Antrim hero recalls bizarre Joe Brolly incident and how the dying wish of a fan inspired a memorable Championship win 

In the summer of 2000, Antrim footballers shocked a star-studded Down team in Casement Park and brought Eamonn Coleman’s Derry to a replay

It is a quarter of a century since Antrim pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Championship football when they defeated Down in the Ulster SFC quarter-final.

In the days before the All-Ireland Qualifiers and back-door systems, the Saffrons were without a win in 18 years when a star-studded Down side rolled into west Belfast’s Casement Park.

Some of their All-Ireland winning heroes from 1991 and ’94 were still around at the start of the millennium – Greg McCartan, Mickey Linden and James McCartan. A young Benny Coulter would also make his Down debut that afternoon.

There wasn’t much expectation in the Antrim camp, but a visitor to their changing room before the game altered their mindset completely.

Goalkeeper Sean McGreevy vividly remembers the moment when manager Brian White invited his friend Dessie Reynold to address the players at Casement Park.

“The Down game took on a life of its own. There was so much about that game. It was our first win in 18 years,” said McGreevy.

“A friend of Brian White’s, Dessie Reynolds, was ill and hadn’t long to live. He came into the changing rooms and, when somebody tells you this will be the last Championship match they’ll ever see. . .he just asked us to make sure Antrim won it.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it and I probably won’t again. The feeling in that dressing room lifted us to another level. We all had the feeling that we were not losing no matter what.

“He just happened to be at Casement and shouted over to Brian. They were obviously good mates and asked to speak to the players before the game.

“Of course Brian said yes. I don’t think Brian knew just how motivating that speech would prove to be.”

With McGreevy saving a penalty from Greg McCartan and Sheeny McQuillan scoring seven points, the Saffrons claimed a famous 0-13 to 1-7 win to set up a semi-final meeting with Eamonn Coleman’s Derry.

20,000 spectators poured into a sun-drenched Casement Park and Antrim almost claimed another huge scalp.

A 55-metre free from McQuillan looked destined to drop over the crossbar until Anthony Tohill rose high into the air to make a remarkable catch to prevent the score, but that wasn’t McGreevy’s abiding memory of that day.

“As Antrim players, we are often reminded of Anthony Tohill taking the ball off the bar,” he said.

“The whole occasion of that summer lifted the people of Antrim. We didn’t go on to win anything, but we won a lot of respect and we brought a lot of happiness to people.

“It is the first time that I’d played for Antrim when I saw people walking to the shops in their jerseys and talking about football and looking forward to the games.

“I remember during that Derry game when Joe Brolly came up and his arm around me in the middle of the game and said, “isn’t this amazing?”

“Casement Park was packed. I remember that conversation. Part of me wanted to tell him where to go, but I also agreed with him!

Somehow an extra 10,000 attended the replay, which the Oak Leafers won comfortably before losing out to Armagh by the narrowest of margins in the Ulster final.

It would take the Saffrons a further nine years to reach the provincial decider themselves, although McGreevy suffered a groin injury early in their memorable quarter-final win over Donegal in Ballybofey and was brought on in the closing minutes of the Ulster final loss to the-then All-Ireland champions Tyrone in Clones.

With a new manager at the helm in Mark Doran, McGreevy remains hopeful that Antrim can turn the corner once again.

“It is a pity some of that momentum has been lost,” added the St Paul’s native.

“I don’t think we have the worst panel of players in Ulster or Ireland. I think it is a mindset thing. I think once the boys really put the shoulder to the wheel and buy into it, anything is achievable.”