Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

Steelstown bring trophies to graveside of Brian Óg McKeever following All-Ireland win

Steelstown Brian Ógs paid tribute to the man their club is named after following their All-Ireland success by bringing their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland Intermediate trophies to his graveside.

The Derry club defeated Meath champions Trim 3-14 to 2-5 at Croke Park on Sunday.

Their captain Neil Forrester gave an incredible speech following the game.

Speaking from the steps of the Hogan Stand, he singled out Brian Og McKeever - who died at the age of 17.

Forrester said: "We're a young club. We were founded by Anthony McGurk, Mickey Doherty, Phillip Devlin. They were told that there was no Gaelic football in the city, but they did not listen.

"They planted the acorn. It was nurtured by people like BrÍd Kelly McElroy, Andy Barr Snr; they were told there was no Gaelic football in Derry city - they did not listen!

"To you, our coaches, administrators, parents, you nurtured us more. The oak tree grew, Gaelic football is alive in Derry city!

"It hasn't been easy. We faced serious adversity on the pitch. We'd never won or a league or a championship on our men's team. Now we have three. Finally, adversity wasn't just on the pitch, it was off it. We lost people that we loved. People like Charlene, people like Brian Óg McKeever.

"He's the true captain of this club. It should be him climbing these steps. He's the captain's captain. It wasn't to be, so instead we named our club after him, even though he was only 17-years-old - that's the type of man that he was.

"Tonight, everybody will know his name, and our club's name, because Dublin city belongs to Steelstown Brian Ógs!"

Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.