GLEGHORNE KEEN TO MAKE HIS MARK

The Gallagher Challenge Cup takes centre stage this weekend with holders Muckamore taking on Waringstown in one of four all-Premiership ties in the last 16.

The Moylena side won it in their centenary year for just the second time, beating Lisburn in a hard-fought contest. They had Mark Gleghorne to thank for guiding them home, as the former Ireland, England and GB hockey international collected the Man-of-the-Match award in a nerveless display.

Gleghorne’s cricketing journey started back in 2000 when he was part of an Ireland youth side that won back-to-back European Championships.

“It was a very strong age-group that had Eoin Morgan, William Porterfield, Gary Wilson, Kevin O'Brien and Boyd Rankin in it,” said Gleghorne.

“I don't suppose at that age you ever think they would all go on to have the careers they did in the game. I've come across some of them from time to time over the years and it's always good to reminisce about those days. Ulster rugby player Paul McKenzie was also in that successful group, indeed winning Player of the Tournament in 2001.”

There was a 20-year hiatus in Gleghorne's cricketing exploits as his hockey career saw him based in The Netherlands and England.

"I didn't have a base in Ireland, so I didn't have a hometown club where I could have gone along and played the odd game at the weekend. I didn't touch a bat for quite a number of years then did eventually come back playing bits and pieces, mostly at second XI level.

He won two Commonwealth Bronze medals, featured in World Cups, and the highlight of his sporting career, represented GB at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“That’s my career highlight, as the Olympics is the biggest tournament in the sport of hockey. However, we didn’t perform very well there having gone into it as genuine medal prospects which tainted it a little bit.”

He made a cricketing comeback in 2021 with CIYMS, thanks to his good friend, Allen Coulter, a fellow youth international.

"My best friend is Allen Coulter who I played golf with along with a few of the CIYMS boys, and he got the idea into my head of giving it a go. It worked out well in the sense that I'm now a PE teacher at RBAI so I have the summers off. I dipped my toe into it and found it enjoyable, but also a bit frustrating in that the game had moved on a lot since I'd last played.

“I then hardly played again in 2022/23 before moving to my boyhood club Muckamore last season as I was living in Antrim just three minutes away from the ground. I hadn't really intended to play at senior level but ended up playing the majority of the season and really enjoyed it,” added the 40-year-old.

“The club were really on a roll last year and it was a really good challenge for me having been away from the game at that level for such a long time, trying to improve and it turned out to be a really good season for the club. I'm just trying to keep myself as fit as I can. Having played elite, top-level hockey for a number of years and that came with a lot of pressure. I'm now really all about playing and enjoying sport as much as I can, with team mates enjoying the craic in the changing rooms.

Looking ahead to the challenge of Waringstown this weekend, he was optimistic but realistic about their prospects.

“That's going to be a huge game. It would be great if we could go on another cup run. Waringstown are probably one of the best teams in the country and we're under no illusions that we will be up against it. 

"But, sport is sport, and there are no guarantees. If you'd said to many people last year that Muckamore would win the Challenge Cup they would have laughed at you, because it was a big shock. Waringstown will go into the game as favourites, but that will suit us down to the ground.”