GLIST: Star siblings

Shaun Casey takes a look at some very talented siblings across the province.

The Elliotts (Dunloy)

Seaan and Nigel Elliott are leading the line for Dunloy at both hurling and football, hoping to bring home a unique double this season. They were on fire for the footballers the last day out, as the county champions saw off Lámh Dhearg to book their spot in the semi-finals. Seaan top scored that afternoon for his team with 0-9 while Nigel was responsible for two of their five goals in the 5-15 to 3-12 win. The pair also played their part recently for the hurlers, who beat Cushendall to top their group with three wins from three.

The O’Neills (Crossmaglen)

Since Oisin and Rian have returned, Crossmaglen look like a different team. They have led the line, along with their younger brother Aaron, and are now 60 minutes away from a first county final appearance since 2023. Oisin and Rian came off at half time of their group stage tie with Madden and have both started, and starred, in their recent wins over Clan na Gael and Culloville. The last day out against Culloville, Oisin top scored with 2-10 while Rian and Aaron chipped in on the scoresheet with 0-3 and 0-2 respectively, as the Rangers reached the semi-finals of the Armagh SFC.

The Toners (Lavey)

Aidan Toner plays both codes for his club team while his brother Niall plays football and is also a member of Ciarán Meenagh’s Derry senior panel. Their sisters, Catriona and Eilis, play ladies football and camogie in Lavey. They lost the Intermediate Ladies final last weekend to Glen, but their hopes of a camogie title are still very much on track and Catriona has been one of the best dual players throughout the county this season.

The O’Donnells (St Eunan’s)

Niall, Conor (Snr) and Shane are all key men for St Eunan’s who made their way through to the Donegal SFC semi-finals and are aiming to get back through to the showpiece having surrendered their title last season. Conor nailed a two-pointer while Shane got his name on the scoresheet as well for St Eunan’s when they defeated Dungloe to advance to the last four. Niall also came off the bench to see out the game in the final quarter as they held on to win by three in the end.

The Carrs (Clonduff)

Clonduff are aiming to get their hands on the Frank O’Hare Cup for the first time in 26 years, and they are now 60 minutes away from doing just that. Ross and Charlie Carr have been instrumental for Gearoid Adams’ side and play key roles down the spine of the team. Ross lines out at centerfield, alongside his cousin Senan, while joint captain of the team Charlie plays at centre half forward. Charlie chipped in with an important score last Friday evening as Clonduff defeated Carryduff to reach the decider.

The Kelms (Erne Gaels)

The last couple of years have been hugely successful for Erne Gaels, and they are currently aiming towards winning three county championship titles on the bounce having won two in a row for the first time ever last year. The Kelm brothers, Ultan, Oisin and Aogan have been extremely influential for the Belleek side. Last weekend they defeated former Fermanagh kingpins Derrygonnelly 1-15 to 0-8 and the Kelm’s were to the fore, with Ultan and Aogan really leading the line for Barry O’Hagan’s side in terms of the scoreboard to see them through to the final four of the Senior Championship.

The Canavans (Errigal Ciaran)

A famous footballing name not only in Tyrone but throughout the whole of Ireland, the Canavan’s are the stars for the men’s and ladies football teams. Darragh won an All-Ireland medal with the Red Hands in 2021 and, along with younger brother Ruairi, they helped Errigal Ciaran win an Ulster Championship title just two years ago, when they also reached the All-Ireland club final. Their sister Claire also plays at the top level for Tyrone, and she starred as they clinched back-to-back Senior Championship titles, while Aine has also pulled on the red and white jersey in recent years.

The Mackins (Shane O’Neill’s)

Shane O’Neill’s first ever Senior Championship title came last weekend, and it was Aimee and Blaithin Mackin who starred for the Camlough men. Aimee was absolutely unstoppable up front and finished with a personal haul of 1-12 while Blaithin chipped in with 0-4 from midfield as well.The two sisters have been fantastic servants to Armagh as well and have both played professionally out in Australia in recent years.Their brothers, Connaire and Ciaran, both played their part in Armagh’s historic All-Ireland triumph in 2024 when they defeated Galway, although Ciaran missed out on the final through injury, but Connaire did make the starting line-up at Croke Park that day.