ON Friday Glenview PS in Maghera will officially open their new floodlit 3G pitch. On Sunday, 18 of their past pupils will be expected to start for Glen or Slaughtneil in Derry club football’s most eagerly awaited game in many a year. Some of the past pupils answered some questions ahead of the final
CIARAN McFAUL
First thing you remember of primary school football?
Winning the Castle Cup by the help of Donal Convery’s umpire skills.
Funniest moment?
Telling a referee that (Ryan) ‘Sucky’ Bell was older than our Principal John Hegarty.
Much banter between Glen and Slaughtneil lads?
We all got on really well. I always thought Paudie Tad (Cassidy) was a Glen man.
What made the school successful?
A massive emphasis on sport being a main part of the curriculum, which helped us develop.
Toughest opponent to mark at training?
Brendan O’Kane was strong, fast and had a serious competitive edge. I remember us going in for a tackle and both off us came out with blood all over our faces.
CONNOR CARVILLE
First thing you remember of primary school football?
Those Castle Cup wins were very memorable, like a World Cup for an 11-year-old. We hadn’t won one in a long time, and Mr (John) Hegarty and Mr (Antoin) Moran made it seem like the world depended on us winning one. When we won the first one the pressure was off and we went on to win a few.
Funniest moment?
I laugh now looking back at some of the positions, Dougie (Ryan Dougan) was some ‘keeper for us.
Much banter between Glen and Slaughtneil lads?
I think we were all just lads who loved playing football, and being in the same class you naturally went on to be friendly.
What was it that made the teams so successful?
The talent on those teams was unreal when you think back. That combined with two great men taking the teams was a good recipe for success
Toughest opponent to mark at training?
Ciaran McFaul. He has always played at such an intensity and was a powerful runner, even at that age.
CONOR GLASS
First thing you remember of primary school football?
I always think about the Castle Cup.
Funniest moment?
Just the total hype around the tournament. It was as if we were playing in an All-Ireland Final. You’d be cleaning the boots the night before and in bed early, those type of things.
Much banter between Glen and Slaughtneil lads?
They weren’t separated from us because they were from Slaughtneil. We were all on the same team so it was all good spirits.
What was it that made the teams so successful?
The investment John Hegarty and the likes of Donal Convery had in those teams was massive. Made everyone focus on the football as well as having fun.
Toughest opponent to mark at training?
Shay McGrath was full forward for our teams. Once he put on his black tight shorts, he meant business and was a goal machine.
PAUL McNEILL
First thing you remember of primary school football?
Success in the Castle Cup and playing against my own clubmates in it.
Funniest moment?
Dropped the lid of the Castle Cup on my head when I lifted it as captain.
Much banter between Glen and Slaughtneil lads?
We’d have been friendly right through primary school and secondary school.
What was it that made the teams so successful?
Probably competitiveness. Slaughtneil and Glen were both competitive when playing against each other at club, and amongst each other at school.
Toughest opponent to mark at training?
Used to play as a forward back in primary school days so didn’t have to worry about man marking. I was usually on Meehaul McGrath or Conor Tad (Cassidy) who were much bigger than me.
BRENDAN ROGERS
First thing you remember of primary school football?
The picture of our Castle Cup winning team. We seemed to have stiff competition from Holy Family (Magherafelt) and Derrychrin (Ballinderry) no matter what tournament we went to.
Funniest moment?
Marking Ryan Bell, he was not far off six feet at the time and I was nowhere near it. I’m not sure how that came about.
Much banter between Glen and Slaughtneil lads?
The Slaughtneil players were a minority in the school. We mixed very well socially so; club rivalry never got in between things.
What was it that made the teams so successful?
Natural talent. I don’t think we would have known the word tactics back then. It’s no coincidence that a lot of that team has been successful since that tournament. That group of players played at A grade football against each other every year since then.
Toughest opponent to mark at training?
I don’t ever recall training for Glenview but Brendan O’Kane (Giggles) would probably have been one of the focal players of the team.
MEEHAUL McGRATH
First thing you remember of primary school football?
It always goes back to winning the Castle Cup.
Funniest moment?
We all laughed at Mr Hegarty calling for offside in a game.
Much banter between Glen and Slaughtneil lads?
The Glen boys always loved to see the Slaughtneil players putting on the green and yellow.
What was it that made the teams so successful?
It was a a good group of players coming together at the one time.
Toughest opponent to mark at training?
The toughest was Paul McNeill and his raw pace.
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