By Damian Dolan

In almost any other county five years of loyal service to the county team would span the transition from dressing room newboy to established cog in the wheel. In London, however, such a length of service makes Ciaran McCallion something of a grizzled veteran.

Second only to goalkeeper Evan Byrne in seniority, McCallion has experienced the highs of Fermanagh, the lows of last year and the near miss that was Mayo. From Greenlough, Co Derry, he made his London debut under Noel Dunning in 2009 and under present incumbent Paul Coggins remains one of the first names on the teamsheet.

He underlined his importance once again recently at Dr Cullen Park, as he popped to score the only goal of London’s clash with Carlow – a goal that so nearly gave the Exiles victory, only for the home side to twice strike fiendishly late.

For more see this week’s print edition of the Irish World