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Lookalikes
Courtesy of Kevin Muldoon
This man would scare any full back in East Down.
Definite resemblance between Robbo and the 2nd Last Samurai!
Courtesy of Paul O'Reilly
He admits the resemblence himself!
Courtesy of Rube
At the peak of his Bredagh career he was a tenacious corner back. Makes old clubmate Ryan McMenamin look like Cinderella! Calls Liam McGarry "My Precious"!
Rory McCaughey
19 year old Rory McCaughey has been an ever present in the Bredagh senior team for the last 3 years. Despite his youth he has become a very important player in the squad, originally at wing half forward but has been much more impressive in his favourite position at corner back where he has played since mid 2003 including the championship semi-final with Division 3 side, Banbridge.
Rory is a product of Bredagh underage having won an U-16 B Championship with the club along the way. He also starred in the highly rated and so nearly successful minor team of 2003 which included other current senior players such as Kevin Harte, Henry Deazley and Conal O’Neill.
Although his hair and choice of boot regularly attracts the attention of some of Ireland’s most reputable journalists including veteran Paddy Heaney, Rory’s speed and reading of the game are his outstanding features, along with a superb year round tan. He includes his teacher Paul Evans as his main influence although one suspects his up-coming A-level exams are going to have an equally strong influence on his football, hopefully only for a few weeks though!
One of his ambitions for the club for this season is to gain promotion to the 3rd Division, passing south Belfast rivals Carryduff along the way. Certainly based on current results, our near neighbours appear to be working hard to fulfil one half of his ambition. He also believes in the long term players of the calibre of Kevin Harte can see Bredagh compete with the best that Co Down has to offer. Who knows Rory may well one day play against his favourite Down player, Benny Coulter.
What the manager's say
Reserve manager Colm Reavey
There has been much controversy about Rory and his appearance on and off the pitch. This has detracted from his excellent performances on the pitch for Bredagh. When Rory first played at senior level it was a difficult adjustment for him and he bridled at the discipline required at senior level. This year in defence Rory has been conspicuous in a team of mainly young players who are showing real promise. He is a young man who reads the game well and with his pace is able to disrupt opposition attacks and then return them with interest. He is an unselfish footballer who has developed good relationships with all the players particularly with our rugged midfielder Paddy Heaney.
Liam McGarry
Having thought long and hard about this particular pen pic, I decided against allowing reserve manager Rubesh to write the entire piece. What can we say about Liam? Although still in his mid-20s, Liam is one of the best know figures within the club. His recent history includes a spell as manager of the U-12s, co-manager of the reserve team, club chairman and physio to the Ladies senior team (NB: Liam has since been banned from any contact Ladies as manager Paul O’Reilly wants them firmly focussed on the championship this year).
In providing information for this feature, Liam has been doing a little bit of canvassing of the senior management panel suggesting his favourite position is mid-field / upfront however he has been used predominantly on the full back line over the last 12 months by current senior manager, Ciaran O’Keefe. Liam’s 110% commitment to the team and to Bredagh can always been seen in the way he plays, often willing to sacrifice his own game to close down the opposing corner forward, a job he has done very effectively when required this season. Some of the credit for this must go to Patsy Hennessy who Liam describes as one of his greatest footballing influences.
Liam also has a keen interest in hurling, winning an Ulster Schools B Hurling League in 1994. He suggest one of the proudest achievements of Bredagh over the last number of years has been the establishment of the hurling teams which are now on a par with anyone outside the peninsula and improving to the extent that could potentially see us compete with and beat the county’s hurling greats over the next few years.
Liam’s ambition this year is to get into the forward line and to win the championship. As one of the veterans of Bredagh’s last championship final appearance, this former player of the year should know what he is talking about. Most amusingly though, Liam’s favourite former Bredagh player is Michael Tunney. One would suspect Michael would dispute the “former” tag for a year or two yet.
Outside of football, Liam’s hobbies include soccer (has coached Rosario underage teams), the Errigal and until recently studying for his final accountancy exams. He also enjoys spending time with Eunan O’Brien.
What the managers say
Colm Reavey (Reserve Manager)
Liam is a stalwart of the club. Now back in the fold after a sabatical which lasted almost a year he has returned to the first team and is as committed as ever. Liam is a dogged defender who, as usual with defenders fancies himself as an attacking force. With his steadfast and determined defensive perfomances this season it seems likley that his attacking ambitions will remain unfulfilled for another year and will remain another of the fantasies he can discuss with his good friend Eunan.
Kevin Muldoon
 Last year’s player of the year Kevin Muldoon, despite his youth, is one of Bredagh’s more experienced and established senior players. Having come through the ranks with Bredagh winning the East Down U-16 league along the way, the 22 year old has been a member of the senior panel for 5 years.
Originally considered a forward, the conversion of Kevin to a corner back at the start of last season by manager Ciaran O’Keefe saw him come of age. His tenacious approach, close marking and undying commitment to the cause set him apart as our most consistent player during the season (in the latter stages at wing half back). He has also managed to control the fiery temperament that earned him the tag “Scrappy”.
Modest as ever Kevin suggests his goals this year include holding down his place in the Bredagh senior team. Although there is strong competition defensively from a number of the minors, a repeat of last year will ensure Kevin is one of the first names on the team sheet. His other ambitions include winning the junior championship and league double this year and hopefully in the near future playing intermediate football on Bredagh’s own ground.
Away from football, Kevin can be seen shaking cocktails around the Cutters Wharf and to relax he enjoys playing pool and fighting outside the Big House.
Other Facts
| Favourite position: | Left Half Forward (editor: “Why?”) | | Favourite players: | Ciaran McManus and James McCartan | | Biggest Influence on Career: | Ciaran O’Keefe (ruined chances of playing up front for Down) | | Favourite former Bredagh player: | Conor O’Keefe and Brian Cafferty | | Current Youth players most admired: | Last year’s all-conquering U-12 side. |
What the managers say
Colm Reavey (Reserve Manager)
Kevin's indomitable spirit is the very essence of his character and his attitude to football. Even though he is about six stone soaking wet and needs stretched to make 5 foot, he is the first name on the team sheet. He is indeed Bredagh’s little pitbull! He can play a bit too.
Ciaran O'Keefe (Senior Manager)
Having shone at corner forward for a number of years (without scoring)
Kevin turned gamekeeper and has found a true role as a tight marking corner
back. His recent appearance with a young lady on his arm has worried
managment that his settling down may affect his true combatitive style.
Hopes to get a hat trick of Fresher years (first term anyway) next year.
Paddy Heaney
 Paddy Heaney joined Bredagh in the summer of 2003, transferring from his home club in Derry, Glen Maghera after many years of service.
Paddy is well known for his work as a sports journalist with the Irish News and is always keen to give the Derry view of Ulster Football either in his very entertaining Tuesday column or indeed through his weekend match coverage.
A product of the St Pat’s Maghera footballing academy, Paddy’s medal haul includes the Corn na nOg and Rannafast competitions. He also won an All-Ireland freshers A Championship with UUJ.
The Belfast based 30 year old joined Bredagh after a few years injuries. Although obviously in need of some training, he showed flashes of his ability in the first games with Bredagh, progressively improving to what was probably his best game in the maroon shirt against Banbridge in the championship semi-final, a game in which quality will always come to the fore.
Much is expected of Paddy this year having now settled into Bredagh’s midfield. Early signs are certainly very encouraging that we have a player to finally fill the sizeable footprints of former Bredagh great and Down player, Thomas White.
Other Facts
| Most admired player: | Matthew “Sonny” McCann – played for Glen and Derry. Won 1947 National league (relation). | | Biggest Influence on career: | Fags and Booze | | Footballing ambition: | To weigh less than 14 stone, keep the remainder of his teeth, win the championship and gain promotion with Bredagh. | | Most Admired youth players: | Noel Doran’s kids (Noel is Paddy’s boss | | Hobbies: | Tyrone football and fly fishing. |
What the managers say
Colm Reavey (Reserve Manager)
Paddy's contribution to the team is as a ball winner, his aerial prowess has a galvanising effect on his team mates around him. This probably best summed up for me by his exhibition of high fielding for the Reserves last year when from the unlikely position of goalkeeper he dominated the game. That's something you don't see every day!
Ciaran O'Keefe (Senior Manager)
People usually say that actions speak louder than words but in Paddy's case
this may not always hold true. Our resident literary correspondent has
added much needed steel to the midfield area of the team. His warm weather
winter training has proved successful as Paddy returned to the fold lacking
a few pounds. Looking forward to seeing his long range shooting take effect
this year - he gets plenty of practice and is bound to turn the corner.
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