Niall Patterson: Field of Brothers

NIALL PATTERSON ARRIVED ONTO the national hurling stage with a splash when he lined out for Antrim against Tipperary in the 1989 All-Ireland final. ‘Big Neilly’ was the largest figure in the GAA, and magnificent last line of defence for The Saffrons for well over a decade. He admitted to being four or five stones above his fighting weight during that brilliant summer when Antrim knocked Offaly out of their way in claiming that All-Ireland final spot. Patterson made his senior debut for Antrim in 1979, and still commanded the goal-line in 1992 when he retired from the county stage. He won 3 Ulster titles with his county, and 2 All-Ireland B titles. In addition, he captained his club, Loughgiel Shamrocks to the All-Ireland Club Championship in 1983. Niall Patterson has also been a full-time musician for the last 40 years, and has gigged throughout the north of Ireland.