Northern Switchgear Antrim Senior Football Championship
RICKY Johnston admits he had “sleepless nights” after exiting the Antrim senior football panel at the end of their NFL campaign last season – but doesn’t regret the time he spent travelling the east coast of America with his partner.
The Creggan Kickhams leader missed the club championship opener with Lamh Dhearg but was back on home soil for their next encounter against St Gall’s, and looked up to speed for the drawn game against St John’s that clinched their quarter-final place against O’Donovan Rossa at St Enda’s tomorrow afternoon (3.30pm).
“I’m home around a month now and I feel up to championship pace now,” said Johnston.
After Antrim’s Division Three campaign, Johnston decided to head to the States where he played several matches for Galway Boston before taking in the sights of Washington, New York and Philadelphia with his girlfriend.
It meant the big full-back missed Antrim’s Ulster Championship tie at Corrigan Park at the end of April. It was a decision that proved torturous.
“It wasn’t ideal as I was missing for Antrim and I missed a bit of the club championship for Creggan,” said Johnston, who previously spent a summer in the States.
“It took me weeks to figure out what I was going to do. I always had it in the back of my head I wanted to go back to America again.
“My head was so tortured. I’d some sleepless nights but once I got there, I thought: ‘This is a no-brainer. Why did I make this so difficult for myself?’
“Once I told everyone, I couldn’t wait to get away. I was only away for seven weeks. But, do you know what, as much I was looking forward to getting away, I couldn’t wait to get back again and playing with Creggan. That was a big thing.”
While his full focus is on trying to get Creggan back to another county final, Johnston has already spoken to new Antrim manager Andy McEntee about declaring for his county in 2023.
“I got chatting to Andy a few weeks back and I’m more than happy to go back,” said Johnston.
“I’m looking forward to continuing the club season for as long as possible but I’m open to going back and we’ve had that chat. I’ll look forward to getting back to Antrim too and I did miss it when I wasn’t there.”
For Creggan to progress in this season’s championship, Johnston is elemental to their prospects, although the Kickham’s will have their work cut out against Hugh McGettigan’s buoyant Rossa side who defeated Cargin in their last group game a couple of weeks ago.
Contrastingly, the champions were well below par in their drawn match with St John’s. McNulty was livid with his side’s lack of composure in the second half that almost saw them go out.
“Everyone has reflected and realised that’s not going to be enough to get us where we were last year,” Johnston warned.
“We were in control for a lot of the game and we still nearly lost, which was a bit of an eye opener. It was a bit doom and gloom for a while after it, but we got back training on the Tuesday night and spirits were lifted a lot because we knew we’d a quarter-final to look forward to. But there was nothing really to celebrate after that performance.
“Last year we won a championship for the first time in 60-odd years and the relief from winning one was huge. But the mind-set remains the same. We need to knuckle down and bring our ‘A’ game against Rossa because they’re seriously good footballers and it’s going to be a serious challenge, but hopefully we can play to our strengths and come through.”
Antrim hurling captain Conor McCann’s absence has been keenly felt among the Creggan contingent after his cruciate injury last month, but Johnston is confident they have the strength in depth to cope without their first choice midfielder.
“I don’t think people realise how good Conor actually is at the football. He’s a key player for us. People saw last year his physicality around the middle was unreal. He has serious composure, so he’s a massive loss to us. First and foremost, I’m gutted for him – nobody wants to be out with a cruciate injury, but I suppose we have a panel that we didn’t have in previous years.”
Kevin Rice is likely to slot into midfield beside Kevin Small, while Conor Small is nearing full fitness.
Elsewhere, St Brigid’s will hope to take a giant step in their development tomorrow by reaching their first semi-final against last year’s finalists Aghagallon (Hannahstown, 1pm).
Dee McErlean’s Gort na Mona side undoubtedly have the toughest task of the lot this weekend when they face-off against championship dark horses Portglenone at Dunsilly this evening (5pm).
