Today we look at Casement’s Portglenone’s ‘Best 15’ through the eyes of former player and manager, Kevin Kidd. The former South Derry man has gone with a balance of players from his time with the club and selected a strong line-up. Not everyone will agree with his selection but it’s only one man’s opinion.
‘It’s just a bit of fun!’
By Kevin Kidd
Tony Convery selected at centre-half-back on Kevin Kidd’s ‘Best 15’
Not an easy task Paddy, but I’ll give it a go. It’s only a little bit of fun. I’m a past chairman, senior manager for 4 years, player, and now supporter. The team is mainly from 1990 to the present day and mostly played Division 1 football.
1-Brian McCann was the Casements Keeper for 15/20 years and was very consistent in that time. A long kick-out with the left foot and usually got the ball out from danger.
2-Damian (Scotchy) Hagan moved to the parish from Moortown and played for around 5/6 years. He was a brilliant-reader of the game, good leader on the field and also a tough competitor. We had a very good defence at that time and he added to this. He could kick comfortably with both feet and when the going got tough he rarely went missing.
3-John McKeever came into the senior team aged 16 and a player you would want in your team. Very fast, good reader of the game, tough competitor, and not many players got the better of him. He played quite a bit at midfield or half back during the years but the majority of seasons at number 3. Good leader and captained the team for a number of years.
4-Paddy Carey also made his senior debut at 16, great reader of the game and elegant left foot. Always in the right place at the right time. Not too many players got the better of Paddy. Ronan Delargy showing a lot of potential in this position now in the current team.
5-Niall Delargy is a great attacking player. Very fit and fast. Also, good defensive
qualities and never lets the team down. He always lets his football do the talking. A very solid player.
Dermot McAleese claims the number 10 jersey
6-Tony Convery was a quality footballer. Serious reader of the game. Quiet in personality but another serious competitor on the field. An expert in blocking and catching and the solo dummy. He led by example on the field and captained the team for a number of years also. Could be argued as Casements best ever player.
7-Kevin Carey RIP played for me in my days managing the senior team. Between travelling he didn’t play a lot of senior football after that. But when I had him from the age of 18 he was as good as any, very strong and loved a tackle. If you told Kevin to go through a brick wall he would.
8-Martin McCarry started out as a goal keeper and when he realised he couldn’t shift Brian McCann (joke), he moved outfield and had serious effect playing at full forward or midfield. Very fit and strong and always gave his best. His father Seamus would say he took the football after himself. Still kicking for his adopted club and now his home in Glenravel. But big Marty was a player you would want on your team.
9-Niall McKeever high ball catching is his greatest skill set, and his engine, the ability to get up and down the field is brilliant. The club definitely glad he returned from Australia as he was missed when he was away.
10-Dermot McAleese is playing his greatest football and current player. An honest hard worker who never gives up. Works tirelessly for the team and has a brilliant attitude. A serious footballer who is getting better each year.
11-Owen Doherty was always around to win dirty ball. He was a tough competitor, always gave his all and made the best of his ability. Came up with a few scores and in his mid-20s was as good as any 11.
Martin McCarry 
Niall McKeever who forms a strong mid-field with Martin McCarry
12-Niall Breslin was a gifted player, a sweet left foot that could score or send you a dummy to the chip shop for a fish supper. He had a few shoulder injuries like Paul McKeever that hindered his football. Headed travelling and kicked ball in America.
13-James Storey had a great leap and super catcher of a ball. Very good from a dead ball also. Couldn’t get him fitted into midfield so I had to make a place for him, he’ll play in the corner and come out the field.
14-Paddy Kelly is also very good from the dead ball like James and a solid target man. Strong and good in the air. Has scored a lot of important points for the Casements in the last few seasons.
15-Kevin Madden was fast, exciting, and a clinical finisher. If the club hadn’t lost him as a player to health reasons we would surely have got over the line in one county final. Always got you 5/6 points in a game. I think he scored 2:13 in a club game when I was manager. He would claim I taught him all he knows, but a good player.
Paddy Kelly 
Paddy Carey and Niall Delargy
Subs:
16-Paul McKeever RIP, in his underage and first few senior years he was as good as any in defence or forwards. Very fast and could take players on and when needed in defence was a really good man marker. Unfortunately several shoulder injuries hindered his football and he took up the whistle as referee.
17-Gerard McAleese was a free flowing scoring forward. When he first came through as a senior he was unmarkable at times. Changed his game after returning from travelling to a more hard-working player from defence to attack and is still playing well for the club.
18-Mark Graham was always on your team. A really deceiving fast player who loved to take players on. Got a lot of abuse in games, but let his football do the talking.
I think that 15 would be very hard to beat and subs, a few of these players represented Antrim at all age groups to senior level. If I was to add a WILD CARD I would have to put myself at the edge of the square number 14.