Greatest Antrim Hurler

[slow corner back]

Aristotle, you are letting urself down a bit there, cloot played  on until he was about 40. He only had about 5 years of intercounty hurling because he did not start until he was 26 and he was plagued with injury, at club level he played for about 25 years.

[shaneo]

There's one guy I remember playing in Antrim Hurling and he was the best I seen at the time. 
I was at Queen's at the time and would have attended many of the games played in Belfast during my four years there.  This guy played for St Paul's and he was in mid field for them, he was also very young at the time, for sure, still minor.

I seen him a couple of times, once against St John's and he scored something like nine to ten points and was being lined by Mick Carling and Cut Cunningham at the same time, but they couldn't come even close to stopping him.  Both these St John's guys were both very highly respected Antrim county hurlers.  The other time I seen him play was against Sarsfield's and he took them apart also.  I never seen him play again over the years and I'd asked about him at one of the St Paul's games and I was told he moved down south.

I remember his name was Marshall, I don't know if this was his first name or surname.  Over the four years in Belfast I watched many, senior hurling games, teams from the city and north of the county Antrim and Down  and he was the most impressive hurler I remember, very skilful, very fast, he made everything look very easy indeed.

Shane

[nrico2006]

Is Kevin Armstrong related to Barry Armstrong who coaches Lamh Dearg hurlers?

[slow corner back]

No relation afaik. I went to queens with Barry Armstrong and Donal ( Kevins son) was there at the same time. I never thought there was any connection between the two of them.

[Baile an tuaigh]

I'm 35 now and haven't lived at home for 14 years. But the hurlers that stood out most for me most were. Stephen and Peter Boyle Ballycastle. Dessie Donnelly extremely accurate but had very little athleticism great hurler though and could have been better if it wasn't for his legs. Can't comment on Eddie Donnelly because his prime was before my time. Always thought Tony Mc Grath from Dunloy was a class act. Never forget the goal he scored against Glenmore when he threw the ball over his shoulder and doubled it to the net. Ally Elliot. Seamus Mc Mullan, woody Mc Kinley, Shane Elliot, Damian Mc Mullan, Liam Watson, Jim Connolly, Danny Mc Naughton, Cairan Barr, Aiden Mc Carry, magic Mc Fetridge and many more I'm forgetting were all serious talents.

It is important not to let time trick the mine and some times we romantasise the gallant efforts of the 89 team. However if we had a back door then there would have been no final for us. Thats taking nothing from the lads efforts.

A lot of great hurlers slipped through the net at club level and never got their chance to prove themselves for many reasons, retirement, emigration, marriage, alcholism etc. I new quite a few prospects that never fulfilled their potential. Also great players that didn't comity to a senior club or County team and weren't seen on the main stage.

Dunloy has been the greatest hurling parish in Antrim. I would rate Dunloy better than loughiel even though they won the . Beating Athenry, Glenmore, Mountsion, Portumna, drawing with Birr and Sursfields has given Antrim hurling a lot more hope within the County and respect outside the County. Very surprised the poll doesn't have more Dunloy names they got shafted by the Ulster council after the row with lavey and Antrim in 91 and now this poll!!

[setanta23]

I was fortunate enough to play with and against most opf the players mentioned here, but I have no doubt that Eddie Donnelly was the best hurler in the last 50 years.For club county and provence he was exceptional,in railway cup games he regularly chiped in with 2-5, 3-4 etc playing on a team that was being well beaten and marked by on of the countrys best full backs. He was also a gentleman on and off the field.

[glens abu]

Have to agree I think Eddie Donnelly the best I ever seen but often heard my Father speak of Stout McDonald who I think played for Rossa as one of the all time greats.

[bannside]

A name I always hear is Bobby Mc Mullan. Hes in his early eighties now, but heard stories about him keeping Christy ring scoreless a few times when both were at their peak. He originated from Glenariff, but had relations in Loughgiel and would have gone there to work for the full summer months and played most of his hurling there.

Might have to ask your parents or even grandparents about him though.

For me Eddie Donnelly, Mick O Connell, Ciaran Barr, Clute and yes Sean Collins in midfield for rossa was a class act.

Shane Mc Naughton was heading that way too but emigrated, and a young Brian Donnelly was unstoppable.

[AQMP]

When I started to follow hurling closely Eddie Donnelly was I suppose coming towards middle/end of his career but I still rate him as the best player I've seen in an Antrim shirt.  As bannside says, a young Brian Donnelly was a joy to watch.  My father still says that Kevin Armstrong was the best "dual" player he's ever seen (from any county).

[spuds]

Hurler on the Bitch was the best Antrim poster of his time. Is fada ó bhí sé thart ar an mbaile seo.