FACING the All-Ireland champions in the opening round focuses the mind on the task in hand insists Clonduff manager Ciaran McBride. In his second year in charge, McBride awaits the return of four of his squad after a summer with Chicago side Parnell’s and after their final league game against Burren on Friday night, a […]
Conor Laverty ratified as Down senior manager
August 8, 2022
FORMER Down forward Conor Laverty has been named as the new manager of the county’s senior football team. The Down County Board officially rubberstamped his appointment this evening, less than a month after previous manager James McCartan stepped down from the position. Still playing for reigning All-Ireland club champions Kilcoo, Laverty has already earned a […]
Gilligan hails Moran’s influence
March 14, 2022
By Michael McMullan THE Kilcoo players gave outgoing manager Mickey Moran a guard of honour as he left Kilcoo for the last time after stepping down from the helm of the All-Ireland champions. Moran wasn’t in attendance to receive his Manager of the Year award at Friday night’s Gaelic All-Star awards night. Conleith Gilligan, who […]
Mickey Moran ends his tenure with Kilcoo
March 8, 2022
By Michael McMullan MICKEY Moran has stepped down as Kilcoo manager after leading the club to the All-Ireland Club title. Conleith Gilligan and Richard Thornton, who were part of Moran’s management team, have taken over as joint managers. Moran, who is shortlisted for Manager of the Year at Friday’s Gaelic Life All-Star awards, ends a […]
Eugene Branagan looking for the next buzz
January 22, 2022
By Michael McMullan TWENTY seconds. That’s all it took for Eugene Branagan to drink in the magic of a second Ulster medal before casting his eye on the next venture. “Then the buzz goes away and you are thinking about the next game,” he said in the aftermath of their convincing win over Derrygonnelly. Looking […]
Kilcoo will be on their guard against Derrygonnelly
January 13, 2022
By Michael McMullan KILCOO assistant manager Conleith Gilligan says they will be ‘on their guard’ ahead of Sunday’s Ulster final showdown with Derrygonnelly. Gilligan, an All-Ireland winner with Ballinderry in 2002, feels the Fermanagh giants are better and more rounded than the side Kilcoo saw off on their way to the 2019 Ulster Club title. […]
Gilligan backs O’Hanlon for say in Kilcoo’s future
January 11, 2022
By Michael McMullan KILCOO assistant manager Conleith Gilligan has backed Darragh O’Hanlon to put his experience into coaching following his forced retirement from football at the age of 28. The former club and county captain, last week, made public his decision to retire following a litany of injuries. “He is a great lad and a […]
DECLAN McCOY: The importance of having free-takers
January 10, 2022
IN the modern era, the game has developed a mantra of possession at all costs. This has heightened the emphasis placed on the importance of free-taking. Defensively teams are getting bodies back behind their 50 and offensively teams are taking less shots from outside the scoring zone and are actively coached to draw the opposition […]
Performance levels most important thing for Kilcoo
December 18, 2021
By Michael McMullan BOOKIES’ odds don’t mean anything in Kilcoo. There is only one thing that matters – football. Tucked under the lip of Lough Island Reavy above, their facilities befit the tag of Ulster champions. “There is no messing about and no fools are suffered lightly,” said coach Richard Thornton of their sheer passion […]
O’Rourke says Glen have to deal with an ‘intercounty standard’ Kilcoo attack
December 18, 2021
By Niall McCoy FOR all the intrigue, backstories and possibilities surrounding Sunday’s highly-anticipated Ulster Club semi-final at the Athletic Grounds, there is one major thing bothering Glen manager Malachy O’Rourke – how to stop an “intercounty standard” Kilcoo attack. The Fermanagh native has always kept a curious glance on bits and bobs around the rest […]