Golden oldies: The experienced heads still doing the business for their clubs

Shaun Casey takes a look across Ulster at some of the most long-serving players still trucking away.

Antrim: Chris Kerr (St Gall’s)

THE former Antrim shot stopper spent two seasons guarding the goals for Ballymacnab in the Armagh Senior Championship but is now back between the sticks and still pulling on the number one jersey, and pulling off saves, for his native St Gall’s. They opened their championship account with a convincing first round win at home to Moneyglass, 2-23 to 1-14, but will expect a stiffer challenge in round two when they travel to St Brigid’s this weekend.

Armagh: Brendan Davidson (St Michael’s)

DAVIDSON is the St Michael’s captain and has given a lifetime of service to the club. He was a member of the Newtown teams that won two Intermediate Championship titles back in 1999 and 2009 and is still going strong in the blue and white, now well into his 40’s. He may not always be a guaranteed starter nowadays, with his son Aidan the main man in attack, but when Davidson is on the field, whether from the start or off the bench, the St Michael’s men are always in safe hands.

Cavan: Mickey Brennan (Drumalee)

AT 46 years of age, Mickey Brennan is still togging out in the Cavan Junior Championship and still doing his part for his club Drumalee. Born in County Meath, Brennan lined out in the blue and white of the Breffni County during the noughties and he came off the bench for his club in their recent 0-14 to 2-8 draw against St Mary’s Swanlinbar and they saw off Killeshandra on Friday night in round two as well.

Derry: Patsy Bradley (Sleacht Néill)

AN absolute powerhouse of a midfielder, the big Sleacht Néill man made his club championship debut at the young age of just 16 years back in 2000. He won an All-Ireland Minor title with Derry two years later and is still very much doing the business. Bradley was part of the maroon wave that captured six county titles and three Ulster Championships, captaining the provincial winning side of 2017.

Donegal: Donnacha Gallagher (Glenswilly)

BEST known throughout his career as a go-to forward for Glenswilly, the 41-year-old is a converted goalkeeper and played his part in their victory over Termon in the opening round of the Donegal Senior Championship by keeping a clean sheet. He made an early save to deny Downings a goal last weekend as the Glenswilly men picked up a second consecutive championship victory, winning comfortably by ten points in the end.

Down: Shaun Parr (Rostrevor)

ROSTREVOR are back in Division One following their Division Two league success, when they claimed the title recently. Veteran Shaun Parr, who turned 40 this season, is still lending a helping hand. He helped Rostrevor reach back-to-back Intermediate Championship finals in 2022 and 2023, although they came up short on both occasions, but they’ll be keen to get their hands on the WJ Farrell Cup this time around.

Fermanagh: Michael Jones (Derrygonnelly)

THE experienced defender is still a rock of the Derrygonnelly defence, and he has enjoyed some glorious days in the club jersey. Derrygonnelly, who won nine Fermanagh Senior Championship titles in the space of two decades, are back in another Division One league final this weekend, against Teemore Shamrocks, and will have their eyes very much set on capturing the New York Gold Cup again later in the year.

Monaghan: Dessie Mone (Clontibret)

THE Monaghan legend is still pulling on the yellow jersey at club level and representing his home Clontibret. He lined out at corner back last weekend in the opening round of the Senior Championship as Clontibret, who are chasing their first title since 2019, overcame Magheracloone by the minimum of margins. They take on Castleblayney on Saturday evening, and the two-time Ulster Championship winners will be hoping to have another good run out for the O’Neill’s Club.

Tyrone: Martin Penrose (Carrickmore)

PENROSE is a two-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone in 2005 and 2008 and is still doing the business at club level with Carrickmore. Penrose is most sprung from the subs bench these days but is still quite a consistent name on their scoresheet.