JAMES McNaughton admits it was “a proud day for myself and my family” when told of his PwC Hurling Allstar nomination.
The Loughgiel maestro and Cushendall’s Paddy Burke were the two Antrim representatives among the 45 nominees, with the televised awards bash taking place in the RDS, Dublin on Friday, November 1.
McNaughton, whose Shamrocks side take on fierce rivals Dunloy in Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated county semi-final, will hope he is looking forward to an Ulster Championship campaign by the time the Allstars roll around.
For now, though, there is pride at being one of a select group of Saffron Allstar nominees, after his haul of 3-18 in Antrim’s Leinster SHC campaign helped Darren Gleeson’s side to wins over Wexford and Carlow.
“When I was told I was obviously pleasantly surprised – it wasn’t something I was expecting, because there has been so few people from Antrim nominated in the past,” said the 27-year-old.
“The likes of Neil McManus was never nominated, which seems crazy, but with the new structure of the Leinster Championship it gives players from the likes of Antrim the chance to be recognised, and the fact they’re taking notice now of the players in Antrim is brilliant, and it’s a testament to the new format.
“It was a proud day for myself and my family, but you have to put it to the back of your mind pretty quickly because the club championship is in full flow here.”
Despite those decent strides made in the Leinster Championship, Gleeson decided to call time of his five years at the helm in Antrim – opening the door for the Saffrons to seek out one of the game’s biggest names as his successor.
Davy Fitzgerald’s appointment was confirmed last month, and the former Clare goalkeeper – who led his native county to the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2012, and has also managed Waterford (twice) and Wexford – has already spoken of his intention to get the best from Antrim in his time.
That is music to McNaughton’s ears.
“The rumour mill was going strong,” he smiled, “we know the county board’s ambitious, just like the panel of players we’ve had over the last number of years.
“It’s a great appointment, from where he’s been, he has the experience of taking teams at the highest level, to the highest level. It just shows how ambitious we are as a county to get a man like that in.
“It’s exciting – he’s been there and done it as a manager and as a player, so he knows what it takes.”