Kevin happy to ‘strike it rich’

By Alan Rodgers

PROMOTION to senior ranks for the 2027 season is a due reward for experienced Naomh Eoghan players including Kevin Gallagher who has soldiered heroically for them since the the dark days when Junior action seemed to the limit of their abilities.

Now aged 39, the influential attacker continues to prove his worth for the Newtownstewart and Dregish combination. As his career approaches its end he will have the opportunity to help his club make their mark against the top teams in Tyrone.

There was a really special atmosphere as dusk fell around St Eugene’s Park last Friday night. What had just transpired was one of the most exciting nights for North Tyrone in years as the home side met second placed Owen Roes knowing victory over their neighbours would seal a long overdue return to the top flight.

The tension was evident right from the start as supporters of both clubs packed into the picturesque ground ahead of a match that certainly lived up the expectations.

Fine scores, missed chances, detemined tackles and outstanding performances from players on both sides before a grandstand finale ensured a night to remember.

For the moment, though, this was something special for him and the rest of the Naomh Eoghan players as they celebrated a famous 0-14 to 0-13 victory. Fourteen wins from fourteen was their record, and nobody will remember or worry too much about Sunday’s final round loss to Killeeshil.

There was no doubting the great sense of satisfaction for the players, management and everyone associated with the club. They won the Junior title in 2018, and this latest success puts them in the top flight for the first time since the 1990s.

“It’s really fantastic that we’ve now been promoted to Division One. This success has been a long time coming with a lot of ups and downs along the way. Things have just gone from strength to strenght for us in the past year,” Kevin Gallagher said.

“We battled hard over the years to stay in Division Two in some years because players were away and others were injured. But we just struck it rich this year, the wins kept coming and that has taken us to where we are today.

“A lot of people have asked what has made the difference this year. I suppose it’s a combination of things. We stuck to the process, the boys have worked hard in the past years and we believe that if we keep working hard and put in the effort then the results will come.

“If you get all your best players on the field and put in the effort, the day will come when you get that chance. It’s about taking those opportunities when you’re there and that’s exactly what we did.”

Naomh Eoghan’s rise through the ranks during 2026 has been extremely impressive under the management of Eamon Kavanagh. As they celebrate a marvellous Division Two league triumph, the focus for them will inevtiably now switch to the Championship.

Standing against them in that will be neighbours, Gortin, and there’s no doubting that they’ll be in determined form to make another big impression as the race for the Paddy Cullen Cup gets going.