Glenarm - Shane O'Neill's

When Shane O'Neill's win an Ulster title it is cause for celebration. This year the senior hurlers reached the top of the Ulster Division 3 League with a thrilling win over Tir-na-nOg in the final. Some seasoned members of this team Ronan Matthews, Barry McMullan, Ciaran Campbell, Blain and Brendan McDermott had been there before. Back in 1999 the club's Under 15 hurling team achieved Provincial success when they won their Ulster Feile Divisional Championship after defeating Co Monaghan side Truagh in a lively final match at Dungannon. A successful All-Ireland Junior campaign some seasons back and an All-County Division 2 title last year was the necessary spur to seek fortune outside the County parameters.

The final senior Provincial game in September, which peaked the season for the club in terms of silverware, was at Casement Park against Randalstown. It was a match the Glensmen were determined to win and after only 30 seconds they opened the scoring with a fine point from midfielder Chris Matthews, a lead which they never lost in a tight and close run match. Two further points from both teams followed before the 15th minute when Barry Hamill hand-passed to Seamus McNeill who drove the ball low into the opposition net. The teams exchanged the next 6 points to leave the score at the break 1-6 to 0-8, with everything to play for in the second half.

Glanarm Captain Brendan McDermott receives the cup.The second half went much the same way as the first but with five minutes from time, and Glenarm three points in front, Randalstown were awarded a penalty. Tir-na-nOg dual county star, Michael Magill, struck the penalty low and at great pace but Glenarm goalkeeper, Michael Abram, was up to the task parrying it round the upright for a '65.' With game deep into injury time Chris Matthews, who had opened Shane O'Neill's account after 30 seconds of the first half, fired over his second and the last point of the game. The final ended Shane O'Neill's 1-13 Tir-na-nOg 0-12. Shane O'Neill's captain, Brendan McDermott, stepped up to claim the Ulster Division 3 League Cup to the cheers of his supporters. Glenarm scorers were: Seamus McNeill 1-0, Darren Hamill 0-6, Blain McDermott 0-4, Chris Matthews 0-2, and Conal Ward 0-1.

The Ulster title was a fitting reward for the hard work of senior team manager Jim Petticrew, who was helped by his assistants, Frank and Paddy Ward. A special thanks must go to John 'Smokie' McKillop, Cushendall, who trained the seniors and brought a fresh approach and a new impetus to the squad this season.
 
Glnarm Winning Team
Shane O'Neill's Senior Hurling Team who won Ulster Division 3 League (2008) Back: L-R: Chris Magill, Paul Abram, Bernard Campbell, Barry Hamill, Martin Ward, Niall Hamill, Conor McNeill, Brendan McDermott, Barry McMullan, Chris Matthews, Seamus McNeill, Ronan Matthews. Front: L-R: Jim Petticrew (manager), Blain McDermott, Conal Ward, Paudraig McDermott, Ciaran Campbell, Michael Abram, Darren Hamill, Sean Moran, Mark McNeill, Ryan O'Donnell. (Courtesy of Terence Mulvenna, Glenarm)
 

Darren Hamill, who contributed 6 points in the Ulster final for Shane O'Neills, again made club history this year when he received his third Ulster Colleges All-Star award. Darren was also a member of the County senior hurling team which won the Ulster Championship and received a Walsh Cup medal. Michael Mulvenna was selected for the County Under 15 Development squad and realised a life time ambition of playing on the hallowed turf of Croke Park. Kelan Abram was a member of the County Under 14 squad this season.

In order to maximise its potential the club sought to teach our youngsters earlier in the rudiments of Gaelic games. Teams were selected of children Under-6,U-8, and U-10 who participated in blitz competitions over the summer. These sessions were mentored by Charlie Magill, Liam Magill, and James McDonald. The other youth teams competed in the North Antrim hurling leagues with varying degrees of success. This was another successful year for the Under14 hurling mentors, Kevin Mulvenna, Sean O'Neill, Willie Mitchell, Eugene Abram and Terence Mulvenna when for the second successive season their charges won the North Antrim Division 2 League and came runners-up in the Under 14 Championship and North Antrim Feile. They lost both the Championship and Feile finals to Dunloy.
 
Glenarm U14 Team
Under 14 North Antrim Division 2 League Champions
Back: L-R: Rory Mulvenna, Liam O'Neill, Reece Mellon, Sean O'Hare, Rory Ward, Leon McVeigh, Ciaran Finnegan, Mark Petticrew, Hugh Pat McNeill, Dylan McLaughlin. Front: L-R: Alexander Johnston, Jake Hamilton, Brendan McQuillan, Declan McDermott, Patrick Abram, Patrick McAuley, Barry Petticrew, Ben O'Boyle, Joseph Cunning. Absent: Kelan Abram. (Courtesy of Terence Mulvenna, Glenarm)
 
 
The Under 16's won the Feis na nGleann B Shield defeating All Saints, Ballymena in the final. The team was comprised of Liam O'Neill, Ryan Daly, Sean O'Hare, Patrick McAuley, Jake Hamilton, Gavin Neeson, Joshua Quinn (capt), Alexander Johnston, Rory Mulvenna, Paul Rodgers, Liam Mitchell, Liam Mulvenna, Ciaran Mulvenna, Shane Mallon, Niall McAllister, Kelan Abram, Michael Mulvenna, Shane McLaughlin, Gerard Johnston, Rory Ward and Declan O'Neill. A special word of thanks and praise to their coaches Pat O'Neill and Sean Waide.

The under-age mentors along with Chairman, Pat Hamill, Secretary Roisin McAllister and treasurer Arthur Forsythe held an Under-Age Fun Evening on the first Friday of July at the pitch in Feystown. Large numbers attended from Under 8 upwards on a rare dry and sunny day, in what was the wettest July in recorded history, and various matches of differing age groups were played. The children and their parents also enjoyed a barbeque specially prepared by Sean O'Neill. At a varied and entertaining annual sports day St John's, Carnlough Under 12 camogs played a fixture with Brigin Oga. The integration of hurling and camogie youngsters into four Under 10 teams, who competed in a mini league at the Feystown pitch in Go-Games style was enthusiastically supported by the spectators. There were the usual races, senior and youth hurling games as were as tug-o-war, etc.

One of the more unique ventures in fund-raising this year was a Tri-Peak climb by Eugene and Stephen Abram, Willie McConaghy and John McNeill. Setting off at 5am on August 23 the men first climbed Slieve Donard in Co Down, then followed this by trekking up Slemish in Co Antrim before reaching the top of Mount Errigal in Co Donegal the same evening. The club are very grateful to the young men taking part and to those who sponsored them on their trek over three of the highest mountains in Ulster.

Throughout Ireland the strength of the GAA is personified in the vast amount of free labour which is carried out in its name by the majority of its members. The club wishes to acknowledge the selfless service provided by the committee, mentors, players and other members who give freely of their time and effort to serve the needs of a club now in its 105th year.