Ulster Club SFC Final: Kilcoo (Down) v Glen (Derry)
After getting his hands on the Andy Merrigan Cup back in February, it seemed like the ideal time for Aidan Branagan to call time on a memorable playing career with his beloved Kilcoo.
He’d made his peace with the decision and was content to turn his hand to coaching the next batch of up-and-coming stars at the club.
Watching his now ex-teammates and his four brothers in action? That was another matter.
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Ahead of the Down ACL semi-final meeting with Clonduff during the summer, the Magpies were down on numbers and Conleith Gilligan persuaded the 39-year-old to join in at training.
Fast forward four months and Branagan is preparing for his fifth Ulster Club final as Kilcoo bid for a third successive provincial title at the expense of Derry champions Glen this Sunday.
“I only came back one game before the final of the league. We had five children and one on the way so our house was pretty busy,” explained Branagan.
“I was just around at training one night with the wee boys, training the younger team and the seniors were on after.
“They were low in numbers coming up to the Clonduff game.
“Conleith (Gilligan) said, ‘we’re low this week, six or seven of the thirds had to play, can you step in?
“So I stepped in and once you go one night, you’re back in.
“I played centre half back. It was good to get back in though.
“I was going to the games and was agitated watching them. It’s not easy watching when you’re used to playing all the time.
“I was keeping myself in good enough shape. I was still running two or three nights a week so I was grand that way.”
After pipping Kilmacud Crokes in last season’s thrilling decider in Croke Park, Kilcoo were put to the pin of their collar several times before winning a tenth Down SFC title in 11 years.
Clonduff had a penalty to eliminate the champions at the quarter-final stage, but lost the shoot-out after sudden death while Warrenpoint also brought the county final to extra-time, but lost out by the narrowest of margins.
Since entering the provincial arena once more, Kilcoo have upped the ante with comprehensive 10 and 11-point wins over Ballybay and Enniskillen Gaels respectively and Branagan feels this year’s panel is even stronger than last season’s.
“I think it’s been easier this year than any year. I feel there’s a better buzz about the team this year and there are seven or eight boys looking to get on the team,” said Branagan.
“So they’re pushing really hard at training and it’s keeping the boys that are one to 15 sharp every game and keeping them on their toes.
“Last year there was a hell of a lot of pressure on us to win, with Mickey (Moran) never having won an All-Ireland.
“But this year it’s just all good fun. It’s very enjoyable this year.”
The revered Derry coach stepped down from his role as Kilcoo manager in the aftermath of their All-Ireland success leaving Gilligan and Richard Thornton to assume the reins.
Earlier this season, Gilligan insisted that Moran was never too far away from the scene and rarely misses a match and is still a sounding board for the current management.
Branagan says Moran’s visits to training sessions are a welcome boost to the squad and stressed how important he remains to the Kilcoo cause.
“He’s called up a few times just to get out of the house and to have the craic with everyone,” added the Kilcoo joint-captain.
“He didn’t jump in but waited till it was over and had a chat and everyone was glad to see him and gave him a hug and had the craic and a drink of tea.
“I think it’s more the love that he gives off to everyone. It’s a funny thing to talk about that in Gaelic, but that’s the way he gets around people, he gives them affection. He’s like a grandad more so than a football manager. So, everything changes in the training camp, it becomes more family based. He gets more out of the young players, I think that’s the way he works.
“He talks about stuff you wouldn’t usually hear in Gaelic, about how much love he had for the players and for the young boys especially. It gives them a connection with him, they feel that bond.
“I think a man like Mickey, he's come through so many players and so many teams, the amount of knowledge he’s picked up is bound to be incredible compared to a young man.”
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