Kevin McMenamin

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Donegal senior footballer Kevin (Wappa) McMenamin made his debut with the County in the McKenna Cup in Jan.07 against UUJ on a cold wet dark winter evening. Playing in atrocious conditions he announced his appearance on the Inter-county scene with 3 points in a man of the match display. At 25,the 5'6" corner forward with an educated left foot, was a latecomer to County football, being overlooked at all under age levels. His performances in the McKenna Cup led to a place in the team and would play a significant role in the county lifting the National League for the first time in their history. He scored 2-10 in the League, including a goal at Croke Park in the semi-final. In the Championship he added another 7 points to finish with a total of 2-27 in his first season in Senior football and aNational League medal. Wappa, as he is commonly known is from Termon, near Letterkenny. He has played both soccer and gaelic football all his life. At 13, he was taken on a trial for a week to Aston Villa under the guidance of Gary Shaw and Peter Withe. While successful, it was felt that his height would be a problem. The next year Celtic and Willie mc Stay had a look with similar results. At 15 he was playing for Finn Harps youths and would continue through their reserve and Ulster Senior League team and indeed won a Senior medal with Harps against Ballymena in the North West Cup. While playing soccer with his local club, Kilmacrennan Celtic, and almost leading them to a Donegal Premier title, his real love was Gaelic football and he was making an impact with his club, Termon. One of the smallest clubs in the County but always punching above their weight, Kevin was pivotal in various under age victories and at 17 helped in a Senior victory. Several years later he would be involved in an Intermediate victory and in 2003 he would be instrumental in the club reaching the Donegal Senior Championship Final for the only time in their 40 year history. Kevin was the top scorer in the county for the year. The following year he went to America and helped Donegal Boston to victory in the Senior Championship. 2006 saw him return to Boston but a call from the new Donegal Manager saw him return and take a place in the Donegal panel for the following season. The decision by both player and Manager was inspired, and both shared in that first National League victory. The season 2007 was the culmination of many years dedicated to gaelic football. At 27, Kevin heads into his second season at the highest level in football, with the challenge of Ulster and All-Ireland titles ahead of him.