Eddie Brennan | Joe Canning | Ollie Canning | DJ Carey | Eugene Cloonan
Martin Comerford | Lar Corbett | Brendan Cummins | Ronan Curran
Ger Farragher | James 'cha' Fitzpatrick | Damien Fitzhenry | Paul Flynn
John Gardiner | Niall Gilligan | Damian Hayes | Conal Keaney | Michael Kavanagh
Eoin Kennedy | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Kelly | Eoin Larkin | Derek Lyng
Fergus McMahon | Seanie McMahon | Johnny McIntosh | Andrew Mitchell
Stephen Molumpy | Pat Mulcahy | John Mullane | Sean Óg Ó Hailpin
Andrew O'Shaughnessy | Ben O'Connor | Seamus Prendergast
Keith Raymond | Eoin Quigley | Joe Rabbite | Keith Rossiter | Dan Shanahan
Henry Shefflin | James Skehill | Tommy Walsh | Brian Whelehan | James Young
It has been a good year for sharpshooter Johnny McIntosh and his Antrim teammates.
The Glenarriff clubman was the architect of Antrim’s amazing National League win over Galway at Casement Park back in February when his late goal secured a 1-14 to 0-16 win.
The 27-year-old researcher was in fine form again in the next round,
scoring 1-4 as Antrim easily beat Laois 2-10 to 0-8.
The Saffrons decided not to compete in the Senior Hurling Championship this year, opting instead to try their luck in the Christy Ring Cup.
In the end it proved to be a wise choice as Antrim demolished Carlow in the final with McIntosh clocking up a 2-4 tally. The result was proof that McIntosh and his teammates are not that far off competing in the top tier of inter-county hurling.
The year ended on a high note for the Saffrons as they beat New York in an unlikely autumn Ulster hurling final in Boston in the USA.
A good end to a great year for McIntosh and Antrim, who will be hoping to go on to find success at the highest level next year.
You decided to play in the Christy Ring Cup this year and not in the All-Ireland Championship. Was it a good decision?
Yes it was brilliant and to go on and win it was even better. We gained a lot of confidence from it, and with good Minor and U-21 sides coming through we are looking forward with optimism to playing again at the highest level.
What has been your greatest moment in sport?
Winning the Ulster Intermediate Club title with Genarriff when we beat Keady of Armagh in Omagh.
Who are the toughest team you have ever faced?
We played Limerick in the National League earlier this year and they were awesome. They are a very physically fit team and definitely one to watch for the future.
Who are the toughest opponents out there?
Seán Óg Ó hAilpín has to be the toughest man-marker, he doesn’t give you any space.
Which players do you admire the most?
Waterford’s Ken McGrath is the best player around at the moment, he always gives 100%. When I was growing up I really admired Kilkenny’s Eamonn Morrissey.
Who was your childhood hero?
Antrim went hurling mad when we got to the All-Ireland final against Tipperary in 1989. ‘Sambo’ McNaughton and Olcan McFettridge were my heroes at the time.
What club do you play for and who are your biggest rivals?
I play for Genarriff and Cushendal would be our biggest rivals.
Do you play any other sports?
Soccer and golf.
What are your hopes for the future?
It would be great to be part of an Antrim team that makes the breakthrough to either an All-Ireland quarter or semi-final. Also winning a County Senior club title would be my other dream.
What advice would you give to young players?
Work hard at your game and always have belief in yourself.
Name: Johnny McIntosh
Age: 28
Team: Antrim
Debut: 1998 v Clare
Position: Corner Forward (13)
Honours:
6 Ulster Senior titles,
3 Ulster U-21 titles,
1 Ulster Minor title,
1 Christy Ring Cup,
1 National Hurling League Div 2 title,
1 Ulster Intermediate Club title,
2 County Intermediate Club titles,
Club: Glenarriff
Fav Food: Pasta
Fav Book: Da Vinci Code
Fav Music: Razorlight
Fav Film: Braveheart
Fav TV: Spooks
Fav Team: Liverpool
Hobbies: Soccer
Occupation: Mathematician/Scientific Researcher
CÚL FACT: In 1996 he was substituted in the Ulster Minor final v Derry. Three days later, he scored a last minute goal for Antrim to win the U-21 final against Down. That’s some turnaround!
© December 2006
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