09 September 2013
Antrim were represented yesterday at the All Ireland hurling final when Dessie Donnelly and Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton were part of the team of the 80’s which was presented to the capacity crowd at half time in the thrilling drawn game.
We caught up with Sambo and asked him about the day.
“It was a great day, and myself and Dessie were delighted to be part of it all. It is a recognition of Antrim we think for our clubs as well. It brought back a lot of memories, a lot of guys who we played against back then where there and it was nice to catch up with them.”
Taking the day as a chance to reminisce about the late 1980s and early 90’s, which seems appropriate in the week Antrim U21 hurlers are in all Ireland final, Sambo needed no further invitation.
“We had some great matches back then and there was a brilliant atmosphere about the whole county team. When we beat Offaly in 1989 that apparently surprised a lot of people in the hurling world but to be honest it was no surprise to us. That was the third time we had played Offaly that season and we had beaten them twice before, in the league and to stay up in the league.
“We weren’t ready for a final in 1989 though. My biggest regret is 1991 because we really could have beaten Kilkenny in the All Ireland semi final that year and to be honest we were more prepared, fitter, together as a squad for an extra couple of years. Who knows what might have happened?
“Maybe the best achievement during that whole time was staying in Division 1 for 8 years. We played quality teams, the best teams in Ireland, year in and year out and we beat plenty of them. I remember flying to Clare to play a league game, and there were buses from all over Antrim coming to our matches back then. The atmosphere around the whole set up was brilliant. That’s was a bit of success does for a team, and for a county.”
Which brings us to…..this weekend. What do you think ahead of the Final this Saturday?
“First of all, its brilliant that the fellas have reached the All Ireland. Before the Wexford game nobody gave us a chance, but on the day we were a far, far better team than they were. So we deserve to be there and I hope – I really hope – that the whole county gets behind them. There should be buses and cars going from every club in Antrim to support these boys.
“I know I sound like a broken record here but I have known for years that our hurlers are as good as any hurlers in the country. They need the right preparation and support, they need to be regularly playing teams from down south, but the hurling is there. I hope that this weekend, whatever happens, gives people to belief in Antrim hurling.
“Let’s get behind them.”
