They’re tough as nails up in the glens of Antrim.
And Ciaran McKay is one of the toughest. He’s only a minor but he doesn’t know anything other than tough, brave and hard hurling.
He was playing for Loughgiel Shamrocks in the Antrim minor hurling final against Dunloy last Sunday when he put his bare hands on the line for his club crest.
The result didn’t go Loughgiel’s way in the end, with Dunloy winning out by 1-19 to 3-12 but that wasn’t for the want of trying on Loughgiel’s part and that man McKay embodied this spirit, heart and courage perfectly in the first half of the game.
Half back McKay won possession in the backs before driving out past a couple of Dunloy men. Along the way, his hurl was pulled out of his hand and when his kick-pass went astray, he was on the back foot.
The ball broke to Dunloy’s Rory Mullan but he had work to do if he wanted to score. He’d have to get past that man McKay first.
Hurl or no hurl, it didn’t matter. The Antrim youngster stuck to Mullan for a couple of yards before instinctively and heroically attempting to block Mullan’s shot with his bare hands.
Showing complete disregard for his own safety, McKay put himself on the line for the good of his club. In the end, the shot went over but with spirit and courage like that, you just know a man like McKay will be heard tell of in the future.
You can watch the video from the game here.
Amazing Video! See a minor hurler trying to block without his stick and getting his opponent's stick broken over his hand! Hurlers truly are a breed apart.. #GAA pic.twitter.com/5IKbAz1a2G
— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) November 1, 2018
VIDEO CREDIT: Jerome Quinn media.
