Sport

Back in the day: In The Irish News May 30 1997

Jim Connolly will start Sunday’s crucial final regulation game against last weekend’s beaten Championship hopefuls Waterford after passing a fitness test
Jim Connolly will start Sunday’s crucial final regulation game against last weekend’s beaten Championship hopefuls Waterford after passing a fitness test Jim Connolly will start Sunday’s crucial final regulation game against last weekend’s beaten Championship hopefuls Waterford after passing a fitness test

ANTRIM’S slim prospects of forcing a play-off for the third promotion spot to Division One next season received a double tonic yesterday.

Jim Connolly will start Sunday’s crucial final regulation game against last weekend’s beaten Championship hopefuls Waterford after passing a fitness test.

Connolly occupies a midfield role with former Allstar play-maker Paul McKillen for the clash at Walsh Park.

Ciaran McCambridge, one of the stars of Cushendall’s All-Ireland club campaign, also returns. McCambridge was missing recently due to suspension and is selected at right full-back, replacing club colleague Ryan McNaughton.

Antrim manager Dominic McKinley makes one other defensive change, bringing back Paul Jennings at left half-back for Sean Mullan.

After a disastrous start to the series when suffering a shock first round beating by Meath and second round thrashing at home to Cork, Dublin’s unexpected emergence as promotion certainties has thrown Antrim a lifeline.

Dublin’s astonishing April wins over Cork and, with regard to this weekend’s game, Waterford, left Antrim with something still to aim for. A win against Gerald McCarthy’s side would force a play-off with Waterford for the third promotion place in Division Two.

Antrim: S Elliot; Ciaran McCambridge, S Bailie, S McIlhatton; S P McKillop, T McNaughton (capt), P Jennings; J Connolly, P McKillen; Conor McCambridge, Gary O’Kane, J Carson; A Delargy, Gregory O’Kane, A Elliot

BRYAN Hamilton said yesterday that Jim Magilton was still very much a part of his plans for Northern Ireland.

The Northern Ireland manager said he was “shocked and disappointed” that Magilton had spoken to the press after the two had already discussed Magilton’s role in the international squad.

“There are no complications with Jim Magilton and I,” said Hamilton.

“I’m there to develop the team and a squad for the good of soccer in Northern Ireland and around the world and Jim Magilton is a very important part of my plans.

“I thought Jim Magilton was excellent in the game against Portugal but he wasn’t part of the team a few days later in the Ukraine because I felt we needed to play a different system.

“There are issues which happen on and off the pitch which determine how the team is picked. If there are issues that need addressed at anytime, then they are kept in-house and we talk about them as a team.

“There are no personal difficulties between Jim and I and I’m disappointed he felt the need to talk to the press.

“We have spoken about his position with Northern Ireland face to face. Jim Magilton loves to play for Northern Ireland. He is a most honest player and person and always gives 100 per cent.

“I want to see him do well and to see him playing his best in first team domestic football. “I want Jim to give me the problem of not knowing who to pick in midfield. Neil Lennon and Steve Lomas cannot be faulted in recent performances and deserve to be in contention for our next game.”

MARK O’Neill has become the second player this month to leave Cliftonville and sign for Shamrock Rovers.

And Portadown and Glentoran are preparing to battle it out for Reds defender Gerry Flynn, if Cliftonville fail to agree new terms with the 24-year-old. Both O’Neill and Flynn were involved in contract renewal talks with Reds boss Marty Quinn and the Cliftonville board this week, but the Bosman rule has again dealt a major blow to Cliftonville’s plans for the new season.

O’Neill has joined Paul Stokes at Shamrock Rovers.

Stokes was the first player to leave the club since the season ended just weeks ago. Now the club has lost one of its most important midfield play makers.

O’Neill, 24, who joined Cliftonville in 1995, returns to the south after a three-year stint in Irish League soccer