Kilmacrennan Celtic focus turns to league after Shield triumph

After winning the Gweedore Area Shield final against Keadue Rovers, Kilmacrennan Celtic begin their Premier Division campaign this weekend.

With the Area Shield competitions taking place before the beginning of the league it gives teams a chance to get a bit of competitive action.

But for the Lurgysiders, who always target glory in the competition, it was a perfect way to get the season up and running as they beat Keadue 4-3 in extra-time.

“We always felt that it is good to have these competitive games before the league,” Kilmacrennan captain Ryan Shields said after the game.

“But at the same time, you win this and you’re into the semi-final of the Brian McCormick Cup at the end of the year, and that is massive.

“Some teams can use it as a pre-season but I just think that it is a great cup to win and you always want to be involved at the end of the year, and thankfully, we will be now.

“I’ve been a part of them near misses over the years but luckily we got that monkey off the back a couple of years ago and for me, I just want to win every cup going, whether it’s the league, Ulster Cup, Brian McCormick or even to get a run in the FAI Junior Cup, it’s what we want to do and we’ll try and keep going for the year.”

Shields spent the last two seasons in Australia, playing in Melbourne with St Kilda Celts.

They won the State League 3 Reserve Championship in August of last year, but Shields picked up a bad injury on his arm in that contest.

But now back with his local side, his last memories of playing in the Brian McCormick Cup proper was lifting the trophy in 2023 after they defeated Letterkenny Rovers 2-0 in the final.

From that team, only John Sandilands, James Doherty, Chris Dillon and Paul Bradley played on Sunday, so it’s a well-changed team from the side he captained that day.

“I’m just back myself and I can see from when I left, these young, young boys who are now big, strong lads, and it’s great to see them all coming through.

“Then you have Declan McGarvey coming in from Fanad, Alan Boal and young Mark Patterson, so there are a handful of good players.

“Marty McGinley and Darren Toland are at the helm this year, so it’s all positive at the moment.”

Kilmac got over the line in dramatic circumstances against their opponents from the West in the final.

The visitors took the lead inside 20 minutes as Chris Greene headed in from a corner, and Kilmacrennan could have levelled before half-time, but Paul Bradley’s penalty was saved by Shane Graham.

Two near-identical goals from the hosts after the restart came from Declan McGarvey and Paul Bradley to put them ahead, but a penalty from Chris Greene levelled the game, and it stayed that way until the second half of extra-time.

James Doherty then put Kilmacrennan ahead with a great goal, only for Oran Fallon to equalise with two minutes to go.

But Christopher Dillon’s header in the final minute sealed the victory as Keadue ended with ten men as Greene got a second yellow, as Kilmacrennan toasted a first piece of silverware on their newly reopened Joseph McGettigan Park.

“It was definitely one for the spectators, goals galore, tackles, and everything you could want in a game.

“We knew before this game what kind of game it would be and what kind of team Keadue are, and they came out of the traps straight away.

“We did start a bit sluggish and let them come at us a bit too much but we grew into the game, and we were unlucky not to be level at half time with the penalty miss, but Keadue probably deserved to be ahead at the break.

“Being on the pitch, it was just one of those games where anything could happen, it was wet and slippery, and anything could happen with mistakes.”

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Kilmacrennan begin with an away game against the newly promoted Donegal Town, who finished second in last year’s Division One.

Unbeaten champions Letterkenny Rovers open up their title defence at home to the Division One champions, Glenea United, while runners-up Bonagee United host St Catherines.

Keadue Rovers welcome Kildrum Tigers to Central Park in the fourth and final fixture, as Fanad United have a free week due to Lagan Harps pulling out of the league.