Kilrea lift their first senior title in 43 years!

Kilrea 1-8 

Dungiven 1-8 

Alan Gunn reports 

KILREA lifted their first senior title in 43 years when they dug deep to hold on to get the point they needed against Dungiven on Saturday evening. 

The home side entered the final round game knowing if they avoided defeat they would be crowned league champions while Dungiven would snatch the crown if they could overcome the Kilrea men. With the title on offer it left for an exciting finish as the visitors pushed for the all important winner but Kilrea defended in numbers and dug deep to turn over possession at vital stages and hold out for the win. 

The winners’ road to the title began with a win in Glen, a day they give a guard of honour to the newly crowned All-Ireland champions to begin a campaign that saw them taste just two defeats overall. 

This game was ideal preparation for both sides ahead of the championship next month with a championship feel at times especially coming down the home straight, with each turnover, tackle or score greeted by a loud cheer from the supporters. 

Kilrea got the better start with the opening two points, James Kielt who was central to the victory with the opener and his quick free set up PJ McAleese for their second on six minutes. After four wides, Dungiven finally found the target and emphatically too with their goal. Conor Murphy and Joe Dillon combing to set up Eoin Higgins to rifle home. 

Within two minutes Kilrea almost responded but a wonderful block by Oisin McKeever denied McAleese. From the resultant ’45 Peadar McLaughlin was wide while Kielt also fired wide from a free. 

Cathaoir O’Neill levelled with a superb effort from on the ’45 but Dungiven hit the front with two in row through a superbly hit free off the ground from Fionntan Murphy and a Conor Murphy point from play on 20 minutes. Kielt with a free followed but another Crace for the visitors left it at the interval 1-4 to 0-4. 

The home side came out and quickly turned the game around, O’Neill with a point and then a wonderful goal from McLaughlin and they had their noses in front again. Dungiven were stung but almost hit back immediately, Thomas Brady was denied by Eoghan Rogers in the Kilrea goal. Rogers was again involved, this time tipping over a Oisin McKeever effort as the corner back levelled the game five minutes after the resumption. 

Substitute Tommy Rogers converted a ’45 for the hosts and Kielt added a free to put his side two clear. The sides traded a point apiece as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Dungiven knew time was running out and they needed to win the game to clinch the title. Fionntan Murphy landed a free and he was on hand to tie up matters with still two minutes of normal time remaining. They continued on the offensive but poor passing and also some last ditch defending halted them. Fionntan Murphy had an opportunity from a free but it was a difficult one, close to the sideline on the road side, and it tailed out wide. With almost five additional minutes played the whistle Kilrea were looking for arrived to loud cheers from both players and supporters as they landed their first league title since 1981. 

They will enjoy this moment and look back on a very solid league as they turn their preparations to the championship. Dungiven, while just falling short, will also take plenty of positives from their league outings and enter the championship with confidence. 

Kilrea: Eoghan Rogers; Ruairi McCamphill (0-1), Gearoid McLarnon, Odhran Rafferty; Peadar McLaughlin (1-0), Tiarnan Quigg, Daniel Madden; Kevin Quinn, James Kielt (0-3, 2f); James Gillen, PJ O’Carroll, PJ McAleese (0-1); Paddy Quigg, Cathaoir O’Neill (0-2), Charlie Kielt. 

Subs: Tommy Rogers (0-1, ’45), Eamonn Darragh, Odhran McLarnon. 

Dungiven: Cahir Higgins; Oisin McKeever (0-1), Eoin McKeever, Joe Dillon; Darragh McGilligan, Kevin Johnston, Patrick O’Kane; Conor Murphy (0-1), Thomas Brady; Fionntan Murphy (0-4, 2f), Donal McGilligan, Martin Burke; Eoin Higgins (1-1, 0-1f), Feargal Higgins, Odhran Murphy. 

Subs: Caolan Irwin, Darach McGonigle. 

Referee: Martin McErlain