Sometimes a photo requires no caption. The social media accounts of Steelstown Brian Óg’s posted a picture of their Derry, Ulster and All-Ireland Intermediate trophies at the graveside of the man their club is named after.
Brian Óg McKeever was just 17 when he passed away in 2008 following a battle with Leukaemia. They retired the number five jersey after his untimely passing.
Last Sunday in Croke Park, they paid the ultimate tribute to a club legend by claiming the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football Championship title with a stunning 3-14 to 2-5 win over Trim of Meath.
Earlier today, they brought their three cups to his grave and manager Hugh McGrath spoke of his immense sense of pride that Gaels throughout Ireland know the history behind their club name.
“The team have all been up at his grave individually themselves over the course of the last week,” explained McGrath.
“We just wanted to go up to acknowledge that’s who we are. As a club, we wanted to make sure we had that out there and we did the same when we won our first Derry title.
“There was no caption needed - just a picture of the trophies with the main man.
“We were proud to win it, but we are also proud that people now know why we’re called Brian Ógs and they now know who he was.
“There is a huge interest, not just in the sport, but why we are called Brian Óg’s and his story.”
After impressing throughout their Derry and Ulster campaigns, Steelstown booked a trip to Croke Park with a 2-6 to 0-7 win over Kerry’s Na Gaeil in their All-Ireland semi-final with Ben McCarron and Cahir McMonagle (penalty) scoring the vital goals.
The duo both found the net again last Sunday with McMonagle converting another penalty while Emmett Deane scored his side’s other goal and McGrath hailed the quality of his forward unit
“I had said it immediately after the semi-final win over Na Gaeil - I’ve never seen a team that was built for Croke Park as much as our lads,” stated McGrath.
“I knew our forward line would make hay on it.
“I know you always expect to have two or three top-class forwards at Intermediate level.
“We are very lucky to have about nine or 10 of them, including the boys we brought in.
“It shows the strength-in-depth we have in those positions.”
While Steelstown’s win has rightly been lauded, the footage of the victory speech delivered by captain Neil Forester has also gone viral.
“He (Forester) has coached so many of our players at underage levels and you can see what it meant to him,” said McGrath.
“You can see that his speech was from the heart and everything is totally genuine with him.”
When asked how the homecoming and the celebrations went, the Steelstown boss replied: “We are still at the celebrations and we might be at them for a while yet!”
McGrath also said he’ll relish the prospect of watching his side return to the senior ranks in Derry later this year.
But that’s a matter for another day. For now, they’ll enjoy the celebrations as they raise a glass to the enduring legacy of Brian Óg McKeever.
