2014 was one hell of a year for Slaughtneil but 2015 might be even better.
This season’s AIB GAA Club Championships have been full of moments of high drama and Derry club Slaughtneil have been at the centre of quite a few of them.
Christopher Bradley’s last-gasp winner in the Ulster Final victory over Omagh was pretty dramatic, but the manner of their All-Ireland semi-final success over Austin Stacks arguably topped it.
Mickey Moran’s side came out on top of a fascinating contest after Stacks missed a kickable free in injury-time at the end of the second half, but the Derry side deserved all they got after recovering from a frantic opening period when Kieran Donaghy played havoc.
Last year marked Slaughtneil’s first ever senior Ulster title and only Corofin stand in the way of them adding their first ever All-Ireland title on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Slaughtneil team and fans celebrate their Ulster title victory
Before that game, we caught up with Slaughtneil PRO Michael McMullan and full-back Brendan Rogers for a glimpse into life in the dressing room ahead of the biggest day in the club’s history.
Spotlight on Slaughtneil
Club name: Robert Emmet’s, Slaughtneil
Colours: Maroon and White
Year established: 1953
Estimated size of parish: We don’t even have a parish!
Proudest moment in the club’s history: 2014, the best year in the club’s history.
Most loyal/fanatical supporter: Martin Dougan. No contest.
***
Best nickname: The Brute (Shane Kelly)
Most likely player to be found on Tinder? Sé McGuigan
Brendan Rogers and Kieran Donaghy get to know each other during the All-Ireland semi-final
Most likely player to break a beer ban? Christopher Mullan, AKA Luigi. Too fond of TBV (Time Bar in Cookstown).
Player still dressing themselves like it’s 1999? Kevin O’Neill still has a few ‘golden oldie’ jerseys yet.
Team-mate you wouldn’t like to meet down a dark alley? Togger (Padríg Kelly). Experience has taught him a thing or two.
Biggest shaper on the pitch? This would have to be Karl McKaigue. Fond of the hair products and likes to dress well.
Oldest player to ever have played for the club: John Joe Kearney. From what I’m told…
Best ‘Junior B GAA story’ involving your club? Has to be big Micky Bradley at the Townland 7s. Playing corner-forward. Peak cap. Puma Kings. Smoking a woodbine.
Can’t beat it.
