Second son in a family of 11, young Matt Cunningham had left school before he was 14, being hired to a farmer at Dromore, Co Down. Later, he went into business as a potato-exporter, along with his brother, John. They operated from a store on the Mall in Newry. Business prospered, and they opened a grocery shop in the village of Meigh.

Meanwhile, Matt had been a founder member of the St Monnina GFC in 1915, being elected treasurer, with Jack Hollywood as chairman, and Thomas McEvoy as secretary. Two years later, he was one of four Cunningham brothers on the Killeavy side, which won the Armagh County Senior Championship.

Sergeant Verdun went to Matt�s brother, John, who was captain of the side, warning him: �If you don that jersey, you are under arrest.�

In 1924, the club was re-formed when �Poppy� Fearon contacted Matt Cunningham, and suggested a challenge match against Bessbrook Geraldines.

But the most controversial episode occurred in 1948, when Killeavy won the Armagh County Senior Championship, after their opponents, Clann na Gael, failed to re-appear for the second-half, as they were trailing badly. The champions refused to accept the McKillop Cup under such conditions, and the trophy was not presented until 44 years later!

Captain and coach of that squad was Vincent Mulholland, who must also hold the record of being the youngest-ever player on a senior football side, at the age of 13 years. Manager Paddy Hearty had only 14 players, and he co-opted young Mulholland on to the squad. On Monday morning, he was hauled up before he principal, Thomas McEvoy, father of Sean McEvoy, and asked to explain himself.

Vincent had organised a football team at Ballinliss school, joining with the Ayallogue school team, formed by Tommy Hughes, to compete against squads from other parishes. He later became a prominent referee, operating mainly in Co Down, officiating at matches which involved James McCartan, P.J.McElroy, Barney Carr and Liam O`Hare.

The Mulholland homestead was a real �ceili house,� with fiddlers like Paul Madden. Tom Harte, Stephen McGennity and John Fearon, proving music for the jigs and reels. A fine singer, Vincent would take part in weekly session of story-telling and ballad-singing in a Forkhill pub, under the auspices of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. This also featured John Campbell ((BBC) and Mick Quinn.

One memorable occasion for Killeavy and Armagh gaels was the 1953 All-Ireland Final between Kerry and the orchard county. The St Monnina club was represented by Malachy McEvoy and John McKnight.

Dominating the �Kingdom� at midfield, the strapping, red-haired McEvoy was nominated �man of the match,� drawing plaudits from ace-commentator, Micheal O`Hare, who described his display as �majestic. Then, mid-way through the first-half, the Abbey CBS past pupil went on a fine solo run, sending in a fierce shot, which was deflected by a defender over the goalie`s head.

Armagh were leading at half-time, and the match was still neck and neck until the drama, when the ball was judged not to have crossed the Kerry goal-line. A penalty, which was awarded instead, was missed by Jim McCorry; and the men in green and gold went on to win by four points.

A few years before his early death, I interviewed Malachy McEvoy at his home outside Kilkeel, close to Glassdrumman primary school, where he had been a teacher and principal. It was distressing to watch this once-stylish sports star, confined to a wheel chair by a disabling strike, being hand-fed by his wife.

His younger brother, Thomas, also an accomplished footballer, and Area Manger of the Road Service, also died prematurely.

Incidentally, these are prosperous times for the Downey family from Killeavy, who have operated a butcher�s shop at Monaghan Street in Newry, since the 30`s. They have now moved their �Friar Tuck�s business to larger premises next-door, complete with restaurant and �deli bar.� Good luck to Stephen and his sons!

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