Kevin Cassidy has seen a lot, but he’s never come this far.
For the Fermanagh man, age really is just a number. Cassidy is now 42. He made his senior debut 24 years ago, and he has been soldiering for the Derrygonnelly Harps cause ever since.
He has been playing at the top level of club football for almost a quarter of a century, and he’s still, in his own words, “floating about, and using the old head to get on ball and trying to make things happen.”
Derrygonnelly won the battle of the Harps against Orchard county club Champions Armagh Harps on Saturday night, and for their evergreen wing forward Cassidy, it was just a little bit extra special.
Ulster Quarter Final Result – Derrygonnelly Harps 2-8 v Armagh Harps 1-8. A first ever win for Derrygonnelly in Ulster! Thanks for following
— Fermanagh GAA (@FermanaghGAA) October 28, 2017
He’s won 6 six senior club titles during the course of his career, but Saturday night was the first time he and the Harps ever won a game in Ulster, and now they are marching towards the semi-finals of the provincial competition with confidence.
“It’s great waking up this morning knowing we are in the last 4 of Ulster. It Means a lot to the club and the parish to get our first win in Ulster, it was our 6th attempt and it was worth the wait,” he told SportsJOE.
Derrygonnellys Kevin Cassidy is down with injury, playing Senior football since 1992! 4 mins of additional to play. Dgonnelly lead 2-7 v 0-8
— Fermanagh GAA (@FermanaghGAA) October 28, 2017
The Fermanagh side got off to a flying start in Brewster Park, rattling the net twice in the first ten minutes of the game, and from there, they never looked back.
“It was a tough game, Ulster club is a step up so we had to be ready, and I think the past two years really stood to us. I think that bit of experience was the difference in the end,” he said.
Far from getting carried away with the triumph, the wise head of Cassidy knows that there are bigger fish to fry, and by Sunday morning, he was already focusing on the next round.
“We will now prepare for another battle in the semi final, and that will take the same efforts again and more,” he added.
Cassidy puts his longevity down to luck with injuries, a competitive desire, and a love for the game.
@DgonnellyHarps Proud Harps man tonight. Lads gave it everything & so did the 16th man. A night to remember, more to come. #HARPSABU
— niall (@smyth_niall) October 28, 2017
“I First played at Senior level in 1993. There’s no secret. I’ve been blessed by the fact that haven’t had too many injuries, apart from doing my cruciate ligament in 2015. I thought I would give it a good go this year and see what we could achieve,” he began.
He’s played all over the field for his club, and is showing no signs of slowing down.
“I started out as a defender, but then played most of my football at full forward. This year I, sort of, float about and use the old head to get on ball and try to make things happen.
I’m just happy to be playing to be honest, we have a good panel of players and enjoy competing for my place. The way the game has gone nowadays means you need to have a good level of fitness no matter what position you play,” added the stalwart.
What an ambassador for the GAA, what a role model to younger players, what a man.
Classy Veteran with a tremendous piece of tackling and harassing to win a free. What a guy!! pic.twitter.com/RcHaEEKWJJ
— Derrygonnelly Harps (@DgonnellyHarps) October 28, 2017
