Here is our selection of the top free-scoring forwards in Antrim hurling history

1 Eddie Donnelly

Arguably the greatest Antrim hurler of all-time. Born and bred in Ballycastle, Eddie won eight senior championship medals with his club, and he played at senior intercounty level for almost 20 years. Donnelly was a regular on the Ulster Railway Cup team and was named at full forward in the Antrim Team of the Century in 1984. One of Eddie’s defining characteristics as a player was his sheer strength – once the sliotar was in his hands, you weren’t getting it back off him in a hurry – but he was also incredibly skillful and athletic. He was picked as a replacement All-Star twice in the 70s, and is a God in Antrim hurling among a certain vintage.

2 Olcan McFettridge

A magician who did the business when it really matter. Known as ‘Cloot’ (the 1989 team had all matter of weird and wonederful nicknames), McFettridge scored 2-3 in Antrim’s All-Ireland famous semi-final win over Offaly. The Saffrons trailed by four points at half-time, but McFettridge and Aidan McCarry ran riot in the second-half. Jim Nelson described one of his second-half goals in these terms: “I said Olcan would win Goal of the Year and he did. He was half on his knees, half in mid-air when he caught and struck the ball to the net. No-one else in Ireland could’ve done that, not even Nicky English.” One more quote, this time from Sambo McNaughton: “Cloot never realised how good he was, he still doesn’t realise it, and it’s a damn shame that modern day coaching doesn’t allow players like that to exist any more.”

3 Alistair Elliott

Our first two names probably aren’t up for debate, barring the order, but after that it gets tricky. After some deliberation, the bronze medal goes to Alistair Elliott, a fantastic scoring forward for Antrim and Dunloy. He won many Ulster titles with his county, but some of his club performances with Dunloy have passed into legend. A renowned goal-scorer, he racked up 5-2 in their All-Ireland quarter-final victory against Fr Murphy’s of London in 2001 before he had to go off with a double fracture to his skull. Ally made it back to the biggest stage of all though, playing in All-Ireland club finals in 2003 and 2004. They may have ended in defeat but by rights he probably shouldn’t have been playing in the first place having also recovered from a serious knee injury earlier in his career as well.

4 Brian Donnelly

Antrim reached the All-Ireland final for the first time in 46 years back in 1989, so it should be no surprise to see another member of that team make the list – Brian Donnelly, younger brother of Eddie. In fairness, his reputation was forged by then as he’d represented Antrim with distinction since the late seventies. A strong, bloody-minded player, he won six Ulster club titles with Ballycastle and two provincial crowns with Antrim. His unselfishness played a big part in their semi-final win over Offaly as well, distracting defenders with his off-the-ball running for Olcan McFettridge’s first goal, and playing provider for his second.

5 Ciaran Barr

The only Belfast man on this list, Barr was Antrim captain in 1989. His strength and courage were up there with the best of them, and he made for an excellent target-man on the edge of the square. The first few years of his intercounty career were fairly forgettable, but Ciaran was determined to make it, and he won an All-Star in 1988. Inspired his club O’Donovan Rossa to the Antrim SHC title in the very same year, and he also played with Dublin outfit St Vincent’s, winning a county crown in 1993. It could’ve been a lot different for him – his big interest as a youngster was water polo, but the Hamill brothers at Rossa, Aidan and Eamonn, encouraged him to go with hurling.

6 Liam Watson

Perhaps the most gifted Antrim player to ever pick up a hurl. Watson’s defining performance was his tour de force in Loughgiel’s All-Ireland triumph over Coolderry in 2012, scoring a remarkable 3-7. Lest we forget, he was completely unmarkable in the semi-final as well, scoring 16 points against Na Piarsaigh on that occasion (what, no goals, Liam?). He was exiled from the Antrim team for a number of years when still in his prime, and only for that he’d probably rank even higher. Still had some great days out for his county, none more so than when he smoked Eoin Cadogan for six points from play in an All-Ireland quarter-final, and he possibly would’ve got an All-Star if he wasn’t red carded late in that match. The definition of mercurial, but nobody ever doubted the man’s ability.

7 Neil McManus

ANTRIM have reached the Joe McDonagh final with some scintillating displays, but in most match reports you’ll still see reference to Cushendall star Neil McManus, who’s been sidelined with injury. The spiritual leader of this Antrim team, McManus has been a totemic presence for both club and county for 15 years now. While he’s a ridiculously good free-taker, he’s no slouch from open play and a clip of him pulling off an audacious handpass while playing for the Ruairi Ogs a few years back garnered over 85,000 views online.

8 Danny McNaughton

McNaughton was a stupendous hurler who sadly passed away long before his time. The Dunloy man scored two phenomenal goals as Antrim gave Kilkenny an almighty scare in the 1987 All-Ireland semi-final, and he also weighed in with a personal tally of 2-5 in the 1989 Ulster final against Down. McNaughton could line out anywhere in the full-forward line, but injury meant he was limited to a substitute role in the All-Ireland semi-final and final in ‘89. At club level, James won seven Antrim and seven Ulster championships with Ruairi Og, Cushendall, which is some haul.

9 Aidan McCarry

McCarry finished as top-scorer in Antrim’s All-Ireland semi-final win over Offaly in 1989 with a remarkable 2-4, and he managed another goal in their All-Ireland final defeat to Tipperary. He was described by Jim Nelson as ‘the best overhead player I have seen, with a great eye and superb timing’, and he was actually encouraged to shoot from further out in training as he hit the sliotar with such ferocity. He was also a key part of the Loughgiel team that made history by winning the All-Ireland club title in 1983 by defeating Offaly team St Rynagh’s – and he also top-scored that day with a personal tally of 1-3.

10 Dessie Donnelly

Another brother of Eddie Donnelly’s, Dessie rounds off our list. He wasn’t the paciest but he had a tremendous reading of the game. He won an All-Star at corner-back but he really could’ve won another at corner-forward in 1991 after a string of brilliant performances. Won a mountain of medals for his club, Ballycastle – six Ulster titles, while they were runners-up in the 1980 All-Ireland final.

By Niall Gartland