22 signs that you’re an Antrim sports fan

1. There was no getting past this chap on his good days

Niall Patterson had a few of them in his storied hurling career. He is now a shopkeeper. (©INPHO)

2. The Dunlops, inspired by the great Joey Dunlop, are the kings of the road

The Ballymoney man, who passed away in 2000, was one of the greatest motorcylists of all time. (©Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO)

3. George Best is the best footballer in your sporting world and you refuse to listen to the legitimate claims of Co. Down natives

Bestie gets a tiny European Footballer of the Year award at Old Trafford in 1968. (Press Association Images)

If in doubt, check these wonder goals out…

YouTube credit: Darryl Rushin

4. You either loved or hated Jimmy Quinn when he rocked in this belter at Windsor Park in 1993

YouTube credit: TheParkyni

5. You cheered the Pocket Rocket on to Olympic Silver Medal glory in 1992

Wayne McCullough went on to become a professional boxer after his exploits in Barcelona. (Phil O’Brien/EMPICS Sport)

6. As well as this man in 2008 and again in 2012

Paddy Barnes and his fiance Mari after he received his bronze medal at London 2012. (©INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry)

7. His good friend, Michael Conlan, is expected to add to his medal haul at Rio 2016

The London 2012 Bronze Medallist joined the ranks of Antrim’s Olympic legends, which includes John McNally (silver) and Hugh Russell, John Caldwell and Freddie Gilroy (all bronze). ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

8. You tell everyone that if it wasn’t for this man you would have been All-Ireland Hurling winners in 1989

Nicky English, chased here by Jason McNaughton, scored 2-12 in Tipperary’s 4-24 to 3-9 win. Your only previous All Ireland SHC Final was in 1943 but Cork won out that day. (©INPHO)

9. At the same time, you’re thankful this man was around to get you to the final

Olcan McFetridge and Aiden McCarry teamed up for 4-7 in the semi-final win over Offaly. McCarry scored 0-3 in the semi-final against Kilkenny two years later but the Cats edged your Saffrons out 2-18 to 1-19. (©INPHO/James Meehan)

10. You headed out to Royal Portrush Golf Club to welcome back this local hero in 2010

Graeme McDowell captured the US Open at Pebble Beach after holding his nerve on a fraught final day. ©INPHO/Presseye/Russell Pritchard

11. And cheered him on when he teamed up with Rory McIlroy to devastating effect in Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup win

G-Mac, who holed the winning putt at Celtic Manor, was a Ryder Cup winner again in 2012. You’re hoping Gareth Maybin of Belfast will make the team in 2014. (©INPHO)

12. You’re probably too young to remember Fred Daly’s Open win in 1947 but you don’t mind crowing about it

The Portrush golfer also won multiple Irish national titles. (SMG/Press Association Images)

13. You were at Ravenhill in 1984 to see Ulster beat The Wallabies

Ulster, captained by Davy Irwin, humbled the likes of David Campese and Michael Lynagh. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)

14. Brian O’Who? Mike Gibson is the greatest Irish centre to play rugby

The great man toured with the Lions on five occasions and was part of the series-winning trip to New Zealand in 1971 and the unbeaten tour to South Africa in 1974. His captain was none other than Willie John McBride. (©INPHO/Allsport)

15. You know this chap was handy enough at the rugger too

Jack Kyle, who won the Grand Slam with Ireland in 1948, congratulates Brian O’Driscoll on his similar achievement in 2009. (©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)

16. The O’Gara/Sexton debate was old hat to you. Your juices really flowed when the argument was Humphreys/O’Gara?

Ulster and Ireland goalkicking supremo David Humpheys poses at the iconic Harland & Wolff shipyards. (©INPHO/Press Eye/Darren Kidd)

17. The exploits of ‘The Hurricane’ made you pick up a pool cue for the first time

Belfast lad Alex Higgins was 22 when he won his first world championship and captured the crown 10 years later, in 1982. (©INPHO/Allsport)

18. You knew that Paul Stirling was a cricketing star before he smashed 101 against The Netherlands at the World Cup

YouTube credit: bigbasso11

The Belfast batsman has five international centuries and plays Middlesex. Hands off England!

19. You have seen an Antrim side lifting a cup at Croke Park

Loughgiel Shamrocks (pictured above) won the All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championships in 1983 and 2012. Naomh Gall of Belfast won the footballing equivalent in 2010. (©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

20. ‘Six and counting’ is what you tell anyone that asks how many All Ireland Camogie titles your county has

21. You can’t decide whether you love Gerry Armstrong for his World Cup goal against Spain or his deadpan football commentary