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Armagh Minor McKenna chases even more glory

By John Campbell
Friday, 27 November 2009

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For Declan McKenna, 2009 will always be an unforgettable year in his life.

He has already led Armagh to the Ulster and All Ireland Minor football titles and captained Armagh Harps to the county championship crown - a triple triumph that considerably enhances this talented 17-year-old’s playing CV.

Yet even as the year draws to a close, there is still the prospect of another helping of success for this talented defender.

On Sunday he will lead Armagh Harps against Killann Gaels (Cavan) in the Ulster Club Minor Tournament preliminary round tie at the St Paul’s club headquarters Shaw’s Road, Belfast conscious that a quadruple bonanza is on the cards but aware that the competition offers a huge challenge to his side.

“While it was absolutely tremendous to win both the Ulster and All Ireland titles with Armagh, it was equally pleasing to lead Harps to the county championship title because we had not won it for some time. Now we have a chance of maybe doing well in the Ulster Club Tournament in which there are some very good sides. We have been focussing on this competition lately and the boys are very keen to do well in it,” says Declan.

His defensive qualities and those of his colleagues at the back are complemented by a sharp attacking edge in a Harps side which has defied the formbook to date this year.

“I don’t think we were expected to win the county title but we had a good spirit going in the side and that seemed to stand to us,” explains Declan.

Harps are only one of several exciting sides who will vie for the crown.

Antrim champions Creggan Kickhams will meet Monaghan title-holders Scotstown immediately after the Harps v Killann tie and St Paul’s dynamo Billy McLarnon, one of the driving forces behind the tournament, predicts that the double-bill will prove a magnet for fans.

“I suppose you would have to say that we would love to see Creggan win the competition to set the seal on what has been a great year for Antrim football but the important thing is that the high standards of recent years are maintained,” says Billy.