1989

In 1989 the re-appointment of Danny Murray made him one of the longest serving Chairmen in the Club’s history. The only newcomer to the Committee was Mark McCusker.

Early in February the Minor League began with three straight wins and the Seniors played challenge matches, beating Ardglass and Shamrocks, in the build up to the start of the Senior League on 5 March. In early March the Minors continued their winning ways to remain top of their League with a good victory over Loughinisland, with Martin Johnston taking many of the scores for the winners. Kilcoo Seniors travelled to Dundrum for the first League match of the year in Division 2. The team gave much encouragement to their fans with the determined way they went for every ball, even when they were eleven points down; in fact, they managed so well they came away from this game with a share of the spoils. On the following week their game was at home to Teconnaught, when they had a substantial win by 3-5 to 0-5. The Minors, too, kept up their unbeaten record with an easy win over Ballykinlar and the U-14s also began their East Down campaign with a comprehensive victory over Liatroim.

On Easter Monday 27 March the Seniors travelled to Glenn and, in a hard fought game, they suffered their first defeat by a narrow margin. They were to take comfort from the fact that they were unlikely to meet as strong a team in such unfavourable conditions during the rest of the League. The beginning of April saw Kilcoo matched against pace setters, Rostrevor, and although Kilcoo lost this game by two points Rostrevor were first to agree that Kilcoo were the best side they had met this year. Although the Kilcoo lads were fast and sharp their finishing let them down. The U-14s travelled to Hollywood and, in a high scoring game, came away winners at 6-5 to 5-4.

On Sunday 9 April Kilcoo Seniors then travelled to Saval and came awaywith two valuable points. This was a game to remember as the forwards came good notching up eighteen scores, sixteen of which were from play.

Kilcoo Seconds got off to a good start with a well earned victory over Castlewellan. The result of this match was never in doubt as Kilcoo leading 1-1 to nil at half time were in top form and had complete control of the game. The following week the Seniors travelled to Warrenpoint but their luck did not hold up and they were defeated by a much faster, more determined side.

The Reserves also were defeated at home by one point at the hands of Bryansford, but the Minors continued their winning ways with at victory at Dromara by 4-5 to 1-5.

The U-14s, in spite of leading 2-1 to 0-1 at half time never got going in the second half to go down at the final whistle by 1-8 to 2-2. The Seniors next match was a hard fought encounter with Carryduff. Kilcoo had a good burst of scores in the first half to lead by 1-4 to 0-2 at the intervaland although both sides traded points in the second half Kilcoo ran out winners, with outstanding performances from Terence O’Hanlon, Colm Devlin and Noel Doherty. The middle of the park was ruled by Sean Devlin and John Morgan and the quick firing forwards were Barney McEvoy, Jerome Johnston and James Morgan. The U-14s met Bright at home and even though the match was closely fought throughout, the home side held out for a well deserved victory.

The Seniors now travelled to Newry to meet Bosco but they came away without the points when the home side scored a goal in the final minutes.

The month of April ended with a victory for the U-14s, by a point, against near neighbours Liatroim and the Minors also maintained their unbroken record against Saul. The Reserves lost to Drumaness.

In the next game Kilcoo Seniors picked up two useful points and ran out winners by six points, when Atticall were the visitors, at Owen Roe Park.

Best for Kilcoo were Jimmy Doherty and Mickey McClean. The U-14s also won in a close encounter with Dundrum, with Barry Morgan, Paul McEvoy, Peter Kelly, Owen Cowen and Paul Rush playing leading roles. The Seniors then had an easier than expected victory over Dundrum in a League game they dominated throughout. From the moment Barney McEvoy blasted a penalty to the Dundrum net the result was never in doubt and the side remained in a respectable fourth position in the table. Their luck did not last however when they went down to Downpatrick in the first round of the Championship, in Fontenoy Park. The Minors, however, completed theirnine-a-side league campaign against Teconnaught, with a 2-12 to 3-5 victory margin. This was a good solid all-round performance from a well balanced Kilcoo side, which was never in danger of losing. This team did, indeed do the club proud. The East Down winning side were: Seamus Murray, Jarlath O’Hare, Jimmy Doherty, Brian Devlin, Conor Morgan, Liam McEvoy, Danny Maginn, Jimmy Devlin, Martin Johnston, Gary Murray, Ciaran O’Hare, Patrick Gribben and Brian Morgan.

Early June saw the U-16 League swing into action but, in their first game, Kilcoo were defeated in an away match to Dromara. The Seniors beat Glenn by 2-7 to 0-5 but then lost out to Rostrevor. Activities then slowed down, in early July, on the football field but the Annual Sports took place on 9 July and there was a car rally on 16 July.

Late July saw the re-commencement of football when the Seniors had a home game against Saval and shared the points, with a last gasp point from Jimmy Doherty. The scorers for the home side were Liam Mussen (3), Dan Morgan (3), and Gerry Laverty, Noel Doherty and Jimmy Doherty a point each. The Seniors then lost out to Warrenpoint with a 0-11 to 2-7 score line.

The U-12 action now began with a 3-10 to 1-4 victory over Carryduff. Best for Kilcoo were Ciaran O’Hanlon, Patrick Morgan, Paddy Murray, Emmett Devlin and Mark Fitzpatrick and this team continued with a comprehensive win over Ben Dearg. Kilcoo again ran out easy winners and were best served by Malachy Ward, Anthony Devlin, Colm Devlin, Mike Grant, Paddy Devlin, Michael Travers and Declan Mackin.

On Friday 11 August the Seniors travelled to Belfast to meet Carryduff and went down by two points in a hard fought encounter. Poor shooting by the Kilcoo forwards led to this loss. The U-16s defeated Ballykinlar to keep up their challenge at the top of the League table, with a good all-round performance.

As the Leagues were now drawing to a close the only game in late August was the U-12 home match with Liatroim, with Kilcoo being the stronger, better balanced side and they completely dominated the second half with fine performances from Wayne Murray, Sean Michael Devlin and Mark Morgan.

Into September the Seniors defeated a weak Atticall side, who now made the drop to Division 3. Kilcoo dominated, with an excellent performance from Sean Devlin in midfield. The U-16s then lost their chance of winning their section with a loss to Saul, but the U-12s continued their unbroken run in League matches with an easy win over Killyleagh. At the end of September Kilcoo Seniors lost out to Bosco, who were seeking promotion, but they went down fighting.

In October Kilcoo hosted the annual Gary Cunningham trophy. Four local U-12 teams, Bryansford, Clonduff, Castlewellan and Kilcoo competed and in an exciting final Bryansford came away winners against Clonduff . Mrs Bridie Cunningham presented the trophy to the winning captain and shield to other team members. The Clonduff side received medals. Kilcoo U-12s completed a very successful season with a good victory over Liatroim and congratulations went to the entire panel of players with an unbeaten record in the League.

This year’s dinner dance was held in Ayleforte House on 1 December to celebrate a successful football season.

The following awards were presented by Fr. Denvir:

Senior Player: Terence O’Hanlon,

Junior Player: Joe Rogan,

Minor Player: Seamus Murray,

U-16 Player Danny Maginn,

U-14 Player: Paul McEvoy,

U-12 Player: Paddy Murray,

Sportsman of the Year: John Morgan,

Supporter of the Year: Seamus Kane.

The Minor team were presented with the Jackie Mullen Shield. On the whole this was a highly successful season for Kilcoo club.