WHEN 14 year old Sarah Quinn lined out for Swatragh in the Derry senior final in 1974, the club had yet to take the county title. She was on the winning team that day and became the key player on the club side that went on an unbeaten run in the county for 19 years.
“Sarannie”as she was popularly known, actually missed the last game in that brilliant run due to the birth of her eldest child but returned to continue her outfield career until her final game in 1997.
During that time Swatragh reached a number of Ulster club finals and won four titles, in 1983 and then three in-a-row from 1988-90.
In 2005 when she was a selector for the team she was persuaded to“stand between the posts” from where she was able to direct play and ended up with her 19th county championship medal, a decade and a half on from her 18th. Rossa eventually denied Sarah another provincial medal in the Ulster final.
In 1977 and 1978 Sarah captained Loreto Coleraine to back-to-back Ulster schools’ titles from centre-half back and they lost the ‘78 All-Ireland final by a point to Presentation College Athenry in Croke Park.
There was however success in Croke Park later that same summer when, despite her tender years, she was at centre-half back on the Derry team that won the All-Ireland Junior championship, beating Cork by 3-4 to 1-4.
By that stage she had already played for Ulster and over the course of the next dozen years was to be a permanent feature on the provincial team picking up three Gael Linn medals 1989-91 and ending up top-scorer in each competition including eight points from centre-back in the 1989 final.
Although she collected many of her top honours with No 4 on her back in the 12-a-side game she was comfortable in most positions and has opted to select herself at centre-forward in this ideal team selected from her playing years.
“Thank God this is a 15-a-side team because it allows me to select more players. Having said that, if this had been a 12-a-side team, I think that I would have had a couple of other players in because they were technically excellent on the shortened pitch.
“I really enjoyed playing for Ulster because you were testing yourself against the very top players. The same when we played those All-Ireland club semi-finals. Unfortunately, most of my inter-county career was played at junior level and we didn’t have much success apart from 1978.
“But I still played against and alongside some of the best Ulster players ever at club, county and interprovincial level during the 1970s and 1980s. Yet I have still made room in the team for someone I played with in Swatragh at the very end of my career and I wish she had been born 15 or 20 years earlier.
“Because I had a long playing career, I probably could pick several teams and hence there are a number of players reluctantly left out of the starting 15. I have added some of these to the subs bench.”
1. Carol McAllister (nee Blaney) (Williams and Antrim)
Technically Carol was very good, a brilliant shot stopper and she commanded her area perfectly. She constantly guided those in front of her and gave confidence to the team.
2. Eileen McGuckin (nee McQuillan) (Swatragh and Derry)
I played with Eileen in Swatragh for many years and in the Derry Junior All Ireland winning team of 1978. She was extremely focused on her job, was a superb player marker. She took no risks, clearing the ball long and with authority.
3. Margaret Moriarty (Clann na nGael and Armagh)
I played with Maggie Mo on many occasions for Ulster. She was quietly spoken but still an inspirational player. She had a graceful natural talent but on the field of play she was so tough and determined.
4. Mary Connolly (nee McMullan) (Loughgiel and Antrim)
I played with Mary at school in Loreto Coleraine where she was full back in the team that was beaten by a point in the All-Ireland Senior schools’ final of 1978. She tackled tenaciously and was a superb striker of the ball.
5. Brigid Carmichael (nee McLaughlin) (Glack and Derry)
Brigid was captain of the Derry team in 1978. Her commitment in training, bravery and drive on the field of play and support for the entire team was incredible. She was an inspirational role model, a true example of the captain fantastic.
6. Teresa Allen (An Ríocht and Down)
Teresa was on the Kilkeel team which Swatragh defeated to win our first Ulster Club title in 1983. When representing Ulster, she was a character in every sense of the word and full of fun but a total power-house on the field of play. A very intelligent player, she possessed all the skills and commanded the centre back position transforming defence into attack.
7. Nuala Magee (nee McCartan) (Liatroim Fontenoys and Down)
At club level Swatragh met Liatroim on many occasions and there was rarely more than a point between the teams. The tall athletic left-handed defender was a colossus in the heart of their defence and at Ulster level it was great to have Nuala beside you on the field of play.
8. Mairead Magill (nee McAtamney) (Portglenone and Antrim)
Mairead was the best player I have ever played with, against or saw. On the field she was always the conductor of operations. Her first touch was phenomenal, and she could perform every skill to perfection. She read the game like a book and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Her delivery of a pass was delightful and her accuracy from play and frees was unerring.
9. Breid McLaughlin (nee McWilliams) (Swatragh and Derry)
Breid played midfield at club and county level and also played on the winning Derry team of 78 and the Swatragh team of 83. Her fitness was outstanding and her ground strokes were super. She covered every blade of grass on every field she played on.
10. Ursula Jordan (nee Daly) (Eglish and Tyrone)
My first encounter with Ursula was in the Ulster club championship in 1974 and suffice to say she gave us a lesson on how the game should be played. She was very quick off the mark and could find space in a second. Her powerful solo runs opened defences for either a pass to a colleague or to take a score herself. On Gael Linn duty for Ulster she was equally dominant and a pleasure to play with.
11. Sarah McNicholl (nee Quinn) (Swatragh and Derry).
12. Sheila Burke (Eglish and Tyrone)
In the 12 a side game Sheila may not have played in the half forward line but her athleticism, range of skill and understanding of the game meant she adapt to any position. She was a great team player, very composed in possession and brought others into the game.
13. Paula McAtamney (Swatragh and Derry)
A young player who came to prominence at the end of my playing career, Paula had outstanding talent. Her technical ability combined with her sidestep and balance were a treat to watch. In possession she was poetry in motion.
14. Marian McGarvey (nee Delaney) (St Bridget’s Newry and Down)
I first met Marian in the Ulster club final in 1975 and played with her on the Ulster Polytechnic Purcell cup winning team of 1980. She was tall, athletic and a brilliant catcher of the ball. A great target player and a natural goal-scorer.
15. Bonnie McGreevy (An Ríocht and Down)
I first played against Bonnie in the Ulster Schools’ final in 1978 and then we came up against each other in the club championship. I also played with her for Ulster on many occasions. She had a great first touch and a tremendous eye for goal. Her enthusiasm and love for the game was infectious and she never gave up.
Substitutes :
Pauline McGuigan (Ballinascreen and Derry)
Josephine McClements (Loughgiel and Antrim)
Ann Jordan (Eglish and Tyrone)
Noreen Keown (nee O’Prey) (Liatroim Fontenoys and Down)
Sally McCone (Ballymacnab and Armagh)
Eileen McGeough (Roslea and Fermanagh)
Rosita Brady (Laragh and Cavan)
Mary Lundy (Deirdre and Antrim)
