‘SAMBO’ PUT FIRE IN THE GLENSMEN DURING SUPERB SAFFRON SUMMERS
ON All-Ireland final Sunday in 2013, the GAA honoured hurling and football selections from the 1980s, comprised of players who never won All-Ireland senior titles.
It was a nice touch and drew an enthusiastic appreciation when the players were introduced to the crowd. Antrim were double-represented on the hurling team, with Dessie Donnelly at left full-back and Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton at left half-back.
It was a fitting honour for both. Dessie’s older brother, Eddie would have been a certainty if a similar team were selected for the 1970s. His career stretched from the 1960 s tot he1980s, with his best performances coming int he1970s when he was twice called up as a replacement All Star for the tour to America.
‘Sambo’ and the two Donnellys fill the first three positions on our ranking list, with a third Donnelly, Brian, also in the top ten.
Top spot goes to ‘Sambo’, a man who has been synonymous with Antrim
Whether in defence, midfield or attack (where he played in All-Ireland final of 1989), ‘Sambo’ was a constant driving force in an era when the Glensmen were competing consistently at a much higher level than nowadays.
Eddie Donnelly nudges out his brother Dessie for second place, followed by Paul McKillen and Ciarán Barr. Dessie was an All Star corner-back in 1989 and received two other nominations. McKillen, a highquality midfielder, won an All Star award in 1993, five years after Barr, who captained the team in the 1989 All-Ireland final, won his award at centreforward. Barr, Dessie Donnelly, McFetridge, who we rank sixth, ‘Sambo’ andMcKillen,are the only Antrim playerstohave won All Star awards.