2 days ago
Ronan Devlin sets sights on ending Erin's Own's wait for Ulster glory
The Cargin side's most recent significant achievement has been a hat-trick of Antrim titles but even this fails to satisfy the appetite of their players and fans.
There has been a series of so near yet so far episodes in the Ulster Club Championship but the provincial silverware has proven to be elusive to date.
Yet manager Devlin remains hopeful that the team may yet break new ground on the provincial front.
The experience acquired by members of his side both at club and county levels is standing the team in good stead as they keep their sights fixed on even bigger targets.
'While it's great to win Antrim titles, we would like to have a real crack at the Ulster title," he said.
'Obviously when you move up in the provincial sphere, life can become more demanding and you have to be up for the challenge.
'We are taking nothing for granted in Antrim. Every time the county Championship comes round, it's there to be won and, while we never tire of winning, we would like to move up in the world a little but we know that this is not easy given the quality of teams you are likely to encounter.'
Given their sustained period of success in Antrim, it's not surprising to discover that a solid core of experience underpins the Erin's Own side.
Conhuir Johnston, Justin Crozier and Mick McCann are among the long-serving warriors who have played their hearts out for the club, while James Laverty and Eunan Quinn are others who have made an invaluable input to the team's progress over the years.
John McNabb is a very competent goalkeeper, while Tomas McCann and Pat Shivers are clinical finishers who are capable of racking up impressive scoring returns and, with several players anxious to break through into the team, competition for starting places is said to be razor-sharp.
There is no doubt that the Erin's Own stalwarts will be bidding to impress the new Antrim management that will be put in place and this will provide a further incentive for the players to lift their game.
For the moment, though, Cargin's eyes are on St John's when they go head to head at Corrigan Park on Sunday (2.00pm).
