Niall Patterson was one member of a Field of Brothers who fought longer, and harder, than any other group of hurlers to gain the respect of the entire country. A Field of Brothers who were born to be hurlers.
Brothers who were reared as hurlers, and fed on a love for the game which rivalled any other corner of Ireland. In 1989, the Antrim team magnificently led by Jim Nelson, presented itself in Croke Park as one of the most courageous and talented hurling teams of the modern era,
On that team was Niall Patterson… 'Big Neilly'.
He was the largest figure on the GAA's national stage, 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 an historic All-Ireland final spot. But Niall Patterson possessed a determination to prove himself the best goalkeeper in the land.
He made his senior debut for Antrim in 1979, and still commanded his 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 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.
