Kilrea, the Derry minor football champions, produced a tremendous team performance to overcome a strong Errigal Ciaran side in the final of the Northern Bank Ulster minor club football final in St. Paul's Park, Belfast on Tuesday, 1st of January 2007. This was the first time for the Kilrea side to win the Jimmy McConville Cup, and erased the memory of defeat by Rostrevor in the decider three years ago. On this occasion the Derry side were up for the challenge. They played some tremendous football against a talented Errigal Ciaran side, and this season's final will be regarded by many as the best ever in the 26 year history of the competition. The Kilrea side started the game in determined fashion and at the end of the opening half were ahead by 0-4 to 0-1. The Tyrone champions came more into the game in the second quarter, and at the interval the game was nicely balanced with the Kilrea side ahead by 1-5 to 0-5 - the only goal in the half coming from James Kielt after a fine attacking move that opened up the Errigal Ciaran defence. The Errigal Ciaran started the second-half off in impressive fashion with two early points from D. Canavan to reduce the leeway to a single point. However, Kilrea then turned the game in their favour and showed they weren't going to be denied on this occasion. It came in the 12minute when a well-taken '45' by midfielder James Kielt was flicked to the Errigal Ciaran net by Lee Kennedy who was one of the winners stars on the day. He also received the 'man of the match' award and the Anne Marie Donnelly trophy, and in an eventful day for the youngster he harshly received a second yellow card by referee: Jimmy McKee from Armagh for a second yellow card offence with only a minute of the game remaining. Errigal Ciaran were rocked by this score, but to their credit they regrouped very well and began to come more into the game. With the game entering the final quarter they reduced the leeway to a single goal after a point from attacking wing-half back Ronan Tierney. The Tyrone title-holders had a great opportunity to level the match ten minutes from the end when they were awarded a penalty, when a shot from Bryan Horisk was foot-blocked by defender, Michael McWilliams. However, Horisk sent the penalty effort wide of the posts and with this miss went their chances of taking the honours in this prestigious minor competition for this season. Kilrea upped their game for the remainder of the tie and with the inspirational Kielt now operating in the midfield sector they finished with four unanswered points in a six-minute spell, with two coming from Lee Kennedy and one each from James Kielt from a free, and Paddy McNeill for a hard-earned but deserved win. There was great jubilation in the Kilrea camp after the win. They have been the 'team of the tournament' of that there is no doubt, and after their narrow but last-minute win over the Cavan champions, Cavan Gaels they seemed to improve and their performances made them many friends with the Belfast GAA public. In a rock solid Kilrea defence Liam Morrow, Brendan Quigg and Michael McWilliams were outstanding all through the game, while both midfielders Benny McCusker and Chrissy Smyth held the edge in the vital midfield sector. Derry county minor star, James Kielt led the winners attack with great dash highlighted by some tremendous fielding. His best support came from the impressive Lee Kennedy and Paddy McNeill. The Errigal Ciaran side contributed handsomely to a very competitive and exciting game right to the final whistle, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the large crowd in attendance. In a hard-working Errigal Ciaran defence Cathal and Stephen McRory and Stephen Cassidy were best, while in a wasteful attack Darren Canavan, Shane O'Neill who went off injured at the half-time break and Darren Carson really troubled a very confident Kilrea rearguard. The penalty miss in the second-half was a deciding factor in the eventual outcome, but in saying that the Tyrone champions were guilty of some poor shooting throughout the game which came to haunt them at the final whistle. Kilrea - S. Turner; E. Darragh, L. Morrow, J. Quigg; B. Quigg, M. McWilliams, K. Quigg; B. McCusker, C. Smyth; E. McAleese 0-1, James Kielt 1-2, 2 frees, Lee Kennedy 1-4; C. Dempsey, R. McWilliams, Paddy McNeill 0-2. Subs - F. McWilliams for C. Dempsey; R. Quigg for K. Quigg; P. Quigg for R. McWilliams. Errigal Ciaran - N. Quinn; P. McCann, S. Cassidy, C. Quinn; R. Tierney 0-1, C. McRory, S. McRory; S. Kelly 0-1, Brendan Horisk; N. McCartan, P. Harte, P. Campbell; S. O'Neill 0-3 from frees, D. Canavan 0-4, 3 frees, D. Carson. Sub - C. Kelly for S. O'Neill. Referee: Jimmy McKee from Armagh. Tweet

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