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Earlier this month (12 March) the Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Councillor Charlie Casey hosted the Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo Club, Warrenpoint at the Council Civic Centre in Newry to celebrate its recent successes. After competing in many prestigious competitions over the past year, the club has won seven gold medals, eight silver medals and seven bronze medals.
The club was formed 45 years ago by Martin Savage, who is still a key player in the technical aspects of the club to this day, despite his retirement to France. The club endures due to its strong ethos of promoting the sport at a grass roots level. Coaches Nigel O’Neill and Dermot McCaul have recently held Judo sessions in schools in Warrenpoint and Mayobridge to try and encourage the love of the sport within young people in their local community.
Speaking at the event Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I would like to congratulate the Judo Club on all of its successes over the years. It is great to see them compete in so many competitions locally and internationally, demonstrating exceptional skills and grit in all forms of Kata. One of the Council’s key objectives is to support improved health and wellbeing outcomes within the district and it is so important that we highlight the achievements of local clubs and societies that help us deliver on these.
Cllr Charlie Casey continued, “I know Shinken Shobu Ryu Judo Club has had a very busy year in 2019 winning many medals, putting the Club on the map. For this reason, I am delighted to present the club with an engraved bowl as a token of my Council’s appreciation, and to show how proud we are of each and every one of these young ambassadors for Newry, Mourne and Down. It is evident that there is a brilliant combination of teamwork, skill, and high quality of comradeship, which have been major factors in the success and longevity of the Judo Club.”
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Just two weeks back the Nation reflected on its National Holiday, spent not in celebration, but in isolation.
A normal St Patrick's Day would have seen many of us chewing the cud of another busy sporting day. A new McRory cup champion would have been crowned, another name engraved on the great Schools Cup. A whole hosts of events that would normally celebrate the culture of the Island have been cancelled. If you did not understand previously where sports sat in the culture, I think most people do now.
This avenue of distraction, of fun and entertainment has become a Cul de Sac without warning.
In years gone by, two new All-Ireland champions would have been crowned in Croke Park. Today, people queued in their cars on Jones' Road, awaiting a nurse to swab them for the Covid-19 virus.
It was a St Patrick's Day like no other, but then this is a virus like no other. Covid-19 has stopped the entire world in its tracks. Or at least it should have.
Knowing when to begin sports again will be a difficult question to answer, but it will be an important green shoot of recovery. Knowing when to stop them turned into a controversial decision, when it didn't really have to.
Decisions
Massive sums of money are involved rarely lead to good decisions being made. From a sporting point of view, it is hard to reflect on the last few weeks and not marvel at the incredulous decision to allow the 2020 Cheltenham Festival to proceed. The health repercussions of this event are yet to be felt, and it certain that history will not be kind to those who allowed a quarter of a million people to congregate over 4 days, while the country around it began to cower in submission
Globally, few events have survived the virus shutdown, a Post-Malone concert in Vegas proceeded in the midst of public quarantine, and a variety of early St Patrick's Day celebrations went ahead in oblivious ignorance. Swarms of people in the south and northside of Chicago led the Illinois Governor to make an unscheduled press conference, pleading with these people to go home. Indirectly, the people who thronged the pubs of Temple Bar on the Friday before the 17th March may have done Ireland a huge solid.
The spine-tingling reaction that resulted led the Irish Government to close all pubs in the country, just a few days before their biggest trading day of the year. Fearing an onslaught from across the border, many pubs and bars along the border did the same, exercising immense restraint and social responsibility in the midst of a leadership vacuum in the British State.
NBA
In the United States, a similar absence of clear direction from the federal government has led state governors and the leaders of sporting bodies to take matters into their own hands. As in the past, basketball was at the forefront of social responsibility in American sport. The events that led to the suspension of the world's most high-profile sports league were dramatic almost beyond belief.
Adam Silver, NBA commissioner has already dealt with two major catastrophes in his sport this season. The passing of Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna and three other people, led to a global wake of sorts, and an outpouring of grief previously unseen in American Sports. Bill Simmons of The Ringer described it aptly as "The saddest day in the history of the NBA". And indeed, the first crisis for Basketball like Covid-19 had its roots in China, when a pre-season tour for the Houston Rockets was suddenly cut short after its General Manager Daryl Morey expressed support for pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong.
The swiftness in how the NBA season was shut down was stunning. The first ripple in the water was the confirmation that Frenchman Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz had tested positive for Covid-19.
As Gobert's diagnosis was confirmed, the NBA's BrainTrust had already been drawing up contingencies. Plans had been made to play games behind closed doors for sometime, which would have led to some fascinating audio gathered from the stadiums.
As it was, this never came to pass. The Utah / OKC game that night was never played, and officials and players were confined to the dressing rooms as medical teams decided what to do next.
Even more dramatic was how the game was postponed in the moment. When the diagnosis of Gobert was confirmed, the NBA brass were resolute. Clearly the no-fans games were dependent upon there being no infection among the playing base. Gobert's diagnosis shattered all of those plans. The Oklahoma City Medical Director sprinted on court literally minutes before the game was to start to gather the match officials together. Within minutes the stadium was emptied of fans and within the hour, the entire NBA season had been suspended.
Although he has been humble contrite since his illness was confirmed, the sight of Gobert childishly rubbing the microphones of the assembled media members leaving a press briefing a few days earlier is am image he may never be able to recover from.
Preventing Parish from meeting Parish
A similarly swift reaction in Ireland was the decision of the GAA to immediately cease all activities. This decision will undoubtedly save lives down the line, as in one statement, the authorities in Croke Park were able to dramatically limit the movements and gathering of literally millions of people. In some ways, this decision was more important even than closing of schools, as it prevented parish from meeting parish, and sent a strong message to the nation that it was not 'business as usual'.
All over the country, people have been trying to create their new normal. A burst of sunshine of the first quarantine weekend led to massive backlashes, and a rationalisation of what was allowed. More and more public parks and spaces have been closed, in the aim of reducing the appeal of travelling any distance from your home.
With pitches closed and trainings on pause, clubs have been engaging their members in different digital ways, and in some ways it has been uniting to see Olympic athletes and stars like Leo Messi and Padraig Harrington come up with new novel ways to entertain themselves and their children in the back garden. Their gardens may be a bit nicer than most, but keepie uppies with a toilet roll is something anyone can identify with.
Lone Practice
It did occur to me that this period may engender a new appreciation for the value of individual, lone practice. Certainly, as a young lad I spent hours by myself hitting balls of varying descriptions off whatever wall I could find, and made it to the ripe age of 23 before I broke my first window. Perhaps this enforced isolation will impress upon a generation that they do not need communal practices to become great, it is through a lonely, obsessive routine that improvement is seen in anything you do.
Huge Hunger for Games
As sports fans, all we can do now is dream of the day that we can cheer again. It seems clear that the path out of this abeyance of games will not be fast or sudden. Society will slowly start to turn itself back on. People will be afraid to do that. The months of warnings we have absorbed about mass gatherings and the contagion that we risk in these settings will not simply melt away. And there is the solemn fear we all contain inside, knowing that many families will lose loved ones before society loses its restrictions. Their lives will not in the moment be celebrated or retold to congregations. They will quietly fade from view until a time comes when friends can gather to remember those gone.
That day will come, and when it does there will be a huge hunger for games. Both in the public, and certainly in the teams of athletes who can only take so many weeks of sit-ups with their kids and washing-up liquid treadmills. So too amongst the sports media, who for weeks now have had to content themselves with speculation about how each sport will design their comeback, along with some backyard commentating on their Labradors and toddlers.
There have been some individual charitable contributions which have risen above the fray. In America, Kevin Love was one of the first NBA stars to shine a light on the cause of the arena workers, whose zero-hour contracts saw them in almost immediate financial jeopardy when the sports shut down. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the great philanthropists in sports today and has already donated millions towards the fightback and asked for a suspension of his wages from Juventus.
GAA clubs were of course to the fore of the Covid-t19 fightback in Ireland, knitting together the loose threads in their communities, vital searchlights in the dark days of this virus. It is crucial those fallen between the cracks get found again and sewn back into the fabric of their neighbourhoods.
There will be a great, joyous day when Ireland and other countries around the world can laugh, sing, dance and hug again. Sport will be a part of that celebration. It is the icing on the cake of life. The fizz in our glass, the biscuit with our tea. It allows us to unite as tribes, and bang our clan drums in defiant abandon. For now, the tribes must unite in defiance of our common unseen enemy.
Until then, its washing our hands, maniacally spraying ourselves with sanitizer, and staying a Michael Jordan's length away from everyone in the street. Waving to our mums and nannies through the kitchen windows, will soon turn in to waving our flags and banners on the terraces and stands. For now though, we all know what the score is. We’re down a few scores, and we’ve a way to go before half time.
Author: Conor Keenan
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Athletes Eamon Murphy and Seán Quinn are calling on all Isolated Runners, Cyclists, Walkers, Hikers, Dog Walkers to get out into the fresh air as part of their one exercise a day and to maybe consider donating to Run for Autism H.A.N.D.
During the current Coronavirus pandemic regulations state you can leave home for one form of exercise a day and the pair feel that this is as much about keeping the mental health and wellbeing right, as anything else.
Explaining the idea behind the initiative Sean says " I've had messages from parents and carers who are already getting it very difficult now that their special needs kids and family members are ‘staying at home’. Many kids are unable to go to school or to their day care and their parents and carers are now therefore getting no respite or ‘me time’ putting a lot of serious strain on them.
"I know too well what it is like to be tied to the house with nowhere to go and nowhere for your special needs child(ren) to go. Our daughter never fitted the criteria for respite, nor day care, nor special school, so she has spent most of her life at home with her mum and dad and things haven’t changed now that she is 27. It has had a huge impact on us both physically and mentally.
"I can see people getting into great difficulties at home now with their kids not being able to go anywhere. We can't go into people's homes to help you, but we can inspire you to get out and have a little much needed ‘me time’. You are allowed to go out of your home once a day to do some form of exercise during these uncertain times, so make sure and do it. Take it in turns to go for a walk or a run, that’s how we try to keep our mental health and wellbeing managed best we can – every little helps."
Séan emphasises that Eamon and him have started the campaign, not just to make a few pounds to help those with a learning disability and or autism but to help inspire everyone to get out and get motivated. As he explains "This campaign is for everyone so we can all support each other, share our photos, our exercise ideas and keep in touch during these difficult days."
Séan adds "We have never been here before, this is all new. As runners, cyclists and walkers we aren’t sure what to do. What we CANNOT do is run or walk or cycle together in groups.
"What we CAN do is run, cycle or walk alone, and we can also make something special happen as a result to help make a difference. We need a focus, a motivation.
"Become an isolated runner or cyclist or walker - go any distance - but go ALONE"
Eamon and Séan suggest you record your run, cycle or walk on Strava (or other apps) and post your distance and route with (optional) photo. Set a target if you wish or a challenge, we are all in this together for the next few months. You can start with a 5k and build up your miles... it's up to you!
Séan adds "All we ask is that you help us make a difference at the end of this Pandemic (hopefully that will be soon) by making a one off small donation, how much is up to you. What we do know at the end of this many vulnerable children and adults with autism and learning difficulties will be greatly affected, if not already. For those who care for a loved one with autism and/or a learning difficulty they feel isolated most of their lives so this current situation we all face today is not new to them. We just want to make a difference to those that will need it most in the months that lie ahead. We want to help them by donating funds to help them get back to normality again.
"I hope we, as runners, cyclists or walkers can find this as a motivation and a focus to keep us moving physically and mentally, while also contributing to autism charities and learning disability support groups across the District Council areas of Armagh, Banbridge Craigavon and Newry, Mourne and Down."
Concluding Séan adds "All proceeds raised will help kick start groups and clubs to get going again when we get to the end of this pandemic. Many groups haven't the capacity to fundraise now because of so many restrictions imposed upon them. So please can you help us by promoting this page and invite your friends to follow this page; become a leader not a follower, become an isolated runner or walker and we all can make a difference to the world together."
Check out their Just Giving Page for more and feel free to donate WWW.JUSTGIVING.COM
See the Isolated Runner Facebook page here WWW.FACEBOOK.COM
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Craobh Rua Camlocha Hurling Club have organised a “Puc Around Slieve Gullion” to keep its hurlers on the move during this challenging time. The south Armagh based Club have also decided to use their “Puc” to help raise much needed funds for Cuan Mhuire (Sister Consilios) Addiction Centre.
Laurence Bradley Chairperson of Craobh Rua said “This initiative was put together by our senior team hurlers. Our club is rooted in the community and have developed many relationships with Charities such as Cuan Mhuire. Recently Cuan Mhuire facilitated an excellent Workshop about Addiction and the impact of it on individuals, their families, friends and wider communities. This is our way of showing our gratitude. Cuan Mhuire like most Charities is facing tough times at the minute and have launched an Emergency Fund”.
Pat Mc Ginn secretary of Craobh Rua, works with the “Friends of Cuan Mhuire” Group said “Any support at all to help Sr Consilio, her staff and Volunteers continue to deliver their life changing and life saving services is very welcome. I always have been proud of this Club for its efforts not only with playing and promoting hurling but it’s care for the community.The club and our members are involved in the wide range of community support during the Coronavirus pandemic. We are also fully aware of other consequences from this period such as addiction and that is why the hurlers have put this together. We invite all to ‘give it a lash’
Craobh Rua Camlocha Hurling Club Puc around Sliabh Gullion fundraising for Cuan Mhuire (Sr Consilios)
Check it out below and ‘Give it a lash’
You can donate at WWW.CROWDFUNDER.CO.UK
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Ten cyclists from Armagh Down Cycling Club are embarking on a novel fundraiser this weekend for the Southern Area Hospice.
The fundraiser which has already raised over £1500 will see them ride the length of Ireland, all from the 'comfort' of their stationary ‘turbo trainers’ Not content with that the committed cyclists will virtually ride back again, a total of 1300km!
It will be Malin Head to Mizen Head without the view! The club will cycle the distance over two days 9 and 16 May.
Each year Armagh Down Cycling Club has hosted a charity sportive, and with the support of their sponsors, they have raised tens of thousands for local charities. Unfortunately, the club have had to cancel this year’s planned event due to the coronavirus restrictions, this also falls at a time when charities need help more than ever.
You can support tthem at their Just Giving Page
Southern Area Hospice Services provides invaluable support and care to people suffering from cancer and other terminal illnesses. All services are provided free of charge, and they rely heavily on voluntary donations to continue providing their special care. On 20th March Hospice Services had to postpone all their planned fundraising events due to government Covid-19 advice – this event by Armagh Down cycling club means their members can help, from the safety of their own homes.
The event is the brainchild of club Chairman, Adrian Fegan. The riders will cover the equivalent in terms of distance and climbing, from Malin Head to Mizen Head and back again, 1300 kilometres (808 miles). Taking place on Saturdays 9 and 16 May, each day the first cyclist will ‘set off’ at 4 a.m. with each of the nine riders taking turns until the daily 650km target is reached. The target time to complete 1300km is 40 hours or less.
The riders are Adrian Fegan, John Judge, David Convery, Philip Loughlin, Cathal O’Hare, Alan Ó Cléirigh, Ciaran Lynch, Cathal Gallagher, Mark White and Damien Phillips - please give them support by both sharing the event on social media, and making a donation to Southern Area Hospice Services via JustGiving. Armagh Down Cycling Club aims to raise at least £2,000 / €2,300 during this initiative.
The fundraising event will be fully interactive, the riders will be using popular virtual cycling platform, Zwift, and their Facebook page - /WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/
Other cyclists using Zwift are encouraged to ‘join’ the cyclists and give encouragement on the day. Full details on the Armagh Down Cycling Club Facebook page prior to the event. The Zwift platform will ensure the riders will not only cover the distance, but it will also replicate the amount of climbing typically encountered during the real-life route. No doubt there will be a competitive edge to the event as each of the nine cyclists compete to cover their sections in the fastest time.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
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An All-Ireland winner with Armagh in 2002 and with his club Crossmaglen Rangers too, Tony McEntee was also part of the management team that took Mayo to within touching distance of the elusive Sam Maguire in 2017.
The Crossmaglen native chose to wind the clock back to his school days at the Abbey CBS in Newry and pick an Allstars side from his team-mates and the players they took on in their quest for a MacRory Cup.
The MacRory Cup scene in the mid-1990s was dominated by St Patrick’s, Maghera. The Derry students completed a three in-a-row in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and to do that they had to withstand everything their rivals could throw at them. The action was fast-flowing and ferocious as emerging players battled to get their hands on the biggest prize in Ulster Schools’ football.
Abbey Days
Tony McEntee enjoyed his footballing days at the Abbey CBS where he was in the company of a number of players – including twin brother John – who would progress to unforgettable achievements on the inter-county scene.
“I had a very good experience in schools’ football generally,” says Tony.
“At the Abbey we had a good balance of players from south Armagh and Down and at that time both were quite progressive counties in a lot of ways in relation to the players they were developing and the way they were making progress.
“I’m thinking particularly of my Armagh team-mates like Enda McNulty. Aidan O’Rourke, Barry Duffy, my brother John and myself and Oisin (McConville) who was there for a while but left to do his A-Levels in St Pat’s, Armagh before we went to MacRory Cup level. We had a lot of players from Crossmaglen as well and a good group from Ballyholland in Down – Shane Mulholland and Ben Cunningham and other people.
“The downside to my time in schools’ football was not winning a MacRory Cup. We never won one and we had some superb teams. We came up against a good (St Patrick’s) Maghera team and we fell short simply because we never had a really reliable free-taker. A number of people, including myself, hit frees at different points but when it really mattered we fell short because we had no free-taker.
“But we had good times, we had a good coach in Val Kane and we had an excellent experience. We trained really hard, some people thought we over-trained but I didn’t. We had really solid teams but we simply weren’t good enough at different stages of the campaign.
“It was a much more enjoyable time for me playing football than college football (at Jordanstown). I didn’t like college football to be honest, I didn’t enjoy the training or the approach to it. Obviously I had good relationships with different people but schools football was much more memorable for me.”
McEntee describes Maghera as “a serious team” and their stats support that theory. The Coleraine Road school completed a three in-a-row in Ulster and reached the Hogan Cup final each year, winning the competition in 1995.
“They won three in-a-row and not only did they do that, they were dominant all over,” says Tony.
“They were very strong, very solid defensively and they had the likes of Mark Diamond who never made it through to county football but, at least from our perspective looking in, he was the outstanding fielder of his generation. We put people up against him – the likes of Barry Duffy and John and myself - but the fella was big and strong and mobile. If a ball needed to be won, he won it. They had Paul Diamond as well and Sean Marty (Lockhart) and they were a solid team, well trained at that stage by Adrian McGuckin, and they were a good outfit.
“To be fair, Derry schools would have very good underage structures and very good underage teams but Derry at that time wouldn’t have been strong at inter-county level. I suppose it shows you that good schools teams don’t guarantee good county teams.”
Among the other challengers during that were St Michael’s, Enniskillen who were backboned by the Gallagher brothers, Rory and Ronan, and Colm Bradley.
“St Michael’s had pace and power and they were then, and probably still are now, very confident about themselves,” said Tony.
“They were probably seen as arrogant out on the field but they were superbly athletic and confident in their ability and they delivered and that was the important thing. They delivered whenever they needed to.”
Interestingly, there are no players from the Abbey’s Newry rivals St Colman’s College on Tony’s side. He explained that the Violet Hill school had temporarily fallen off the pace during his time.
“St Colman’s wouldn’t have been strong then,” he said.
“Before my time they would have been strong with Diarmuid Marsden and Barry O’Hagan and people like that but in my time they weren’t particularly strong.
“Maghera were our rivals and at that stage they were everybody’s rivals. We were the team that should have won but never could win. Every year we underperformed to be honest whereas every year Maghera performed.”
The Team
1 Karl Archie Kimmons (Abbey CBS)
HE learned his trade in the old Corrinshego playing fields and he was a fabulous shot-stopper. Played county minor’s for Armagh in goals against Derry and was busiest man on the pitch which earned him a call-up to the senior team. Coached by a Crossmaglen man called Frank Harvey. Played the most fabulous rendition of ‘Lonesome boatman’ on the tin whistle.
2 John Heaney (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
HE captained that great Maghera team. A small but teak-tough corner-back who was aggressive and rarely beaten. Often marked our best forwards and came out on top.
3 Seamus Duffy (St Patrick’s, Armagh)
ONE of many superb Cullyhanna players in a team which also included Aidan Lloyd and Des Mackin. Seamus was surely destined for big things but he discovered that the lure of girls along the Armagh Mall was irresistible. Got me out of trouble many a time and that was even before he became a solicitor!
4 Sean Marty Lockhart (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
MADE from the same mould that produced Tony Scullion. From his early days he wanted to excel and worked tirelessly at his game. He practiced those short, fast feet movements constantly when he was off the field. Without doubt the most dedicated footballer I've had the pleasure of knowing.
5 Conleith Murphy (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
NOW works as a consultant cardiologist in the Belfast Trust, back then he was a dynamic, pacey half-back with floppy hair who had no end of energy on the field. Bellaghy's Paul Diamond is also worth a mention as someone who I went on to have many battles at club level with Cross and who I became good friends with in UUJ.
6 Aidan O'Rourke (Abbey CBS)
SOLID and reliable, despite playing all his career without a left foot. Aidan always found space and rarely got into trouble in possession. He often carried our defence and would never give in. Went on to win an All-Ireland with Armagh in 2002 and is forever remembered for his inch-perfect pass to Stevie McDonnell for the winning score.
7 Damien Teague (St Patrick’s, Dungannon)
NEVER one for the fancy football or flashes of brilliance but he knew how to hit and he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. He was incredibly strong and a great reader of the game. I don’t recall that he had huge pace, though Francie Bellew didn’t have great pace either and it affected neither of them much. .
8 Mark Diamond (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
IT’S a mystery to me that Mark Diamond never played much after schools football at a competitive level. He was completely dominant at schools football and without doubt the best of his time at fielding and dominating his position. When it came to the MacRory his performance was the difference between the Abbey winning and losing.
9 Tom Brewster (St Michael’s, Enniskillen)
PERHAPS he was over-shadowed by his older brother Paul but by my estimation he was a better footballer. Classy left foot, composed in possession and he could certainly field a high ball. Was the driving force for school, club and county throughout his entire career.
10 Michael McCormick (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
YET another Derry maestro who fell off the radar but who, at that moment in time, was a joy to watch as he dominated the middle third. He had size and power and from memory was really direct. A force to be reckoned with.
11 Shane Mulholland (Abbey CBS)
A SUPERB athlete with unbelievable fitness and buckets of style and class. The MacRory fitness training under Val Kane was the stuff of legend (and nightmare to some) and no one could better Shane in distance running. The Ballyhollland native dabbled with the foreign game and then went onto represent his county with pride and is now SVP of operations at First Derivatives. It’s no surprise that he has been so successful in life.
12 Colm Bradley (St Michael’s, Enniskillen)
THIS guy was good, really good. At MacRory level he was powerfully built, seemed more physically mature than most and he had the Enniskillen arrogance in abundance. Scored goals for fun. Had a short county career afterwards.
13 Paul Cunningham (Abbey CBS)
THE best school footballer I know that didn’t go on to have an inter-county career. He was phenomenal throughout school years. Pacey, dynamic and brave he was a joy to play with. Earned the nickname 'rubber' as when he was knocked to the floor he'd bounce straight back up - unusual for a Down man, I hear you say.
14 Rory Gallagher (St Michael’s, Enniskillen)
RORY and Raymond tortured defences for years and while Raymond was strong, powerful and extremely direct, Rory was composed, stylist and uber confident. His free-taking was exemplary and crucially won many games. If the Abbey had had a Rory Gallagher we would have won two MacRory cups for sure.
15 Brian McGuckin (St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon)
THE only one of the McGuckin clan represented but in truth they could all have featured. Perhaps he stood out because of his unique ability to poach goals, or his ability to turn on a six pence, or maybe it was just his red hair. In any event, he was virtually impossible to mark and a real thorn in the side of opposing defences.
Overview
I WANTED to stay away from putting more predictable people in that I had spent a lot of time with since school – the likes of Enda McNulty and John (McEntee) and Oisin. I wanted to be fair to the people of that time who would have been very good at that time but who would have disappeared since.
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THE GAA is about more than the games and the games will return says Caroline O’Hanlon reassuringly but the Newry-based doctor cautions that over the coming weeks and months “your health and the health of the people around you” is the priority.
Throughout her sporting life, Ladies’ football with Armagh and Carrickcruppen and netball have been a twin focus but now the three-time LGFA Allstar has had to leave her boots to one side and throw herself into the frontline of the battle to slow the spread of Coronavirus.
Northern Ireland international O’Hanlon played her most recent netball match (perhaps the last of this season) last weekend for reigning Super League champions Manchester Thunder who beat Surrey Storm 60-42. Fixtures were suspended after that game and since it the Ireland International Rules star has concentrated on maintaining ongoing health provisions at her busy GP practice while preparing for what Taoiseach Leo Varadkar described as “the storm”.
“All this puts sport into perspective and I think everybody is aware of the bigger picture and where our priorities are,” she said.
“It highlights what’s important for you – your health and the health of the people around you.
“Sport is an outlet but it’s not the be-all and end-all. I hope sport will be back later in the year and in the mean-time it’s important that when we’re not having group sessions people continue to do exercise because everyone knows the value that has, not just on our physical well-being but on our mental health.
“It is important that we try to keep that up as much as we can. We’re lucky in this country that there are a lot of open spaces and we can utilise them.
“Sport has gone through difficult times before but it will bounce back. The GAA has that flexibility to change its format so there will be some sort of competition at some stage.”
O’Hanlon praised the leadership shown by the GAA at national and community level. With games, activities and training all in lockdown, Croke Park is being utilised as a testing centre while clubs are doing all they can to make life a little easier in their localities.
“We’ve been in a bit of a limbo getting conflicting advice from the UK and Ireland but the GAA have been great,” said O’Hanlon.
“They have been very strong in terms of their messaging and their outreach through the WGPA and the GPA. Everybody is singing off the same hymn sheet and saying: ‘Look, this is not about you and your team, it’s about doing all we can for each other’. I’d like to think that the message is coming across and from a personal perspective that has been the case – my club’s message has been very clear that we’re not to organise group sessions and that we’re here to support everyone in the community.
“That’s the unique position the GAA is in – it’s bigger than the games, it’s more about the community. Those messages that have been going out about providing support to neighbours in terms of delivering their shopping or checking in on them… We’re in a unique position and I feel that gives you a little bit of a safety net, it’s a bit more reassuring. I feel a bit for people who maybe don’t have that.
“The messaging from the GAA has been very clear and I’d like to think that people are getting it. Anybody reads reports from Italy or China, or if you’re following the World Health Organisation, the advice is really clear and we all have a responsibility to do our bit and we need everybody to follow the guidance.”
Ordinarily, O’Hanlon would be gearing up for the conclusion of Armagh’s Division Two campaign – the Orchard women have outstanding fixtures against Cavan and Monaghan – and the remainder of the Super League season with Thunder, who top the table with four wins from four games.
“Nobody really knows what the path is,” she says.
“As Leo Varadkar said, we have to learn from the countries that are going through it – learn what we should do and what we shouldn’t do.
“We still have to wait and see what happens to some extent and we’re trying to make sure we have provisions for people who have long-standing illnesses, they’re not going to stop because this new thing has come on the horizon. We still have to provide for the people with chronic illnesses and other illnesses.
“We’re trying to maintain a service that is as proficient as possible and as safe as possible and hopeful the community understands what we’re trying to do and people do what they can to help us.”
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Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty has called for a coordinated all island sports recovery plan from the Covid-19 crisis.
Mr McNulty said, ‘Many sports and sporting bodies here are organised on an all island basis and they are eager to get back to some sense of normality in the weeks and months ahead. However the diverging recovery plans produced by the Executive and Irish Governments could see various sports permitted in one jurisdiction and not in the other. This is causing concern and confusion among many in sport.’
‘Sport, be that as a participant or indeed as a spectator is a great way of improving our physical and mental health. At a time when we hope to see communities gradually emerge from lockdown, it’s important that we have a designated recovery plan for sport so it allows the various sporting bodies and codes to come out of lockdown in a coordinated way.’
Covid19 and indeed social distancing will be with us for quite some time and it is important we put public health first and that is why we need to see a coordinated plan published to allow that to happen. We have shown that when we work together we can get through the restrictions so let us work together to get through the recovery.’
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Former Principal of St Ronan's Primary School, Newry, Frank Dawson is one of a select few to have managed at inter-county level in hurling (Down) and football (Antrim), Belfast-born Frank Dawson has had a long and successful career at club and college level starting with his native St Gall’s and including stints at clubs in Derry, Tyrone and Down.
He selects his Allstars side from the many fine players he played alongside and/or managed. Andy Watters writes…
1 Martin McCrory (UUJ)
HE was on my first Freshers’ team at Jordanstown in 1988. We won the All-Ireland that year. I called him ‘Mr Cool’ because he was always so calm and reliable under pressure. He was a good shot-stopper, comfortable on the ball and he could organise the defence. The confidence he gave the defenders was outstanding. He also played Sigerson that year (Freshers could do that in those days) and he came at the last minute when Cathal Canavan got injured before the game. He produced a ‘Gordon Banks’ moment in that game and that won it for us. An outstanding, unflappable goalkeeper.
2 Mark Doran (Longstone)
MARK just thrived on the job of stopping opposing forwards and the bigger the forward the more he rose to the challenge. As well as that, he loved nothing better than attacking – he would launch attack after attack and he was very comfortable on the ball. He was a nightmare for any forward and a dream player to manage.
3 Mattie McGleenan (UUJ)
HE played at full-back in the Poly Freshers team for me. I don’t think he’d ever played there before you but never would have that it the way he played that year. He was outstanding. He commanded the square, he protected his defenders, he just neutralised everybody he marked and for a big player he was very sharp in the tackle and very strong in possession. He epitomised the mantra: ‘Do the simple things right and often’. He a man mountain, I remember in one game he drop-kicked the ball on our 21-yard line and it went wide at the other end of the field. A huge, huge player.
4 Paul Donnelly (UUJ)
THIS is Paul of James-McCartan’s-boot fame. He marked him in the Ulster Championship when Tyrone played Down and James’ boot came off during the game and he grabbed it and threw it into the crowd at Clones! That was the third time that year he had marked him – he also marked him when we played Queen’s in the Ryan Cup and the Sigerson. Those three battles between the two of them were three of the most compelling battles I ever saw on a football field. Paul was so competitive, he didn’t give an inch even though he was very slight of build. He never gave a forward a moment’s peace or space and he always gave 100 per cent and relished every challenge that was put in front of him.
5 Kevin McKernan (Burren)
I MANAGED Kevin for three years at Burren and he was undoubtedly one of the easiest footballers I managed such was his dedication and commitment to the team. In 2010, when we won our first championship, Kevin was at his ultimate best for club and county. He was marauding all over the pitch, making blocks and interceptions and launching attacks and he also contributed very consistently on the scoreboard. He has the full repertoire of skills and his performances were always of the highest quality. In 2011 I made him captain when we retained our Down title and he was at the forefront of that too. Just a complete footballer.
6 Kieran McNally (Bellaghy)
HE never let the team down. Very solid at centre half-back and a very driven player who demanded the best from everyone, no-one moreso than himself. A man of few words but he led by example and when he did speak the players really listened to him, he had that aura about him. He was very comfortable on the ball and loved nothing more than driving down the field and attacking with the ball. A very accomplished footballer, a leader and a very good person.
7 Mickey Gribben (St Gall’s)
I PLAYED with Mickey throughout my career. If you wanted a prototype for a modern wing-back, he would be the mould you would use. Hugely-talented as a basketball player as well and he always strove for perfection and he approached training and games with 100 per cent commitment. He seemed to stroll through games but he was a tremendous defender. He had very quick feet and hands and he used them repeatedly to intercept and dispossess forwards before threats even materialised. He had the ability to be in the right place at the right time and that allowed him to go about his business quietly and efficiently. I made him captain when I managed St Gall’s and he led by example every time he took the field. It was no surprise that he went on to captain the county too.
8 Fergal Doherty (Bellaghy)
A WARRIOR. One of the most committed and fearsome competitors I’ve had the pleasure of managing. He just thrived in the engineroom and would go from his own 14-yard line to the opposition 14-yard line relentlessly, right throughout the game, taking all the hits, all the knocks and never saying a word. His efforts were always driven to helping the team, it was never about personal things. A great fielder of a ball with an engine that never stopped, he was the type of guy you wanted in the trenches with you.
9 Kalum King (Bryansford)
IT was only when I worked with Kalum at Bryansford that I realised how good a footballer he was. Everyone knows about how big and strong he was but I came to admire the more subtle qualities of his game – the way he would use his hips to steer opponents away, how he would place his feet to provide cover for a team-mate to win breaking ball, the way he spread his arms to make space to win the ball… For such a big man he was very nimble on his feet, very subtle in his interventions. He had a calming effect on his team-mates – he never got flustered on the field and he went about his business very quietly but he was an extremely effective midfielder for both club and county.
10 Mark Poland (Longstone)
THEY always say that good things come in small packages and it’s definitely true of this man. He was my captain at Longstone for three of the four years I was there. He was a leader who demanded everything, firstly from himself, and then those around him. He had the great ability to win his own ball no matter what possession he was under and once he gained possession he rarely lost it. He was a brilliant playmaker and he had the ability to see the right pass and, more importantly, execute it and it always led to scores for us. A stalwart for his club and county; an outstanding player.
11 Ross Carr (Clonduff)
WHAT can I say about this man? He first played for me when I was at Clonduff in 1990 and I returned 10 years later in 2000 and made him captain – he’d never been captain in all the time he had played! We won the championship that year and Ross played centre half-forward surrounded by five kids in the forward line. Ross drove that team forward with his top drawer performances and determination and made sure that my gameplans and instructions were carried out to the letter. His left foot was so good, whether he was taking a score or delivering a defence-splitting pass, that he really didn’t need a right foot. Probably the best captain I ever had and I’ve had some really good ones. A brilliant player and an even better person who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know.
12 Eamon McGovern (Burren)
IT’S always said that you need a man in your team to do the heavy-lifting and put in the hard yards and Eamon was that player – Mr Consistency. He worked relentlessly all over the field in order for the team to succeed. Strong, athletic and he had an engine that allowed him to run all day. No challenge that I presented, or the opposition presented, was ever too tough for Eamon and he thrived on doing that dirty work, the unselfish role that every team needs. He was a major contributor to Burren winning two championships.
13 Ronan Fitzpatrick (UUJ)
HE played in the UUJ Freshers team and he didn’t need to be told that his role was to score. He would defy any number of opponents or lack of space to produce a score when you didn’t think it was possible. Hard-running wasn’t his game but smart-running was and he was a very confident player who never doubted what he could do. The number of times he saved us in that All-Ireland campaign were just too numerous to mention. A committed team player, he used the ball well and winning the game was all that mattered to him. I remember many times thinking to myself: ‘Don’t shoot’ as he lined up a shot only for him to come up with a score out of nothing. He had a killer instinct on the field.
14 PJ O’Hare (St Gall’s)
A SUPERB player who had to get the number 14 jersey. He is the only player on this team that I never managed but I was lucky enough to play with PJ and also play under him when he became player/manager of our Ulster Championship-winning St Gall’s team in 1982. He played full-forward in that team and he was a very accomplished basketball player which helped him become a very effective ball-winner. He could score from anywhere but the thing that stands out for me was his awareness of where other players where on the field and his ability to bring them into the game. He had a football brain many years ahead of his time. In recent years we’ve seen goalkeepers coming out and soloing up the field but PJ had our goalkeeper doing that in the late 1970s.
15 Collie Curran (Clonduff)
I WORKED with him in 1990 when he was around 19. Even at that point you could see he was something special. A total team player who was a joy to coach, he had tremendous ability, great strength and belief in himself. I played Collie as part of a two-man full-forward line and he wasn’t the biggest in the world but he was physically very strong in possession and always had the ability to make something happen. He could often do the work of two or three people to get us over the line. He lost his life in a car accident but I’ve never forgotten watching him perform that year and being in awe of what he did.
Substitutes:
The strength of a team should be gauged by the bench and there’s a lot of talent on this one. I offer my apologies to all these players who didn’t make the final 15 and also to the many other wonderful players who names have not found their way into print.
Gerry Moore (St Gall’s), Cathal Murdock (Burren), Gareth O’Neill (UUJ), Chris Lawn (Moortown), Sean Kelly (Antrim), David O’Neill (Bellaghy), Ambrose Rodgers (Longstone), John Kennedy (St Gall’s), Kevin Diamond (Bellaghy), Conor Maginn (Bryansford)
Overview
I’D love to have a virtual-reality game with my team against any of the other teams that have been picked in this series and I would fancy my team. Doing this has made me feel very lucky to have worked with these players. Originally I thought I’d just pick from the four clubs I managed to win championships with to make it easy for myself but then I thought about all the other players I would be leaving out! So I decided to pick from all the teams – 18 of them – that I’ve managed but if somebody featured in another team in this series I left them out.
When I started I came up with a list of 74, I brought it down to 34 and then finished with this team. What sets these 15 players apart is that I still talk about all of them today – their talent and ability still shines for me and that makes them stand out. Doing this made me realise the great players I had the privilege of coaching but not only are they players, they became friends and they still are to this day.
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