Can the Stars go back-to-back?

By Kevin Óg Carney

Will Mayo win the Sam Maguire again in 2027? Doubtful.

Will Kingscourt Stars make it back-to-back Oliver Plunkett Cup successes this year? Possibly.

Prediction may be a fool’s occupation, but you couldn’t possibly write off another starring display by the beasts from the east this autumn, despite mid-table mediocrity in this year’s ACFL presenting a different vista.

Kingscourt’s shock 2-16 to 0-13 victory over Gowna in last year’s SFC decider confirmed quite a few things about the lie of the land in Cavan football; most notably that Kingscourt are a championship team. They come alive at this time of year.

In that regard, one recalls how the Stars left their best wine till last in the 2025 SFC. How they left favourites Gowna punch drunk and out on their feet at the final whistle.

The Stars didn’t always shine in last year’s county decider, but their efficiency up front, superior aggression and better cohesion served to spirit them to their first blue riband title since 2015. Can they repeat the feat this year?

“I don’t see why not,” comes the retort from Kingscourt’s ever-improving, ever-reliable full-back John McCullagh.

“Definitely, it’ll be harder this year because I think last year we went a bit under the radar. This year our rivals will be watching us a bit closer and aware of our ability.”

A farmer, not a turf accountant, McCullagh brings the same work rate, energy and vigour to his time in the number 3 jersey as he does to the farm work.

Confidence seems to be encoded in the heads of those with the Kingscourt Stars crest on their chest at this time of year and, McCullagh oozes belief his club’s ability to go all the way again this year.

“You can never rule Kingscourt out when it comes to the championship. I’ve seen it when I was growing up and going to watch the seniors play and I see it as a player. The odds might be against us defending our title but I don’t think anyone would be wise to bet against us.

“Kingscourt teams over the years have been known for having a never-say-die attitude and they’re known for not giving up. They keep coming back and fight to the end and on the current team, we’ve fellas who are very clinical and others who step up to the plate if our main scorers just aren’t on their game.”

What does he think of the view that when the fat is in the fire, Kingcourt’s cutting edge, dashing style and hunger comes to boil?

“For whatever reason, we always seem to get going come championship time and I think the drive is there again to do very well this year.

“Training is going very well and we’ve no injuries. Everyone is flying and we’re looking forward to getting into our stride in the championship.”

Not that things always go swimmingly in the competition for the east of the county folk.

Kingscourt supporters will remember last year’s SFC when Ballyhaise looked destined to beat the Stars and make it through to the semi-finals after a dominant first half display.

But after a stern talking to by coach Colin Kelly, the would-be champions turned their form around and booked a place in the last four, with an improved second half performance.

With regard as to who might rain on Kingscourt’s parade this year, McCullagh name checks the likes of Gowna and Ramor, but picks Crosserlough as possibly the team to beat in this year’s SFC.

“They’re a very strong team, with great strength in depth,” the 26 year old explained.

“We played them in Kilnaleck in the league this year and they looked good, but I’m sure they will be pencilling us in as a team that’ll probably be there or thereabouts at the end of the championship season.”

McCullagh believes that a “very level playing field” exists in Cavan football and that “a few teams could get over the line this year.”

He accepts that the element of surprise that may have helped to catapult Kingscourt into the Ulster Club SFC last year is gone, and that the Stars will go into this year’s competition with a target on their backs.

“There wasn’t too many people expected us to perform so well in the championship last year - never mind go on and win it.

“But when you have fellas as experienced as Barry Tully and Joe Dillon and a lot of young lads with great ability, then you’ll always be in with a shout.”

Of course, a raft of clubs in this year’s SFC race will see McCullagh and Co. as being ripe for toppling, and Kingscourt do have a habit at times of freewheeling their way into trouble.

McCullagh is quick to change the narrative of Kingscourt’s upcoming challenge:

“There’s no pressure on us. We’re not expected to retain the title and we’ll go into the competition as outsiders to win it, but that suits us the best.

“We’ve our hearts set on a senior championship double and we know that would be a hell of an achievement if we pull it off but there’s no pressure there.

“It would be beyond a dream if we won it again this year. The hunger is there and the younger fellas especially are chomping at the bit. There’s a great buzz at training.

“We got a taste of what winning the championship was like last year and we want to get that taste again this year.”

And things that need to improve to enable back-to-back title triumphs?

“We need to be more consistent in every game. We have to put two halves together; not just be great in one half and woeful in the other.

“If we can get that consistency in our play, we’ll be hard to beat.”

Words to the wise.