Feature: Loughgiel star Eddie McCloskey looks back on his most memorable games

WE look back at some of the big moments from the career of Antrim and Loughgiel’s Eddie McCloskey…

Which club game, that you played in, will you never forget and why?

I’ve been very lucky to have played in, and won, a senior All Ireland club final with my club Loughgiel. To be honest, I remember very little about that game and the actual game almost feels like a blur now. My most memorable club game would probably be the 2013 Ulster final against Slaughtneil. I got a couple of goals and scores at crucial times in the game when we were really up against it.

Which club game, that you watched, will you never forget and why?

The one club game I watched that always really sticks out in my mind was the 2005 Rossa v James Stephen’s All-Ireland semi final in Parnell Park. We were down with the Antrim minors and we stopped in to watch it. Philly Larkin was a favourite player for me at the time and his brother Eoin Larkin had a stormer that day. I feel that I learned a lot that day from watching that game.

Which county game, that you played in, will you never forget and why?

The unforgettable county game has to be the 2016 Christy Ring final against Meath which was replayed due to incorrect score. I can’t believe something like the officials getting the score wrong could happen in a final played in Crok Park. Unfortunately, we were beaten in the replay anyway.

Which county game, that you watched, will you never forget and why?

Antrim v Wexford in the 2003 All Ireland quarter final for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it was my first time in Croke Park. Secondly, Winker (Liam Watson) was wearing my green Cooper helmet that day. He called with me at a mate’s house a few days before the game to ask if he could wear it in the game against Wexford. I think because I had just got a Kilkenny face guard on it and it looked the part. Before I could get a word out my mate said ‘Jesus lad, you’d give him every stitch of clothes you have and run about with the arse out for Antrim to win this weekend.’

What was the funniest thing you ever saw in a game?

In a club game, a mate (joker of the team) who was a big fella and fancied himself as a big hitter/hard man, got completely emptied by a goalie of similar size from Ballinascreen. There wasn’t a ball hit for at least a minute after it for everyone was in stitches laughing. That specific tackle is still mentioned to this day. No one hurt except for the pride.

What was the strangest thing you ever saw in a game?

In a challenge game against Dublin for the club, Paul ‘Ding’ Gillan managed to score an own point…

What was the most memorable performance from a player in a game that you watched?

I would say anytime I watched Henry Shefflin play I was in absolute awe. Henry’s the reason I had a green Cooper with a Kilkenny face guard. Shefflin in my opinion is the G.O.A.T.

What was the most memorable performance from a player in a game that you played?

Again, another tough one, but I think it has to be mentioned Liam Watson’s performance in the All-Ireland Club final 2012. The scary thing is Liam put in performances like that in many other games over the years.He was the epitome of a clutch player.

What did you love about the games you played in?

I suppose like most people who are involved in team sports, you love the camaraderie an the togetherness. Then, if you’re lucky, and you achieve something great as a team, there’s no other feeling like it.

What did you hate about the games you played in?

Again, like most sports people, I suppose the thing I hated most about the games I played in was losing.