Gerard O'Kane

Gerard O'Kane (born 5 October 1984) is a Gaelic footballer who plays for the Derry county team, with whom he has won a National League title.

He plays his club football for John Mitchel's Glenullin and has won a Derry Senior Football Championship with the club. He plays in the half back line for club and county, with his pace and stamina being two of his key attributes.

Early life and family O'Kane was born in Philadelphia PA but now lives in Glenullin near Garvagh. He is a cousin of fellow Derry and Glenullin players Paddy and Eoin Bradley. The Bradleys' father, Liam (former Antrim manager) is an uncle of O'Kane. O'Kane's father, also called Gerard, has served as chairman of the Derry County Board in the past.

Playing career Club O'Kane plays club football for John Mitchel's Glenullin. O'Kane won the Derry Senior Football Championship with the club in the Derry Senior Football Championship of 2007. He won the man of the match award for his performance in the final replay.

Earlier that year Glenullin won the Ulster Senior Club Football League, beating Latton of Monaghan in the final. The club reached the Ulster League final again the following year, but were defeated by fellow Derry club Ballinderry.

In 2008 the club reached the final of the All-Ireland Sevens Championship, organised by Kilmacud Crokes, but lost 1-11 to 0-13 to St. Gall's, Antrim in the decider, with O'Kane scoring 0-01 in the match. He was Glenullin's goalkeeper during the tournament (often outfielders are used as goalkeepers in sevens football). Glenullin, jointly with Ballinderry, won the 2008 Derry Senior Football League.

Inter-county O'Kane captained the Derry Minor side that won the 2002 Ulster Minor Championship and All-Ireland Minor Championship.

O'Kane and Derry again reached the National League final in 2009, but were defeated by Kerry. Derry opened their 2009 Championship campaign with a win over Monaghan. However, they were defeated in the next round (Ulster semi-final) by Tyrone. They were drawn against Monaghan again in the first round of the Qualifiers and defeated them for the second time that year. Derry's 2009 campaign ended the following week with defeat to Donegal.

School/college Gerard O'Kane captained St Pat's, Maghera, to success in the 2003 MacRory Cup and Hogan Cup. These successes came months after winning the All-Ireland Minor title with Derry, becoming the first player since 1949 to captain a winning Hogan Cup team the year after captaining a victorious All-Ireland Minor side. He was awarded Ulster Colleges Football All-Stars in both 2002 and 2003. In 2007 he won the Ryan Cup and Sigerson Cup with Queen's University Belfast. In 2005 and 2007 he was voted onto the Datapac Combined Universities (All Star) team.

Honours

Inter-county Ulster Minor Football Championship (1): 2002 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship (1): 2002 National Football League (1): 2008

Club Ulster Senior Club Football League (1): 2007 Derry Senior Football Championship (1): 2007 Derry Senior Football League (1): 2008

College MacRory Cup (1): 2003 Hogan Cup (1): 2003 Ryan Cup (1): 2007 Sigerson Cup (1): 2007

Individual Captain Derry minor Ulster and All-Ireland winning side: 2002 Captain St. Pat's MacRory Cup and Hogan Cup winning side: 2003 Ulster Colleges Football All-Star - Winner (2): 2002, 2003 Datapac Combined Universities - Winner (2): 2005, 2007 Irish News All Star 2009

Note: The above lists may be incomplete. Please add any other honours you know of.