Storytelling in the GAA takes centre-stage as an Irish News sports journalist wins a MacNamee award for honouring the late John McKillop, Cushendall’s biggest and most famous fan.
The story of McKillop, told by The Irish News’s Brendan Crossan, was explored through conversations with Terence and Shane McNaughton, Neil McManus, and Seamus Loughran, a freelance photographer for The Irish News.
The piece went out in June last year, less than a month before ‘The main man’ died aged 60, click here to read the full article.
The winners’ announcement spoke of how the article beautifully captured John’s passion for Ruairí Óg Cushendall and how it showcased the depths of the relationship between man, club and village.
The reigning Antrim SHC champions were propelled all the way to the All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals last year by the loss of their biggest supporter.
“I was never more daunted writing a piece than Wee John’s story, told through the eyes of Terence McNaughton, Shane McNaughton and Neil McManus not long before he passed away last year,” said Crossan, who has worked at The Irish News since 1999.
“These three men deserve the credit for this GAA McNamee award because what they told me about John would have brought a tear to a stone. It was poetry itself.
“I was deeply moved by their beautiful accounts about John’s life and his umbilical relationship with the Ruairi Ogs hurling club and the people of Cushendall.
“I just loved how they embraced John and how he loved them back in his own inimitable way.
“These shared relationships are at the very heart of the GAA and any chance we get, we should elevate them and celebrate them.
“It was a privilege to play a part in the telling of John McKillop’s story, who is sorely missed.
“I’m so happy the GAA has recognised this piece for these reasons - but particularly for Maureen, John’s sister, who I’ve had the privilege of getting to know over the past few years.
“She is an absolute lady and hopefully Maureen and her wider family can share in the joy of this award.
“The ‘main man’ would be proud too.”
Paul McConville, Sports Editor of The Irish News, voiced his delight for his colleague.
“This is a thoroughly well-deserved award and recognition of the high standard of journalism Brendan brings to the Irish News,” said McConville.
“He has a keen ability to tap into the people and places that are the lifeblood of the GAA in Ulster and beyond, as his poignant piece on John McKillop and his special place in the Cushendall community demonstrates.
“Brendan is a trusted and authoritative voice for the grassroots of sport in the north and this award is a testament to that.”
Chris Sherrard, Editor-in-chief of The Irish News, said: “I am obviously biased but I genuinely believe our sports reporters write with a fluency and skill that stands up next to any other media organisation.
“Brendan’s piece about John McKillop is a perfect illustration of that: someone who understands the importance of the person or place they’re writing about and is able to commit that to words in an almost poetic manner.
“Having lived in North Antrim, I’m very aware of how much the local GAA club means to a community and that’s abundantly clear in Cushendall where the Ruairi Og club is boss.
“And if the club is central to Cushendall, John McKillop was central to that club.
“I am delighted to see Brendan recognised with this award for his piece about John and I am sure it will stand the test of time and be talked about in Cushendall for many years, - just like John will be.”
Also among the awards was Armagh club Clan na Gael’s history book, titled “More than a Club”, which won the best GAA club publication.
The Lurgan club, whose senior footballers take on town rivals Clann Eireann in the Armagh SFC final this weekend, has been operational since 1922 and has won 14 Armagh SFC titles and three Ulster titles, reaching the All-Ireland final in 1974 but losing to a star-studded UCD side.
The book, authored by Gerard MacAtasney, includes a mix of archival research as well as interviews, which map out the Blues’ 102-year history in distinct, yet digestible chapters.
The best GAA publication went to Colm Keyes and Dermot Reilly’s ‘Chasing Sam Maguire’, which detailed the history of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship between 1928 and 1977.
