Sadness as respected Glenarm sportsman passes away

Mr McMullan was a keen and skilled sportsman and played hurling at county and provincial level in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

In an online tribute the Shane Ui Neill Gaelic Athletic Club expressed condolences to the McMullan family.

Chairperson Terence Mulvenna said that Eugene had played for Antrim during the late 1950s and early 1960s as well as representing Ulster in the interprovincial games during 1962-1964.

Eugene McMullan (left) playing hurling against Cork at Croke Park in the 1950s

“Eugene commanded a great presence on the pitch,” he said.

The club posted a photograph of Eugene playing against Cork at Croke Park in 1958, noting that in those times there were no helmets or face guards, just a flat cap.

Tribute was also paid by Cushendall Golf Club, of which Mr McMullan was a past captain and long-standing member.

The Glenarm man was club captain in 1991 and an active playing member until a few years ago.

He was described in a tribute as “blessed with a physique to match any but was a gentle giant although fiercely competitive both in the hurling and golfing spheres”.  “He will be remembered for many things but primarily as a true gentleman.”

He and his brother, the late Canon Alex McMullan, were both popular members of the club.

There were many online tributes on the Glenarm Facebook site with one person commenting: “So sorry to hear this, he was such fun and always smiling.”

Another said: “Eugene was the best milkman ever back in the day. We would arrive on Friday night to stay in our house on Springhill for the weekend and we’d have milk on the doorstep the next morning! We really appreciated it. Such a lovely gentleman.”

Another said “A great Glenarm man. Will be sadly missed.”

Eugene McMullan is survived by his wife Marie and his children Brian, Catriona, Colette and Niall and an extended family circle.

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