Five who made change

BILLY JOE PADDEN Mayo to Armagh

WORK took the Belmullet man up north and he left a 10-year career with Mayo behind him, during which time he played in the 2006 All-ireland final. He played two full seasons with Armagh, starting well in 2011 when the Orchard turned over Down, All-ireland finalists in the previous year.

SEANIE JOHNSTON Cavan to Kildare

A HUGELY-CONTROVERSIAL arrangement at the time, as it was revealed Johnston did not actually reside in the county while seeking a transfer to Kildare, who were under Kieran Mcgeeney. A rule was actually created at this time that a player could not be eligible to play for a county unless they had played in the Championship in that county. It led to a farcical situation, with Johnston playing the first few minutes of a hurling match before being taken off. In time, Johnston returned to his native county.

JAMES LOUGHREY Antrim to Cork

WAS one of the key men for Antrim when they shot up through the divisions and made an Ulster final under Liam Bradley, and he was a welcome addition when he arrived to a Cork side as the All-ireland-winning team of 2010 were starting to fade out. An All-star nominee in his first year of 2013 and put in a massive performance in the 2019 Munster final.

DECLAN DARCY

Leitrim to Dublin

DARCY was only a young man when he captained his father’s native Leitrim to a Connacht title in 1994, bridging a gap back to their only other crown in 1927. Declared for Dublin, where he grew up, afterwards.

SHANE KING Fermanagh to Down

HAVING made his county debut under his father Pat — the renowned Tyrone footballer — he switched to Down for the 2003 season and, as luck would have it, made a crucial contribution in their semi-final win over — you guessed it — Fermanagh.