Community at the heart of Kilcoo’s greatest moment
IT’S usually a poor indicator of a final’s quality when the highlight is the trophy presentation, but last Sunday’s Ulster club decider between Kilcoo and Naomh Conaill was truly a contest to savour.
The sheer brilliance of Daryl Branagan and the play-making genius of Conor Laverty for Kilcoo, prevailing against the gutsy Donegal champions, served up an Ulster final which delighted, and yet, it was totally left in the shade by what followed.
Kilcoo joint captains, Laverty and Aidan Branagan declined to lift the
Seamus McFerran
Cup, instead inviting
22-year-old Caelan
McEvoy to do the honours.
Caelan, whose brother Ryan is on the team, had left his latest stint in hospital earlier in the week as he continues to battle an illness which has seen him undergo two liver transplants and 13 major operations.
Laverty’s speech, in which he labelled Caelan as ‘their special wee man and inspiration’, was from the heart.
It was the former Down star, in his role as underage manager, who first recognised all was not well with Caelan when, concerned with how he had presented, refused to let him play in a game nine years ago. ‘Me and Conor fell out over it because he wouldn’t play me,’ admitted Caelan recently.
‘I refused to go home from the match but if I had played that night I probably wouldn’t be here today and it’s mad that one person can spot something.
‘I can’t speak highly enough of Conor,’ he added.
Nor can Kilcoo of their number one supporter, with Aidan Branagan revealing afterwards that in the final minutes, Kilcoo players were able to dig deep by reminding one another that they were playing for Caelan. One for all, all for one. It was a reminder of the GAA’s unique ability to embrace and express a sense of community.