Sport

Irish News Past Papers - Oct 17 1998: Antrim managerless; county hurling team picked by caretaker bosses

St John's and Antrim hurling star Brian McFall and Eire Og's Paul Hughes in an Antrim Intermediate Hurling final at Casement Park. Picture by Seamus Loughran
St John's and Antrim hurling star Brian McFall and Eire Og's Paul Hughes in an Antrim Intermediate Hurling final at Casement Park. Picture by Seamus Loughran St John's and Antrim hurling star Brian McFall and Eire Og's Paul Hughes in an Antrim Intermediate Hurling final at Casement Park. Picture by Seamus Loughran

MANAGERLESS Antrim include four Dunloy players in their team for tomorrow’s opening Oireachtas Cup tie against All-Ireland semifinalists Waterford at Corrigan Park (2pm).

Frankie McMullan is named at midfield with Colm McGuckian, Conor Cunning and Paudie McMullan the other Dunloy starters.

The squad was selected yesterday by caretaker bosses – county hurling chairman Gilly McIlhatton and Jim McLean.

The duo have named a strongish looking team with Cushendall’s Conor McCambridge at full-back and Rossa’s Jim Close occupying the centre halfback berth.

Other Rossa personnel include goalkeeper Ray Matthews, Chris Hamill, Michael Kettle and Sean Kelly while Cushendall’s representation is increased by the presence of Michael McCambridge, Ryan McNaughton, and Aidan Delargy.

Waterford are expected to field a severely under strength side but Gerald McCarthy’s charge will nevertheless probably be favourites to defeat the Saffrons after their summer heroics in the All-Ireland series.

Corkman McCarthy was confirmed in the Waterford post for another year earlier this week.

Antrim: R Matthews (Rossa), M McCambridge (Cushendall), Conor McCambridge (Cushendall), M Kettle (Rossa), R McNaughton (Cushendall), J Close (Rossa), C Hamill (Rossa), F McMullan (Dunloy), C Cunning (Dunloy), S Kelly (Rossa), C McGuckian (Dunloy), J McIntosh (Ossians), A Delargy (Cushendall), B McFall (St John's), P McMullan (Dunloy).

Subs: S Elliot (Dunloy), L Richmond (Dunloy), A Rogan (Rossa), J O’Neill (Rossa), J Connolly (Rossa).

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THE identity of the Ulster club football champions’ likely opposition in the All-Ireland quarter-final has been settled in the boardroom.

The Ulster champions, who travel to Ruislip for the AllIreland quarter-final against the British champions on December 13, could be facing Tirconaill Gaels after the club were this week reinstated as the London champions.

London and British champions of the past two years, Tirconaill Gaels were beaten in the London final on September 20 by Garryowen by 0-13 to 0-6.

However, the club lodged an objection after learning that Garryowen had fielded an illegal player, Willie Walsh, who had also played in the Laois championship this year.

The club’s appeal was upheld by the London county board and Walsh was given a one-year suspension.

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OUR Lady of Lourdes Ballymoney bounced back from defeat in Thursday’s Antrim U15 Vocational Schools final to win the Ulster U14 hurling blitz yesterday.

Ballymoney defeated St Olcan’s Randalstown 2-3 to 0-0 in the semi-finals with John Doherty and Brendan Marron hitting the goals.

A Brian Kelly goal helped St Colm’s Draperstown to defeat Dean Brian Mag Uirc High School Carrickmore in the other semi-final.

Goals from Gareth McAllister, James McKaigue and star player and captain Darren Quinn helped Our Lady’s defeat the Draperstown school on a 3- 4 to 0-0 scoreline.

The plate final was won by Derry school St Joseph’s Creggan who defeated St Joseph’s Coalisland 0-2 to 0-1 with Ciaran Mackey and Cormac McElhinny hitting the points.