Kiltimagh men return to familiar ground on All-Ireland journey
Kiltimagh manager Mick Regan is on the verge of guiding Kiltimagh to a second All-Ireland Club JFC final but the Mayo and Connacht champions are set for a stern test from Clogher Eire Óg next Saturday. Picture: David Farrell Photography
All concerned with Kiltimagh will rarely have had as such a sweet feeling outside of their home turf or Gilmartin Park or indeed MacHale Park as when Liam Kelly lifted the trophy high after their Connacht junior football final triumph in Carrick-on-Shannon last month. But the same venue might provide another late Christmas present this Saturday afternoon.
Kiltimagh now stand sixty minutes away from a first appearance in Croke Park since February 2010 but in their way are Tyrone and Ulster champions Clogher Eire Óg, and Kiltimagh will hope to improve the overall record of Mayo sides at this stage of the competition.
Since the All-Ireland JFC began in 2002, Mayo teams have won the Connacht championship on fourteen occasions but have only won five of the All-Ireland semi-finals they have contested. Indeed, one of those teams is Kiltimagh, when they beat Monaghan side Emyvale in 2010 (along with Belmullet in 2002, Ardnaree in 2016 and Kilmeena twice, in 2003 and 2022).
Mick Regan, manager when they reached that All-Ireland final in 2010, is back in the hotseat once again and although not a Kiltimagh man by birth (he’s originally from Mayo Abbey), Brian Gallagher summed it up succinctly the effect Regan has had on this group, coming back to manage them at a time when the East Mayo club were struggling to field a team in the Mayo Senior Football League just two years ago.
“Mick stepped up when no one wanted it, so Mick deserves absolutely huge credit,” said ‘Chucky’ Gallagher after Kiltimagh’s county final win over Eastern Gaels back in October. “He’s stuck with us through thick and thin. Mick is not originally a Kiltimagh man but honest to God, he has Kiltimagh blood pumping through him and he deserves absolutely all the credit today.”
Whether Gallagher – who is one the few remaining players from their run in 2009/2010 – is fit for the semi-final remains unknown after he sustained a rib injury during their Connacht semi-final win over St Croan’s. Otherwise, Mick Regan should have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Their dominant victory over Eastern Gaels in the Mayo junior ‘A’ final was followed by what can be described in their provincial semi-final against St Croan’s as somewhat typical of their championship campaign to date: doing things as hard as possible.
Six points up at one stage in the second-half, Kiltimagh had to battle back to force a penalty shootout, where goalkeeper Jamie McNicholas proved to be the hero with a converted spot kick as well as two crucial saves.
Matters were relatively straightforward in the Connacht final against Aughavas. By half-time the result didn’t really look in any doubt and in the end, the Blues eased to their second Connacht junior football title.
It is doubtful Kiltimagh will have it as comfortable against the Ulster champions Clogher Eire Óg. The Tyrone side are in new territory after they denied a Kiltimagh v Emyvale All-Ireland semi-final sequel by defeating the Monaghan outfit for their first ever Ulster junior football title.
Like Kiltimagh, they can battle when their backs are against the wall. Down 0-7 to 0-1 at one stage, they were hanging on and goalkeeper Rory McElroy pulled off four huge saves. They were back to within a point at half-time before captain Conor Shields etched his name into Clogher folklore with a late winner.
Alongside Shields and McElroy, centre-forward Ciaran Bogue has an eye for goal while Ryan McCaughrey and Jamie Callaghan can pop up for big scores when needed.
But Kiltimagh look as solid an outfit as any left in the competition. Paul Kelly has been their key man in midfield, while Mattie Cummins and Kevin Mulderrig may be tasked with keeping Bogue and McCaughrey quiet. At the other end, Thomas Keegan, Oisin Mulderrig, Conor Mallee and former Mayo minor Fionnan Burke can do damage, and they would have more firepower at their disposal should USA-based Aidan Cosgrove be available.
Between two determined sides full of character, this could go the distance.
Verdict: Kiltimagh
