Paddy Burke may have become acquainted with collecting hurling honours both of a personal and team nature but this has certainly not diminished his appetite for more awards.
His latest prize came with the Antrim Hurler of the Year accolade which he received last month and now he is hoping to embellish this with a Senior County Championship medal.
Cushendall player Burke is regarded as one of the best defenders in the country and it’s hardly surprising to learn that he is very much on his toes for Saturday’s Antrim Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final against St John’s at Dunloy (4.00pm).
While Burke invariably leads the resistance against opposing sides, Joe McLaughlin spearheads the scoring mechanism.
Since coming to the fore last year McLaughlin has created a huge impression and along with Ryan McCambridge, Fred McCurry, Alex Delargy, Scott Walsh and Fergus McCambridge he will have a key role in posting scores. Conor Johnston and Michael Dudley are among the players who can help to keep St John’s ticking over.
The second Antrim Semi-Final between Loughgiel and Dunloy will take place on Sunday at Cushendall (4.00pm).
The Shamrocks will look to Rian McMullan, Christy McGarry, Declan McCloskey and James McNaughton to light their fire while the Cuchullains boast experience in Seaan Elliott, Keelan Molloy and Nigel Elliott.
In the Down SHC on Sunday Portaferry will take on Ballycran (4.30pm) while Ballygalget will face Liatroim (2.00pm).
Reigning champions Portaferry are still hungry for more success and will pose a stiff test for Ballycran.
Meanwhile, the Tyrone SHC Final will take place at Healy Park, Omagh on Sunday (3.00pm) where Eire Og, Carrickmore will meet Eoghan Ruadh, Dungannon.