Golden Oldies: Veteran players still walking the walk

Shaun Casey takes a look at some of the veteran players across Ulster still doing the business for their clubs

Antrim: Kevin Niblock (St Gall’s)

Niblock put the boots back on and lined out with the number one jersey on his back, kicking a brace of two-pointers, for St Gall’s in their opening day victory away to Lamh Dhearg. Regular goalkeeper Chris Kerr (another golden oldie) picked up a knock, so he was unable to feature in the first round of the championship, but Niblock proved an able replacement. He played for Antrim in the 2009 Ulster Championship decider and more recently, guided Tyrone club Derrylaughan to an Intermediate Championship title.

Armagh: Paul Duffy (Pearse Og)

An All-Ireland U-21 winner with Armagh in 2004, Paul Duffy has been a loyal servant for Pearse Og down through the years and remains one of their best players. He made his name as an attacking wing-back at county level but has played more as a scoring forward in recent years, with the new rules suiting his two-point ability around the arc. Duffy also won a county championship with the Ogs in 2009 and is lining out for another championship campaign in the green and gold this summer.

Cavan: Raymond Galligan (Lacken)

The former Cavan footballer and manager is back in goals for his club Lacken and has been driving over a few two-pointers recently. Galligan started his county career as a forward but was a goalkeeper by the time he captained the Breffni Blues to their famous Ulster Championship title in 2020 and earned an All-Star that season for his performances, before going onto manager Cavan for two seasons as well.

Derry: Patsy Bradley (Sleacht Néill)

Bradley made his Sleacht Néill championship debut at 16 years of age back in 2002, the same year he won an All-Ireland Minor title with Derry, and is still the rock of the team. Bradley has experienced some tremendous highs at club level, winning six county titles along with three Ulster Championships and he also captained his side to provincial glory in 2017. As another championship season beckons, Bradley continues to lead the line for the men in maroon.

Donegal: Frank McGlynn (Glenfin)

Glenfin have had a tough start to the Senior Championship in Donegal, losing their opening two outings to Gaoth Dobhair and St Michael’s to sit at the bottom of the table. McGlynn, player-manager for the club, made an appearance the first day out but didn’t feature in their defeat to St Michael’s last weekend. McGlynn made his debut for Donegal almost 20 years ago, back in 2006, and was an All-Star winner in the green and gold under Jim McGuinness in 2012 before retiring form the inter-county scene in 2019.

Down: Kevin McKernan (Burren)

McKernan won an All-Ireland Minor title with Down by in 2005 and is still lining out for his club side Burren 20 years on. McKernan, who played for the Mourne County in the 2010 All-Ireland final, has won three county championship titles with the St Mary’s club, including their most recent success in 2018. Burren have reached the last two county finals and McKernan has featured in both, as the goalkeeper in 2023 and a second-half substitute last year.

Fermanagh: Mark Little (Lisnaskea)

A soldier from one of Fermanagh’s most famous days, an All-Ireland quarter-final victory over Armagh back in 2004, Mark Little is still lining out at club level for Lisnaskea. He helped the Emmet’s club get their hands on Intermediate Championship gold last season, scoring in their 2-6 to 0-9 win over Irvinestown at 43 years of age and remains one of the bright sparks in their team. They are up playing at senior level this season and after a decent Division Two league campaign, they’ll hope to put in a couple of solid shifts.

Monaghan: Dessie Mone (Clontibret)

A late addition to the Clontibret starting team for their championship opener against Corduff, Dessie Mone is still very much doing the business at club level. A two-time Ulster Championship winner with Monaghan, Mone made his name as a tight-marking corner-back but displayed his footballing ability under Malachy O’Rourke when moved out to the half-back line and demonstrated that last weekend with his late two-pointer earning a draw against county champions Scotstown. Clontibret remain one of the big-hitters in the Farney County.

Tyrone: Martin Penrose (Carrickmore)

Twenty years ago, Martin Penrose was winning All-Ireland titles with Tyrone and nowadays he is still leading the line at club level for Carrickmore. He was also an All-Ireland winning minor with the Red Hands in 2001 and went on to collect the Anglo Celt Cup three times as well. Penrose has the ability to play anywhere across the forward line, either in a play-making position or as a scoring threat. Still as sharp as ever, he starred for Carrickmore in their recent win over neighbours Loughmacrory.