Family bragging rights are at stake this weekend when Michael Hawkins’ Crumlin Star II host younger cousin Connor Kelly’s Ballycastle United in the Junior Shield quarters.
Hawkins is steeped in the Star, with his father Eamonn, a former Distillery midfielder, seeing out his playing days at his local club before taking over as manager, while his younger brother Niall is a mainstay of the current all-conquering first team.
Hawkins took over somewhat reluctantly as player-manager of the second string in pre-season, but admits he’s been buoyed by the sense of togetherness the lads have shown so far this season, with his team in the hunt for the 3A title, just a point off leaders Rosario, and still in the mix for the Junior Cup as well as the Shield, with a short trip to St Mary’s to come a week after the Ballycastle clash.
