During the years 1907-1915 evidence of matches and match reports are scant, but despite some problems on the football front Kilcoo did not sever its links with the G.A.A. but interest was transferred to the Athletics Club, which flourished under the guidance of the G.AA. Indeed, the friendships and teamwork produced by the Athletics Club, undoubtedly contributed to the reformation of’ The Magpies’.
When it was decided to form a new team on 25 November, 1915, other clubs in the county who had suffered similar problems began to re-emerge and the County Board was re-established. Registration fees were paid and a team was entered in the Championship. There was a great surge of enthusiasm on the football field for the remainder of that year. During that same year, the newly arrived parish priest Fr. Early began negotiations between the town land teams, the Moneyscalp Emmetts and the Kilcoo Owen Roes and a new blend of youthful and more experienced players combined to form a stronger Kilcoo team. In 1917 they hit the winning trail and won Kilcoo’s first ever Championship playing against Killyleagh in the final and winning by a single point. They were rewarded with a set of medals as the Championship Cup had been lost some years before. In this year, Kilcoo had its first ever representative on the Down County Team in the person of Paddy Mallon who played in the first round of the 1917 Ulster Championship against Antrim in Downpatrick.
Success continued into 1918 when Kilcoo won the Feis 5-a-side on Easter Sunday in Castlewellan. Competition was stiff with 19 teams taking part. Kilcoo beat Castlewellan in the final. However, before the end of 1918, the Championship winning team had split up with some members joining other clubs. The year 1920 was to begin a very successful period in the history of Kilcoo Owen Roes. It started off with the Moneyscalp Emmetts entering a Divisional League with teams from Liatroim, Cabra, Castlewellan and
Newcastle. The Moneyscalp Emmetts had four fixtures between the months of January and March. Late that year, the Emmetts were victorious against Liatroim in the final of a Championship Sports 5-a-side competition organised by the Down County Board. Towards the end of the year, the County Board decided that the county should be split into three areas for the Championship, namely Newry & Mourne, Castlewellan & Newcastle and East Down. The Owen Roes were in the Castlewellan & Newcastle section
and on 22 January, 1922, they took the field against Liatroim in the final of the Castlewellan & Newcastle District Championship. This match was once again a very closely contested affair and, in spite of being beaten by Liatroim in the League, this was a significant victory for Kilcoo, and another step towards the Down Senior Football Championship Final. The opposition on this occasion was Rossglass, and the match was played in
Newcastle on Easter Sunday 9 April before a large crowd. Although Kilcoo were victorious a replay was ordered as it appeared that both teams had failed to observe important regulations. Kilcoo reigned supreme in the replay on Sunday 30 April in Newcastle. ‘The Magpies’ received a magnificent reception on their return to the parish that night and the Kilcoo representation was soon increased on the County team. Success continued in 1923 with the winning of the Castlewellan & Newcastle District League against Liatroim in the final but Kilcoo lost out in the Championship final to Rossglass whom they had beaten the previous year by a two point margin.
In 1924, due to the earlier Championship and League victories, there was heightened interest in football within the parish and this led to the formation of a Junior team, known as the Kilcoo Kevin Barrys but, with emigration causing some problems, the Moneyscalp Emmetts amalgamated with the older Owen Roes body and the Junior teams were also brought under the same umbrella. This Junior side of 1924 was to prove to be the backbone of the future Senior Championship winning side.
Early in 1925 the Owen Roes were very much back in business and following much political upheaval and the consequent emigration the team was successfully re-organised. This was mainly due to the efforts of Master Breen and Dan Rodgers, supported by a very energetic committee. It is interesting to note that only six of the team that won the Cup in 1922 were still there in 1925 and the team was mainly comprised of teenage lads.
In 1925, after a marathon struggle covering three games against Drumnaquoile in the semi-final, ‘The Magpies’ won the Championship final against Rathfriland. In this final they held Rathfriland scoreless and the Championship trophy was back in Kilcoo after a three year lapse. This successful Championship campaign led to six team members being selected on the Down County panel. They were James Morgan, Peter Fitzpatrick, Stephen Rodgers, Pat O’Hare, Dan Rodgers and Stephen Hughes. Both Senior and Junior teams continued to be successful and finished the League in strong positions going into 1926.
Kilcoo Team Which Won the County Down Senior Championship in 1925.
Back Row L-R Master Breen (manager) John O’Hare, Henry McManus, James Morgan,
Pat Hughes, Peter Fitzpatrick, John Morgan, Dan Morgan, Joe McGreevy
Front Row L-R Stephen Rodgers, Peter Brannigan, Pat O’Hare, Dan Rodgers,
Jimmy McEvoy, Pat O’Hare
In 1926 the Senior team won their last game in the Shanaghan Cup (the League) but had to await the outcome of Mayobridge’s final game. They were pipped at the post but this was compensated for by winning the Championship final against Clonduff. This game was played in Hilltown, Kilcoo winning by three points to two. This was the same team, with one exception, who had won the Championship in the previous year. They were Pat Hughes, Charlie McCrickard, Pat O’Hare, Peter Brannigan, James Morgan, John O’Hare, John Morgan, Jimmy McEvoy, Peter Fitzpatrick, Henry McManus, Stephen Hughes, Stephen Rodgers, James Morgan, Pat O’Hare and Dan Morgan.
Meanwhile the newly formed Junior team had been performing in the Clonduff and District Junior League with a high standard of football. Their first game was against Bryansford, who were also newly formed, and the match ended in a draw. The Juniors continued to be successful and met Bryansford in the semi-final of the Clonduff and District Junior League on 14 November 1926 at Hilltown. After a very exciting match, Kilcoo won 1- 11 to 0-1. They played Clonduff in the final and, in spite of being hot favourites, were defeated but it was still considered a remarkable achievement in their first full year of competition. This was a very successful year for the Kilcoo club, especially with the Seniors retaining their County Championship title, but no-one could have predicted the unique achievements of the following season.
In 1927 six teams entered the South Down Senior League (Shanagan Cup).
Along with the Kilcoo Owen Roes were St. Patrick’s Mayobridge, Kilkeel “Young Irelands”, Clonduff “Shamrocks”, St. Mary’s Burren and St. Enda’s Newry. The Owen Roes began the League winning four matches out of four,as did Clonduff, so it was evident at this stage that the home and away fixtures against Clonduff were of vital importance. During this time Dan Rodgers, a former stalwart of Kilcoo club, who had emigrated to America, continued to observe his side’s progress through articles sent to the Frontier Sentinel under the heading of “Kilcoo Gael in the States”
‘The Magpies’ went on to win both Clonduff matches and finished the League having won all their matches, thus securing the League title and so the focus was on the Championship. There were eight teams in this competition: Kilcoo, Mayobridge, Kilkeel, Clonduff, Bryansford, Drumnaquoile, Loughinisland and Newry. In the first round ‘The Magpies’ beat Loughinisland, then Bryansford in a very closely contested match beating them by just a point. The final was against Mayobridge and took place in Hilltown before a large body of spectators. Kilcoo were too strong for Mayobridge, who were unable to make an impression, and Kilcoo were worthy winners beating Mayobridge by 11 points to nil. As a report of the day indicated, the game did not produce a very high standard of football, but Kilcoo displayed great teamwork and, straight from the throw in, were on the offensive. A fierce shot from Stephen Hughes was helped over the bar by a Mayobridge defender who was very relieved to find that it was not in the back of the net. Mayobridge attempted to get back into the game but some good teamwork by McEvoy and McManus, in particular, kept them at bay. Jack Breen converted a thirty yard free which put Kilcoo two up and a few minutes later Pat O’Hare found Stephen Hughes with a fine pass but his parting shot was off target. Jack Breen pointed another free but straight from the kick out ‘The Bridge’ were on the offensive and Pat Hughes in goals was relieved to see the ball go narrowly past the post. Dan Morgan and Stephen Rodgers were now showing up to good effect but despite their efforts no further scores were forthcoming and the short whistle saw Kilcoo holding a 0-3 to 0-0 lead. With the wind in their backs for the second half Mayobridge were expected to come more into the game but, once again, Kilcoo were first on the attack. A great run by Dan Morgan, in which he beat two defenders, left him with only the keeper to beat. Unfortunately for Kilcoo he lost his footing giving the goalkeeper the chance to scramble the ball to safety.
Within the first ten minutes of the second half, Kilcoo had put the game out of Mayobridge’s reach with three points, two from Rodgers and one from Morgan. ‘The Bridge’ did try to rally round and attack but even when they managed to get the ball up to the forwards, they found the Kilcoo defence in a very uncompromising mood, so much so that Pat Hughes in goals was never really tested. The ending was very tame, Mayobridge being unable to get into the game at all. It is sufficient to say that at this point of the game, the Kilcoo forwards in general and, particularly, Stephen Rodgers, could do nothing wrong, notching up a further five points without reply. Special mention must go to two players, Mick Devlin and Jack Breen, who were drafted in from the Juniors to replace Dan Rodgers and Peter Fitzpatrick who had emigrated the previous year and a fine job they made of it too. The team playing on this occasion was as follows: Pat Hughes, Pat O’Hare, Peter Brannigan, John O’Hare, James Morgan, Charlie Mc Crickard, Mick Devlin, Jimmy Mc Evoy, Jack Breen, Henry McManus, Stephen Rodgers, Pat O’Hare, Dan Morgan, James Morgan, Stephen Hughes. ‘The Magpies’had now won the Championship three years in a row and had also achieved the double of League and Championship a feat narrowly missed in 1926.
Meanwhile the Junior team was competing in the Clonduff and District League campaign. They completed the League emulating their Senior counterparts and took the winners’ trophy. In the early rounds of the Championship they swept all before them and on Sunday 4th September 1927 they played Clonduff, their near neighbours and keen rivals, in the final.
The game, played in Kilcoo, started briskly with the Kilcoo forwards exerting severe pressure on the Clonduff defenders. As Clonduff settled to their task, they tried desperately to mount some worthwhile attacks of their own, but they found the Kilcoo half back line in such sparkling form that their forwards were unable to gain any telling possession. After about fifteen minutes play Kilcoo opened their account with a point by Pat John Rodgers, to be followed quickly by another from Tom Breen. Shortly before half time, Rodgers had his second point, leaving the half time score at Kilcoo 0-3 Clonduff 0-0. With the advantage of wind in the second half, it was expected that Clonduff would improve their game, but the Kilcoo half backs had the game thoroughly in hand and played like stalwarts. The only score of the second half was a point for Kilcoo by Rodgers, coming at the end of a fine hand passing move by Breen, McGreevy and Devlin. A little bit of ill feeling crept into the game towards the end of the match and at least one player from each side was lucky to escape their marching orders but Kilcoo were not to be denied and they held on to win by 0-4 to 0-0. In a fine overall performance, Kane, Kelly and Malone were outstanding, while Devlin and McCrickard were tireless workers, their blocking and kicking being of the highest order. The victorious team were as follows: Pat John Rodgers (captain), Patrick Francis McCarthy, Owen Kane, Jack Breen, Larry Malone, Mick Devlin, Arthur McGreevy, Eddie McCrickard, Barney Kelly, Tom Breen, Pat O’Hare, Patrick Kane, Stephen Rodgers and Felix McAleavey. In addition to the foregoing success, the Kilcoo Juniors had also carried off the honours of the McLaughlin Cup. So Kilcoo had achieved the double-double, winning Senior League and Championship as well as Junior League and Championship.
A massive presentation night was organized by the committee and although the club had achieved many victories and won many trophies over the previous years, this was a great culmination of all that had gone before. The largely attended event took place on the night of 4 November 1927 in St. Malachy’s Hall Kilcoo. Reverend A.H. Scott C.C. presided during the presentation of the trophies. In his opening address he said that although he was still fairly new to the parish, he had often in the past heard of Kilcoo and the fame of its football club and was now learning the truth of these reports. He confirmed that he would be pleased to give the club all the help he could and he wished it continued success. Reverend J. Murney C.C. President of the County Down Committee was next to speak. He said that there was no part of the country to which greater credit was due than to Kilcoo for preserving their national traditions and he believed a long time must elapse before Kilcoo would abandon its position in the ranks of the G.A.A. He emphasized that the young men of the district were certainly deserving of the greatest credit because, through thick and thin, they combined to preserve football there and maintain a high standard when other places with better facilities were falling behind. The G.A.A .in Kilcoo lived on not only in word but in deed and he was glad to see by the large attendance there that night, that the young men had the support of all sections of the people of the parish and he hoped that this happy state of affairs would long continue. He made special mention of Master Breen who both played on and managed the team from the beginning. He had set a great example for the youth, having taught them, recognised their talent and encouraged their love of the game. He called him “an inspiring force” in the district who had played a prominent part on the football scene. He heartily congratulated the football teams on their great victories and, in the unavoidable absence of Father Carr, Chairman of the South Down League Board who asked him to deputise for him, he had great pleasure in making the presentations. Mr. Breen thanked Father Scott and Father Murney and said that Kilcoo should be proud of having the unique honour of winning all the trophies presented in the County that year. Mr. J. Conellan, Newry, supported the vote of thanks and congratulated the Kilcoo players on their splendid achievements. Avery enjoyable programme of singing and dancing brought the hugely successful function to a close and effectively, indeed, brought the curtain down on the most successful season ever for the Owen Roes. Although in 1928 the Magpies did not win the League, the 1928 Championship final displayed the most spectacular football of the four Championship finals. The opposition was Clonduff and it was played in Castlewellan on Sunday 11 June 1928 and it was a very closely contested game. The match itself was described by those who saw it, and, indeed, by those who took part in it, as one of the best seen in the County for manyyears. An admirable feature of the match was the prevalence of a clean sportsmanlike spirit amongst all the players and the best of feelings between both sets of supporters. Kilcoo came out on top winning by 1-6 to1-4. Even though ‘The Magpies, did not win the League, they did win various tournaments and seven-a-side competitions. The most significant prize they won was a set of gold medals for winning Hilltown Sports on Sunday 3 September 1928. It is worthy of note that, at this stage, the strength of football in Kilcoo was evident in that they had eight members on the County panel. All seemed set for success in 1929 but the dream of five Championships in a row was not to be as four prominent team members were forced to emigrate to the United States. Although these players were considered to be a great loss to their team, the Owen Roes regrouped and appeared to have overcome this loss when they beat Mayobridge by 2-3 to 2-0 in the first round of the Championship. However, due to circumstances over which the players had no control, it was necessary to re-fix the game and in the replay Mayobridge put an end to Kilcoo’s long spell of dominance in the Championship by winning by a single point by 0-3 to 0-2.
It is also to be noted that in those days, due to insufficient funds at County board level, only one set of medals was awarded to the Championship winners of 1925-1928. On looking back to these particular events, we can only imagine the great sense of pride and achievement felt throughout the parish at the marvellous triumphs won by these fine young men.
A Selection of Medals won by Charlie McCrickard (Deceased), Moneyscalp
The medals include a Senior Championship medal covering the years 1926, 1927, 1928, a Shanaghan Cup medal won in 1927 and a winners medal for a Down Tournament won in 1917. Maura McKevitt, Charlie’s daughter, has preserved these medals with pride.
