BRYAN Hamilton has asked Cliftonville goalkeeper Paul Reece to find out if he qualifies for Northern Ireland.
Hamilton was impressed by Reece while watching B international Tim McCann during Tuesday’s Premier league draw with Portadown at Solitude.
The Nottingham-born keeper, who signed for Cliftonville on the morning of the County Antrim Shield Final in February, has become an instant hit in the Irish League and could find himself joining Garry Haylock in Irish football’s full-time professional department.
Reece was last night planning to contact his grandmother to investigate his ancestry.
“I may have some Irish in me and it would be great if I was because I’d love the chance to play international football, even at B level.
“My grandmother’s name is Lynch and my father’s name is Reece but I think his father was adopted, so there may be a chance I’m Irish and as barmy as the rest of the Cliftonville players!”
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DEFENDING Ulster U21 champions Cavan could be without their most influential player Dermot McCabe for Saturday’s clash with Derry (Ballinascreen 3pm).
McCabe limped off in the second half of Saturday’s replay victory over Donegal and Martin McHugh is worried he may not recover in time.
The loss of McCabe would be a massive blow to Cavan. He has played at U21 level for the past three years aswell for the seniors for two years.
For Derry, the versatile Johnnie McBride has been named at midfield along with fellow senior star Enda Muldoon.
Derry: S O’Kane, S Donnelly, D O’Neill, M Kelly, P McFlynn, S M Lockhart, E McGilloway, E Muldoon, J McBride, A McGuckin, S McGuckin, K Heaney, B Kearney, J Cassidy, M Gribben Subs: M Conlon, G Doherty, F Martin, B Murray, P Wilson, G Doyle, M Coll, P Diamond, E Lynch
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THREE schoolboys from Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock have a lot to live up to when they play in the Golf Foundation Irish Schools’ National final at Strandhill on April 8.
They have got to win or the girls at the school will give them a hard time.
A few years ago the Gorman sisters, Paula and Nicola, from Balmoral and Debbie Allen (Holywood) brought home the honours in the girls’ competition so the boys team has a lot to live up to.
Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s, along with RBAI, represent Ulster in the decider with the Knock trio being boys international James Clarke, who plays off three out of Holywood, JC Rice - a four handicapper at Shandon Park - and Michael Malone, who sports a five handicap at Belvoir Park.
Michael is a son of Michael Malone senior, the former North of Ireland champion.
Incidentally, Clarke is currently representing Ireland against Wales in a boys’ international at Rosslare.
Malone is currently on holidays in Australia.
Darren O’Neill has taken over the coaching of the boys since Balmoral’s Eamon Kavanagh took ill and he’s hopeful of emulating the deeds of the Gormans and Allen.
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ALL professional boxers in Britain will have to undergo an annual brain scan before they are allowed to fight, the British Boxing Board of Control announced yesterday.
The revolutionary scheme designed to improve fighters safety begins on Monday, and a trust fund has been set up by the Board to implement the scheme.
The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans will be carried out at eight country-wide centres, Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham, Cardiff, Glasgow, London, Manchester and Newcastle, with the results sent to be analysed at the London Imaging Centre.
Promoter Frank Warren, whose financial contribution has helped to set the fund in motion, first suggested the new safety measure following the tragic death of Scottish bantamweight James Murray after his British title fight with Drew Docherty in October 1995.
“Boxing is finally looking after their own and, hopefully, this will be followed by the rest of the world.” Warren said.
The Board have asked other promoters to generate funds, and general secretary John Morris said: “The sport must help itself and get off their backsides. Hopefully, major promoters will stage shows to boost the trust fund.”
The scans, which initially cost £500, can now be obtained for £250, and the Board, are willing to loan new professionals £150 towards the total, to be repaid at £50 for each of their first three fights .
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NEWRY co-manager Harry Fay has confirmed he will retire from playing at the end of the season.
Fay, who has had played for Glenavon, Newry, Larne and Armagh City, brings the curtain down on a career which began 16 year’s ago.
Fay’s Irish League debut in a Glenavon shirt was one which “opened his eyes” to the demands of senior football.
“We played Glentoran at the Oval in my first game and I was left marking Jim Cleary, who was without doubt the best player in the Irish League for a decade,” said Fay.
“Cleary gave me a headache and opened my eyes to a whole new ball game. I’m 34 now and right now I have a hamstring injury.
“I’ve noticed the injuries do not clear up as quickly as they would have done ten year’s ago, so maybe it’s telling me that my number is being called.”
