A hard fought 2-1 victory at home to local rivals Magherafelt Sky Blues confirms DC as NI Intermediate League champions with a game to spare.
Tuesday April 22nd 2008 will live long in the history of Draperstown Celtic Football Club as it was then that they clinched their first ever Northern Ireland Intermediate League championship.
This, their third victory over near neighbours and league contenders, Magherafelt Sky Blues, resulted in Celtic wrapping up the title with a game to go. It was a glory night for all concerned but non more so than for John Higgins, who got Draperstown off to the most perfect start with a goal after only 30 seconds and also for Eamon Burns, whose goal sealed the win on the night and ultimately the title. James Bateson’s header on the hour was not enough to rescue the Blues as Draperstown defended manfully and claimed the three points and the title which they richly deserved.
The big Draperstown support which had gathered in anticipation of was rewarded early as Higgins got Draperstown off to the type of start they could not have dreamed of. Picking the ball up just inside the Magherafelt half, Higgins looked up, and seeing Mark McGeehan off his line, hit a wonderful lob from all of 40 yards and into the net to put Celtic one up. Magherafelt, needing the win to keep their title hopes alive were stunned by this but began to get back into the game but without creating any real goal scoring opportunities, and the Celtic defence, wonderfully marshalled by Quinn and McKillion were able to negate any forages forward by Larkin and Bateson. Magherafelt’s passing was off target and too often were unable to find their front men. Draperstown threatened more and top scorer Eamon Murray almost added to his tally on 23 minutes when his first time shot from Seamus Bradley’s cross was tipped over by McGeehan who reacted well to keep his team in the game even at this early stage.
There was panic in the home defence on 34 minutes when from a Bateson free, Shane McGuckin punched clearance was mistimed but Quinn was on hand to divert the danger before Magherafelt could strike. With both teams battling hard to claim midfield supremacy, importantly for Celtic, Higgins and Conway were able
to provide a solid platform in the middle allowing Bradley and Young to push forward at every opportunity. To prove the point, it was Young’s pass to Murray whose reverse pass was met by Higgins but his shot curled a yard past McGeehan’s post. A second goal looked likely at this stage for Draperstown and it came on 41 minutes. Davin McSorley’s pass found Bradley on the left and his run on the by-line and pass found the in-rushing Burns who slotted the ball away with consumate ease past McGeehan.
It was a healthy lead at half time but with Magherafelt playing with the breeze in the second half, Draperstown knew they would have to do a great deal of defending if they were to emerge with the all important victory. The Blues certainly had the lion’s share of possession in the half and almost scored on 53 
minutes when from a corner Chris Larkin’s header was cleared off the line by Raymond Caulfield and three minutes later Bateson’s free was headed over by Nickman. Celtic were finding it hard to create any semblance of an opening so it was no surprise when Magherafelt scored on 65 minutes when Bateson headed home from a free kick. But to Draperstown’s credit they didn’t panic at this stage and indeed created chances to extend their lead.
Bradley’s fired in a great ball across the six yard line but couldn’t find the vital finishing touch while on 77 minutes Eamon Burns’ shot spun the wrong side of the post.
As the Celtic bench and support urged the final whistle to come, Magherafelt forced several free kicks but with McKillion and Quinn resolute to the end the visitors were unable to create a clear goal scoring opportunity. Indeed the last chance of the game fell to Celtic’s Eamon Murray on 88 minutes when following a corner his turn and shot went wide. The three minutes of extra time saw a great deal of anxiety among the Celtic management team and supporters but the final whistle brought scenes of high emotions as a league campaign, which began in September, ended some eight months later with the league championship safely in the hands of Draperstown Celtic and heralded the beginning of a long night’s celebrations.
Afterwards, manager John McKee paid tribute to all the players who, throughout the season had made the league win possible.
