McNaughton, James
February 18, 2014With Ruairi Og, Cushendall, wing-back James won eight Antrim county championships, seven Ulster titles and also picked up two Ulster Senior Championship titles with his county. "There are so many words I could use to describe James," said Antrim legend Terence. "If you were going to war he is teh type of fella you knew you didn't have to look around to see if he was in the trenches with you.
"I suppose that's the best way I could describe him as a player. He was always there for you. "I hurled with him for club and county right through the years and he was just a very dedicated club and county man.
"He was also a smashing hurler. His attitude towards hurling and his commitment to the sport was second to none. "We played in the days before dieticians and sports psychologists and we all knew he was ahead of his time in that regard. "I remember he had a bad knee injury in his career and years later he used to run around with a knee brace on.
"When we were out training on a cold winter's night we used to know James was coming behind you because that bloody old thing used to squeak the whole way up the pitch. "It is funny how the strangest of memories come back to you at a time like this."
James McNaughton also managed the Cushendall seniors to Antrim and Ulster titles and guided them to the brink of the club's first All-Ireland final appearance when they lost the 2009 semi-final after extra-time to De La Salle. He was set to manage the senior again this year. Terence described him as "one of those clubmen that every club has but the kind of clubman you'll never get again," and believes his no-nonsense approach to management made him a huge hit with all his players.
"We called him 'the Shotgun'. If any of the players were telling us they couldn't train we'd tell them that can sort it out with 'the Shotgun' when he comes down and then all of the sudden these boys were no longer injured," laughed McNaughton.
"James was involved with teams his whole life and pulled no punches with his players. "That's why they respected him. We took over the Cushendall minors together last year and won the Antrim and Ulster championships. Then we took over the seniors this year.
"The news is so devastating because James was really looking forward to taking the seniors this year because his three sons are involved with the panel. "Outside of work and family, there wasn't much more in his life than Cushendall hurling."
James McNaughton's medal haul could rival that of any hurler in Ulster and while Terence admits that his cousin had a multitude of happy memories on the field in both saffron and maroon, he has a suspicion that one game in particular remained closest to his heart.
"James had heaps of proud moments in his career. He won God knows how many championships and represented Antrim for years. "He played in the All-Ireland final against Tipperary in 1989 and was fantastic for the county.
"I wouldn't like to say what was his proudest moment was but I know wearing a Cushendall and Antrim jersey was an immensely proud moment for him every single time.
"I can remember we were just kids playing together when our club won their first county title all those years ago.
"I would say that was his proudest moment - when Cushendall won the county title in 1981.
"I couldn't imagine a prouder moment for James. The legacy he has left in this area will last forever."
The Irish News, Tuesday February 18th 2014 Tweet
