Kilcoo are the champions of the county once again

Kilcoo are the champions of the county once again

16 October 2024

IT was nothing more than a stroll in the park for Kilcoo as they collected their sixth senior county title in a row at Pairc Esler on Sunday.

The Magpies have been champions for 12 of the past 13 years and this was their 22nd county title in all.

In truth, this was one of their easiest. For the fans, it was painful to watch. Burren, beaten finalists last year were disappointing.

Defence was the name of the game and the result was a drab spectacle bereft of attacking flair.

Kilcoo, now almost perennial county kingpins, won’t have minded that much.

They will go into the Ulster Championship in four weeks’ time against the Cavan champions having barely drawn breath.

Burren, who are celebrating their centenary year, had a final to forget. They were surely thirsting for revenge, but were predictable, forcing shots that weren’t on and walked into Kilcoo’s cul-de-sacs.

Both defences were on top and played well and while the players on the pitch say it was a tough battle, it looked as if Kilcoo didn’t have to put their best foot forward because Burren had so little to offer.

It is disappointing because Burren are a good team with Down players and Armagh’s All-Ireland winner Paddy Burns in their line-up.

Odhran Murdock won ample early ball early on, but scores proved hard to come by as Kilcoo’s Jerome Johnston scored the only first half score from play on 28 minutes.

Goalkeeper Donal O’Hare scored Burren’s two first half scores from frees. Liam Kerr got the other two during the second period, one from play, as Kilcoo dictated the tempo without having to stretch themselves.

Callum Rogers won the Player of the Match award for his marking job on Danny Magill, while Down team-mate Ceilum Doherty frustrated Kerr all afternoon.

Paul Devlin, winning his 13th county title, converted two first half frees, goalkeeper Niall Kane converted another free and Ryan McEvoy fired over his free, while the Rooney brothers, Miceal and Christopher, both tagged on marks, which along with Johnston’s fine point gave Kilcoo a 0-7 to 0-2 lead at the break.

Burren tried make more of an impact with the early ball during the second period, but got no joy. Ryan McEvoy (free) extended Kilcoo’s lead before a brace of points from Kerr made it 0-8 to 0-4 on 53 minutes.

But there was to be no dramatic comeback. Instead Burren lost their discipline and were reduced to 13 players and Kilcoo didn’t need an invitation to punish.

Anthony Morgan scored a great point and Darryl Branagan’s goal came on the hour to put a shiny finish to anything but a polished finale.

Kilcoo did what they had to. For Burren it will be tough to take because they know they are better than what they produced on today and they will bounce back.

The Magpies have four weeks before the start of their Ulster Championship campaign, which gives them plenty of time to enjoy the celebrations.

Kilcoo: Niall Kane, Niall Branagan, Sean Og, Callum Rogers, Miceal Rooney (0-1), Darryl Branagan (1-0), Eugene Branagan, Aaron Morgan, Ryan McEvoy (0-2, 2fs), Christopher Rooney (0-1), Anthony Morgan (0-1), Shealan Johnston, Jerome Johnston (0-1), Paul Devlin (0-3, 2fs), Celium Doherty.

Subs: Jack Devlin for C Rooney (48’), Conor Laverty for McCusker (56’), Nathan Rogers for P Devlin (60+4).

Burren: Donal O’Hare (0-2, 2fs), Paddy Burns, Gerard McGovern, Malachai McAvoy, Patrick McCarthy, Ryan, Peter Fegan, Aaron Cole, Odhran Murdock, Ryan Treanor, Liam Kerr (0-2,1f), Conaill McGovern, Danny Magill, Niall Toner, Ronan McGrath.

Subs: David McEntee for Toner (34’), Ryan Cunningham for C McGovern (34’), Ronan Kelly for Treanor (41’), Kevin McKernan for Cole (48’), Conor Toner for M McAvoy (54’).