John Hanna is an artist to his fingertips...

He and Martin are friends in more ways than one. They get on well, as is evident from this podcast encounter. They are also cousins.

Originally from Derrytresk, John is the youngest son of the late great Geordie Hanna, a traditional singer known the length and breadth of Ireland.

Seamus Heaney once said that making a living is one thing; poetry is something extra. John has worked all his adult life but for him the 'something extra' is the art of making sticks - blackthorn, hazel and holly, to name a few.

His interest started early, before the age of ten, when infant John handled a blackthorn stick belonging to a man named Tom Rah. In his teens the interest was still there. Geordie suggested Jimmy O'Neill of the Glen would be a good man to see. So, off John went to make contact with Jimmy, a colourful character who made blackthorn sticks.

Buddhists say, 'If a pupil does not surpass the teacher, the teacher has not done his job'. Jimmy did his job extra well. He gave John a certain book that allowed the younger man to develop his art and make contact with other stick makers.

'A thing of beauty is a joy forever, ' said poet John Keats. These sticks don't last forever - about 100 years, says John Hanna - but I say they are definitely beautiful.

The conversation also touches on poetry, painting, acting and song with Oliver Corr making contributions to a discussion that both engages and delights.

Christopher Rafferty

Incredible MacRory Cup and O'Neill Cup winning memories.

As St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon bid to lift the MacRory Cup for the sixth time, the incredible build-up and scenes of their first win in 1991, are vividly recalled by goalkeeper on that day, Christopher Rafferty.

He was also at the helm of Dungannon Clarkes when they ended a 64-year famine winning the O'Neill Cup, amid joy unbounded, in a penalty shoot-out against Trillick in 2020.

Christopher was destined for goal-minding following in the footsteps of his late father Jim who played Irish League football with Portadown and his grandfather Paddy Rafferty, an O'Neill Cup winner with Coalisland Fianna in 1946 and the Clarkes in 1951.

He recalls the drive to win that first MacRory Cup under the masterful management of the late Martin O'Farrell and Peter Herron. It was a long-held yearning of college principal Fr Denis Faul who was carried shoulder high by delirious students after the final whistle on a mucky day in Coalisland. Fr Faul has also since passed away, having left the Academy a happy man, his dream fulfilled.

The A level results weren't the best that heady year as the celebrations went on and on...

There are loads of memories of schooldays, on off the football field, while Ronan also recalls the 'old' Academy 1970's style.

Christopher went on to do goals for Dungannon Clarkes for 19 years and was manager when they made the breakthrough, another fantastic day of celebration.

It was during Covid year with its social distancing and a run through round after round of extra-time, that was perhaps destiny, as they made their way to that final incredible shoot-out. The celebrations were again unbridled and not even repeated calls from Stephen Nolan could dampen the joy among the Clarkes' faithful.

Oliver, Chris and Ronan also wonder would the Rahilly's and the Fianna cheer each other on in a final, as they did the neighbours from Dungannon!

A wonderful wander down memory lane recalling many great teachers, old school friends, college and club players and coaches.

* Good luck to St Patrick’s Academy in the MacRory Cup final on Sunday (February 8), as their students bid to make it six of the best!

Harry McGuigan - Mr Judo: The gentle art's giant soul.

A life-affirming conversation with Harry McGuigan, a 7th dan black belt, all of 84 years, still coaching and doing gym work-outs.

When Harry went to a Judo class in Hong Kong way back in the 1960s, it was to begin a passion he continues all of six decades later.

An introduction to another judoka Brother Lewis in Dungannon saw the formation of the local Ren Bu Kan Judo club that has attracted throngs of participants, with fifty-six going on to attain black belts under Harry's tutelage.

He recalls those first black belts Brian Daly and Patsy Jordan from Eglish, world class Avril Malley and takes pride in everyone who joined the club and won medals at all levels.

His own family excelled, with his children and grandchildren competing, as the only family to hold three generations of All Ireland medals.

Harry also had All Ireland success coaching Dungannon Tech GAA team and tells of the 1995 All Ireland senior football final, having breakfast and travelling to the game with the team as his late daughter Seánna RIP was married to captain Ciaran Corr.

There was also Superstar competitions against greats from other sports and the trip to Cuba to enhance his Spanish speaking, where he met his future wife.

Listening to how Judo instils physical well-being and discipline, RonanMac and producer Oliver wonder if they should have stuck at the Judo, their visits to the Ren Bu Kan club, in the 1970s, all too brief!

Hugely popular, Harry recently received the Mid Ulster Coach of the Year award.

Among the tributes, the podcast features a poignant poem penned in his honour by Brian McGills, a 4th Dan black belt prodigy of over 30 years.

Harry McGuigan: The gentle art's giant soul.