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Age Is Just A Number
Monday 03.08.2020
It appears we may have hit on something since we mentioned the longevity of Gaelic players on here a couple of weeks ago. On Sunday last we had four “elder statesmen” of the game line out in the Kildress forward line with a combined age of 155. Frank Mc Gurk, Dessie Tracey, Martin Grimes and Damien Kelly turned the clock back as they lined out for their club again in the All County League clash with Fintona. Damien Kelly made his first senior appearance in 1996 against Killyclogher, Des Tracey debuted against Clonoe in 1997, Martin Grimes lined out for the first time versus Moortown in 1999 while Frank Mc Gurk made his full debut against Brackaville in 2000.
The same Frank Mc Gurk scored his team’s third goal on Sunday while Damien Kelly was also among the point scorers. Form is temporary, class is permanent and age is just a number.
Meanwhile up in Dromore we have another group of veterans who are also into their fourth decade of lining out for their club in competitive action. Peter “Cat” Ward, Fabian O’Neill and Barry Collins are continuing to show the younger lads just how it is done. Peter first lined out for the St Dympna back in 1998 against Carrickmore while Barry made his debut against Donaghmore in the same year. Dromore were managed at that time by the late, great Hugh Mc Cabe.
Fabian O’Neill of course will always be remembered as the first Dromore man to lift the O’Neill Cup when he captained the team to championship success back in 2007. The tight marking corner back debuted for his club interestingly against Kildress in 1999. Perhaps Frank, Des, Martin or Damien could well have lined up against him?
Congratulations to them all on the fact that they are still turning out for their clubs and looking as fit and competitive as ever.
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