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IT Carlow 1-17
UCC 0-14

DJ CAREY SAW his IT Carlow team clam a fully-merited quarter-final success on home soil tonight in the Fitzgibbon Cup, knocking UCC out of the competition in the process.

Cian Kenny in action against Ger Millerick and Daire O’Leary.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

UCC, who won the last two runnings of this competition, trailed for long stages of the game and were always struggling once Rory Higgins fired in a first-half goal for the winners.

Despite losing Marty Kavanagh to injury in the opening period and with Eoin Cody unavailable due to the All-Ireland club commitments with Ballyhale Shamrocks, IT Carlow triumphed with Carlow’s Chris Nolan, Wexford’s Seamus Casey and Kilkenny’s Cian Kenny all impressing.

The winners were ahead 1-11 to 0-8 at the break, both sides having players dismissed either side of the interval with UCC’s Padraig Power and IT Carlow’s Jerry Kelly both sent to the line.

UCC’s Shane Barrett with IT Carlow’s Seamus Casey.

Tipperary’s Mark Kehoe hit three first-half points for UCC and Cork’s Shane Barrett was on target from frees but they never threatened enough against an excellent IT Carlow rearguard.

IT Carlow manager DJ Carey.

Source: Evan Treacy/INPHO

IT Carlow have never won the Fitzgibbon Cup, losing finals in 2017 and 2020, but they are now only one step away from returning to the final stage.

Higgins goal in the 17th minute propelled them ahead 1-6 to 0-3 and while UCC cut the gap to four points on two occasions, the margin was six in favour of IT Carlow at half-time.

As weather conditions deteriorated during the second half, UCC tried to chip away at the IT Carlow deficit but within five points was as close. Seamus Casey’s pointed ’65 rounded off IT Carlow’s win and they nearly hit the net again in the closing stages, only for UCC goalkeeper Ian Butler to pull off an impressive double save.

Scorers for IT Carlow: Seamus Casey (0-7, 4f, 1 ’65); Rory Higgins (1-1); Chris Nolan (0-3); Thomas Keyes, Niall Brassil, Cian Kenny, Eoin Gaughan, Cathal Dunbar, Marty Kavanagh (0-1 ’65) (0-1 each).

Scorers for UCC: Mark Kehoe, Shane Barrett (0-4f) (0-4 each); Conor Boylan, Daire Connery (0-2f) (0-2 each); Rob Downey, Will Henn (0-1f) (0-1 each).

IT Carlow

Adam Howlin (Shelmaliers, Wexford)

Fergal Hayes (Kiladangan, Tipperary), Podge Delaney (The Harps, Laois), Aidan Redmond (Rathnure, Wexford)

Jason Cleere (Bennettsbridge, Kilkenny), Jerry Kelly (Borris-Ileigh, Tipperary), Niall Brassil (James Stephens, Kilkenny)

Cathal Dunbar (Naomh Eanna, Wexford), Cian Kenny (James Stephens, Kilkenny)

Eoin Gaughan (Camross, Laois), Marty Kavanagh (St Mullins, Carlow), Seamus Casey (Oylegate-Glenbrien, Wexford)

Rory Higgins (Rathnure, Wexford), Chris Nolan (Mount Leinster Rangers, Carlow), Thomas Keyes (Camross, Laois)

Subs

Brandon McGinley (Rathdowney-Errill, Laois) for Kavanagh (inj) (11)

Shane Reck (Oylegate-Glenbrien, Wexford) for McGinley (37)

UCC

Ian Butler (Kildorrery, Cork)

Cormac O’Brien (Newtownshandrum, Cork), Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons, Cork), Jerome Boylan (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick), 

Rob Downey (Glen Rovers, Cork), Iarlaith Daly (Lismore, Waterford), Daire O’Leary (Watergrasshill, Cork)

Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neills, Cork), Ronan Connolly (Adare, Limerick)

Conor Boylan (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick), Conor Cahalane (St Finbarr’s, Cork), Shane Barrett (Blarney, Cork)

Conor Bowe (Moyne-Templetuohy, Tipperary), Mark Kehoe (Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Tipperary), Padraig Power (Blarney, Cork),

Subs

Daire Connery (Na Piarsaigh, Cork) for O’Brien (half-time)

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Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields, Cork) for Bowe (half-time)

Will Henn (Na Piarsaigh, Limerick) for Barrett (51)

Referee: Thomas Walsh (Waterford)

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REIGNING CHAMPIONS MIDLETON and St Finbarr’s discovered their opponents for 2022 after the draws were made tonight for this year’s groups in the senior hurling and football championships.

Midleton will meet Douglas, Kanturk and Newtownshandurm in hurling, while St Finbarr’s will take on Éire Óg, Carbery Rangers and Carrigaline in football.

The standout group in football is Group C which sees 2021 finalists Clonakilty, 2020 champions Nemo Rangers, 2020 finalists Castlehaven and Newcestown all in opposition.

In hurling Glen Rovers, the beaten finalists from the last three years, are in Group B, while 2020 champions Blackrock are in Group C.

Cork Premier Senior Draws 2022

Football

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• Group A – St Finbarr’s, Éire Óg, Carbery Rangers, Carrigaline.

• Group B – Douglas, Valley Rovers, Mallow, Ballincollig.

• Group C – Clonakilty, Castlehaven, Nemo Rangers, Newcestown.

Hurling

• Group A – Midleton, Douglas, Kanturk, Newtownshandrum.

• Group B – Glen Rovers, Erins Own, Na Piarsaigh, Bishopstown.

• Group C – Sarsfields, Blackrock, St Finbarr’s, Charleville.

The draws for the Senior A championships were made in both codes as well:

Football

• Group A – Ilen Rovers, Clyda Rovers, Newmarket, O’Donovan Rossa.

• Group B – Béal Ath An Ghaorthaidh, Dohenys, Bandon, Kiskeam.

• Group C – St Michael’s, Knocknagree, Bishopstown, Fermoy.

Hurling

• Group A – Newcestown, Mallow, Cloyne, Fermoy.

• Group B – Fr O’Neill’s, Blarney, Killeagh, Courcey Rovers.

• Group C – Carrigtwohill, Bride Rovers, Ballyhea, Ballymartle.

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MEATH ALL-IRELAND WINNING goalkeeper Monica McGuirk is “very much in favour of” the Gaelic Players’ Association [GPA] motion calling for integration between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association.

The GPA announced today that it had submitted a motion for consideration at GAA Congress on 26 February “urging the GAA to take proactive, meaningful and swift action to expediate integration with the LGFA and the Camogie Association”.

“It is inter-county players’ firmly held belief that for equality to be achieved within the Gaelic games family, integration of the three National Governing Bodies (NGBs) must be made a priority,” a statement continued.

“This can then in turn can have a major positive impact on wider Irish society. In recent research amongst our membership, 97% of all inter-county players backed integration between the three NGBs.”

The news broke when McGuirk and other ladies football stars were at the launch of the 2022 Lidl National Leagues in Newbridge.

“It’s not something that I personally think about too much but I do know the knock-on effect it has for all the players and clubs, the Gaelic and the hurling and camogie and everything,” the 2019 and 2021 All-Star told The42.

“I would be very much in favour of it. I do hope it goes in the right direction and does see through to be able to be one unit, which would be great. It will be interesting to see how it goes now and the end of the month.

“It would be great to see it all as just one. You see the publicity the women’s [game] is getting now. At the moment, the women’s [team] is kind of outshining the men in Meath football. That’s not through fault of anybody’s. I do think we have different levels in terms of the men and women; the Cork ladies dominated for how many years compared to the men, Dublin have been on par with each other in terms of where they’ve got.

“I do think it’s a step in the right direction and hopefully it keeps going that way.”

A monumental vote to merge the Women’s Gaelic Players Association [WGPA] and its male equivalent in the GPA was held in December 2020, with many players hailing it as such.

“I think it’s a huge step forward for us. I can only see positives coming from it,” Cork star Doireann O’Sullivan said at the time, believing the merger into a single 4,000-member representative for inter-county players may pave the way for amalgamation at a higher level.

McGuirk would certainly be in support of all coming under the one umbrella with joined-up thinking in place.

GPA motion calls for integration between the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association.#Equalityhttps://t.co/X8FB6xntZb

— GPA (@gaelicplayers) February 8, 2022

Speaking about the motion earlier today GPA CEO and former Mayo footballer, Tom Parsons noted:

“The spirit of this motion is about action for gender equality in sport and bringing the Gaelic family together. It is about showing women and girls, whether they are involved in Gaelic games or not, that the biggest sporting and cultural organisation in Ireland values you every bit as much as it does your brothers, partners, nephews and husbands.

“We appreciate and respect the three NGBs have been on a journey towards closer links and closer co-operation.  What players are asking for now is that the GAA expediate this process, in a spirit of consultation with the LGFA and Camogie Association. I believe this change will have the power to unite us and ignite Gaelic games.

“The outcome players want to see is a road map that sets out clear actions and timelines that leads to one national organisation overseeing our games. Players believe in today’s world we must deliver equal opportunity, recognition and investment regardless of gender and that this motion supports the GAA mantra ‘Where we all belong’.”

“In recent times we have seen the overwhelming decision by players to merge the WGPA and GPA and since that decision the government has backed equality with the announcement of equal investment and recognition for players,” the GPA’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager and Tyrone All-Ireland winner Gemma Begley added.

“Changes like this have made a huge difference for female players, but ultimately players believe equality cannot be truly achieved under separate governing bodies.

“Now players are asking the leadership of our Gaelic games to hear our voice and take immediate action to make equality a key priority for the association.”

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A DECADE OF #SeriousSupport.

An incredible journey since the infamous Ladyball ad.

The Ladies Gaelic Football Association [LGFA] and Lidl Ireland today announced a four-year contract extension, bringing the successful partnership through to the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Lidl, the LGFA’s official retail partner since 2016, have pledged to invest an additional €5 million, bringing the total investment to €10 million across 10 years of sponsorship.

Today’s news came after the Association confirmed details of a comprehensive live-streaming platform yesterday, with over 100 live games that are not being shown live on TG4 available to watch through a subscription service.

A season ticket that covers all games in 2022 is €50, with a weekend pass €10 and a single game available for €5. There is also the option to buy single games after they have concluded for €3 each.  

These are two massive steps in two days for ladies football, with the game growing exponentially in recent years, on and off the field.

“It’s still growing,” Galway star Nicola Ward tells The42. “Each year you come back, Lidl are coming up with something new.

“Even if the games aren’t on TG4, you can watch the stream online. For video analysis and that for other teams, you can look back on everything. The double-headers; both Leinster finals being in Croke Park is massive. There’s just massive improvements each year and I suppose it will only continue to grow as well.”

Cáit Lynch of Kerry echoes the Kilkerrin-Clonberne All-Ireland winner’s words.

“It’s such an exciting time to be involved in ladies football at the moment,” the 2012 All-Star and recent returnee to the inter-county scene nods. “For so many decades really, we’ve been struggling and fighting for small wins.

A decade of #SeriousSupport as @lidl_ireland pledges commitment of €10 million investment in Ladies Football in 10 years of sponsorship

Lidl & LGFA announce 4-year partnership extension until 2025https://t.co/1ShMR2vLUs@ConnachtLGFA @LeinsterLGFA @MunsterLGFA @UlsterLadies

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) February 8, 2022

“I know there’s still a load that we can do in the future, but it’s a really exciting time that we have the backing of Lidl.

“It’s great, there’s so much media coverage at the moment, even over Covid when games were being streamed… I think that was quite beneficial, it increased accessibility to games that people mightn’t have actually gone to. People now have it in their homes. It’s brilliant.”

As well as the investment of another €5 million, Lidl have committed to focusing on further progress in the areas of attendance and participation.

They say they will help fill Croke Park to full capacity at the TG4 All-Ireland finals by 2025 – the record attendance is 56,114 from 2019 – while plans are in place to increase participation and break the trend of drop-out rates among girls by investing in their already-profitable programmes.

“It’s safe to say it’s changed Ladies Gaelic football as a whole, even just the promotion,” Dublin ace Carla Rowe says of the Lidl partnership.

“I know there’s debate around the filling Croke Park, but the live-streaming and the posters and all that you are seeing are huge for young girls coming up through the sport, having role models.

“The support has been massive and it’s great to hear that they’re signing on for another four years. In total, you’re looking at 10 years’ support — and a lot of money and resources.”

Source: LadiesFootballTV/YouTube

Rowe, Ward and Lynch were all speaking at today’s league launch, with throw-in pencilled in for this weekend.

Meath All-Ireland champion Monica McGuirk and injured Tipperary and Donegal stars Aishling Moloney and Emer Gallagher were also in attendance, with some of the players heavily involved as Lidl ambassadors across several programmes.

Gallagher is one of such.

“We were just talking about it earlier on within the girls: even from Covid, how things have improved so much in terms of how visible the sport is and how visible the players are,” she beamed.

“Especially for young girls, they need to be able to see their role models and to see what they could be in the future. That really wasn’t possible four years ago, because it wasn’t really being broadcast anywhere. You couldn’t see a ladies game online, you would have to physically go to the game and that wasn’t always an option for a lot of young people.

“I honestly think the development that we’ve seen in the sport has been down to how much it’s been pushed, broadcast and publicised. You can tune into Facebook and watch any of the matches this year because they’re all being live-streamed. That’s night and day to where we were five years ago, not to mention 15 years ago.

“If things keep going the way that they’re going, who knows where our sport is going to reach?”

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IRELAND’S ELSA DESMOND says she “couldn’t be happier” after a brilliant display in the Women’s Singles Luge at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. 

Desmond finished her maiden Olympic Games with another clean run, completing her third run with a time of 1:02.254, which was her second fastest on the track.

Added to run one and two, Desmond finished her event in 33rd position with an overall time of 3:03.07.719.

The top twenty athletes from run three moved to the final round, meaning that Desmond’s third run was her final one. The Women’s Singles was won by Germany’s Natalie Geisenberger.

The 24-year-old Desmond, who is first Ireland’s first competitor at a Games in the luge, was relieved to end her competition with such a strong score.

“This is the second fastest time that I ever got here,” she said after her event, “there was definite issues between curve two and three. I’ve only ever got it right twice prior to this. It’s a section I haven’t got my head around and you get that sometimes.

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“But unlike yesterday’s second run I recovered it much quicker, and I managed to relax into the sled I didn’t manage to do in the second run yesterday.

“I had a couple of taps with my feet down, but it was nothing major. It was consistent with training but a little bit quicker. I’ll take it, I finished three runs, I couldn’t be happier.”

“I’ve dreamed of this as long as I can remember and I’m here and I did it and I didn’t do anything ridiculous and end up on my face. Why would I not be absolutely ecstatic? I know my parents are at home watching and wish they were here and will be so so proud. I can’t wait to talk to them, I know my mum will be in tears.”

Team Ireland will have two athletes in action tomorrow, with Tess Arbez competing in the Slalom, while Seamus O’Connor is set to become a three-time Olympian, competing in the Snowboard Halfpipe qualifying rounds.

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NEW CORK MANAGER Shane Ronayne has announced a 39-strong panel for the 2022 Lidl Ladies National Football League campaign.

The Rebels open their Division 1 tilt against All-Ireland champions Meath at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, on Saturday [throw-in 1.30pm], as the sides lock horns for the first time since their dramatic championship semi-final last year.

Ronayne’s panel shows a nice blend of youth and experience, with plenty of established regulars returning to the fold.

He has called up eight players from his Mourneabbey club side, with high-scoring forward Laura Fitzgerald, goalkeeper Maebh O’Sullivan — sister of Ciara and Doireann — and rising star Ellie Jack among the newer faces brought in from the county champions.

As confirmed last week, Máire O’Callaghan will captain the Leesiders for the season ahead, with Melissa Duggan named vice-captain.

Senior league panel 2022 announcement. Best of luck to all the girls and management! @SuperValuIRL @theGAAstore @BlackwaterMotor @spronayne pic.twitter.com/G4Lg8Cqr89

— Cork LGFA (@CorkLGFA) February 8, 2022

Claire O Shea listed twice in error. Panel also includes Marie Ambrose from @stvalsladies https://t.co/WcCXAMwxtX

— Ger McCarthy (@germccarthy74) February 8, 2022

The 2022 Lidl National Leagues are set to be launched in Newbridge this afternoon, with the LGFA confirming details of a comprehensive live-streaming service yesterday.

Over 100 live games that are not being shown live on TG4 will be made available at the LGFA’s dedicated live-streaming portal (https://page.inplayer.com/lgfaseason2022/ – further details are available to read there).

Fans can sign up for a season ticket that covers all games in 2022 for just €50; a weekend pass costs €10, while a single game is available for €5. There is also the option to buy single games after they have concluded for €3 each.  

Here are details of a comprehensive live-streaming service for the 2022 season, which will cover over 100 live games in the @lidl_ireland National Leagues, the @TG4TV All-Ireland Championships & the @currentacc_ie All-Ireland Club Championshipshttps://t.co/3j7vLEwHFH#LGFA

— Ladies Football (@LadiesFootball) February 7, 2022

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FEARGAL LOGAN SET the tone when he spoke to reporters in the aftermath of Tyrone’s six-point defeat to Armagh, which was marred by the sending off of five players. 

Four men dismissed – Michael McKernan, Padraig Hampsey, Peter Harte, and Kieran McGeary – were on the Tyrone side and Logan confirmed they’d be appealing the suspensions. 

The GAA will examine David Gough’s report before issuing suspensions to the the four Tyrone players and Armagh’s Greg McCabe. 

It’s expected Gough dismissed the players for contributing to a melee or dangerous play, both of which are Category III offences that carry a minimum two-game ban.

Back in May 2018 at a media briefing, referees development chairman Willie Barrett let it be known that officials were instructed at a pre-championship seminar to crack down on additional players becoming involved in scuffles.

“We’ve seen a number of games where a melee has occurred and we’ve asked our referees to deal with it very strongly,” said Barrett at the time. “Where there are two players involved, it’s fine, the referee can deal with it, but where more players come in and add to that, it then becomes a melee.

“What’s a melee? Making a bad situation worse. So, we feel that we need to deal with that and we’ve given clear instruction to referees that red cards must be issued in those situations where players are coming in and you’re eventually seeing five or six or seven players involved.

“We would be particularly honing in on the first and second person into the melee, shall we say, after two players have been involved. We believe that’s causing other players to come in. Likewise in hurling, if it’s left to the two players and the referees and officials, there’s generally no difficulty.”

However, the unsightly melees have continued since then and referees rarely dealt with them as strongly as Gough did.

These days, melees can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Some teams use them tactically: to slow the game down, to distract the referee or to draw his attention to an incident they feel must be dealt with. 

The all-in brawl at the end of the clash in the Athletic Grounds on Sunday wasn’t a good look for the GAA.

The actions taken by Gough were unusual in that he stood back, looked out for the players that made “a bad situation worse”, to use Barrett’s phrase, and followed the rulebook to the letter in dismissing five players. 

It’s no surprise to hear Tyrone are appealing the red cards. Kieran McGeeney’s post-match comments strongly suggest Armagh will follow suit. 

“Talking to Greg there, he feels hard done by,” said McGeeney.

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“When you have a bit schemozzle like that there, it’s really hard to see. I’m sure everybody’s going to be looking at videos tonight and there’s going to be solicitors all over the place.”

Four Tyrone players are shown a red card for their involvement in a brawl.

Source: Philip Magowan/INPHO

The appeals process in the GAA is farcical. Suspensions are overturned on technicalities as lawyers find loopholes in the rulebook. Players who know themselves they’re guilty of an offence routinely escape punishment. It has long become a nationwide trend.

A system implemented by amateurs that’s challenged by legal professionals is fundamentally flawed.

A tweet from Eamon McGee in 2015 summed the flawed disciplinary system up: “Lost my appeal to the red card I got in club game. Irony: any appeal I’ve won in the past I was as guilty as sin. The one time I’m innocent, I lose.”

Following the infamous Battle of Omagh in 2006, when two major melees broke out in a league game between Tyrone and Dublin, four players were sent-off and nine were subsequently issues with suspensions. In the end, only the ban for Tyrone’s Collie Holmes stuck as both counties exploited ambiguity in the laws. 

The GAA’s high volume of successful appeals must supersede any other sport in the world.

If Croke Park are serious on stamping out melees, then they need to back Gough’s decision when the inevitable appeals come from both counties. 

It could be argued that Hampsey and, to a lesser extent, McKernan appeared unlucky to receive straight reds. But if the Association does not enforce a number of suspensions, it will essentially send out the message that Gough’s decision to take strong action was wrong.

It will tell club and county players that mass brawls are still part of the game. 

As the number of referees decline to worrying levels across the country, failing to back Gough could have unwanted repercussions for officiating. 

“I’ve actually seen situations in club games in Kerry where referees have made calls (to send players off),” said Marc Ó Sé on The42 GAA Weekly. 

“Obviously a lot of club teams video their games. They’ve appealed, sent them into the CCCC and they’ve got off. What it’s done is it has disillusioned a lot of referees who are saying, ‘What’s the point?’ I know one or two referees in fact who’ve decided not to referee anymore. 

“By taking the decision away from them, maybe they feel they’re losing integrity in some way. It will be a huge thing to see what the GAA are going to do.

“There will be appeals, Tyrone are certainly going to appeal. It will be very interesting over the next few days to see what’s going to happen there.”

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– Updated with third-level GAA live-streaming midweek info

GAA FANS ARE set for a huge weekend of TV and livestream coverage next weekend with eight games set to be covered.

It’s Round 2 of the hurling with Saturday’s matches featuring Antrim hosting Dublin and All-Ireland champions Limerick welcome Henry Shefflin’s Galway to the Gaelic Grounds.

Croke Park hosts the best club sides in the country as the All-Ireland senior finals taking place on Saturday with a Kilkenny (Ballyhale) against Waterford (Ballygunner) final in store for the hurling, while Down’s Kilcoo and Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes meet in the football decider.

The ladies football league commences with Round 1 and there’s a Saturday night Division 1 fixture as Donegal face Galway live on TG4.

Then on Sunday it’s all hurling action with Clare, Wexford, Cork, Offaly, Kilkenny and Tipperary all being covered.

There is also set to be colleges action live-streamed midweek with the Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-finals and Sigerson Cup semi-finals down for decision, four of those games are being covered.

Here’s what’s in store:

Tuesday

• 7pm: HE GAA Facebook/YouTube – IT Carlow v UCC – Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final.

Wednesday

• 7pm: HE GAA Facebook/YouTube – NUI Galway v Waterford IT – Fitzgibbon Cup quarter-final.

Thursday

• 6pm: Electric Ireland YouTube – NUI Galway v MTU Kerry – Sigerson Cup semi-final.
• 7.30pm: Electric Ireland YouTube – DCU v UL – Sigerson Cup semi-final.

Saturday

• 2pm: BBC IPlayer and GAA Go – Antrim v Dublin – Division 1 hurling league.

• 3pm: TG4 – Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Ballygunner (Waterford) – All-Ireland senior club hurling final.

• 5pm: TG4 – Kilcoo (Down) v Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) – All-Ireland senior club football final.

• 7pm: RTÉ 2 – Limerick v Galway – Division 1 hurling league.

• 7.30pm: TG4 – Donegal v Galway – Division 1 ladies football league.

Sunday

• 1.45pm: TG4 – Clare v Wexford – Division 1 hurling league.

• 2pm: TG4 app – Offaly v Cork – Division 1 hurling league… (deferred coverage at 5.30pm on TG4)

• 3.45pm: TG4 – Tipp v Kilkenny – Division 1 hurling league.

• 9.30pm: RTÉ 2 – Allianz League Sunday GAA highlights.

STEELSTOWN BRIAN ÓGS were crowned All-Ireland intermediate champions yesterday, the Derry club etching their names into history in Croke Park.

They became the first Derry side to lift the intermediate title, and the first Derry city club to win an All-Ireland after triumphing against Trim of Meath on a scoreline of 3-14 to 2-5. (Three clubs from the south of the county have won senior titles before in Bellaghy 1972, Lavey 1991 and Ballinderry 2002.)

Founded as recently as 1987, captain Neil Forester gave the full background of Steelstown Brian Ógs in a simply superb acceptance speech.

Full of passion and emotion, Foreseter also referenced tragedies that have impacted the club through the years,

Brian Óg McKeever died in 2009 at the age of 17, after a battle with leukaemia. He had captained underage teams at the club and was also a Derry minor player. Steelstown changed their name thereafter, and retired the number five jersey in his honour. 

Charlene Griffiths was another huge club figure, who passed away three years later.

For those who missed it, or those who want to watch it again and again – Neil Forester's winning speech. That'll ring out for years to come. https://t.co/1nVzbJ5pHK pic.twitter.com/CzejrstbR5

— Orlagh Mullan (@OrlaghMullan) February 7, 2022

Neil Forrester’s speech in full:

“To Croke Park, the GAA, AIB, this is an incredible competition. It really is the crown jewel in the GAA calendar because you can see how much it means to the parishes and communities of Ireland.

“We’re a young club. We were founded by Anthony McGurk, Mickey Doherty, Philip Devlin. They were told there was no Gaelic football in the city, but they did not listen. They planted the acorn, it was nurtured by people like Brid Kelly-McElroy, Andy Barr Senior. They were told there was no Gaelic football in Derry city, they did not listen. To you, our coaches, administrators, parents, you nurtured us more. The oak tree grew. Gaelic football is alive in Derry City.

“It hasn’t been easy. We’ve faced serious adversity. We’ve never won a league or a championship on our men’s team, now we have three. Adversity wasn’t just on the pitch, it was off it. We lost people that we loved; people like Charlene, people like Brian Óg McKeever. He’s the true captain of this club, it should be him climbing these steps, he’s the captain’s captain. It wasn’t to be, so instead, we named our club after him. Even though he was only 17 years old, that’s the type of man that he was.

“Tonight, everybody will know his name and our club’s name, because Derry city belongs to Steelstown Brian Ógs.”

• You can read more abut the club in this excellent piece by Cahair O’Kane for The Irish News.

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