Derry outfit Padraig Pearses Kilrea may not be the most successful club in the county, having won just one intermediate and junior title in its history. However, unlike a lot of clubs, they can now lay claim to a provincial title. On New Year's Day, 2008, the Kilrea minor squad created history by winning their first Ulster minor football league title, when they defeated Tyrone kingpins Errigal Chiarain in an exciting final. Kilrea's most famous son is current Aston Villa manager and former Northern Ireland captain Martin O'Neill, who won an under-16 championship with the club before embarking on a successful career in soccer. Team manager Martin Williams spoke to Hogan Stand about the success and revealed that this was the result of a number of years hard work with that crop of players. Martin has been involved with the side all the way up through the ranks and the side has swept all before them at every level, and he stressed that the player's dedication is second to none. "These are a very committed bunch of lads, who just want to win everything on front of them. In 2006, they were beaten in the minor semi final and they came back even more determined to do well and that drove them on to win last year's Ulster minor title. "There are also a lot of people that look after this side and the other underage teams that deserve massive credit for the work that they have put in down through the years. The likes of Liam Kielt, Terence McWilliams, Sean Darragh, Conor and Kevin McWilliams, James McCusker, Patsy Quigg, Nicholas McAleese, Frank McKenna, Brian O'Connor, Ronan Gorman, Sean McGill and Cormac McAteer have played a huge part in the success of our underage sides." The first Kilrea club was established on the 15th of November 1943 taking the name O'Cahans and playing in the blue and gold jerseys of a defunct soccer club. The first minor team took to the field in 1946 and many of those players enabled the club to win the Junior Championship in 1951. In the early 50's the club changed its name to the Kevin Barry's playing in the amber and black colours of Kilkenny. Late in 1956 the club reformed for the final time in its present form as Padraig Pearses wearing white shirts with a red hoop. The club won junior league and South Derry Championships before moving to compete in senior football in 1958. In late 1977 work began on the current club grounds at Pearse Park, which were opened in 1979 by which stage the club, had won everything but the Derry Senior Club Championship, which continues to elude the Pearses to date. Recent achievements have been the result of intensive effort at underage level with league and championship victories at all age levels. "The club has been very successful at underage level, but there are big expectations that the core of this side could help the club win the senior championship for the first time and I would be a big believer in that. Kilrea came through the Derry league and championship unscathed in what is generally a have tough grade in the county and Martin felt that following the success in the county, a provincial title was not beyond them. "There was a lot of effort put in by the players throughout the year and they believed themselves that they could win the Ulster title. We have some exceptional players in the ranks and the likes of James Kielt, Lee Kennedy and Liam Morrow were part of the Derry squad that reached last year's All-Ireland minor final. "I personally believe that we should have had more players on that panel, but the fact that we didn't helped us drive on and prove a point to the county management team. I was actually offered the job of Derry minor manager, but turned it down to stay with the club." Kilrea's efforts paid off when the reached the Ulster final and the match would go down as one of the best in the 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 Kilrea 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 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 12th minute when a well-taken '45' by midfielder 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. 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. The Tyrone champions were awarded a penalty late on to level the match, but the effort was kicked wide much to the delight of the Kilrea following and scene of jubilation were witnessed at the grounds when the final whistle went. "It was a very close game and could have gone either way, but fortunately we held on. There was an amazing sense of relief when the final whistle blew and needless to say we celebrated accordingly. "A lot of the past chairmen of the club were present at the final and it was great to see them there as they had done as much work as anyone to get us there. The win was for everyone in the parish and hopefully we can go on from this. "The senior team is not far away from winning a title, but I feel they will be better equipped in a few years when some of these lads come through." For the record the Kilrea side that lifted the Ulster minor football league titles was: 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. Tweet

Most Read Stories