Antrim v Offaly @ Athletic Grounds, Armagh (approx 1985/86?)

[theskull1]

We had another fine half back in those day Sean Reynolds (Claude) who was most likely on the panel at that time. Both himself and Stephen were top notch players in there day. Pity he's not about the club any more

[Plain of the Herbs]

Reynolds wasn't on the panel that year, Skull, but I've checked and he was programmed at full-back the previous year v Cork.

We had another fine half back in those day Sean Reynolds (Claude) who was most likely on the panel at that time. Both himself and Stephen were top notch players in there day. Pity he's not about the club any more

[Hurler on the Bitch]

That game v Kilkenny was on a balmy August afternoon in Dundalk 1987 - there was a bit of a row as the game was set for there and a bit of an insult to Antrim; and indeed the competition. In 86, Antrim under Sean McGuinness gave Cork such a fright in front of a paltry 2,000 in Croke, so this was another great test. I recall the traffic from the north into Dundalk that day and, by God, they got some fright did Kilkenny. I think fitness told at the end and on the Sunday Game that night there was about 3 minutes of coverage. In 88, the GAA went for a double-header in the semis - as Antrim had finally qualified for division earlier that year by beating Dublin at Casement - 7,000 at the game I recall. We lost to Tipp, but it was a keen game throughout. And in 89, THAT GAME V Offaly ..

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Really enjoyed reading through this thread and I am a Derry man too- I always like to see Antrim do well though and would love to see them getting back to being consistently competitive at the top level again.

[Bud Wiser]

Helen, (We call her Helen of Troy) who is Jim Troys sister serves up the pints in my local every evening. John Troy came along later and won an All-Ireland and brought the McCarthy Cup to the pub. I think Helen played for the county camogie team as well so I'd say Lusmagh would have been a ruffle in the feathers of the lads from Birr back then.

[Íseal agus crua isteach a]

I remember in the 1986 semi final Olcan Laverty (who was very small) lined out at corner forward had a wee trick. Where he would stick the ball under his arm pit when going round the corner back. Referee never coped it. Highly doubt he would get away with that now. Almost sure Paul McKillen got man of the match marking his favourite hurler John Fenton.

Another little pointer was quite a few Antrim players had never even been to Croke park then even for a visit.

[johnneycool]

I remember in the 1986 semi final Olcan Laverty (who was very small) lined out at corner forward had a wee trick. Where he would stick the ball under his arm pit when going round the corner back. Referee never coped it. Highly doubt he would get away with that now. Almost sure Paul McKillen got man of the match marking his favourite hurler John Fenton.

Another little pointer was quite a few Antrim players had never even been to Croke park then even for a visit.

Was that the wee shít from Ballycastle?

[Íseal agus crua isteach a]

I remember in the 1986 semi final Olcan Laverty (who was very small) lined out at corner forward had a wee trick. Where he would stick the ball under his arm pit when going round the corner back. Referee never coped it. Highly doubt he would get away with that now. Almost sure Paul McKillen got man of the match marking his favourite hurler John Fenton.

Another little pointer was quite a few Antrim players had never even been to Croke park then even for a visit.

Was that the wee shít from Ballycastle?

Thats him Johnney pure live wire.