MISSION impossible became mission accomplished at Healy Park on Sunday when Cill Chua lifted the Seamas McFerran Cup for the first time.
Years of hurt were consigned to the dustbin of history as the Magpies overcame Naomh Conaill to be finally crowned Ulster Club champions.
In so doing, Cill Chua became the first Down team in 31 years to bring the coveted trophy back to the Mournes — Burren were the last Down side to conquer Ulster way back in 1988.
However, Kilcoo had to do things the hard way.
They held a 1-8 to 0-4 lead after 29 minutes, but only went in at the break with a 1-8 to 2-4 lead after the Donegal champions plundered two quick goals.
Daryl Branagan rifled home a second Kilcoo goal on 38 minutes, and despite going 21 minutes without a score, they held out for a narrow success in their third appearance in the decider since 2012.
Cill Chua started in a confident fashion and went for the jugular from the outset with Daryl Branagan pointing after only 30 seconds.
A Ciaran Thompson free and a Charlie McGuinness point from play edged Naomh Conaill ahead, but Cill Chua continued to play their patient possession game.
An injection of pace brought into their attacks brought Cill Chua two consecutive scores from Eugene Branagan as the Magpies seized a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after 12 minutes.
The Glenties outfit then wasted a glorious chance to net the opening goal of the game when Eunan Doherty somehow contrived to blast the ball over the bar from 10 yards out with the goal at his mercy.
This was to be Naomh Conaill’s last score for a while as Cill Chua went for broke.
Some sizzling patterns of play ripped the Donegal side’s defence to shreds with Paul Devlin (0-2), Jerome Johnston and Ryan Johnston (0-2) all registering scores to give Cill Chua a commanding 0-8 to 0-3 lead after 23 minutes.
Eunan Doherty kept Naomh Conaill ticking over with a point in the 26th minute, but a flowing Cill Chua move ended with Aidan Branagan palming the ball into the net in the 29th minute and give his side a seven point lead, 1-8 to 0-4.
However, the game was turned on its head in the next three minutes.
Naomh Conaill had nothing to lose at this stage and opted in the dying embers of the first half to go for a couple of ‘Hail Mary’ balls.
This tactic certainly hit the jackpot with Jeaic McKelvey and McGuinness netting scrappy goals as the Cill Chua defence momentarily crumbled under the aerial bombardment.
The score was now 1-8 to 2-4 with a seven-point lead being chopped down to a single point as the sides trooped off at half-time.
Kilcoo knew they had to regain the initiative at the start of the second half and that’s exactly what they did.
Early points from Ryan McEvoy and Conor Laverty eased Cill Chua into a 1-10 to 2-4 lead by the 35th minute, but things were to get even better for them.
Another sweeping move involving Aaron Morgan, Shealan Johnston and Laverty ended with Daryl Branagan blasting Cill Chua into a 2-10 to 2-4 lead.
Alas, this was to be Kilcoo’s last score for almost 21 minutes as Naomh Conaill hit back with venom.
Unanswered points from Brendan McDyer, Ciaran Thompson (0-2), Ethan O’Donnell and a monster score from Anthony Thompson reduced the arrears to a single point with two minutes remaining.
Somehow, Kilcoo summoned up their last reserves of energy, closed Naomh Conaill down at every opportunity and broke away for man of the match Daryl Branagan to fire over what proved to be an insurance point in the 60th minute.
Naomh Conaill refused to throw in the towel and launched a few more aerial bombs in the direction of ‘keeper Martin McCourt’s area, but the Kilcoo rearguard action held firm.
The final whistle sparked wild scenes of celebration for the Kilcoo players and their supporters.
This was truly a moment to savour, but as the players were engulfed by supporters, manager Mickey Moran remained on the periphery of the crowd, no doubt plotting his side’s next game in the All-Ireland semi-finals.
Kilcoo: Martin McCourt, Niall Branagan, Aidan Branagan (1-0), Niall McEvoy, Shealan Johnston, Aaron Branagan, Daryl Branagan (1-2), Aaron Morgan, Dylan Ward, Eugene Branagan (0-2), Paul Devlin (0-2, 1f), Ryan Johnston (0-2), Ryan McEvoy (0-1f), Jerome Johnston (0-1), Conor Laverty (0-1). Subs: Justin Clarke for Eugene Branagan, Sean O’Hanlon for Niall McEvoy (black card).
Naomh Conaill: Steven McGrath, Ultan Doherty, A J Gallagher, Kevin McGettigan, Ethan O’Donnell (0-2), Anthony Thompson (0-1), Eoin Wade, Ciaran Thompson (0-4, 3f), Leo McLoone, Brendan McDyer (0-1), Eoghan McGettigan, Eunan Doherty (0-1), Jeaic McKelvey (1-0), Charlie McGuinness (1-1), Kieran Gallagher. Subs: Dermot Molloy for K Gallagher, M Boyle for A J Gallagher, N Byrne for McGuinnes, K Gallagher for Doherty.
Cill Chua 2-11
Naomh Conaill 2-9
ULSTER CLUB SFC FINAL