inaccurate in many ways, you are proposing he be banned for cheering to the crowd? No such charge exists

Fully agree with the sentiments as expressed by the cracken.............saw what went on on amongst the spectators post that u-21 semi replay and the fact that the player who provoked those scenes had his suspension rescinded is deplorable.........i

Interesting, the ulster council had nothing to do with the suspension. Secondly there is no charge of provocation and more to the point are you saying that you deserve suspensions or beating for over exuberance and celebrating a tense win over two great games. Does Davy Fitz deserve suspensions for his celebrations? If you know nothing say nothin

Antrim need to think outside the box.

Jim Mccorry is supposedly leaving killkoo this year. He completely transformed that club. Raymond Munroe did great things in my opinion with Tyrone minors and with his club Carrickmore. Paul Mc ivor is potentially another option. Banty would also be a really good option. He is a wealthy man as it is and would bring unbelievable passion to the county as would another Monaghan man Bernie Murray who played senior for Monaghan and has coached queens , Monaghan minors and dromintee.

sorry i meant ciaran hamill. strong cases for pat magorrian, paddy cunningham senior, michael johnstone, aidan donnelly, donal armstrong, peter murray, ciaran o'neill, lennie harbinson and was it stphen lynn?? from cargin

Having read the thread on the best Gaelic footballers from the weaker counties and listened to bannside's exhortations, I have tried my hand at naming the best Antrim team over the last 25 years. In doing so I will admit that their youth has precluded the McCanns, Andy McClean, Justin Crozier and Conor John Pius; I would fully expect that if I was to revisit this exercise in three or four years time, then some or that entire quintet would be selected. Likewise Kevin McGourty's proclivity to the controversial has seen him excluded from selection. I am also aware that few, if any, of you will agree with my team, but such is the nature of these teams and I hope to stimulate debate with this selection.

Sean McGreevy (St. Paul's) – Almost an automatic choice, have we had another keeper in the last 25 years? There is a strong argument that Red Dog would make the best Ulster team of the last generation.

Donal Laverty (Cargin) – Would have preferred to pick him in his more natural half back slot, but couldn't leave either wing half out. Nor could I leave Laverty out, hence I have fired him in at number 2.

Ciaran Hamill (Glenavy) – Excellent footballer, but one who suffered because his prime was during the darkest days of Antrim football.

Martin Mulholland (Glenravel) – Could have been chosen in any position on the full back line, but by selecting him at left corner back, I can justifiably state that had his father remained in his native county Derry, Martin would have worn this number in the All-Ireland final in '93.

Sean Kelly (St. Gall's) – Youngest member of my selection. Would be a household name and an All-Star had he been born in Tyrone, Armagh or Derry. There is something seriously wrong with football in Antrim when someone with Kelly's attitude and ability feels unable to commit to inter-county football. What would that be Dr. McSparran?

Charlie McStravick (St. Paul's) – Rock solid centre-half to cover for the flamboyance of his two wing men. Although having said that, Charlie could play a bit too.

Alex McQuillan (Glenravel) – The only automatic choice – a rich man's Aaron Kernan. Twenty years ago he was doing what Kernan currently has commentators drooling over. Except he was doing it better. The fact that his cousin Dr McSparran name drops Alex McQuillan when the good doctor is trying to feign interest in football should not detract from the footballer that was Alex McQuillan.

John McKiernan (St. Teresa's) – More or less done by '83, but his exploits over the preceding decade meant I couldn't leave him out.

JP O'Kane (Lamh Dhearg) – Better known for his time with Louth and it is a pity that Antrim didn't get more time with him. Allegedly played on a Railway Cup alongside fourteen Dubs. Only representative of a once proud but ailing club.

Kevin Gough (St. John's) – Again the only representative of a once proud but ailing club.

Timmy Connolly (Ballymena) – Excellent chf, hard as nails and a very skilful footballer to boot. Saw him destroy Henry Downey in an All-Ireland club quarter-final during his time with Tir Conaill Gaels. Another who, unfortunately, we didn't get enough out of in the saffron jersey.

Ciaran O'Neill (Cargin) – Centre half back on the Ulster under-21 winning team of 1989, but was better at midfield or half forward. By selecting him at left half forward, I can justifiably state that had his father remained in his native county Derry, Butcher would have worn this number in the All-Ireland final in '93.

Kevin Madden (Portglenone) – Probably the best known Antrim forward on the last ten years. Good with free and from play, but lacking any real challengers for this spot.

PJ O'Hare (St. Gall's) – A unique blend of the finest talents of Kerry's two finest poachers; the physical strength of the Bomber and the basketball ability of the Star. Sullied his reputation somewhat with his forays into management.

John McManus (St. Paul's) – Vastly underrated footballer. Better at the frees than Madden and also better from play. Once kicked four points from play off Kieran McKeever and even bested Seamus 'The Pony' Moynihan on the one occasion their paths crossed.

So there you have it folks, seven country boys, seven city men and one (JP) from the part of the county that is neither city nor country. I could have been a politician.

Honourable mentions it has to be said for men like Joe Quinn, Paul McErlean, Yash Armstrong, Frank Hasson, Dermot Graham, Mickey Darragh, Speedy McAllister, Barney McCann and Joe Kennedy.

This is good fun. I might do a tour of all the counties now.


    Surely terry mccrudden has been the best centre half back this county has had over the past 25 years? Does anyone remember him marking martin mchugh and keeping him scoreless in the championship. cavan also springs to mind 1995 when he had to go onto peter reilly and do mcstravicks job for him. My team would be:
1.Sean Mcgreevey - St. Pauls
2.Aidan Hamill - Glenavy
3.Bap Armstrong - Rossa
4. Martin Mulholland - Glenravel
5. Alex McQuillan - Glenravel
6. Terry McCrudden - Lamh Dhearg
7. Sean Kelly - St Galls
8. John P O'Kane - Lamh Dhearg
9. John McKiernan - St. Theresas / Lamh Dhearg
10. Timmy Connolly - Ballymena
11. Jim Herron - Lamh Dhearg
12. Gerry McCann - St Johns
13. Micky Darragh - St Johns
14. not too sure
15. Kevin Gough - St Johns