Drumhowan determined to double up
By Maitiu Monaghan
Drumhowan have become a bit of a powerhouse in the Junior Football Championship. They’re back in the final this weekend for the first time in two years. In 2024, they beat Eire Óg in the JFC final on a wet day in Scotstown.
That was the club’s seventh time winning the Monaghan JFC, the fifth time they’ve won it in the 21st century.
On top of that, they’ve an Ulster Junior Club title to their name- having beaten Derry side Lissan in the 2008 provincial final.
They’ve already added more silverware to their collection this season, winning the JFL title earlier this season, and securing promotion before a ball was kicked in the Championship.
It can be difficult to hit the same heights when you’ve already tasted success, but Drumhowan have been flawless, going through the Championship unbeaten this season.
Speaking to media ahead of the Geraldines clash with Aghabog, joint-manager Paddy Kelly was asked if winning the double was his target.
“It is,” Kelly admitted. “But we never looked at that. We got promoted, parked that, then it was one game at a time to see where it takes us. We’re just looking at the next game.”
Supporting Drumhowan can be a whirlwind, so taking things one game at a time can often be the right course of action.
This century, they’ve either been promoted or relegated in 13 different seasons, with 2026 set to be 14th.
Survival in Intermediate went right down to the wire last year, with a loss to Monaghan Harps on the final day of the season sending a talented young squad back down.
“We were disappointed last year,” Club Chairperson, Seamus Duffy told the media. “Because if it was officiated the same was as this year- with one team coming down- we would have stayed up.
“But listen, the guys knuckled down, a few minors came in, no retirements. Paddy and Stephen (Creighton) have come in and have done a good job. If they win in the final it’ll be a very good job.”
“We have a good squad. I’m not saying that we have the best team that we’ve ever had, but it is one of the strongest.”
The club have brought through a number of talented young players in recent years, with Darragh McElearney representing Monaghan at Senior inter-county level. At u20 level, Tom Doherty, Caolan Reilly, Martin Quinn and Killian McAdam have all represented Monaghan.
One of those talented youngsters, Reilly, is captaining the side this year.
“There are a lot of leaders in the team, but it was Caolan’s work rate and drive on and off the pitch,” Kelly said, when asked why he chose Reilly to be his captain.
“There are so many other leaders, it is nice to come in and get a new face to freshen things up. Caolan knows what we want to do, and what the team wants to do,” he added.
Reilly told the press that he was looking forward to the final, and outlined that Drumhowan’s preparations, and the long build up, have not taken away from the sense of occasion.
“It would be different if you were waiting for a semi-final,” the Drumhowan captain said.
“But you’re waiting for a final. The days are flying by. I wouldn’t find a difference between two and three weeks, it is a final at the end of the day.”