By Brendan Crossan
AFTER four decades of outstanding service, one of Antrim’s favourite sons Roy McLarnon will say goodbye to the Saffrons.
The popular St Agnes's clubman has decided that 2026 will be his final season as kitman to the Antrim senior footballers.
Sunday’s Tailteann Cup quarter-final against Wicklow proved his last-ever home match as part of Antrim’s backroom team.
People like McLarnon were never meant to say goodbye. They were meant to always be present in the Antrim changing room.
Former Antrim footballer Gearoid Adams said: “They should build a statue of Roy outside the new Casement Park. He is an unsung hero. He’s always been the same, wanting Antrim to get some success. He’s a legend of Antrim football and a good man.”
McLarnon’s association with the Antrim footballers dates back to the mid-80s when he was assistant manager to Eamon Grieve. McLarnon’s people skills and astute tactical brain saw him guide Antrim’s U21s to an Ulster title in 1989.
“I’ve known Roy as far back as my minor days,” said Adams.
“I don’t know what he’s going to do with himself when he finishes up because he’s been an ever-present for so long.
“I remember in 1993 he was in with PJ O’Hare and he was taking the pitch sessions and circuit training up in the old La Salle school. And I also remember him taking the football sessions at Casement Park.”
Adams added: “Throughout my time with Antrim, up to around 2005/06 when I finished, if Roy wasn’t directly involved, he was always behind the scenes.
“He was just one of those positive Antrim people, even though our good days were few and far between. He was always very loyal and protective of the Antrim players.
“When I was involved in managing the team with big Frank (Fitzsimons) he was a great source of support, giving me advice in the way a true Antrim Gael would give it.”
McLarnon has been weaved into Antrim’s DNA for so long, serving under senior managers Lenny Harbinson, Enda McGinley, Andy McEntee and now Mark Doran.
Peter Bunting, his side-kick with the senior footballers, says he was truly awe-struck by McLarnon’s attention to detail and positivity around the Antrim camp.
“His attitude is as passionate today as it was when he started,” said Bunting. “He leaves no stone unturned in making sure the Antrim football squad has everything it needs and more. He is first to arrive and last to leave every night and knows everybody from Antrim to Kerry.
“No matter where we go, he meets someone he knows. He’s not only a kitman but a friend to everyone he meets and a great mentor to myself and his two apprentices Jody and Aaron who all love the man unconditionally."
Bunting added: “Roy plans our routes and times for away games and even picks the café we stop in and we haven’t had a bad one yet!”
Bunting paid tribute to McLarnon’s wife, Maria, for washing gear every week and the family's unstinting support towards the man.
As McLarnon leaves the stage, he remains the last Antrim manager to win an Ulster title in football.
While Jim Nelson’s hurlers were kicking up a storm by reaching an All-Ireland final in ’89, the U21 footballers were carving out their own piece of history under McLarnon.
A late Chris Murphy goal gave the young Saffrons a one-point win over a fancied Down team in the final. Antrim had taken the scalps of Armagh and Tyrone in reaching the provincial decider and were blessed with some wonderfully talented players including Gerard Kelly, Paul McErlean, Oran Gribben, Sean Grieve, Benny Devlin and Barry O’Neill.
The U21s were stopped in their tracks in the All-Ireland series by Cork with the great Stephen O’Brien causing the Ulstermen all sorts of problems at Parnell Park.
As the years passed, McLarnon was a trusted backroom team member while also fulfilling virtually every conceivable role at his beloved 'Aggies'.
It was therefore fitting for him to see his club win their first-ever Junior Championship title last season, made all the more special when his son Declan made a cameo appearance in the decider against Pearse's.
A wily and unique individual, McLarnon's value to the Antrim effort across four decades can never be adequately articulated.
Undoubtedly, McLarnon’s presence in the Antrim changing room will be sorely missed next season.
Bunting summed it up best: “Antrim will get a new kitman but they will never get another Roy McLarnon.”
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