The National Hurling League Official Matchday Programme £3.00 / €3.00 National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 1 30/01/2020 12:02:11 ORÁID AN CHATHAOIRLIGH A Cháirde Gael Fáilte roimhaibh uilig chuig an seasúir sraithe úr 2020 ! Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh idir shult agus tairbhe as an seasúir seo. Gúim gach rath agus bláth ar ár foirne uilig. It is a great honour to welcome you all, our loyal supporters, to a new national league season. We enter this season with spirit and optimism, having enjoyed a solid pre- season, with robust performances in the McKenna Cup, the McGurk Cup and the Kehoe Cup. Our league objectives are straightforward and achievable : to win all of our home games and achieve promotion. We wish Lenny and Darren well. Off the pitch, we have several causes for optimism. With the recent political developments, our main strategic objective at Pairc Mhic Easmaint has a renewed optimism and in the coming months we hope to present you with a firm position with regards to the decision on our planning application and hopefully thereafter a realistic timetable for the 21 month build project. Having endured six years of being a county without a ground with a covered stand, three of our clubs are at varying stages of developing seated covered stands for spectators. Ó Donnabháin Rosa recently secured planning and funding to develop a 200 seater stand at Páirc Rosa and look forward to commencing work this year. Cumann Micheál Mac Dáibhéid will open their amazing brand new facilities at Páirc Mac Dhábhéid on Saturday 8th February with the visit of the All Ireland senior hurling champions Tipperary. Tipp have been a long standing anamchara to Antrim and we encourage all of you to get your tickets well in advance as we trust that the 3400 capacity ground will be close to full! Our designated second county ground, at Corrigan Park is also undergoing a transformation with groundworks having commenced this week to build a new 400 seater stand and terracing for 2000 spectators. The project benefits from a £500,000 grant from Central Council with the balance coming from the County Board, Ulster Council, the Saffron Business Forum, Club Aontroma and the St John’s GAC. In a very short time we will be able to welcome visiting counties to facilities worthy of our teams preparations. I would specifically like to single out the Glenavy and Loch gCaol clubs for their commitment and assistance in providing us with homes for our national leagues games this year, go raibh math agaibh a chairde. Finally, I would like to commend Club Aontroma for taking the initiative and preparing our match programmes for the national league. We will all agree that the programmes for the County finals enhanced our collective enjoyment of the day and with enhanced spectator facilities on the way we hope our improved match day experience will drive attendance and appreciation for the hard work our county panels put in. Our programme today includes player profiles and the commencement of a running series showcasing the exceptional developments that our clubs are involved in, because ultimately our strength lies on our clubs. As with all progressive initiatives, there are costs engaged and I would encourage any local small businesses to avail of the advertising opportunities to promote their businesses on these pages and equally I would encourage all of our patrons to support those businesses that contribute to county development. Ní neart go cuir le chéile !! Go raibh maith agaibh a chairde, we are very appreciative of your continued support, year in year out. Bainigí sult as an lá! Le gach dea-ghuí, Ciarán Mc Cavana/ Ciarán Mac an Mhanaigh Cathaoirleach CLG Aontroma National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 2 30/01/2020 12:02:14 AMHRÁN NA BHFIANN Sinne Fianna Fáil, atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn, Buíon dár slua thar toinn do ráinig chugainn, Faoi mhóid bheith saor Seantír ár sinsear feasta, Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill. Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil, Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil, Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar, Seo libh canaídh amhrán na bhfiann TODAY’S MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE Gearoid McGrath (Loch Garman) LINESMAN Alan Nash (Doire) STAND BY James Connors (Dún na nGall) SIDELINE Fintan Finnegan(Muineachán) ON THIS DAY 2ND FEBRUARY The first two teams to contest an inter-county game at what was to become Croke Park were Dublin and Kildare in February 1896, for the 1895 Leinster semi-final. The score was 2-7 to 0-4 to Dublin. Both counties were represented by club teams, Isles of the Sea and Clane, as was the custom of the time. Around 2000 spectators attended. 1 | National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 1 30/01/2020 12:02:18 CLUB FOCUS GLENARIFFE Our project came about as Oisins CLG, increase community physical and mental Glenariffe were in dire need for new well-being, promote social inclusion, changing facilities and the Glenariffe help address the disadvantages of rural community were in dire need for a isolation and reconnect people of all ages, community space. The prime location abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and interests. for a community hub which would serve The following 8 years were solely immersed the whole community was most certainly in fundraising and applying for whatever on the hurling club grounds. The site is grants were available. In October 2016 safe to access, well positioned from the all our hard work started to pay off and main road with great external play space. the grants started to come in. Our total project cost, including fit out to date, was £1.1 million and of that the build cost was £853,578.08. The base of our grant funding came from The Big Lottery Space & Place Programme for the sum of £420,000; this was followed with funding from Causeway Coast & Glens Council for £180,000; we received £30,000 from Ulster Garden Villages Fund to kit out our kitchen; and to bridge the gap we took a loan from UCIT (Ulster Community Investment Trust Ltd) for £150,000 but the want and In 2011 Friends of Glenariffe were formed to need for this facility was shown in what we address these 2 issues. Following extensive raised ourselves as a community – our own research throughout the community it was contribution to the project was £320,000. evident that the club members wanted new The centre comprises of 2 levels - on the changing facilities, indoor training space ground floor there are 4 large changing and meeting and function rooms and the rooms with toilet and shower facilities for local community wanted a facility which both the able and disabled bodied. These provided access to facilities and services rooms have also been used for meetings other communities enjoy, proactively help and exercise and arts and crafts classes. | 2 3 | National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 2 30/01/2020 12:02:19 On this floor we also have a community room, which again has fabulous views overlooking the Irish Sea and kitchen. This room leads onto a balcony from which you can watch training, matches or a prime spot for the budding artist. The community room has been used daily since we opened in June 2019. The room has been a great benefit to the club as we are able to carry out internal fitness training On the first floor there is a 16-station gym in the winter months for all age groups and which has fabulous views up the Glenariffe for fundraising events. The community Glen. Our current users range from age 16 have used it for birthday parties, funeral to those in their 80’s. It has been a fabulous teas, exercise and arts and crafts classes. tool for those wanting to improve in their mental as well as their physical wellbeing. | 2 3 | National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 3 30/01/2020 12:02:20 The Pound Bar Loughgiel Wishing Antrim hurlers all the best for 2020 CATERING FOR ALL PARTIES AND FUNCTIONS TEL: 028 27641167 18 CORKEY ROAD, LOUGHGIEL, BALLYMENA, BT44 9JJ National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 4 30/01/2020 12:02:21 QUALIFY AS A REFEREE IN CROKE PARK! The Pound Bar The UPCOMING Foundation course for new referees will be held on Friday March 27th at 7pm Dunsilly Hotel Saturday March 28th at 10.30am Dunsilly Hotel Saturday April 4th at 10am CROKE PARK! ALL 3 SESSIONS MUST BE ATTENDED IN ORDER TO QUALIFY AS A REFEREE. The final session will be in Croke Park on Saturday April 4th where certificates will be presented and referees gear given out to all successful participants. Why Become a GAA Referee? n Stay involved with the game as an alternative to playing n Fitness – It’s a great way to keep fit n Ambition – could you referee a County Final or even an All-Ireland? n Learn more about the game n Give Something Back – offers players, at the end of their playing days, the opportunity to continue in the sport n Personal Development – helps to develop personal skills that are of value in all walks of life What qualities are required to become a GAA Referee? n Good knowledge of the playing rules n Be physically and mentally fit n Have the ability to remain calm n Have the moral courage to take decisions which are correct RECAP: How do I become a Referee? NO BETTER REASON TO START AS A REFEREE NOW! EMAIL BRENDAN TOLAND [email protected] to apply National Hurling League Programme 2.indd 5 30/01/2020 12:02:22 RYAN ELLIOTT AGE 22 CLUB Cuchullains Dunloy POSITION Goalkeeper PRIMARY SCHOOL St Josephs Dunloy POST PRIMARY SCHOOL St Louis Grammar Ballymena HONOURS 2 Antrim Senior Hurling Championships, 2 Antrim u21 Hurling Championships, Antrim Minor Hurling Championship and Mageean Cup OCCUPATION Student HEIGHT 5ft 10” WEIGHT