Football

'Words can't describe it,' says delighted Ryan McEvoy after Kilcoo are crowned kings of Ulster

Ryan McEvoy gives Naomh Conaill's Anthony Thompson the slip in Sunday's Ulster Club Championship final at Healy Park. Picture: Seamus Loughran
Ryan McEvoy gives Naomh Conaill's Anthony Thompson the slip in Sunday's Ulster Club Championship final at Healy Park. Picture: Seamus Loughran Ryan McEvoy gives Naomh Conaill's Anthony Thompson the slip in Sunday's Ulster Club Championship final at Healy Park. Picture: Seamus Loughran

AFTER 10 years spent knocking on the Ulster door, Kilcoo finally managed to kick it in on Sunday and Ryan McEvoy said words couldn’t describe his delight.

At 18, the Down underage star has already established himself as an important member of Mickey Moran’s Ulster champions. He wore the number 13 jersey at Healy Park on Sunday but operated in defence although he got forward to kick a right-footed free that helped to settle his side early in the second half.

“We didn’t do it the easy way,” said a delighted Ryan after Kilcoo’s two-point win.

“We got a good lead and then two goals went in and put the pressure back on us but we regrouped at half-time and came out and we hit the first score and that sort of settled us.

“The second goal changed it for us but, fair play to Naomh Conaill, they came back strong and got it down to a point. They put the pressure back on us but we got over the line and now we’re Ulster champions.”

Ryan has come along at just the right time to add energy and youthful enthusiasm to an experienced Kilcoo line-up. Along with Shealan Johnston, he was one of two 18-year-olds in the side that started a historic game for the Down champions.

“The boys have been in two Ulster finals and two semi-finals but we never got over the line before,” he reflected.

“Words can’t describe it. It was unbelievable, just unbelievable to get over the line.

“When the whistle went it was just relief and delight, a bit of both. We’ve been knocking on the door for so long and now we’re all over the moon.

“Our club hasn’t always got good publicity but hopefully now that we’re Ulster champions it’ll be good press. It’s the All-Ireland semi-final next, so we’ll regroup over Christmas and focus on that.”