Cavan Yearbook Breffni Blue 2013

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CAVAN YEARBOOK A look back at 2012

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Club

ARVA ...................................................... 252 BAILIEBOROUGH ..................................106 BALLINAGH ........................................... 397 BALLYCONNELL FIRST ULSTERS ..... 242 BALLYHAISE ........................................ 204 BALLYMACHUGH................................... 184 BELTURBET .......................................... 294 BUTLERSBRIDGE .................................. 390 CASTLERAHAN .................................... 300 CAVAN GAELS ....................................... 382 COOTEHILL ............................................ 412 CORLOUGH ........................................... 211 CORNAFEAN ..........................................174 CROSSERLOUGH ................................. 348 CUCHULAINNS ..................................... 270 DENN ...................................................... 340 DRUMALEE ........................................... 190 DRUMGOON .......................................... 160 DRUMLANE ............................................ 368 DRUNG.................................................... 180 GOWNA................................................... 263 KILL ........................................................ 216 KILLESHANDRA .................................... 286 KILLINKERE ...........................................258 KILLYGARRY ......................................... 404 KINGSCOURT ........................................ 310 KNOCKBRIDE ....................................... 168 LACKEN ..................................................116 LARAGH ................................................ 359 LAVEY ................................................... 220 MAGHERA ............................................. 226 MOUNTNUGENT ................................... 376

MULLAHORAN 320

PAUL BRADY 58

UNDER 21 FOOTBALLERS 12

County

Editor’s welcome ..............................................................3 Senior Football ................................................................. 4 U21 Football ................................................................... 12 Junior Football ............................................................... 20 U16 Ladies ...................................................................... 26 Kevin Tierney ................................................................. 31 Minor Football ................................................................ 34 Camogie .......................................................................... 40 Minor Hurlers ...................................................................44 Noel Mooney ................................................................... 51 Supporters ...................................................................... 54 Handball .......................................................................... 58 Seamus Morris ............................................................... 62 Team of the Year .............................................................64 Eugene Keating............................................................... 68 Dessie O’Reilly ............................................................... 71 Keith Geraghty ................................................................76 Ladies Football ............................................................... 78 Joe McIntyre ....................................................................80 Seamus Smith ................................................................ 86 Pat Tinnelly ..................................................................... 88 Brian O’Donoghue ..........................................................90 Five to Watch .................................................................. 93 Friends we lost ................................................................94 Joe Lynch ......................................................................133 Anselm Lovett ...............................................................142 Tim Cullinan................................................................... 145 Eugene Kiernan .............................................................152 Alfredo Sobrino ..............................................................156 John Joe Plunkett ..........................................................330 Terry Farrelly ................................................................ 420 Michael McGovern .........................................................423 Donie O’Reilly.................................................................426 Dr Tom Prior ...................................................................428 Gerry Smyth ................................................................. 433 John O’Hare ...................................................................437 Lorcan Mulvey ...............................................................446

CAVAN GAA YEARBOOK BREFFNI BLUE Published by Lynn Group Media Kells Business Park, Kells, Co Meath

MUNTERCONNACHT .............................136 RAMOR UNITED .................................... 233 REDHILLS .............................................. 333 SHANNON GAELS .................................128 SHERCOCK ........................................... 197 SWANLINBAR ......................................... 99 TEMPLEPORT ....................................... 277

Telephone: (046) 9241923 Fax (046) 9241926 Email: contact@lynngroupmedia.com Website: www.hoganstand.com

CONTRIBUTORS Shane Corrigan Kevin Carney Tony Dunne Shane O’Brien Stephen Reilly Gerald Robinson Randal Scally

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication can be published or reproduced in any way without the written permission of the author or Lynn Group Media © Copyright Lynn Group Media 2012 The opinions expressed in Breffni Blue do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, publishers or their agents. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this publication is correct, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors that may appear.

Powerhouse midfielder Gearoid McKiernan

EDITOR’S NOTE

EDITOR’S NOTE

It’s with great pleasure that we welcome you to this very special edition of ‘Breffni Blue 2013’. For more than 23 years now our aim is to bring our readers the best coverage of Gaelic games in Cavan thanks to the support of its devoted gaels.

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012 has been a year of ups and downs for Cavan on the GAA front and once again we have done our utmost to cover all the action at both county and club level across the county, and its borders, in pictures and words in this packed edition.

All 40 clubs are again profiled in depth with their own sections and the opening pages of this yearbook will provide you with authentic reviews of the Cavan senior, Under 21 and minor football teams’ respective campaigns, with the highlight for Breffni supporters undoubtedly being the Under 21s’ successful Ulster championship defence in April. Terry Hyland’s talented team once again proved their province’s finest when they defeated Tyrone by the same 110 to 0-10 score-line in Enniskillen that led them to the 2011 title. We spoke to Cavan’s top-scorer during the campaign, Ballyhaise’s Kevin Tierney, as he reflected on special success that he won’t soon forget.

Unfortunately, Cavan’s provincial success at Under 21 level could not transfer on to the senior stage in 2012 as this past season saw Val Andrews’ team struggle in the National Football League by barely avoiding relegation, after which the Dubliner vacated his post for Terry Hyland to step in by mid-April. The Lacken man would hand some of Cavan’s most promising young talents their Ulster senior championship debut against Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park on May 20, when they hosts came away from Cavan town on the receiving end of a 1-16 to 1-10 defeat, following in the footsteps of the minors, at the hands of a team that would go on to capture the Sam Maguire Cup come September.

The first round of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers would send a young Cavan side back to Brewster Park, where three late goals gave the Breffni men their first victory in the backdoor since the 2010 comeback against Wicklow at the expense of Peter Canavan’s Fermanagh. However, the next round would see Cavan inflicted with their heaviest defeat of the year when Kildare, and the media circus

surrounding Sean Johnston’s transfer to the Lilywhites, arrived at Kingspan Breffni Park and came away 17-point winners to cut another season short by mid-July.

In hurling, Cavan’s fortunes improved vastly over the past 12 months as the minors reached a milestone for the county in September by competing in All-Ireland ‘C’ final against Fingal. While defeat would be suffered to the Dublin outfit in Ashbourne, John Hunt’s talented crop of players have provided small ball game enthusiasts in the county with plenty of hope for the future as Cavan look to compete again in the senior ranks in the near future.

On the ladies football front, Adrian McGovern’s senior team had looked to bounce back from the pain of their 2011 All-Ireland final defeat to Westmeath (after a replay) by maintaining their Division Two status in the National League and bidding for that elusive intermediate championship. Unfortunately, the Breffni women would come up just short in both departments but it was far from the whole story for ladies football in 2012, as the county’s Under 16 footballers delivered an AllIreland title in August when they defeated favourites Tipperary in the final. This year we’ve dedicated an entire section to look back at the historic success of Fergal Brady’s team.

This year also saw further history made on the handball front by Mullahoran star Paul Brady, who hit the peak of his glittering career in October when he defended his World Singles title for a record-breaking third time. In front of huge home support at Citywest in Dublin, Brady overcame American number one Luis Moreno in a thrilling final to capture a title which surely ensures the right to call him the greatest to have ever played the game.

The club season in 2012 was also a memorable one for Brady, as his native Mullahoran upset the odds by defeating Kingscourt Stars after a replay to claim their first Cavan senior football championship in six years.

3

Six days later saw Lacken securing their third intermediate championship in 15 years when they saw off Cootehill after a replay under lights at Kingspan Breffni Park, where a hattrick of goals from Niall McKiernan proved the difference for Jason O’Reilly’s team, while the junior championship final saw Laragh United bringing the title back to Stradone for the first time since 1944 as they overcame favourites Mountnugent by the narrowest of margins. Congratulations to the winning clubs, and condolences to those that lost out. You will be back again.

Keeping with the clubs, I would like to wish them each the best of luck for 2013 and thank all involved that have helped us over the past few months in putting together their sections, whether it was through simply providing information, identifying photographs or giving interviews. I also wish to thank the loyal advertisers to this publication who continue to support us, even in these difficult economic times. Your continued support allows us to put this publication together, and also benefits each of the clubs around the county, to whom we will once again be sending €7,500 worth of O’Neill’s GAA equipment.

On a final note, I would like to bid a farewell to each and every gael that we lost during 2012, in particular Jimmy Kelly, whom I had the honour of working with as assistant secretary of the Drumlane club for three years.

A native of Galway, Jimmy was a founding member of the Woodford Gaels hurling club and helped Kildallan to a junior championship title in 1977. After moving into the Drumlane parish, he soon became a stalwart of the club, with two of his sons playing at all levels for the Sons of O’Connell, and he himself would go on to serve as secretary before his untimely death this past April.

Shane Corrigan

The Cavan senior squad that met Donegal in the preliminary round of the Ulster SFC. Front row l/r: Dane O’Dowd, Ray Cullivan, Fergal Slowey, Niall Smith, Ronan Flanagan, Padraig O’Reilly (capt), Jason McLoughlin, Brendan Fitzpatrick, Kevin Meehan, Jack Brady, Niall McDermott, Kevin Tierney, Darragh Tighe. Back: Ray Galligan, Joshua Hayes, Gearoid McKiernan, Robert Maloney-Derham, Eugene Keating, David Givney, James Reilly, Fergal Flanagan, Damien O’Reilly, Killian Clarke, Mark McKeever, Keith Fannin, Tomas Corr.

CAVAN SENIOR FOOTBALLERS

SENIOR FOOTBALLERS

Martin Dunne in goal scoring form during the crucial Allianz FL Division 3 win over Tipperary

I

PLAN IN MOTION 2012 was a year that saw the Cavan seniors hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons, unfortunately. The prolonged Sean Johnston transfer saga, along with the stepping down of manager Val Andrews in mid-season, did not make for a memorable campaign as there were too many futile results both on and off the pitch for the Blues. By Shane Corrigan

t couldn’t have been easy being a Cavan senior footballer in 2012. Word around the Breffni County back in January was that training sessions were so intense and severe that players ached for days afterwards until the next rigorous two-hour slog would come around.

It was the belief of manager Val Andrews that the hard work would pay off at some point in the coming season for the squad, which now had an entirely new look to it. When ‘veterans’ like Mark McKeever and Ronan Flanagan arrived for the first session of the New Year they would have grasped there were a lot of absentees from the previous year’s crop, the most notable being one Sean Johnston.

After the disappointment of 2011, Andrews’ mantra was to start the new season fresh with a new squad of players back-boned by Ulster U21 medal winners that were hungry to establish a place in the starting 15 of the county senior team. It meant that tough decisions would need to be taken by the Dubliner and his selector Terry Hyland ahead of the 2012 campaign.

As early as November, the duo had informed Michael Lyng, Cian Mackey, Dermot Sheridan, Gareth Smith and Johnston that their services would not be needed for the coming season, and from there all parties would move on, with the latter eventually making a switch to Kieran McGeeney’s Kildare and the St Kevin’s club after a sixmonth saga which caught the attention of the GAA world.

In the midst of an on-going media storm, Andrews and the Cavan players did their best to keep heads down and 5

go about their business in preparing for the National Football League, but every so often the question seemingly on the tip of everyone’s tongues would pop up: “What about Seanie Johnston? Kildare?”

Looking back at it now, the answer’s simple: Val Andrews made a tough decision and Sean Johnston made a tough decision.

Life goes on.

Come February the players would only have one thing on their minds, which was promotion from Division Three of the NFL. In their first competitive outing of the year, the young Cavan men would be rocked by the concession of three first-half goals from Wexford which led the Slayneysiders to a 4-9 to 1-13 win at Wexford Park. A home defeat to Longford (0-10 to 0-7) would follow before the first two points of the season were secured on March 4.

It was a superb first-half performance at Kingspan Breffni Park which saw the home side topple Sligo by 0-14 to 1-8 to leave themselves with an outside chance of finishing in the top two of the division.

Both sides traded scores in the opening minutes and were level

Seanie Johnston on his return to Kingspan Breffni Park in a Kildare jersey has a disagreement with Ronan Flanagan (12)

on 0-2 apiece until Cavan took a strangle hold of proceedings and were in total command as they led 0-10 to 0-3 at the break. David Givney and Gearoid McKiernan held the upper hand in the middle of the park, while Cavan Gaels duo Martin Dunne and Kevin Meehan proved to be a handful

Eugene Keating scored five points from play off Donegal's Neil McGee in the championship

6

for the Yeats County’s defence.

The brilliant McKiernan stretched Cavan’s lead further within seven minutes of the restart and despite a spirited comeback from the visitors late on, Andrews’ men held on for a vital victory.

Yearning to get some momentum flowing, the players dug in deep in their next outing away to a struggling Tipperary outfit and went on a goal-spree down in Thurles to distance themselves away from the drop zone and closer towards the north end of the Division Three table.

Tipperary, who finished the game with 13 men, led in the early stages at Semple Stadium but goals from the impressive Martin Dunne and Mark McKeever put the visitors in the driving seat by the end of the half, with a 2-6 to 0-6 advantage.

Dunne, Niall McDermott and team captain Padraic O’Reilly chipped in with points before wing-back Barry Watters and Dunne killed off the game with two more green flags which saw Cavan run out 4-10 to 0-14 winners.

With Offaly up next at home,

Cavan looked primed to record a third win on the trot as they raced into an early lead through the scores of Martin Dunne, Niall McDermott and Gearoid McKiernan to hold a 0-9 to 0-5 advantage.

The dismissal of Offaly full-back Shane Sullivan five minutes into the restart made it look as though the Breffni men were certainties for the points, but complacency crept in amongst the home side and when Kevin Casey converted the rebound of a penalty the Faithful County were in their first lead (1-9 to 0-10). In injury-time Cavan could only muster a single point, which was enough for Offaly to hang on for their only win of the campaign as the Blues were made to taste bitter disappointment again.

Reeling from the previous week’s poor performance, Val Andrews’ charges were six points to the good inside as many minutes for their Round Six game at Dr Hyde Park against Roscommon.

David Givney’s welltaken goal propelled the visitors into a great position but, unfortunately, it was to go all downhill after that.

By the half-way stage the Rossies were level (0-10 to 1-7), and despite Givney and Niall Smith kicking the first two scores of the second-half for Cavan, the visitors failed to halt their opponents’ momentum as David O’Gara’s 37th minute goal saw them fall behind for the first time.

Dunne restored parity for Cavan 10 minutes later, but the final quarter was owned by the hosts as they triumphed to a 1-17 to 112 and plunged the Breffni men closer towards relegation.

It meant that Andrews’ side would need to either win or draw their remaining game against Antrim of the campaign in order to assure themselves of Division

Three football in 2013. A defeat meant that they would have to count on results elsewhere around the country to keep them from avoiding relegation.

With their safety confirmed, and no prospects of promotion, Antrim named six debutants for the Kingspan Breffni Park clash on April 8 and still managed to edge their opponents (1-4 to 0-5) by the first-half’s conclusion thanks to Aodhan Gallagher’s goal.

Cavan would need to summon a big second-half performance to try and topple their visitors, but were instead stunned by three quick goals which saw the

Terry Hyland speaks to the media after the Donegal game

Saffrons cruise into an unassailable lead and finish 4-6 to 0-12 winners.

Tipperary’s defeat of Offaly in Clonmel had been Cavan’s saving grace, which sees them lining-out in the third tier again for 2013, and afterwards Andrews lamented what he described as an “exceptionally poor” display by his players.

“I’m the manager. Can you stand over that? No. Would you expect Cavan to put up with that? No,” said the Ballymun Kickhams man.

“I suppose it’s a sad reflection when we had to let Tipperary do us a favour. It’s very mixed emotions. I’ll be straight with you – if you had told me this morning 7

that that was going to happen, that we’d have to take a beating and look really stupid, and Cavan survive, I would have settled for it.

“The only thing today was that Cavan football couldn’t go to Division Four. That’s the only thing I’ll take home today, the rest of the disappointment…yeah you’d be extremely disappointed and the lads are extremely disappointed. We let in 4-6, which is 10 scores, to 12. They ran through us and I said it out on the pitch and I’ll say it again, if we go out and do that against Donegal, we’ll be beat home. And we have to look at that and sort it out.”

A mere four days later after the Antrim defeat, Andrews sensationally stepped down as Cavan senior team manager, with rumours of a vote among the players to oust the Dubliner later being strongly denied by team captain Padraic O’Reilly.

Incidentally, the previous night to A n d r e w s ’ announcement saw Cavan capture their second consecutive Ulster U21 title after overcoming Tyrone at Brewster Park by 1-10 to 0-10, and soon after the county board moved to ratify Terry Hyland as Andrews’ successor, with Anthony Forde being installed as assistant manager for the next four years.

The decision was somewhat of a no-brainer as far as the county’s clubs were concerned as so many of the players which Hyland and Forde had worked with in the 2011 Ulster U21 success had already been drafted into the senior squad at the start of the year.

With little over a month to prepare for the Preliminary Round clash with Donegal, Hyland and Forde were undoubtedly thrown in at the deep end but were confident that the players would be capable of

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giving a honest account of themselves when the Ulster champions came to visit Cavan town on May 20.

In front of a 12,847 crowd at Kingspan Breffni Park, Donegal started as 1/6 favourites and they duly slotted over the opening point courtesy of midfielder Rory Kavanagh. The Tir Chonaill men had a lucky escape soon after when Belturbet ace Brendan Fitzpatrick struck the crossbar.

However, the home side kept plugging away and they were

penalty and McFadden made no mistake to make it a six-point game. Neil Gallagher had a goal effort saved superbly by James Reilly before McFadden and Mark McHugh added to the Donegal tally with substitute Niall McDermott on target for Cavan.

The next two points were shared by corner back Frank McGlynn and Givney - 1-10 to 0-6 at the three-quarters stage. It was all too easy now for Donegal as Neil Gallagher popped over their eleventh point, putting them eight

Cavan (Ulster SFC v Donegal): James Reilly; Killian Clarke, Padraic O'Reilly, Kevin Meehan; Jason McLoughlin, Damien Reilly, Mark McKeever; David Givney (02), Gearoid McKiernan (0-1); Fergal Flanagan, Ronan Flanagan, Robert MaloneyDerham; Jack Brady (0-1), Eugene Keating (0-5), Brendan Fitzpatrick. Subs: Tomas Corr, Niall McDermott (1-1), Niall Smith, Kevin Tierney, Raymond Galligan.

The spirited display against the

Padraic Reilly leads around the troops at Breffni Park

soon in front thanks to excellent long-range points from Jack Brady, David Givney and Eugene Keating. Colm McFadden's free closed the gap but Keating nonchalantly slotted over his second before Jim McGuinness' men drew level through McFadden and Neil McGee. McFadden's third converted free had the favourites back in front and they also hit the next two points to lead by 0-7 to 0-4 after 28 minutes, Kavanagh and Leo McCloone on target.

When Paddy McBrearty was fouled, Donegal were awarded a

in front.

The winners grabbed two out of the next three points before Cavan were awarded a late penalty: McDermott squared up to Paul Durcan in the 59th minute, calmly placing the ball to the corner of the net, 1-13 to 1-7.

Four points were exchanged Keating bringing his tally to 0-4 from play - but McFadden's free made it 1-16 to 1-9 with three minutes left. The impressive Keating notched the last score of a game where Cavan were beaten but certainly not disgraced.

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once again would-be Ulster champions left Cavan hoping for a kind draw in the qualifiers to try and summon up some momentum. Fermanagh away would be seen as the ideal test for the players to improve the team’s poor championship form in recent years.

With Brewster Park having been such a happy hunting ground over the past two seasons for so many of Hyland’s squad members, it was no surprise that many were tipping the Blues to oust Peter Canavan’s men on their home turf.

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Ramor’s Jack Brady had Cavan on the scoreboard within 26 seconds before Niall McDermott doubled their lead with a free.

Daniel Kille (free) opened Fermanagh's account in the seventh minute, but Cavan continued to set the early pace and had extended their lead to 04 to 0-1 by the 15th minute thanks to points from full forward Eugene Keating - who also missed a goal chance - and Niall Smith. But they would only notch one more score in half as Fermanagh took control. Tomas Corrigan landed their first point from play before Kille added his second free. Jack Brady restored Cavan's two-point lead, 0-5 to 0-3, but the improving hosts quickly levelled through points from Kille and Paul Ward.

Kille was on the mark again as Peter Canavan's men took a 0-8 to 0-5 lead into the break, and Cavan's woes were added to when David Givney was stretchered off with a shoulder injury late in the half.

Just as he had done in the first half, Brady kicked an early Cavan point on the restart. But the Erne County continued to look comfortable as two more Kille frees and efforts from Ryan Jones and Tomas Corrigan increased their lead to 0-13 to 0-7 with Brady replying for the Breffni men.

Mark McKeever out covering ahead of Donegal's Colm McFadden

In the blink of an eye, however, the visitors scored two goals in quick succession to take a 2-8 to 0-13 lead. Gearoid McKiernan grabbed the first after the Fermanagh defence had failed to deal with a high ball in from Brady, and then Niall McDermott burst through to add a second.

Cavan had the bit between their teeth now as midfielder Thomas Corr and Damien Reilly extended their advantage. Kille replied with a badly-needed Fermanagh point before they were rocked for a third time when Keating made amends for his first half miss with

Jack Brady lets fly

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Cavan's third goal to give them a 3-10 to 0-14 lead which would be enough to see them through to Round Two. Cavan (All-Ireland SFC qualifier v Fermanagh): James Reilly; Darragh Tighe, Killian Clarke, Padraic O'Reilly; Mark McKeever, Fergal Flanagan, Damien Reilly (0-1); David Givney, Tomas Corr (0-1); Ronan Flanagan, Gearoid McKiernan (1-1), Niall Smith (01); Niall McDermott (1-1), Eugene Keating (1-1), Jack Brady (0-5).

Subs: Kevin Tierney (0-1), Jason McLoughlin, Declan McKiernan (0-1), Kevin Meehan.

The win was Cavan’s first in the All-Ireland SFC since their heroic 0-15 to 2-8 comeback against Wicklow back in June 2010 at Kingspan Breffni Park, and one that was sorely needed to raise spirits in the camp.

The next day out it ironically would be Kildare, Sean Johnston and the media circus that visited Kingspan Breffni Park, which demonstrated just how far the current Cavan side are off the top pace as they slumped to a 3-20 to 1-9 defeat at the hands of Kieran McGeeney’s Lilywhites.

Here’s hoping that 2013 will see a huge improvement from the players on the pitch and less of the drama off it…

The Ulster U21 champions before their All-Ireland quarter-final with Roscommon at Hyde Park. Front row l/r: Paul McEvoy, Sean Nolan, Enda O'Reilly, James Morris, Darragh Sexton, Michael Brady, Conor Moynagh, Jason McLoughin, Killian Clarke, Jack Brady, Kevin Tierney, Joe Dillon. Back: Brian Sankey, Simon Cadden, Killian Brady, Fergal Flanagan, Chris Conroy, James Farrelly, Conor Gilsenan, Nevin O'Donnell, Packie Leddy, Raymond Lynch, Shane Reilly, Dara McVeety, PP O'Hara, Patrick King

CAVAN UNDER 21 FOOTBALLERS

UNDER 21 FOOTBALLERS Michael Brady, Conor Moynagh and Barry Reilly lift the Ulster Under 21 silveware

GIVING US PRIDE AND HOPE With the struggle of the county’s senior footballers seemingly on-going, Cavan U21s once again raised the spirits of Breffni supporters in 2012 when they edged out Tyrone’s challenge in Enniskillen on April 11. Shane Corrigan takes a look back at the journey that Terry Hyland’s charges embarked on to retain their coveted Irish News Cup, which they can call their own for another year.

“I

t’s not a place a Cavan man can say he is too often but lately that has changed and that’s the way we intend to keep it.” - Left half-back Michael Brady after Cavan’s thrilling Ulster U21 final victory last April.

The Mullahoran man’s words came as music to the ears of any true Cavan GAA supporter who has saw a transformation in the county’s fortunes at underage level as of late. From a prolonged wait, which has unfortunately saw so many promising young teams fall by the wayside, to the delivery of three Ulster titles within 12 months between minor and Under 21 level - Cavan have established themselves as top dogs when it comes to Under 21 football in Ulster.

To even whisper that notion back at the start of the 2010 campaign would have been ludicrous in the eyes of many.

Back then Down - beaten All-Ireland finalists from the previous year - were setting out their stall for Ulster title number three and travelled to Kingspan Breffni Park on a cold March night as hot favourites to dispatch of the home side and cruise into the last four of the province. The fulltime result from that game: Cavan 3-14 Down 1-8.

That was the start of Terry Hyland’s successful reign with Cavan U21s, and although they would go on to lose out in the Ulster final to Michael Murphy and Donegal the following April, the dye had already been cast. Twelve months later, Hyland and co were back in Enniskillen battling out with Tyrone, who had denied Cavan so many 13

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Michael Brady celebrates at the final whistle of the Ulster final

times in the past at minor level, and in the end it was Niall Murray’s 1st minute goal that made all the difference for the Blues as they made history with a 1-10 to 0-10 victory which saw captain fantastic Gearoid McKiernan raising the Irish News Cup aloft, ending a 14-year wait.

While All-Ireland final disappointment would follow, the survivors from the unforgettable 2011 campaign already had next year in the back of their minds, with defending their newly earned title as top priority.

Barry Reilly, Fergal Flanagan, Michael Brady, Packie Leddy, Jack Brady and Paddy King would all be available again to Hyland in 2012 and the team meant business from the word go, with a strong Hastings Cup

campaign behind them going into their opening Ulster championship clash against a hotly-fancied Armagh side whom many were tipping to dethrone Cavan of their crown.

Played at Kingspan Breffni Park on March 21, it was seven points from the magnificent Kevin Tierney that ensured Cavan of a successful first defence of their title at the Orchard County’s expense.

Armagh, who were All-Ireland minor champions three years ago, had no answer to the Ballyhaise full-forward whose scoring tally included 0-5 from play. Four of his points helped the champions into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead before Robbie Tasker and James Donnelly replied for the visitors to leave them trailing by two, 0-4 to 15

0-6, at the break.

The Breffni men took a firm grip on proceedings when Tierney set up Chris Conroy for a well-taken 36th minute goal. The hosts were leading 1-8 to 0-4 when Armagh's Aidan Forker was sent off on a straight red card with 13 minutes remaining. Despite going down to 14 men, Armagh immediately managed a goal of their own from Tasker, but they left themselves with too much to do as Cavan pulled clear again to set up a semi-final meeting with Derry two weeks later.

Cavan (Ulster U21FC v Armagh): C Gilsenan; J Morris, K Clarke, J McLoughlin; D Sexton, C Moynagh, M Brady; P Leddy (01), K Brady; J Dillon, B Reilly, F Flanagan (0-1); P O'Connor, K Tierney (0-7), J Brady (0-1).

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16

Subs: C Conroy (1-0) for Reilly, N O'Donnell for K Brady, P King for Leddy, PP O'Hara (0-1) for Tierney, S Cadden for Dillon.

Derry had crushed Monaghan in their respective quarter-final on an emphatic 3-12 to 1-3 scoreline and had much of the momentum heading into the last four clash in Enniskillen. It was the Oak Leafers that looked the likely side when the two sides met at Brewster Park on April 4, but Cavan had other ideas as a late goal from half-time substitute Paddy King sent them through to the final and Derry crashing out.

Cavan started the game in brilliant fashion by notching 1-2 in the opening quarter, with Tierney continuing his excellent form by bagging the goal. But Derry, who were led up front by Emmet McGuckin, crawled their way

back into proceedings and had the lead by the second-half.

Emmet Bradley was doing the damage for the men in red and white at that stage, but Cavan were never out of the game and through Tierney and Joe Dillion they stayed dangerously within touching distance of the leaders until the dying minutes. It was then that Killeshandra’s King got a fist to Jack Brady’s Route One delivery and sent the ball flying to the back of the net to break Derry hearts and send the Blues towards their third Ulster final in as many years.

Cavan (Ulster U21FC v Derry): C Gilsenan; J Morris, K Clarke, J McLoughlin (0-1); D Sexton, C Moynagh, M Brady; P Leddy, K Brady; J Dillon (0-2), C Conroy, F Flanagan; R Lynch, K Tierney (15), J Brady. Subs: P King (1-0) for K Brady, S Nolan for Morris, E

Joe Dillon in possession against Tyrone

17

O'Reilly for Lynch, S Cadden for Dillon.

The victory was one that epitomised the team’s character as Cavan set-up another final meeting with Tyrone at Brewster Park seven days later.

Over 4,000 Cavan supporters made the trip to Enniskillen and were barely in their seats before sliding towards the edge and jumping with delight when Darragh Sexton’s first minute penalty hit the Tyrone net.

The young Breffni men would never relinquish their lead after that, as Kevin Tierney’s accuracy kept Tyrone out of reach. The Red Hands did hit back with frees of their own from Richard Donnelly and Darren McCurry before midfielder Harry Og Conlan levelled.

However, three frees from

Tierney at number 14 had Hyland's charges 1-4 to 0-5 to the good at the break. With Michael Brady and Jason McLoughlin excellent in defence and Packie Leddy dominant around the middle, the holders tightened their grip on proceedings after the restart.

Two more Tierney frees and a fine Raymond Lynch effort from play had them five points clear for the first time as their opponents began to dwindle. Scores from Niall Sludden and Tommy Canavan narrowed the gap to three points, but they just couldn't get any closer as Cavan deservedly retained their title.

Cavan (Ulster U21FC v Tyrone): C Gilsenan; F Flanagan, K Brady, J McLoughlin; D Sexton (1-0), C Moynagh, M Brady; P Leddy, K Clarke; J Dillon (0-1), C Conroy, R Lynch (0-1); J Brady (0-3), K Tierney (0-5), N O'Donnell. Subs: P King for Brady, B Reilly for Dillon, S Nolan for Conroy, PP O'Hara for Reilly.

After the final whistle, a delighted Terry Hyland, who, incidentally, would go on to be appointed county senior manager in the weeks that followed, praised his players for their effort throughout the game.

“This was a new group of players from last year," the Lacken man stated. “They brought their own style of play to it. Tyrone have been the benchmark for the last 10 years, but fair play to our boys. We had to work exceptionally hard throughout and especially in the last 10 minutes when Tyrone kept coming at us, and at the end there was only three points between the teams.”

Injured captain Barry Reilly came off the bench to play his part in the historic victory and after delivering a most memorable winning speech, the Kingscourt man heaped praise on his team mates, particularly those

in defence, who he felt made the key difference for Cavan on the night.

“It’s a great feeling,” he said, “the score-line is just a coincidence. Niall Murray got the goal last year and Darragh Sexton got it this year, another Gaels man, just a coincidence but we’ll take it as it comes.”

“We said two weeks ago after the Derry game that we created history by being the first Under 21 team in three Ulster finals in a row but there was no point being in a final unless we went on and won it. It took character to win it tonight and these boys have plenty of character, plenty of bottle. The six backs and the other two or three that came on were excellent tonight. The forwards worked hard too, tackling and winning dirty ball, but big shout-outs must go to the backs, they were very good tonight. It is a proud moment without a shadow of a doubt.”

While the players would be given plenty of time to celebrate their triumph, as opposed to the 2011 debacle which saw them playing their All-Ireland semi-final against Wexford three days later (and winning), sights were quickly set on a showdown with Connacht champions Roscommon on April 21.

However, the short trip to Longford would prove a disappointing one for Cavan supporters as their team simply failed to live up to their potential on the day, mustering only four scores in a 2-7 to 2-2 defeat at the hands of the Rossies.

After the winners had made the better start at Pearse Park, Cavan got a timely boost when Kevin Tierney plundered a goal, firing in off the bottom of the crossbar on nine minutes. Joe Dillon added a point for the Ulster champions but their Connacht counterparts replied in style with a Conor Daly goal. That propelled Roscommon towards a 1-3 to 1-1 18

half-time lead, despite having played against the breeze in the first-half.

Dual star Niall Kilroy stretched the lead to three within seconds of the restart and Smith showed wonderful composure to make it 1-5 to 1-1 after 35 minutes. Chris Conroy replied and Rossies goalkeeper Tadgh Lowe made an amazing save to deny Raymond Lynch a Cavan goal. Substitute Ciaran Murtagh added to the winning tally but Tierney set up a thrilling finish when he drilled a last-minute shot to the top corner of the net, putting it at 2-2 to 1-6.

However, in the first minute of added time, Compton clinched the winning goal, which he dropped into an empty net and Smith tagged on the last score from a free in the third added minute to end Cavan’s campaign.

Cavan (All-Ireland U21 semifinal v Roscommon): C Gilsenan; C Moynagh, K Clarke, J McLoughlin; F Flanagan, D Sexton, M Brady; P Leddy, K Brady; J Dillon (0-1), C Conroy (01), J Brady: N O'Donnell, K Tierney (2-0), R Lynch. Subs: P King for J McLoughlin, PP O'Hara for N O'Donnell, S Reilly for PP O'Hara, D McVeety for J Dillon.

After the defeat, a disappointed Terry Hyland, who went on to praise his team for their efforts throughout the campaign, admitted that his side were beaten by a better team in the semi-final.

“In fairness Roscommon deserved their win, they were the better team all through,” said the Cavan boss. “Our fellas just didn’t seem to come out of the traps today for some reason but you’re going to get days like that. It’s something that we’ll have to analyse and look at and see did we do something wrong in the preparation side of things. But you have to hand it to Roscommon, they were the better team on the day.”

Eugene Keating kicks one of his five points from play against Donegal and lets Mark McHugh know he is around

The Cavan side which made history in June by capturing the Leinster JFC title in Newbridge. Front row l/r: Fergal Slowey, Martin Dunne, Conor McClarey, Darragh Tighe, Keith Fannin, Damien Barkey, Darragh Sexton, Barry Watters, Martin Reilly, Paul O’Connor. Back: Michael O’Reilly, Alan O’Mara, Killian Brady, Chris Conroy, Darren Tiernan, James Farrelly, Joshua Hayes, Rory Dunne, James Morris, Declan McKiernan, Barry McKiernan, Niall McKiernan.

CAVAN JUNIOR FOOTBALLERS

JUNIOR FOOTBALLERS

Keith Fannin accepts the Leinster JFC trophy from provincial chairman Martin Skelly

A

THIRD TIME LUCKY This past June saw the junior footballers of Cavan make history when they defeated Kildare to claim a first ever Leinster title.

Shane Corrigan takes a look back at the victories on route towards the provincial decider in Newbridge, where the Breffni men finally came up trumps at the third time of asking.

provincial title in any code is always well appreciated by a GAA county. But when it comes to football and Cavan, Breffni supporters welcome it with open arms as the past summer demonstrated when their junior footballers made some history by defeating Kildare on a 1-13 to 0-9 score-line in the Leinster JFC final.

Having lost the previous two finals of the competition, Terry Hyland, who has been at the helm since 2008, when the county first entered the Leinster JFC race, and his young team were keen on mounting yet another run in the competition. It meant that Hyland and co would have to adjust their busy schedules come the summer and travel east for every game, as teams outside the Leinster province could not be afforded home advantage.

The opening game of the campaign came in the form of a quarter-final away to Wexford on May 30, in the aftermath of Cavan’s Ulster SFC Preliminary Round defeat to Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park, where Hyland would also don the Blues’ bainisteoir bib as he watched his team fall to a six-point defeat at the hands of the would-be provincial champions.

While Hyland wouldn’t be able to call upon any of the players used in the Tir Chonaill defeat, he was well aware of the ingredients at hand having oversaw the rich fortunes of the county’s U21 footballers since 2010 and been involved with development squads two years previous to that. When it came time to travel down to 21

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22

Wexford, the Lacken man would have an idea of the team he wanted to line-out and who to have in reserve if things weren’t to go according to plan.

Played at Farmleigh Park, Cavan had their noses in front after the first 10 minutes before striking the first of the game’s five goals after Chris Conroy sped past the Wexford backs to rifle to the net. The Lavey man’s major settled the visitors in perfectly as they looked to deal with the threat of former All Star Mattie Forde down the other end. Fresh back from injury, Rory Dunne would be left with the task of guarding the Kilanerin sharpshooter, marshalling him to a point from open play. The home side would also be set-back by the concession of two more goals before half-time from Declan McKiernan and Martin Dunne, which sent Cavan in at the break with a commanding 3-7 to 0-7 advantage.

The Model men showed more urgency in the second-half as two frees from Forde and a rebounded penalty by Paul Murphy brought them back into matters. But it was merely momentarily as the superiorly fit visitors rocketed in their fourth goal via substitute Brendan Murray to close out a 4-11 to 1-12 win and move into the semi-finals of the competition for a third consecutive year.

Cavan (Leinster JFC v Wexford): James Farrelly; Darragh Tighe, Rory Dunne, Fergal Slowey (0-1); Enda O’Connell, Joshua Hayes, Killian Brady; Shane Gaffney, Declan McKiernan (1-1); Chris Conroy (1-0), Martin Reilly (0-2, 1 45), Keith Fannin; Oisin O’Connell (01), Barry McKiernan (0-2, 1f), Martin Dunne (1-3, 2f). Subs: Brendan Murray (1-0), Darren Tiernan (0-1).

Seven days later and Cavan were on the road again, making

the short trip to Pearse Park where a battle with Longford awaited them. The midlanders were defiant against a Cavan outfit which had finished the game with seven Ulster U21 medal winners on board, and looked to have pulled away in the third quarter after an even opening half.

A Robbie Smyth goal put the home side in the driving-seat early on in the resumption, but Cavan weren’t ready to give up the fight and through a poached goal from Cavan Gaels ace Martin Dunne they were right back in contention.

Fergal Slowey (Ballyhaise), Darragh Tighe (Killeshandra) and Joshua Hayes (Cootehill) held firm at the back to keep their opponents at bay in the closing stages, while their team mates up front hunted for the winning goal.

It would come deep in injury-time when Darren Tiernan broke possession to a lightening quick Martin Reilly, who smashed to the Longford net to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and send Cavan into the provincial decider on a 2-7 to 1-9 score-line.

Cavan (Leinster JFC v Longford): James Farrelly; Darragh Tighe, Damien Barkey, Fergal Slowey; Enda O’Connell, Joshua Hayes, Killian Brady; Shane Gaffney (0-1), Brendan Murray; Chris Conroy, Martin Reilly (1-1, 1f), Keith Fannin; Oisin O’Connell (0-1), Barry McKiernan (0-1, 1f), Martin Dunne (1-4, 4f). Subs: Conor McClarey, Daragh Sexton, Darren Tiernan, Paul O’Connor.

The odds would be firmly stacked against Cavan on the last Wednesday in June when they journeyed down to Newbridge to take on defending Leinster champions Kildare on their home turf at St Conleth’s Park. The Lilywhites had emphatically defeated the Breffni men by 5-8 to 1-9 in the previous year’s decider 23

and there was a revenge incentive for some of the Cavan players that had been involved in that heavy loss.

This time Hyland would line-out an arguably stronger side to that of the 2011 crop, but the early signs in the game were ominous as Kildare raced into an early three-point lead in front of their home support.

A superb Declan McKiernan free from all of 50 metres got the ball rolling for Cavan 13 minutes in, before the Killeshandra man would be involved again two minutes later when he delivered into Martin Dunne, who found Cavan Gaels team mate Conor McClarey on the edge of the Kildare square to turn and shoot to the net. Dunne and early substitute Barry Watters stretched the visitors’ lead to four, before their opponents got two back to leave it at 1-6 to 0-7 for the break.

In front, a Cavan side which boasted seven provincial final winners from the previous year weren’t going anywhere and again cancelled-out early secondhalf scores from Kildare via Declan McKiernan and the lethal Dunne. Rock solid centre-back Joshua Hayes set-up Dunne for his fourth point soon after, and as Kildare looked to rally they could find no way past the likes of Damien Barkey, Fergal Slowey or Killian Brady, whom were superb throughout, while McKiernan and Shane Gaffney dominated at centre-field.

Dunne’s third free and a sweetly struck Martin Reilly ‘45’ put the icing on the cake for Cavan as they sealed a historic victory, which saw team captain Keith Fannin become the first Breffni native to get his hands on the Leinster JFC crown.

Cavan (Leinster JFC final): James Farrelly; Damien Barkey, Rory Dunne, Fergal Slowey; Enda O’Connell, Joshua Hayes, Killian Brady; Shane Gaffney,

Declan McKiernan (0-3); Chris Conroy, Martin Reilly (0-2), Keith Fannin; Conor McClarey (1-0), Barry McKiernan (0-1), Martin Dunne (0-5).

Subs: Paul O'Connor (0-2), Barry Watters (01), Oisin O'Connell, James Morris.

Fannin, who has been one of the leading club footballers in Cavan with his native Drumgoon Eire Og over the last decade, was left feeling proud afterwards at St Conleth’s Park.

“I’m a very proud man today, any time you’re captain of your county, it’s always a proud moment,” Fannin beamed after

lifting the Cup. “The Leinster competition is a great competition, we’re in it for three years and we finally got to win it.”

Hyland’s men would have to wait over a month and a half before heading into their AllIreland semi-final showdown with favourites Kerry in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, where they would aim to book their county’s first final appearance in the grade since 1962.

With the club championships in full swing by the end of July, the squad had little chance to prepare collectively for the last four clash and would be going in against the

Kingdom with the odds again stacked against them.

Kerry’s rampant start left Cavan playing catch up as the Munster champions went in at the break leading by 1-8 to 1-3, with the once again impressive Martin Dunne (scorer of 2-5 on the day) bagging the Blues’ goal. Kerry, who, incidentally, would go on to win the All-Ireland final against Mayo, stretched their lead at every opportunity and despite another Dunne goal had minimal fuss in deservedly booking their place into another All-Ireland final to draw the curtain on a memorable season for Cavan.

Paul O’Connor fires a shot at goal during the Leinster JFC final in Newbridge

24

Brendan Fitzpatrick surging forward

The Cavan All-Ireland winning U16 squad and management, front l/r: Teresa Clarke, Colette Donohoe, Shannon Maguire, Martha Coyle, Ciara Shalvey, Captain Kate McIntyre, Roisin Leddy, Roisin Galligan, Eimear Gallen, Kerri McGuirk. Middle: Dessie Cahill (management), Patricia O'Reilly (management), Rebecca Smith, Caoimhe McDermott, Beth Farrelly-McGee, Ashling Smith, Caoimhe Smith, Shauna Lynch, Shauna Murphy, Sarah Nulty, Shannon Leddy, Bronach McGovern, Denise Downey (management), Fergal Brady (management). Back: Paige Conroy, Frida Dolan, Sarah Murray, Neasa Byrd, Sarah McCabe, Hannah Duggan, Holly Lynch, Amy Gaynor, Niamh O'Shea, Rachel Talbot, Aideen Coyle, Breffni McEntee, Aishling Sheridan. Missing from the pic is Lucy McFarlane

CAVAN UNDER 16 LADIES FOOTBALL TEAM

UNDER 16 LADIES Aishling Sheridan drives forward

UNDER 16 LADIES MAKE HISTORY The Cavan Under 16 Ladies truly caught the eye this past August when they overcame Tipperary’s challenge to deliver a historic All-Ireland title to the Breffni County. We took a look back on what was an unforgettable few months for Fergal Brady’s victorious team.

R

ecent years have seen somewhat of a trend developing when it comes to Cavan’s underage footballers reaching the latter stages of the AllIreland championship, in both mens’ and ladies’ codes, and this year was no different much to the delight of Breffni fans.

Under the guidance of Mullahoran man Fergal Brady, Cavan were simply outstanding in this past summer’s U16 All-Ireland B Championship, trouncing every team they encountered on their way to a final meeting with Tipperary, who had defeated them heavily in the 2011 semi-final, on August 25 in Banagher.

Brady and his selectors, Dessie Cahill, Denise Downey and Patricia O’Reilly, knew from the outset that the ingredients were right within the panel to win silverware and had the players well-tuned by the time their Ulster championship opener with Down came around. A win would put Cavan straight through to the provincial final and on the day the Blues put forth an excellent display to crush their Mourne opponents on a 6-12 to 1-7 score-line.

The win sent Cavan cruising into an Ulster final showdown with Fermanagh as firm favourites. In recent years, both counties have played out some tense and exciting encounters at ladies senior level, with silverware also on the line, but on this occasion it was Cavan that emphatically disposed of their neighbours by 8-18 to 0-2 which saw team captain Kate McIntyre of the St Finbar’s club lifting the cup on behalf of her county.

Having defended their provincial crown, Cavan’s sights 27

were now set on going a step further than that of their 2011 campaign by reaching the AllIreland final, with Connacht champions Sligo standing in their way at the last four stage.

Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first-half, Cavan quickly stamped their authority on the game by firing themselves into a 0-7 to nothing lead inside

through Denise McGrath, but the Yeats women simply couldn’t cope with the Cavan tide as Murray, McGee, Sheridan and Breffni McEntee fired over more scores to leave their team with a commanding 0-12 to 0-1 lead at half-time.

In the second-half, Cavan picked up where they left off by landing more points through

the Ulster champions, who fired in two more goals in the space of three minutes – both of which came from the deadly Murray before McGee added another point to round off an impressive 319 to 0-3 victory.

In the days building up to the AllIreland final, Brady described his team as being in a “quietly confident” mood going in against

Captain Kate McIntyre and her Cavan team mates celebrate with the All-Ireland trophy

the first 15 minutes in Killoe, Co Longford. Martha Coyle, Beth Farrelly-McGee, Aisling Smith, Sarah Murray and Aisling Sheridan were all contributors to their team’s tally, while Sligo were kept at bay by a stern Breffni defence with Shauna Lynch, in particular, outstanding at fullback.

Sligo pulled back a score

Sheridan and Murray. Six minutes in and the would-be winners would bag their first goal when some splendid work from Sheridan saw her rattle a shot off the upright, where McGee was quickest to pounce and bury to the net, which all but killed off the game as a contest. Sligo pushed back with two consolation points, but they were just no match for

28

Tipperary. The team would have to travel to Banagher, Co Offaly for the big game against Tipp, who boasted 16 members from the panel which emphatically defeated Cavan in the previous year’s semi-final by 2-14 to 1-3.

There was no doubt that Tipperary would once more be going in against the Ulster champions as favourites, but

Brady and his selectors knew that their team would be hard beaten if they performed to their full potential on the day.

Well-drilled from the word go, Cavan flew out of the traps against their Munster counterparts and through the scores of Beth Farrelly-McGee (2) and team captain Kate McIntyre they propelled themselves into a 0-3 to nothing lead inside the opening seven minutes. Tipp replied with a point before being awarded a penalty which was expertly converted to move into their first lead but there was to be no let up from their opponents, who responded like champions. Aisling Sheridan, daughter of Cavan footballer Gerry, McIntyre and a Sarah Murray free pushed the hungry Cavan women back into a twopoint advantage as the game entered the second quarter.

Tipp would again find the space to bang in their second goal, which saw Cavan having to dig deep once more to shoot four answered points, with Belturbet ace Murray (2), Sarah McCabe and Niamh O’Shea reestablishing their lead. Cavan looked to be headed for the halftime lead, before disaster struck once more when a point effort from Tipperary captain Aisling McCarthy fell towards the Cavan net, where goalkeeper Amy Gaynor pulled off a superb save but Roisin Howard was first to the rebound, which saw Tipp take in the 3-3 to 0-10 half-time lead.

Cavan would make a few tactical changes for the secondhalf, which included Killygarry’s Rachel Talbot coming in at wingforward, and after some early missed chances Cavan would have the first score of the secondhalf when Aisling Sheridan booted over. From the resultant kick-out, centre-back Neasa Byrd won possession for the Breffni women and fed Talbot, who had her shot blocked down before Sheridan stuck the rebound to the back of the Tipperary net.

The goal was a huge boost for Cavan and they’d be handed another chance in the 42nd minute to really gain a stronghold on the game when Kate McIntyre’s shot was foot-blocked in the square and the referee awarded a penalty. Sarah Murray kept her shot low, but the effort whizzed just wide of the post. The miss was a let off for the Premier County, who were now getting it tough to penetrate a solid fullback line made up of Eimear Gallen, Shauna Lynch and Lucy McFarlane. Moments later Cavan would eventually land their second goal when Sarah McCabe and Beth Farrelly-McGee combined to send Talbot through and the Killygarry attacker found the bottom corner of the net to really put Tipperary on the back foot coming into the final quarter.

A third Cavan goal via Beth Farrelly-McGee rebounding in her own penalty put the Blues firmly in the driving-seat, as the lead was now 3-11 to 3-3, with Tipperary’s scoring drought now extending to more than 20 minutes, which was eventually ended by a Sinead Buckley point.

The score lifted the Munster women as they went on to shoot a quick 1-1 to narrow the gap down to just a goal. In a flash though, Cavan would double their lead when Aisling Sheridan setup super-sub Talbot for her second three-pointer.

With five minutes left, Tipp threw the kitchen sink at the leaders and grabbed a scrappy goal from a 25-metre free to leave things on a knife edge heading towards the closing stages.

Cavan held firm at the back until injury-time when the concession of a 20-metre free had their supporters biting their nails, but Sinead Buckley’s effort of a goal flew over the crossbar, rather than under it. Another scramble in the Cavan square would ensue moments later, but heroics from Ballyhaise’s Hannah Duggan made sure the leather didn’t hit the back of the net with the ball 29

finishing up wide and from the resultant kick-out the full-time whistle sounded, confirming Cavan as All-Ireland champions.

Jubilation followed as the months of hard work and endeavour from the players and management, who went through a total of 80 training sessions during the season, had paid off and a long-awaited All-Ireland title was delivered to the county.

Later that evening, the players and management would be introduced as All-Ireland champions to a crowd at Kingspan Breffni Park at the halftime interval of a senior club championship match, during which they justly received an ovation from those in attendance at the game.

Cavan U16 Ladies panel: Amy Gaynor (Ballinagh), Emer Gallen (Killygarry), Shauna Lynch (Crosserlough), Lucy McFarlane (Ballymachugh), Caoimhe Smith (Lurgan), Neasa Byrd (Crosserlough), Sarah Nulty (Lurgan), Breffni McEntee (Shercock), Sarah Murray (Belturbet), Sarah McCabe (Knockbride), Kate McIntyre (St Finbar’s, capt), Aisling Sheridan (Mullahoran), Beth FarrellyMcGee (Cuchullains), Holly Lynch (Bailieborough), Shannon Leddy (Crosserlough), Rachel Talbot (Killygarry), Niamh O’Shea (Killygarry), Hannah Duggan (Ballyhaise), Ciara Shalvey (Crosserlough), Rosin Galligan (Denn), Caoimhe McDermott (Killeshandra), Shauna Murphy (Killygarry), Aideen Coyle (St Finbar’s), Teresa Clarke (Ballymachugh), Shannon Maguire (Crosserlough), Frieda Dolan (Belturbet), Kerri McGuirk (Bailieborough), Rebecca Smith (Cornafean), Paige Conroy (Killygarry), Colette Donohoe (Lavey), Roisin Leddy (Killygarry), Bronach McGovern (Cornafean).

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KEVIN TIERNEY Kevin Tierney holds off Tyrone’s Dean McNally during the Cadbury Ulster U21FC final

T

STEPPING UP A ‘TIER’ Scorer of 3-17 during Cavan’s All-Ireland Under 21 Football Championship campaign this past spring, Ballyhaise sharpshooter Kevin Tierney was central to the young Breffni men’s Ulster title defence in 2012.

Shane Corrigan spoke to the 21-year-old about an unforgettable few months in the blue jersey which also saw him making his senior championship debut for Cavan.

here’s a GAA philosophy out there somewhere that says: ‘scoring forwards win championships’.

Gaelic football, in particular, has seen countless teams at both club and inter-county level adopt ultradefensive systems in recent years, with success to follow in some cases, but a deadly forward is still a deadly forward no matter what way you look at the game.

During Cavan’s successful Ulster U21 Championship campaign this past season, Kevin Tierney proved just how valuable a forward close to goal with speed, accuracy and brimming confidence can be. The fullforward devastated the stern defences of Armagh, Derry and Tyrone to help shoot Terry Hyland’s young men to a second successive Irish News Cup, along with an AllIreland semi-final berth.

Back in January, that was the aim according to Tierney, who had been a part of Hyland’s squad in 2011 but missed out on the historic Ulster final win and was keen on making up for lost time.

“We had been doing a bit ourselves up until the first week of January and after that we would have been training collectively with the Ulster championship starting in March,” explained Tierney.

“It was a new team from the way we looked at it and although there were some of the lads there from last year, 31

there were still a lot of us that wanted to play in an Ulster final and win a medal. I suppose the aim for us would have been to win the Hastings Cup and get back to the Ulster final and try and go one better in the All-Ireland.

“We won our first game against Roscommon in the Hastings Cup and beat Longford after extratime in the final, so we had some

would start on March 21 at home to Armagh. Boasting many members from the All-Ireland Minor Championship winning side of 2009, the Orchard County were favourites to dethrone their Breffni counterparts of their coveted crown but didn’t account for a sizzling start from the hosts which saw the on-form Tierney landing four first-half points to

them (Armagh) because they were favourites even though we were defending champions,” Tierney stated.

“We started off well and went something like three points up early on but we let them back into it just before half-time. I think the crowd lifted us a bit in the secondhalf and when Chris Conroy got the goal we were always in

It’s two in a row as Cavan celebrate retaining their Ulster U21FC title

tough games under our belts heading into the championship.”

The team’s Hastings Cup success emulated that of the 2011 crop’s triumph the previous February and while expectations grew around the team, an adamant Tierney explained that the players never felt under pressure going into any of their four games of the campaign.

Cavan’s Ulster title defence

help his side to a 0-6 to 0-4 lead.

The Ballyhaise man added three more to his tally after the restart and set-up Lavey’s Chris Conroy for the clinching goal, which saw Cavan move into the last four on an impressive 1-11 to 1-5 scoreline.

“I think we were excited and quietly confident heading into that game. We were at home and the pressure would have been on

32

control after that.”

The win pitted Cavan in a tough semi-final with Derry at Brewster Park, Enniskillen. The Oak Leafers had been on fire in their respective quarter-final against Monaghan, winning on by an emphatic 3-12 to 1-3, and were determined to keep the good form going when they met Cavan on April 4.

Despite having viewed Derry’s

assault on Monaghan first hand, Tierney and co were again quietly confident going into the last four clash, knowing that a win would see piece of history being made in Cavan becoming the first county to reach three successive Ulster U21FC finals.

Tierney again would prove salient for the Breffni men up front, scoring 1-5 to rattle a defiant Derry outfit which would only be killed off at the end by a late goal from substitute Paddy King.

“Derry had hammered Monaghan in their quarter-final.

We watched a video of the game and saw that they missed a lot of goal chances apart from the three they scored in the game, so we knew it was going to be tough against them,” Tierney admitted.

“They played very defensive against us but we managed to get a goal early on in the game. We thought that might have been the platform for us but they came back at us and were ahead in the last 15 minutes. Paddy King came on that day for us, caught some great ball and got the winning goal for us. It was a close call but I think the boys knew if we emptied the tank that we’d have enough to win the game.”

It meant it would be Tyrone again in an Ulster final for Cavan and all the excitement and hope that came with it.

Having lost the 2011 decider, the Red Hands had a major revenge incentive heading into the Brewster Park clash but Tierney and a few of his team mates would have also recalled the heartbreak of 2008 when Kyle Coney’s injury-time scores denied Mickey Graham’s Cavan, who had went ahead with a Tierney goal five minute from time, a place in the Ulster Minor Championship final. Incidentally, Tyrone would go on to enjoy AllIreland glory after defeating Mayo

in a replay at Pearse Park in Longford.

Tierney would put up a vital 0-5 for Cavan on the night after Dara Sexton’s first minute penalty had the young Breffni men in control early on. While Tyrone battled back gallantly, the scores of Jack Brady, Joe Dillon, Raymond Lynch and pressure frees from Tierney kept them at bay long enough for the Blues to secure a 1-10 to 0-10 win. Cavan’s topscorer on the night cited a team performance as being the key difference on the night.

“Again I think everyone was quietly confident going in. It was a new team and we wanted to win new things,” said the Froebel College student.

“We got off to the perfect start again by scoring a penalty in the first minute and I think that always just kept us ahead of them. The work rate from one to 15 was amazing and the couple of turnovers that we got made a huge difference for us. Killian Clarke caught some great ball for us and Jason McLoughlin was outstanding as well, but it was definitely a team effort from everyone that day.”

Tierney explained that while the players did savour the victory, the celebrations were still somewhat low-key afterwards as sights quickly turned to an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Connacht champions Roscommon.

The Rossies had provided Cavan with a severe opening test in the Hastings Cup and the players knew that they would be coming up against an improved side which had defeated Galway and Mayo on the way to their provincial title out west.

On the day, Cavan simply didn’t show up and were there for the taking against a hungry Roscommon outfit, losing out by 2-7 to 2-2, with you know who 33

bagging both goals for the Ulster champions.

“When we played them in the Hastings Cup we were down by two points and got a late goal to win it, so we knew that we were going to be in for a battle against them,” said Tierney.

“One or two things just went against us on the day. We got off to a good start but they just pulled away from us and even though we got it back to within two points they managed to get a goal late on which killed it off. It was very disappointing because we just never got going against them.”

While disappointment would follow the defeat, there was good news for Tierney and many of his team mates as they were drafted into the county senior panel in the weeks that followed by newly appointed manager Terry Hyland.

Tierney would make his Ulster Senior Football Championship debut as a late substitute in the defeat to Donegal and would get an entire second-half in the qualifier win over Fermanagh – two moments of his still young career which he will never forget.

“There was a good few from the panel brought into the seniors after we lost to Roscommon,” he explained. “The training was very intense, but I suppose it had to be when you’re going in against a team like Donegal in your first match. Looking at Donegal now I suppose you could say we did well to put it up to them the way we did, but it’s still always disappointing to lose a championship game. Against Fermanagh that day we didn’t play all that well, especially in the first-half, but I think the way we came back at them in the secondhalf showed the character the lads had.”

Kevin Tierney is currently studying a HDP in Teaching at Froebel College of Education in Co Dublin.

The Cavan minor footballers prepare to take on Donegal in the 2012 Ulster MFC at Kingspan/Breffni Park, front row l/r: Tom Hayes, Aaron Browne, Kevin Brady, Barry Fortune, Gerry Smith, Andy Graham, Padraig Faulkner, Jonathan McCabe, John Carney, Enda Flanagan, Ciaran Brady, Joe O'Donoghoe. Back: Liam Buchanan, Aaron Watson, Niall Walsh, Conor Madden, Shay Rooney, Michael Argue, Greg McGovern, Conor Smith, Shane O'Rourke, Vincent Coyle, Ben Kiernan, Fergal Reilly, Senan Gilchreest

CAVAN MINOR FOOTBALLERS

MINOR FOOTBALLERS Full forward Conor Madden gets away from Donegal's Aidan Mc Ginley

I

A MINOR LAPSE While 2012 would unravel as a season that ended all too quickly for the minor footballers of Cavan, following a first round championship defeat to Donegal, the Ulster champions of the previous year still provided Breffni supporters with plenty of optimism for the coming years. Shane Corrigan reports.

t’s never easy trying to defend an Ulster title. Just ask some of Cavan’s greats from the 1997 batch and the likes of Dermot McCabe and Anthony Forde, both of whom have stepped up the managerial plate in recent years, will tell you that the ensuing year was a hell for leather battle which saw them eventually lose their grasp on The Anglo-Celt Cup by a margin of two points to Donegal. The Tir Chonaill men themselves would go on to suffer heartbreak in Clones, where Derry, who Cavan conquered the previous year, ran out 1-7 to 0-8 winners.

Any GAA buff will recall McCabe as being such a focal part to the Blues’ long-awaited Ulster SFC triumph back then, but what many don’t know is that the Gowna stalwart is still managing to inspire ever since.

On July 17, 2011, McCabe and fellow clubman Gary Donohoe steered Cavan to a famous Ulster MFC final victory over Armagh which ended a 37-year wait for the trophy to return to the Breffni County. Defeat to Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-finals in Longford would follow, but afterwards Donohoe was hopeful that the crop to come would be pushing on to win up in the northern province again.

Come the following February, Donohoe and McCabe would be setting out their stall for a second season and with six survivors from the previous year, and they were confident that another provincial victory was within their reach.

However, the Gowna duo didn’t see it as a divine right that their team would be getting back to an Ulster decider 35

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in five months’ time and when the fancied Tyrone side with home Mourne men. The defeat pinned draw threw up a Preliminary advantage at Healy Park in Cavan’s hopes of advancement Round meeting with Donegal at Omagh. The Breffni men would to the semi-finals on a clash with Kingspan Breffni Park, they were also be without the services of neighbours Monaghan in Clones well aware of the task at hand. midfielder Liam Buchanan for the on April 7.

Rigorous training sessions and a last four encounter, which saw In a close first-half, it was the series of tough challenge games Conor Madden drafted in at fullvisitors that controlled matters at would be the way forward in the forward and Michael Argue the interval by 0-8 to 0-5 thanks to build-up to the Breffni teens’ first transferring up to centre-field. scores from Andrew Graham, competitive outing of 2012 Tyrone merely edged Ben Kiernan and Aaron Browne, against Armagh in the Ulster proceedings in the opening along with a fine stop from Chris Minor Football League on March stages against the reluctant Magee in the Cavan goal 20 24. visitors, whom had Barry Fortune, minutes in.

With home advantage, the Gerard Smith and Aaron Watson Monaghan flew out of the traps Ulster champions were keen on to rely on in defence. It was Smith upon the resumption and quickly getting their season off to the that opened Cavan’s account trimmed the difference down to perfect start and edged matters in after a slow start, while Graham one, before outweighing an Argue the opening stages with and Madden kept the Blues within free with two more scores to bring Ballymachugh touching distance of midfielder Liam their opponents.

Buchanan and Senan Gilchreest Cavan Gaels’ Andrew was an early Graham (two frees) introduction by inflicting the damage Donohoe and on Armagh. The McCabe and had an visitors responded, immediate impact in but the scores of steadying the ship Michael Argue and for his side, as Vincent Coyle kept moments later saw them at bay as Kevin Brady thump Cavan went in at the in a long ball to the break with a 0-6 to 0Tyrone square 4 lead. where Graham flicked to Madden In the second-half, and the Gowna Bailieborough’s sharpshooter buried Argue picked up past Sean Fox to where he had left off surge Cavan into a by raising two white 1-7 to 2-3 half-time flags to double the lead. hosts’ lead, before Cavan's Enda Flanagan puts pressure on John McGarvey during the Ulster MFC The leaders had Armagh cut their the wind at their deficit back to two heading into the teams level by the 41st backs for the second-half and the final quarter. A Conor Madden minute.

It was nip and tuck over soon extended their advantage to point looked to have Cavan in the the next 10 minutes before Cavan three via Madden and Gilchreest, clear, but the young Orchard men crucially got their noses back in but the would-be Ulster refused to throw in the towel and front with five minutes to go when champions had more fight left in rallied late on to snatch a draw (0Cootehill’s Tom Hayes curled them, demonstrating their 10 to 0-10) on a day which saw over from an acute angle. pedigree, and fired in a penalty Donohoe and McCabe run the The sending off of Padraic that was followed by points from rule over 19 players in their squad Kiernan saw Monaghan reduced Cormac O’Neill and Ruairi as they looked to settle on a to 14 men coming towards the McGlone to seize control, record finalised panel for the Ulster added minutes, when Cavan the win (3-9 to 1-12) and move championship in the weeks sealed the win with scores from into the final on April 28 against ahead.

Sean Gilchreest and Graham to The following Friday night would Derry in Clones, where they were set-up a semi-final clash with see the squad having to journey comfortable 1-10 to 0-8 winners.

Tyrone. up to Newcastle to take on Down While the defeat was The team would again have to and suffer a narrow 2-11 to 3-6 disappointing, it was far from as head north to take on a hotlyloss at the hands of the young disaster as far as the Cavan 37

management were concerned as attentions swiftly turned towards the Donegal clash with four hard work-outs under the players’ belts.

Wins against Longford, Louth and All-Ireland champions Tipperary and a fully fit squad, bar Liam Buchanan (injured) and Chris Magee (ill), made for promising signs in the weeks leading up to the May 20 showdown at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Cavan carried the favourites’ tag – one which hasn’t suited them

But before long Donegal were level, and the visitors suddenly burst into life as points from Brendan McNelis and full-forward Willie Gillespie saw them race through the gears and help them towards a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead, with an Andrew Graham score registered as Cavan’s sole reply.

Undoubtedly spurred on by Donohoe and McCabe, whom would introduce Buchanan after half-time, Cavan shot three points from play inside the first five minutes of the second-half. Vinny Coyle was sent through after

winner Martin – followed up with a brilliant point minutes later to leave the Ulster champions with a major uphill battle approaching the final quarter.

To their credit, Cavan never gave up the fight and poured forward in desperation of making up the deficit as Madden and Graham brought them back to within a goal. But it was McHugh that would have the final say on the afternoon as his point ensured Donegal’s quarter-final berth with Derry and their

Aaron Watson (left) and Barry Fortune give Donegal attacker Stephen McBrearty little space to manouevre

down through years - into the game and everything appeared to be going according to script when they opened up a 0-3 to 0-0 lead inside the opening five minutes, despite playing into a stiff breeze.

The first three scores came courtesy of Senan Gilchreest, Niall Walsh and Conor Madden much to the delight of the home support, whom were expecting big things after the excitement of 2011 and the recent back-to-back Ulster championship success of the county Under 21s.

some fine fielding by Buchanan to raise a white flag, which was followed up by fellow substitute Ben Kiernan popping over and Enda Flanagan doing likewise from the resultant kick-out.

At 0-8 to 0-7, Cavan looked the likely side before disaster struck in the 38th minute. Ryan McHugh’s long pass deceived the hosts’ full-back line and, in a flash, McNeils slammed the ball to the back of Shay Rooney’s net.

McHugh – son of 1992 All-Ireland

38

opponents’ dethroning from the Fr Murray Cup. Cavan (Ulster MFC v Donegal): Shay Rooney; Aaron Watson, Conor Smith, Fergal Reilly; Barry Fortune, Ciaran Brady, Gerard Smith; Michael Argue, Senan Gilchreest (0-1); Aaron Browne, Jonathan McCabe, Enda Flanagan (0-1); Niall Walsh (0-1), Conor Madden (0-3), Andrew Graham (0-2, 1f).

Subs: Vinny Coyle (0-1), Liam Buchanan, Ben Kiernan, Padraig Faulkner.

Ronan Flanagan is first to the ball against Donegal

CAMOGIE

The Cavan squad that claimed Ulster junior championship honours, front l/r: Claire Fitzpatrick, Mary Moore, Catriona Leddy, Jenny O’Rourke, Rosie Crowe, Roisin O’Keefe, Brid Boylan, Tina Reilly, Sinead Moore. Back: Rebecca Dunne, Kara McCabe, Grainne Power, Katie Smith, Aoife McDermott, Shannon Gill, Mairead McCabe, Orlaith Prior, Edel Sexton, Elaine Reilly, Nicola Collins, Ericka Joyce

T

ULSTER’S FINEST 2012 was another year which saw Cavan camogie taking a step in the right direction.

With an Ulster title achieved and an AllIreland semi-final reached, the Breffni camogs did their county proud this past season under the guidance of Tom Walsh, while the county Under 14s also collected back-to-back provincial crowns.

here can be little argument that camogie in the Breffni County has been on the rise as of late.

2011 was a year that saw Cavan break new ground under Colm McEvoy when they competed in a National League final before reaching the Ulster Intermediate Championship final, and all involved were keen to go one better in 2012.

With a new management team of Tom Walsh, Philip Brady and Marie Brady in place for the start of the year, Cavan dug in and prepared as best they could for the start of the National League which would see them competing in Division Four once again. Hailing from Co Wexford, Walsh would have to re-jig his squad somewhat for the start of the season, with the retirements of Brenda Lynch, Majella Prior and Sinead Coyle from the 2011 crop meaning that a few minors would have to come aboard and fill their boots.

The trio’s abscense would no doubt be a major loss to Cavan, but with players like Roisin O’Keefe, Mairead McCabe and Rosie Crowe still in their ranks the Breffni women would certainly still be a force to be reckoned with. Walsh would have just over a month to familiarise himself with the players before their league campaign threw in at the end of February, which saw the team suffer a heavy defeat to Tyrone in their opening game at Kingspan Breffni Park 3G. Two weeks later the team would journey to the capital for a mid-week clash with Dublin at Clanna Gael, where they’d find themselves on the wrong side of an alarming 40

The win would be a major boost 4-8 to 0-4 result. Keen to avoid Nicola Collins set-up O’Keefe for to all involved heading into the delving into a rut, Cavan would another point before two 65s from All-Ireland Junior A demonstrate their ability to full-back Jenny O’Rourke left the Championship, where the team bounce back when they scored half-time score at 1-5 to 0-5 in the would be coming up against the their first win of the season in Blues’ favour. likes of Dublin and Tyrone once impressive fashion with a 4-12 to In the second-half, team captain more. First up though were 2-3 triumph over Wicklow at Rosie Crowe would go on to neighbours Monaghan at PJ Kingspan Breffni Park 3G. dominate at centre-field for Duke Park in Stradone, where the The win lifted the players, but Cavan but it was their opponents home side got off to a flying start with no chance of another league that took the early initiative after to score an impressive 3-11 to 0final place the team would end up the restart by popping over two 8 win over the Farney women. conceding their last game away quick points to narrow the to Carlow due to a lack of With a top four finish in the table difference to the minimum. Cavan numbers and sights quickly guaranteeing passage through to replied with points from the ever turned towards the summer and reliable pairing of O’Keefe and the semi-finals, two more wins the Ulster Junior Championship.

Boylan before landing a massive would almost certainly see Cavan Cavan had their place in the blow heading towards the final advancing through to the last four decider secured by entering the quarter when Claire Fitzpatrick but they would hit a bump in the competition and came up against found the time and space to blast road in their next outing when a second-string Armagh side in the would-be winners’ second they met Dublin in Ballyboden which was packed with youth and goal. and found themselves on the talent. The final, which was A Merry point was Armagh’s sole receiving end of a heavy defeat. A played at Casement Park in reply, as Walsh’s team put the similar outcome would emerge Belfast, was an even and foot on the throttle to make the when the team travelled to enthralling contest which saw the most of their purple patch which Mullingar and a 4-12 to 0-4 defeat Breffni women come out on top eventually finished with more was inflicted by high-flyers by the narrow margin of a goal. points from Fitzpatrick and Westmeath.

Walsh’s charges started the Boylan before Grainne Power It meant that the pressure would game in good fashion with an fired in their third goal to be on Cavan to gain results from early free from Roisin O’Keefe seemingly kill off the game. their remaining two games of the before Armagh hit back with two Armagh threw the kitchen sink at group if they were to reach the quick points to take their first their opponents in the closing knock-out stages. On July 21, lead. An excellent full-back line of stages, which saw them register Offaly would arrive at Kingspan Jenny O’Rourke, Erica Joyce and two goals to make the Breffni Breffni Park as strong favourites Sinead Moore was instrumental women sweat late on, but Cavan but wouldn’t account for the home held on until the very end for a for Cavan as they kept the side putting in one of the hard fought 3-10 to 2-10 victory Orchard women at bay for much performances of their season to which saw Rosie Crowe, who was of the game. One of Moore’s shock the Faithful County with a also named Player of the Match, clearances would lead to Cavan’s 1-10 to 2-6 victory. An equally proudly lifting the Ulster Cup on first goal of the afternoon, which splendid performance against behalf of her county. saw Tina Tyrone the next O ’ R e i l l y day out saw delivering into Cavan come attacker Brid away 3-8 to 1-7 winners from Boylan and the Eglish with a dual star lashed semi-final place to the back of the secured against Armagh net for Westmeath on an uplifting three August 11 at points.

Donaghmore/ Armagh hit Ashbourne. back with scores Westmeath from Rachael entered hotlyMerry and fancied given Joanne Mullen, their impressive but Cavan form coming into weren’t going the game, but the anywhere as Louise Reilly represented Laragh, Cavan and Ulster when she acted as linesperson for the All-Ireland intermediate camogie final at Croke Park teams had been 41

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evenly matched in the first-half with Cavan making the perfect start when ace attacker Roisin O’Keefe pierced a gap in Westmeath’s defence and rifled to the net. The Lake County took their time to respond but when they did, they did it in kind with a kicked goal by Laura Thompson.

Thompson’s unique strike wouldn’t take the wind out of Cavan’s sails though as O’Keefe and Tina O’Reilly raised white flags to steer their team back in front. From there, the Leinster outfit showed signs of taking over as they sent over a barrage of scores but singles from Andrea Lynch and O’Keefe late towards the added minutes saw Walsh’s team close out the half only trailing by 1-7 to 1-6.

O’Keefe levelled early on in the

restart, but that was about as good as it got for Cavan as their opponents made the most of the wind advantage and went on a rampage of scoring, with Denise McGrath’s brace of goals finally burying the Ulster champions on a 3-15 to 1-8 score-line, which spelled the end to a season packed with ups and downs for the Breffni women.

Cavan (All-Ireland Junior A semi-final v Westmeath): Olrlaith Prior; Sinead Brady, Jenny O’Rourke, Sinead Moore; Miranda McIntyre, Nicola Collins, Mairead McCabe; Rosie Crowe, Andrea Lynch (0-1, 1f); Tina O’Reilly (0-1), Aisling Smith, Claire Fitzpatrick; Brid Boylan (01), Roisin O’Keefe (1-5, 2f), Erika Joyce. Subs: Mary Moore for

Cavan’s Brid Boylan in action

43

Collins (19), Shannon O’Reilly for Fitzpatrick (40), Catriona Leddy for Smith (50), Rebecca Dunne for McIntyre (53), Aoife McDermott for Lynch (58).

U14s retain Ulster shield September saw Cavan’s Under 14 camogs claim back-to-back Ulster Championship Shields when they overcame Tyrone’s stiff challenge in a thrilling final at Eglish.

Under the guidance of Marie Shore Brady, Treena Keenaghan and John Carney, the team displayed some excellent form on route to their final meeting with the Red Hands and knew they’d be put to the test when having to travel to Eglish to take on the home side. The visitors settled in well with an early point from Clodagh Keenaghan before going on a goal-spree which would see them towards a 33 to 1-3 half-time lead. Two of the majors had come in spectacular fashion from the young Breffni women, with team captain Lauren Ellis and Niamh Reilly following up with the points to leave Cavan six up at the break.

In the second-half, Tyrone launched direct attacks at the Cavan defence who were not found wanting with some sublime performances from the likes of Katie Sexton, Maria Conaty, Aisling Cregan and Roisin Dolan. While Cavan did secure some hard-earned points of their own through Fainche Reilly, Lauren Ellis and Philippa Watters, they had conceded 1-3 down the other end which meant that the game was in melting pot coming towards the closing stages. However, with their supreme defence showing their character to hang on in four minutes of injury-time the result was never in doubt for Cavan, who clinched the title on a 3-6 to 2-6 scoreline.

The Cavan minor squad on duty for All-Ireland final day in Ashbourne, front l/r: Caoimhin Carney, Odhran Reilly, Derek Dalton, Killian Galligan, Fiachra Hughes, Fionnan O'Reilly, John Carney (capt), Daniel O'Reilly, Stephen Harten, Ryan Smith, Neasan Neary, Joseph Kelly, Shane McCann, Luke O'Dea. Back: Eoin Doonan, Adam Mulcahy, Ryan Rogers, Fintan Roche, Aaron Cosgrove, Bart Nannery, Alex Hamilton, Adon McFarlane, Gary Cronin, Patrick Bannon, Sean McKeogh, Conor Crowe, Niall Farrell, James McKitterick, Dion Johnston, Niall Harten

CAVAN MINOR HURLERS

MINOR HURLERS

John Carney gets away from Fingal's Ciaran Dolan during the All-Ireland final

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TEARING UP THE SCRIPT Cavan hurling reached a milestone in September when the county minors competed in the All-Ireland ‘C’ Hurling Championship final. We take a look back at the wins which secured the young Breffni men’s passage through to the final and how John Hunt’s talented team faired against a fancied Fingal side.

his past season was very much a first for hurling in Cavan. Recent times have seen some of the Breffni County’s underage teams reaching the latter stages of the All-Ireland Championship, but not even the most optimistic Blues supporter could have envisaged Cavan in a national hurling championship final.

In the 12 months leading up to the final against Fingal on September 8, minor hurling in the county came on in leaps and bounds – there can be no argument about that; and rest assured the likes of John Hunt, Eoin Morrisey, Seamus Hughes and all the rest devoted to the small ball game in Cavan will be keen to ensure some more improvement again in 2013.

In 2011, Cavan hurling hit what some what might describe as an all-time low when the decision was taken by the county board to disband the county’s senior team, focussing on and investing in the underage structures instead. Going by recent results, the decision had some merit but a lot of the credit must go to the Cavan minor management and their committed group of players, which had been together since December in preparation for the 2012 season.

Just five clubs, Cootehill Celtic, Woodford Gaels, St Feilim’s, Mullahoran St Joseph’s and Ballymachugh, would make up a panel of 26 players which entered into Division Two of the Ulster Minor Hurling League in early March. Their first game would see them host Tyrone at Kingspan Breffni Park and suffer a narrow 4-7 to 2-10 defeat against the Red Hands, before the following 45

weekend saw the team gain their first competitive win of the season with a 2-4 to 1-6 triumph over neighbours Monaghan, who, incidentally, would go on to win the group, at the Cavan town venue.

Spirits were high in the camp after two sterling performances and a win over Fermanagh in their remaining game would ensure that Cavan would win the group. At Brewster Park in Enniskillen, a venue which Cavan have favoured in the last few years, the visitors displayed some brilliant hurling but in the end finished on the wrong side of a narrow 1-10 to 1-9 result.

A month later and John Hunt’s team would be competing in the Ulster Shield, with their first game coming in the form of a semi-final against Monaghan, whom they would have home advantage against. The hosts had been on top for many stages, with the likes of Stephen Harten and Finnan

Reilly outstanding, but the game’s only goal made all the difference for Monaghan as they came away from Kingspan Breffni Park 1-11 to 0-12 winners and would go on to defeat Fermanagh comfortably in the final at Clones.

While undoubtedly disappointed with the manner of their narrow defeat, Cavan would get the chance to redeem themselves by the end of July when the AllIreland ‘C’ Championship came around. The young Breffni men would be thrown into a group with Connacht up and comers Sligo and Ulster rivals Fermanagh, with only one team advancing to the final.

Up first for the Blues were Sligo, who had been beaten in the 2011 All-Ireland decider, and were keen to go one better this season, starting with a trip to Kingspan Breffni Park. Cavan opened the scoring with a Fiachra Hughes point and never looked back from there as they fired in goals which

Aiden McFarlane loses his hurl but keeps possession

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crippled their opponents to take in a 2-4 to 0-3 lead at half-time.

Although the second half was a closer affair, Cavan still outscored the Yeats County by 0-5 to 0-3 to leave the final score reading 2-9 to 1-3 and an All-Ireland final place just 60 minutes away.

Fermanagh stood in their way and after losing out to them in the Ulster League, there was plenty of incentive for Cavan going into the game. The Ernesiders entered the game as favourites, but were blown away by a breathtaking Cavan performance which was spear-headed by Dion Johnston, who bagged a hat-trick of goals for the home side. In the end, Hunt’s charges got over the line comfortably, finishing 4-7 to 1-3 winners and advancing to a historic All-Ireland final against Fingal of Dublin.

The win turned heads around hurling circles throughout the country. Crucially, it meant that the small ball game in Cavan was

under some positive light for a change, after so many heavy defeats at senior level.

While spirits were at an all-time high in the camp, Cavan were under no illusions over the m a m m o t h challenge they faced. 2012 had been Fingal’s first year in participating in the All-Ireland ‘C’ Championship competition and had impressed in each game on the way to its final. They were also coming up against a county in which they outnumbered in clubs to select players from by 28 to five, with many of their players just missing out on selection for the Dublin minor side, so there were no questions over whom were favourites going into the decider.

Played in Ashbourne, Co Meath, the Dublin side were far superior to their Ulster counterparts and on this performance would have more than held their own in the higher grades. Despite the result, this was a major boost for Cavan hurling and it’s only a matter of time before the Breffni County begin producing competitive senior hurling teams once more.

Under the managership of Willie Bourke, who was Cavan’s county hurling development officer from 1998 to 2000, Fingal raced out of the traps in this decider and fired a quick 1-1 inside the opening five minutes to send out an early message to their opponents. A free from Stephen Harten had Cavan off the mark soon after, but Fingal kept their foot on the throttle, raising the umpire’s white flag on four more occasions to leave Hunt’s team playing catch up. Cavan had to put forth some Trojan work to stay in touch, with

Killian Galligan heads for the Fingal goals as Colm Byrne gives chase

Harten, Sean McKeogh and Fiachra Hughes all putting in a good shift, and it paid off somewhat as Finnian Reilly and Ryan Smith grabbed sorely needed points.

Fingal, however, were virtually in control in all sectors and lashed over more scores to take in a commanding 1-12 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Undoubtedly lifted by their management and the occasion during the interval, Cavan made the perfect restart when Bart Nannery hit the back of the Fingal net after being put through by Cootehill’s John Carney from the throw-in. The strike narrowed the difference to eight, but that was about as good as it got for the young men in blue and white as their Dublin counterparts practically took over.

Bourke’s team responded to the concession of a goal by bagging one of their own two minutes later when Phil Lennon blasted past Alex Hamilton, and there could have been a few more for the Metropolitans had it not been for the brave Cavan goalkeeper.

After that, the points flowed for Fingal as Niall O’Callaghan 47

brought his tally for the afternoon up to 0-10, while full-forward Kevin McLoughney brought his personal haul up to 1-4.

Cavan would grab what was arguably the score of the game late on when Carney and Neasan Neary combined to thread Finnan Reilly through and the halfforward smashed exquisitely to the corner of Kevin Hammond’s net. But it was mere consolation from Cavan who would succumb to a 3-22 to 2-6 defeat come the long whistle, which would see their successful season end in disappointment but certainly not disgrace.

Cavan (All-Ireland ‘C’ MHC final v Fingal): Alex Hamilton, Oran O'Reilly, Niall Farrell, Gary Cronin, Bart Nannery (1-0), Sean McKeogh, Killian Galligan, John Carney, Stephen Harten (0-4), Neasan Neary, Aiden McFarlane (0-1), Finnan Reilly (1-1), Fiachra Hughes, Daniel Reilly, Ryan Smith (0-1). Subs: Conor Crowe for O’Reilly (30), Ryan Rogers for A McFarlane (36), Adam Mulcahy for B Nannery (40), Patrick Bannon for R Smith (47), Shane McCann for K Galligan (57).

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NOEL MOONEY Noel officiating at the championship meeting between Drumgoon and Crosserlough, with captains Adrian Crosson (left) and Pauric McKiernan

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CAVAN’S RISING WHISTLER The past few years have saw Cavan Gaels clubman Noel Mooney establishing himself as one of the top referees in Cavan, as well becoming one of the premier up and comers in the Ulster GAA officiating. Shane Corrigan spoke to the man who took charge of this year’s drawn Cavan SFC final, along with so many more significant games inside and outside of the county’s borders.

n the space of five short years, Noel Mooney has progressed from rookie referee to one of the top match officials in Cavan and was duly rewarded this past September when he was selected to throw in the ball between Kingscourt and Mullahoran in his first county senior championship final.

Still yet to hit the 30 mark, Mooney’s no nonsense approach towards officiating matches has seen him race up the ladder towards the top of the pecking order when it comes to choosing referees for big championship games, with 2012 becoming a landmark year which also saw him making his inter-county debut. In March, the Cavan Gaels man made his bow as a senior inter-county official when he took to the field at Freshford for Kilkenny’s hosting of Carlow in Division Four of the National Football League.

A National League game and taking charge of this year’s Ulster Minor Football Championship final are far cry from his first refereeing assignment, which was a Division Four ACFL game between Gowna and Drumlane back in 2007, but Mooney takes each game as it comes – no matter what the calibre.

“A couple of years ago I would have been nervous going into a game like the county senior final, but once the ball is thrown in you don’t take long settling into things,” Mooney stated.

“Refereeing the senior final this year was probably the biggest honour so far, because I did the junior final in 2010, the intermediate final in 2011 and now the senior final in 2012, so it’s good thing to be going up a grade each year. I did the Ulster minor final this year, which was a tremendous honour as well.”

The origin story of Mooney’s affiliation with Gaelic football came in his youth days when he served the Cavan Gaels club 51

at underage level. In those years, he enjoyed success alongside a group of players, which would go on to ignite a golden era for the club, before calling it quits by the time he was headed into his Leaving Cert year in secondary school.

“I played up until I was 16 with Cavan Gaels,” he explained. “We’d have won a lot of things in that time, like Feile and underage county titles, and then I decided to finish up after that. I would have still been a club member though and went to all the senior games, which kept me interested in it I suppose.

“It was probably from sitting watching those games down the years and just wanting to get back into it some way that took me into refereeing. I just said I’d try it and my first game ended up being a Division Four game between Gowna and Drumlane on a real wet, miserable evening. I can still remember it. I had games to do practically every weekend after that and I’ve enjoyed doing it ever since.”

Donning the whistle week in, week out for the past six years now has helped Mooney gain the glowing confidence that every referee needs to assert their authority with players during games, and he’s grateful to those that have given him the chance to prove himself and get where he is today.

However, like everything in life, there are the negative aspects of the job which drives away so many from even considering getting into officiating.

Mooney takes it in his stride though, and says that his approach thus far has helped him avoid the dreaded abuse from players, management and supporters which every referee experiences.

“I haven’t come across that much negatives stuff really,” said the 29year-old. “Obviously players can lose the head in the heat of the moment and say things, but I find that when you talk to them and explain why you gave the free or booking it does help.

“At this stage I wouldn’t stop (refereeing) for anything like that. It’s good to be involved in the GAA in any way and in the big championship games you get a good day out. It’s also a job where you can meet a lot of

characters.”

Last year saw Mooney’s duties carrying him all the way across the Atlantic when he was selected to referee in the Continental Championships. Played in Boston, Mooney landed in the famous Massachusetts city which is renowned for its huge Irish population, with a hectic schedule that saw him officiating in some 15 matches over the space of a few days.

The experience was something that Mooney that won’t soon forget, as well as being one that he is still grateful for.

“Last year I did the Continental Championships over in Boston, which was another great honour,” he stated.

“It was a big event and the President of the GAA was there and I’m very thankful to the Ulster Council for picking me to ref in it. I’d have refereed something like 15 or 16 games in the space of a few days and it was definitely though going, but very enjoyable at the same time.”

While it remains to be seen whether or not Mooney will be reffing abroad again sometime soon, back home he feels that the standard of officiating is up there with the rest of Cavan’s neighbouring counties.

However, he would like to see more club members in the county trying their hand at the job, but accepts that refereeing isn’t for everyone.

“I think the standard is good. It’s as good as any other county and everyone does their best to try and improve it,” said the Cavan Gaels man.

“It is hard to get new people into it because it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.

You’re either meant for it or not, but when you get encouragement from your club and others it always helps.

Hopefully now in the next few years there’ll be more people coming forward to do it, because without referees you don’t have any games.”

As for the standard of football in Cavan, in which he’s a first-hand witness to every weekend during the club season, Mooney believes things are headed in the right direction for the Breffni County.

While the county senior front has been what seems like an eternal struggle, the recent success of the 52

Cavan Under 21s, minors and juniors have brought some much needed positivity to the county scene, and Mooney feels that the appointment of Terry Hyland and Anthony Forde to the senior team management last April was certainly a correct move on the county board’s behalf.

Time will undoubtedly tell, but for now Mooney feels that Cavan should have a positive outlook with the players they have heading into 2013.

“The new management are in there and I think that the footballers are there to improve things next year,” he said.

“Hopefully they can get a good start in the league and challenge better in the championship than they did against Kildare this year in the qualifiers. But at the end of the day, it’s down to the players themselves because the talent is there, especially when you see what the Under 21s and minors have been doing over the last two or three years.”

As well as that, Mooney will no doubt be hoping that his native Cavan Gaels can bounce back from the disappointment of this past season, which saw them suffer shock defeat to Killygarry at the quarter-final stage of the senior championship. Under Mickey Graham, the Gaels will have plenty incentive heading into 2013, with one eye undoubtedly on regaining the Oliver Plunkett Cup. 2013 is also a year in which Mooney is sure to be provided with more chances for him and his umpires, who, incidentally, are Michael Mooney (brother), Bernie Quinn, Martin Sheridan and Mickey Graham snr, to prove themselves on the inter-county stage, having officiated on a few big occasions this year.

On July 22, Mooney was noted for a fine performance in the Ulster MFC final, after throwing the ball in at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones between Tyrone and Monaghan, and here’s hoping that there’s be plenty more chances for the Cavan whistler to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Joe McQuillan and fellow clubman Brian Crowe and become one of the country’s top inter-county referees in years to come.

Cavan captain Padraic O’Reilly

PROUDLY SUPPORTING THE BREFFNI BLUES

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HANDBALL Paul Brady celebrates in Citywest after winning his fourth World Handball Championship

ON TOP OF THE WORLD Cavan handball's superlative run of success continued in 2012, a year which just might go down as the greatest of the lot, writes Shane Corrigan.

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n the end, it all came down to one night. Two decades of sweat, of tears, of blood, of whatever you're having yourself, distilled and served cold – if Paul Brady didn't beat Luis Moreno, in front of 4,000 baying spectators in the final of the World Championships on Tuesday, October 16, he'd never, ever forget it.

This was the stage his career demanded and, as he reached a crescendo, he was never going to stutter or forget his lines. Before the match, ‘the Gunner’ promised a fairytale ending to his international career and, after a night of nights in CityWest, he was as good as his word.

But the Mullahoran man – fresh from winning the Man of the Match award in the Cavan SFC final ten days beforehand - was forced to do it the hard way when he rallied from a huge deficit to see off the hot-shooting American number one Moreno. The 24year-old Moreno played some of the best handball of his career in that opening game. He gave an exhibition of attacking handball early on and led 13-2, with champion looking nervous and struggling to find any kind of potent serve.

Moreno was awesome as he surged in front – seemingly every time Brady found his range, the Arizonan came back with a dazzling shot of his own.

Brady, at this stage, was forcing his shots but he gradually relaxed and cut the gap to 16-14. Back came Moreno with two aces to go to 18 but Brady wasn’t done yet

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and an incredible surge saw him level at 19 and make the final point, screaming to the sky and banging the back wall with his fist as he exited the show court in a rare show of passion.

The 4,000-strong crowd were on their feet as the players re-entered the court but Brady this time mixed ice with fire. A hallmark of Brady is his ability to combine the powerful with the subtle and he mixed it up in the second game, taking the pace off the ball with precise “dump shots” and re-kills which nullified the American.

Moreno seemed to lose some of the zip he showed in the first game, leaving his kills an inch higher, and Brady, now at his mesmerising best, punished him, moving 10-7 up.

Two ace serves and two kills made it 18-10 as Moreno, after a monumental effort, struggled to withstand the champion’s onslaught, and an error from Moreno saw the Cavanman close it out 21-10.

“I just feel very relieved, I wanted to keep going right to the end, I never stopped fighting," said the Mullahoran ace. “I still remember a defeat he inflicted on me in 2008, I remember that pain and it drove me and I just said I’d never give up.”

He never does. Then again, we’ve known that for a while. The season started in January and the feeling, all along, was that it be a magnificent one. There were signposts along the

way.

Brady stole the headlines in January when he took the Ulster Senior Singles title with the minimum of fuss, sending out a clear message to the likes of Westmeath’s Robbie McCarthy – reckoned by most judges at the time to be the biggest threat to Brady’s senior crown at present – by demolishing the field in Belfast.

The Cavan man defeated Tyrone’s Shane O’Neill in the semi-final before brushing aside Ricky McCann of Antrim on a 21-6, 21-7 score-line in the final in McCann’s home court at Gort na Mona.

McCann had defeated Michael Finnegan in the semi-final. By April, Brady's recovery from what was a career-threatening hand injury was complete and he would absolutely trounce McCarthy in the All-Ireland senior singles final. His performance in blitzing the Mullingar man 21-6, 21-1 (he led 15-0 in game two and was clearly annoyed to concede a point) was bettered only by the drama of the senior doubles final a fortnight later in Cappagh, Co Limerick.

Brady and Finnegan came from 2012 down to somehow find a way past Meath’s Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll for their seventh All Ireland senior title and maybe the sweetest victory of them all. There was still time for more success between there and the Worlds, too.

Paul Brady with his coveted All-Ireland Singles title

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ONE WALL ON THE RISE The One Wall season kicked off in April, with Paul Fitzpatrick and James Brady winning the DIT Open at Croke Park. Better was to come in June when Eddie Halligan and Cathal Sheridan picked up titles at the Mount Talbot tournament in Roscommon but the icing on the cake arrived at July’s Nationals when Kildallan man Sheridan detonated that amazing right side-arm to see off a field of 66 players en route to the coveted C Singles title at the Irish Nationals.

There was further success for James Brady, too, as he took the Ulster 60x30 Junior Singles title in August and paired with Patrick Clerkin for the doubles crown, reaching the AllIreland final in both grades. The big alley season was book-ended by masters pair Greg Sheridan and Patsy Hand, who took yet another national crown. And then it came time for the Worlds, and the Brady show came to town once again....

FINNEGAN TAKES COUNTY SENIOR TITLE The Cavan handball fraternity descended on the fantastic Kingscourt complex last January for the sixth annual county championships, with six singles grades down for decision.

King of the court for the weekend was Michael Finnegan, who won the

senior singles title in comprehensive fashion against a gallant James Brady on a 21-11, 21-5 scoreline.

Senior star Finnegan, a seven-time All Ireland senior doubles champion and the holder of minor, U21 and intermediate singles titles, was in dominant form throughout the weekend. He comfortably defeated club-mate Raymond Cunningham and St Pat’s player Paul Fitzpatrick to reach the decider, where he controlled proceedings from the service box, firing out booming serves which died in the back left corner and had Brady, who played well all weekend, on the back-foot at all times.

Eddie Halligan of St Pat’s recorded a fantastic win in the Junior A Singles grade. The right-hander, who specialises in doubles where he has won a number of provincial titles at underage Junior B and Junior level, delivered the best performance of his career to defeat Ryan McCormack 2113, 15-21, 11-7 in Sunday’s final.

McCormack is better-known as a Kingscourt Stars footballer, having represented the county at all levels and won Man of the Match in the county senior final in 2010, but he is also a very talented handballer. His power and shot selection were superb all weekend and the local handball fraternity would dearly love to see him back in the alley as the season progresses, as he is certainly one of

the most natural handballers in the county and a top-class sportsman to boot. His brother Brendan can count himself unlucky not to have reached the final as well, after beating Joe Dillon Jr in the quarters, he succumbed to a nasty calf injury and was forced to retire when leading Halligan 20-17 in game one of their semi-final.

The other semi-final was a pulsating affair, as Ryan McCormack out-lasted Kevin Martin, who had delivered a stunning performance to oust lefthander Marcus Sheridan in the quarter-final. Halligan also had to pull out all the stops in his opening match, defeating Jimmy McKeon in a hardfought tiebreaker. The Junior B grade was one of the most competitive of the whole championship. The grade was played down to the last four the previous weekend, with Martin McConnon, Joe Dillon Sr, Shane Briody and Cormac McMahon the quartet still standing.

Briody advanced with a hard-fought tiebreaker win over Dillon, with McMahon holding off McConnon, to set up what looked an intriguing decider.

However, McMahon had too much firepower on this occasion for Ballyhaise dual player Briody. Serving very well and killing consistently in the right corner, McMahon ran out a comfortable 21-5, 21-5 winner to take

the title at the fifth time of asking.

Ballyconnell lad Cian McManus, who only turned 15 in March, won the U16 title for the second successive year, defeating Stephen Smith, who had a close battle with Ryan Galligan in the semis, in the final. McManus’ strength and powerful passing shots were too much for the game Smith (Crosserlough), who made amends when he won the U14 title with victory in a tight final against Denn’s Thomas Edward Donohoe.

This pair later teamed up for the Ulster juvenile championships and would end up going all the way to the U14 All Ireland 60x30 final, where they were beaten by Wexford. Both players made huge progress over the course of the season.

Meanwhile, newcomer Micheál Smith played some outstanding handball in the U12 Singles but found the classy, experienced Kingscourt lad Conrad Martin just too slick in the final.

Martin, who entered as defending champion, was on form throughout the county championship and just edged out Smith by 21-18 in an excellent final between two exciting prospects.

World number one Paul Brady was unable to defend his senior title, which he won in a tiebreaker against Finnegan in 2011, due to an arm injury but he was on hand to assist with coaching and refereeing over the weekend.

Kingscourt’s Michael Finnegan celebrates with doubles partner Paul Brady

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Fergal Flanagan

SEAMUS MORRIS

Cavan’s 1952 All-Ireland winning squad, front l/r: J Sheridan, T Keogan, D Maguire, S Morris, J Cusack, S Hetherton, P Brady, M Higgins, P Carolan, JJ Cassidy, B O’Reilly. Back: P Fitzsimons, T Tighe, P Donohue, L Maguire, B Gallagher, V Sherlock, T Hardy, B McEnroe, A Corrigan, E Carolan, S Deignan, V Clarke, J McCabe

CAVAN’S VERY OWN MEMORY MAN

The winning ways with Breffni kicked off in 1944 when he manned the goals for the successful Ulster JFC-winning team of that season (beating Donegal in the decider) and the SFC provincial final-winning squad the same year (beating Monaghan in the final).

His debut season ended up being a sweet and sour one. It was a year that threatened to mark the beginning and the end of his burgeoning year.

"I was dropped at the end of '44," Seamus explains. "I only got the one year with Cavan at that time. I had a bad game in the All-Ireland semi-final against Roscommon and that was me finished with the county for nearly another four years."

It must have been very hurtful to have been discarded in such a clinical and ruthless fashion?

"I was disappointed but didn't let it get to me. I was only 20 and it was like water off a duck's back."

But what about the fact that he missed out on the famous 1947 all-Ireland senior final win in the Polo Grounds? No regrets?

"Not a bit. According to the selection committee at that time, Val Gannon was the best goalkeeper in the county and I accepted their decision."

Was Gannon better than him? "They (selection committee) thought so but I suppose in my own mind, I probably thought I was as good as him."

Seamus's exile from the county scene ended in 1948 and he would go on to be a permanent fixture in a county jersey 'till 1957.

In '48, he was given the nod by the county selection committee of the time. In the week preceding the All-Ireland SFC final clash with Mayo, the goalkeeping position was still vacant.

On the Tuesday of that week, legendary team-manager Hughie Reilly (Cootehill Celtic) and Cavan captain (Gallant) John Joe Reilly rang Seamus at his home in Arva. He believes that both men did so without the blessing of the selection committee and Morris was given the nod.

Apparently incumbent 'keeper JD Benson (Killeshandra) had come under pressure for what was a less than convincing game against in the SFC semi-final.

The 1948 NFL final replay against Cork saw Seamus being handed the number one jersey. It marked his county 'rehabilitation having started '48 as the county's number two 'keeper.

Seamus Morris was a member of the last Cavan team (1952) to lift the Sam Maguire Cup. A half-a-century later, his memories of football back in the day are still luminous.

By Kevin Carney.

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ith all the precision of a heart surgeon, Seamus Morris goes scoping through the years. His specialist subject is Cavan football during the 'forties and 'fifties as a player and a sliver of underage action in the mid-seventies during his term as a team-manager. He is forensic in his recall.

Well-known broadcaster and journalist Jimmy Magee is well known for his crystal clear memory and computer-like encryption of facts and figures.

However, even at 89 years, Morris would give Magee a good run for his money. He is a font of information about times past. No question beats him.

Seamus's claim to fame though is not his power of recall but his majestic football career with club and county.

He played with Arva and when his home town had no team, togged out with neighbouring Cornafean. He also played at the highest level for Cavan.

His career was garlanded by a ribbon of medals, covering his days as a junior and senior county par excellence.

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All told, Seamus netted a bagful of provincial and all-Ireland medals. His tally included two All-Ireland SFC medals in 1948 and '52 and five Ulster JFC medals in 1944, '49, '52, '54 and '55.

One wonders which of the Cavan squads was the best he featured on?

"It's hard to know but I'd say the one that was around in 1947 to '48 was probably the best of the whole lot of them.

"The '52 squad was very good too but it was a very young one. I was 28, so too was the 'Gunner' and Victor Sherlock but the rest of them were a good bit younger; fellas like Tom Hardy, Brian O'Reilly and Brian Gallagher."

Reflecting on his well-decorated career, Seamus picks out Big Tom O'Reilly (older brother of the 'gallant' John Joe) as the best player he ever played along with Tony Tighe. The former had great fielding ability "which was vital for a midfielder back then" while Tighe's speed was "something else."

In 1939, Seamus starred on a Barney Cully/John James Cassidypowered Arva team that won the Cavan MFC title. Amazingly, it was to be the only medal that he would win with his native club.

After the Arva club broke up in 1950, Seamus went to play with Cornafean and six years later he helped his adopted team (as a full-forward) beat a Donal Kelly-inspired Bailieboro side in the Cavan SFC final.

Like many of his 'ilk way back yonder, Seamus had football for breakfast, dinner and tea even though he boasted no great GAA pedigree.

He was one of four boys that grew up in his parents' drapery shop in Arva. One of his brothers, Gerry is a retired dentist in Dublin; Vincent is a retired professor of dentistry in Dublin while Fr. Paddy (RIP) served as Parish Priest of Mullagh.

After hanging up his boots with club and county, Seamus took a long sabbatical from Gaelic football.

Raising a family and his passion for greyhounds took over. He recalls going to greyhound meetings in Longford and Mullingar with football icon Mick Higgins.

Seamus dipped his toes back into things football by taking charge of various Cavan under 16 and minor teams during the seventies.

He steered a number of Breffni county teams to Fr. Manning Cup (U16) successes and then hit the jackpot when, as team-manager of the county minor team, he landed the

Ulster title in '74 in what was a landmark victory.

In defeating Derry in the final, Morris and co. ended a long barren period at minor level for Cavan. Incidentally, the current Cardinal of All-Ireland Sean Brady was one of his selectors.

"Cavan hadn't won any minor titles in the sixties so the win in '74 ended that bad run," Seamus reflects. "We fancied our chances of winning the Ulster (MFC) even though we hadn't met Derry before. We had a good team with a lot of pace and skill in different positions."

Seamus stuck with managing Cavan underage teams 'till 1981. What does he think of your commoner-garden managerial role nowadays?

"The manager has a lot more of a profile these days," he avers. "They have to deal with all the media attention and they've a big say in picking a team with maybe just two or three other selectors.

"In my day as a player, it was all about selection committees, even at club level. Even Hughie Reilly had to operate under that system with maybe ten men on the selection committee."

Seamus married a lady, Kathleen (nee Flynn) from Ballyconnell and the couple had three children, Geraldine, Catherina and Deirdre. He is now a great grandfather. He plays down the fact that he lost a leg about four years ago because of his diabetes condition and stresses that he is rude good health, reading a newspaper every day and following the news on the television.

His odyssey to winning a Celtic Cross in '52 is his stand-out GAA memory. Any major influences on his career?

"I'd say Barney Cully had the biggest influence. He was about four years older than me and the fact that he was

an Arva man and went to St. Pat's (College, Cavan) as well meant that our paths crossed a lot.

"Barney was a player before his time. He won an All-Ireland minor medal in '37 and '38 and was still a minor in '39. So, he won an All-Ireland minor medal as a 15 year old which is saying something."

Thankfully, Seamus has absolutely no regrets as he reflects on his football innings.

But what of the modern game. How does it grab him?

"I wasn't fond of the way Donegal played last year 'cause there was far too much hand-passing and not enough of letting the ball on.

"This year they kicked the ball a bit more so it wasn't as bad but it's still a whole different game now no matter what team is playing it.

"Football now is faster now and probably more attractive but it's not as skilful as it used to be."

Seamus suffered no serious injuries in his time playing with club and county and seldom got into any bother. Apart from one occasion as he vividly recalls: "I had a run in with the full-forward for Cork in one game at Croke Park.

"I cleared the ball one minute and when I was returning into the goal, I got an unmerciful box and then he got ready to hit me again but I connected with a slap to the point of his jaw and put him out for the count.

"He ended up with his heels along the end-line with the umpire looking down on him lying on the ground.

"The ref came over. I said to him 'don't send me off 'cause I've a big championship game coming up. He just booked me and when I kicked the ball out, he blew the whistle and that was that."

They don't make them like they used to!

The 1950 National League finalists, front l/r: J Stafford, OR McGovern, S Morris, P Smith, J Cusack, E Carolan, JJ O’Reilly, P Brady. Back: P Fitzsimons, M Higgins, B McEnroe, T Tighe, T Hardy, J McCabe, S Deignan, JJ Cassidy, P Carolan, P Wall, L Maguire, P Donohoe, V Sherlock

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TEAM OF THE YEAR

1. COLIN COMERFORD (LACKEN) One of the top shot-stoppers in the county, Comerford’s switch from a forward to being stationed between the posts has paid off nicely for Lacken as of late, with a third intermediate championship title being achieved in 15 years this past October. The Dublin native’s long and accurate kick-outs found the likes of Niall McKiernan and Joe Crowe to set-up instant attacks on countless occasions this season for Jason O’Reilly’s team, while his reflex save on John McCutcheon in the intermediate final proved crucial in earning a draw the first day against Cootehill. Honourable mentions: James Farrelly (Kingscourt), Jonathan Givney (Mountnugent), James Reilly (Cavan and Drung)

TEAM OF THE YEAR

3. KILLIAN CLARKE (CAVAN U21S AND SHERCOCK)

2. KILLIAN BRADY (CAVAN U21S AND MULLAHORAN) Had an outstanding year at full-back for his club and county, filling the vacant number three jersey left behind

by Mullahoran stalwart Ciaran Sheils, who has emigrated to the US. Brady stood up for the Dreadnoughts when needed in this year’s senior championship, curtailing the influence of some of the county’s most dangerous forwards on the way to the team’s Oliver Plunkett Cup success. Brady marked the start of what would turn out to be an unforgettable year with an Ulster U21 medal in April, when he started at centre-field in the final, with Killian Clarke switching to fullback. Honourable mentions: Shane Grey (Kingscourt), Seanie Smith (Mullahoran), Shane Finnegan (Lacken)

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One of the most exciting young prospects in Cavan football, the versatile Clarke was instrumental in the Breffni County’s Ulster U21 Championship success this past April. The Shercock man, who helped shoot his club to the JFC title in 2011, lined-out at full-back for much of the campaign and prevented Tyrone’s attack from causing too much havoc in Enniskillen on another unforgettable night. In May he made his Ulster senior football championship debut for Cavan against Donegal and you can expect many more appearances from him in a blue jersey for years to come.

Honourable mentions: Rory Dunne (Cavan juniors and Redhills), Trevor Crowe (Lacken), John O’Dowd (Drumlane)

4. JASON MCLOUGHLIN (CAVAN U21S AND SHANNON GAELS)

7. MICHAEL BRADY (CAVAN U21S AND MULLAHORAN)

McLoughlin’s star has been on the rise since he was first drafted into the county minors by Mickey Graham, and since then it has been nothing but solid performances at the back in the blue of Cavan and the black and amber of Shannon Gaels. While his club suffered a difficult time this past season, they also had the most representatives on the Ulster winning Cavan U21 side for which McLoughlin shined among the brightest.

Honourable mentions: Fergal Flanagan (Cavan U21s and Butlersbridge), Damien McKiernan (Lacken), Enda Clarke (Laragh)

Tracked Kingscourt’s Barry Reilly superbly on both occasions in the senior championship final, which was a huge step towards Mullahoran’s 1-8 to 0-7 success in the replay at Kingspan Breffni Park.

The super fit defender also nullified some of Ulster’s top young forwards during the spring when Cavan successfully defended their Ulster U21FC title.

Expect Brady to be a nightmare for a lot of forwards for some time to come. Honourable mentions: Dermot Sheridan (Mullahoran), Barry Tully (Kingscourt), Robert MaloneyDerham (Cavan and Cavan Gaels)

5. GERRY SMITH (CAVAN MINORS AND LAVEY) Simply brilliant at centre-back during Lavey/Castlerahan’s county minor championship success, which saw them defeat North Eastern Gaels after a replay in the final. Smith was ‘Man of the Match’ in both of those games, moving in at fullforward early on the second day to cause havoc against the Drung/Kill/Laragh amalgamation before finishing out the game at centre-field. His two late points the first day saved Lavey/Castlerahan and priceless replay while his performance in the semi-final replay against defending champions O’Raghallaigh Gaels was equally sublime. Honourable mentions: Padraig Cahill (Killygarry), Damian O’Reilly (Belturbet and Cavan), Darragh Sexton (Cavan U21s and Cavan Gaels)

6. SEAMUS COONEY (LARAGH) Outstanding at centre-back in Laragh United’s junior championship final win in October, the 20-year-old Cooney led from the back against Mountnugent as he had all season long for the Stardone men. The county final saw him perform to such an impressive extent that his man was withdrawn by the 40th minute and from there he would go on to help keep things airtight at the back, as Laragh staged a strong fight in the final quarter to seal a one-point win at the death. Honourable mentions: Alan Clarke (Kingscourt), Joshua Hayes (Cootehill), Paddy Brady (Mullahoran)

8. KEITH FANNIN (CAVAN JUNIORS AND DRUMGOON) The versatile Drumgoon man had the honour of captaining Cavan to a first ever Leinster Junior Football Championship title in June, and didn’t let down his team mates on the day either, after putting in a m a g n i f i c e n t performance at centre-field at St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge against Kildare. Fannin was crowned Intermediate Player of the Year in 2011 after Drumgoon’s triumph in the grade and put in another stellar season for his club as they looked to avoid relegation back down to the intermediate ranks. Honourable mentions: David Givney (Cavan and Mountnugent), Christy Shiels (Mullahoran), Joe Dillon (Cavan U21s and Kingscourt)

9. JOHN MCCUTCHEON (COOTEHILL) In a season where Cootehill came so close to ending their long-wait for an intermediate championship title, McCutcheon was simply outstanding for the Hoops in the middle of the park.

Donal McAdam’s team had been the surprise package of the second tier championship in 2012 and came within a whisker of a first Tommy Gilroy Cup since 1971 before eventually losing out to hotfavourites Lacken. McCutcheon had pulled off heroics in the first game to save a second chance for Cootehill, but the concession of three goals in the replay saw them suffer heartbreak. Honourable mentions: Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan and Swanlinbar), Packie Leddy (Cavan U21s and Redhills), Brendan Murray (Killygarry)

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13. KEVIN TIERNEY (CAVAN U21S AND BALLYHAISE)

10. PATRICK RUDDEN (LARAGH) Laragh’s chief scorer during their triumphant junior championship campaign which saw him kicking the winning free under a mountain of pressure against Mountnugent in the final. Rudden’s accuracy also proved crucial for the Stradone side in a tricky semifinal against Templeport, which they only edged by two points in the end. Still only 21, the marksman is sure to have a bright future with the PJ Duke Park outfit as they bid to hold their own in the intermediate ranks. Honourable mentions: Paul O’Connor (Cavan U21s and Cavan Gaels), Joe McMahon (Kingscourt), Ronan Flanagan (Castlerahan and Cavan)

11. ENDA O’REILLY (MULLAHORAN) Instrumental in Mullahoran’s first senior championship triumph since 2006 this past October, with his return from the US at the quarter-final stage providing the Dreadnoughts’ with the further edge they needed up front in order to overcome Ballinagh and Killygarry by a margin of two points and book their place in the county final against Kingscourt. O’Reilly kicked 0-7, including two late frees, to rescue a second chance for Niall Lynch’s team, which they dually took to clinch their first Oliver Plunkett Cup in six years. Honourable mentions: Chris Conroy (Cavan U21s and Lavey), Enda Flanagan (Castlerahan), Philip Smith (Kingscourt)

12. PAUL BRADY (MULLAHORAN) What a year it has been for the Mullahoran dual star! Brady showcased his talents on the two biggest stages of his glittering career in 2012 by giving a ‘Man of the Match’ performance against Kingscourt Stars in the Cavan SFC final replay before claiming his fourth consecutive World Handball Championship title just over a week later. His athleticism and sheer will to win make him the player he is, while his pass for the winning goal (scored by his brother, Philip) in the county final was simply sublime. Honourable mentions: Liam McKenna (Laragh), Christopher Curran (Swanlinbar), Niall Smith (Cavan and Cavan Gaels)

Scorer of 3-17 during Cavan’s All-Ireland Under 21FC campaign this past spring, the Ballyhaise marksman was immense during the Breffni men’s provin cial title defence, notching 0-5 in the final against Tyrone along with 2-0 in the semi-final defeat to Roscommon. His performances were enough to see him called into Terry Hyland’s senior squad by the summer and make his Ulster senior championship debut as a substitute in the defeat to Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park on May 20. He would continue his strong form at club level, but a disappointing championship campaign saw his season cut short ahead of November’s Under 21 club championships.

Honourable mentions: Martin Dunne (Cavan and Cavan Gaels), Barry McKiernan (Crosserlough), Martin Reilly (Cavan juniors and Killygarry)

14. NIALL MCKIERNAN (LACKEN) Registered 3-3 to devastate Cootehill and steer Lacken towards their third intermediate championship title in 15 years this past October. While McKiernan had lined-out at centre-field and the half-forward line for the majority of the season, he did the most damage of his young career in the second-half of this year’s intermediate final when he added two late goals to his 1-2 tally to sink Cootehill on a 3-10 to 1-9 score-line at Kingspan Breffni Park. Terry Hyland will surely be looking at his fellow clubman for 2013, when a young Cavan side take to Division Three of the NFL and open up their Ulster SFC campaign against Armagh in the preliminary round. Honourable mentions: Barry Reilly (Cavan U21s and Kingscourt), Conor Madden (Gowna and Southern Gaels), Donal Thomas (Killygarry)

15. EUGENE KEATING (CAVAN AND CUCHULLAINS) Keating was arguably Cavan’s best performer during a tough All-Ireland SFC campaign, lining-out at full-forward where he pulled off a rare feat in scoring 0-5 from play against would-be All-Ireland champions Donegal. The Cuchullains ace has been one to watch ever since helping Virginia College to All-Ireland glory back in his teenage years and now looks to be fulfilling his potential, with Terry Hyland likely to be his first choice at number 14 in 2013 and for some time to come should the sharpshooter stay injury-free. Honourable mentions: Enda Hessin (Cootehill), Oisin O’Connell (Castlerahan), Jack Brady (Cavan U21s and Ramor)

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Shot of the century ... Paul Brady shows brilliant skill against Mexico’s Luis Moreno

Eugene Keating kicks one of his five points from play against Donegal and lets Mark McHugh know he is around

EUGENE KEATING Eugene Keating scored five points from play off All Star Donegal full back Neil Magee in the Ulster SFC preliminary round clash

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LEADING THE LINE As always, Eugene Keating was a man in high demand in 2012 for club, county and college. Shane Corrigan spoke to the Cuchullains ace about a year of transition for Cavan’s senior footballers, which saw an infusion of young blood and a change in management come mid-season.

012 was a year that saw few positives emerge for Eugene Keating on the football front, with his club and county making early exits from their respective championships, but the talented 23-year-old has plenty of time on his side to make up for the disappointments suffered and is sure to play a focal part if Cavan are to drag themselves up from depths they’ve delved into recently.

Having struck 2-7, 0-5 of which came from play against wouldbe All-Ireland champions Donegal, during Cavan’s three championship outings this past summer, Keating was touted by many as the Breffni men’s best performer during a difficult campaign but that’s little consolation to the Cuchullains attacker who’s already looking forward to next year’s provincial showdown with Armagh at Kingspan Breffni Park.

This time last year Cavan’s chief targets under Val Andrews heading into 2012 were somewhat different. The Dubliner was gearing his new team towards a fight for promotion from Division Three, with the Donegal clash in the back of their minds, as Keating explained.

“We were just hoping to get promotion out of Division Three and try and hit the ground running from the start of the year,” said Keating. “When Val was there his focus was trying to get us up to Division Two because the likes of Derry and Galway are the teams that you need to be playing against if you want to improve.”

Needless to say the training sessions in preparation for NFL 2012 would be quite rigorous, with the players aching for days after, before going back to the severe grind again in order to up fitness levels and sharpness ahead of what was surely going to be a dogfight in Division Three.

“They were definitely tough,” Keating recalled. “I’d know a few

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county lads through college and that and they’d be going through the same thing, so it’s just something you have to do. It’s got to that level now where you need to be extremely fit, because other counties have upped their training and preparations as well, so you can’t afford to fall behind the rest of them.”

Going by 2011 form, Cavan had slipped further behind than most with an 11-point defeat to neighbours Longford in the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers being the low point and a regrettable way to finish off the year. The ensuing months saw much of that Cavan panel trimmed by the management, with some highprofile axing which included one Seanie Johnston being dropped after nine years of service to the squad.

Andrews and co were out to rectify things the best way they knew how, with a fresh start once the New Year rang in and the manager would look to none other than Keating, stationing him at fullforward in the NFL opener against Wexford, to lead the line for his new-look team in Johnston’s absence.

“The mood was really good going into the first game against Wexford,” stated the 23-year-old. “We were fairly positive going down to play them and played well in parts but they destroyed us with the goals they scored. After that the mood was fairly low and it kind of stuck with us throughout the league, to be honest.”

After the concession of four goals at the hands of the Model men, Cavan would come away from Wexford Park on the first Sunday in February on the receiving end of a five-point defeat and their fortunes wouldn’t change when six days later when they meet Longford at Kingspan Breffni Park, where a threepoint defeat would be inflicted on the hosts.

The team’s form would eventually pick up in Round Three when Cavan hosted Sligo before March saw the Blues scoring the biggest win of their season when they hit Tipperary for four goals in Thurles to record a 4-10 to 0-14 win.

Although the results had offered Breffni supporters some hope, things took a turn for the worst in the last three rounds with as many defeats suffered and Andrews’ departure soon to follow.

“We did well against Sligo,” Keating beamed. “Actually, I think we played them off the pitch that day in Breffni and we got a good win against Tipp and were hoping we could push on after that, because we knew if we didn’t we’d be in relegation trouble.

“The game against Offaly was a massive blow for us though. We made a lot of mistakes and they stuck with us in the last two games as well. Antrim destroyed us in the last round and that was Val’s last game. It’s hard to say what went wrong that day. It was just a bad performance and it was something

that the players didn’t need with the Donegal game just a couple of weeks away.”

With relegation barely avoided, and a new management in place, Cavan were heading towards their Ulster SFC opener with the defending champions with claims of a player revolt to axe Andrews hanging over them.

However, Keating reiterated the stance of many of his team mates at that time and explained that no such thing happened; stating that the Ballymun Kickhams man left on his own accord.

“There was a lot of stuff said in the papers and that about a player revolt against him, but I can tell you now that never happened,” he said. “I liked Val personally and I suppose there were just a lot of bad performances when he was there and he just had to call it a day with Cavan.”

He added: “Terry (Hyland) and Anthony (Forde) came in after that and everyone knuckled down straight away. I thought they did well in the short time they had to prepare for the Donegal game and they were really trying to install self-belief in the players.”

Cavan went into the showdown with Donegal on May 20th as rank outsiders, with the holders priced as 1/6 favourites, but it was the home side that took the early lead 0-4 to 0-2 at Kingspan Breffni Park through Keating at full-forward. As the game developed, the Tir Chonaill men began to find their rhythm though and were awarded a penalty which Colm McFadden converted to rock the Breffni county. The hosts banged in a goal of their own, but couldn’t keep with the champions’ pace towards all the way to the end as they moved into the qualifiers after suffering a 1-16 to 1-10 defeat.

“It was always going to be a tough game for us,” the Sligo IT student admitted. “They were Ulster champions and no one was giving us a chance going into that game, but looking back at it now I think we played well enough when you consider what Donegal went on to do.”

The defeat would consign Cavan into the first round of the qualifiers where they drew neighbours Fermanagh and Keating insisted that it was a game which Cavan were approaching with confidence, despite their preliminary round defeat to Jim McGuinness’ team.

Cavan trailed early on to the Ernesiders at Brewster Park but came out for the second-half swinging and looked a transformed side when they rocked the home team by striking three goals, with Keating netting the third to help seal a 3-13 to 0-15 win.

“We were happy with the draw we got,” he insisted. “Enniskillen has been a good venue for Cavan recently and Fermanagh are a team that you’d be hoping to beat whenever you meet them

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in the championship.

“We didn’t play well in the first-half and when we went in at half-time, Terry just told us to relax and just stick to what we were good at. I think he really put the belief in us that we were still going to win and once we got the first goal it was very hard to stop us and thankfully we came through to get another game in the qualifiers.”

After ousting their neighbours, Cavan would draw Kildare in the next round and with the Lilywhites would come the entire media circus that followed after Seanie Johnston’s well-documented transfer to the Leinster men.

On the day, Hyland’s charges would be totally outclassed by the visitors at Kingspan Breffni Park, where they put up 3-20 over the 70 minutes on route back to the quarter-finals where they suffered a similar trouncing at the hands of Cork.

“With all that was going on we knew that the pressure would be on them going into the game, and we were quietly confident going in,” Keating revealed. “On the day though, I just think Kildare showed that they are further down the line than us. We’re a young team and it’s going to take a few years for us to gel together. Hopefully, the supporters can be patient with us. That day we came up against a team that were fairly well-drilled by Kieran McGeeney and it showed in the end with the result.”

Disappointed by the manner of the defeat, Keating revealed that Cavan have already began their preparations to try and improve their fortunes in 2013, when a promotion push in the National League and an opening win in the Ulster SFC for the first time in four years will be the chief objectives for the players.

“We all have individual programmes that we’re doing at the moment and when we start training together it’s going to be hell for leather again,” he said.

“Again, we’ll be hoping to get promoted in the league next year and try and be as best prepared as we can for the first round of the Ulster championship against Armagh in front of our home support. If we can get over that game it would be a huge boost to us, but it’s a long way away yet so we’ll just have to concentrate on the early part of the season first.”

As for his native Cuchullains, Keating is hoping for an improved campaign with the Mullagh club next season when the Cavan senior football championship undertakes a new format, whilst a Sigerson Cup success in what should be his last year at Sligo IT would be the perfect start to 2013 for the young fullforward.

SPECIAL FEATURE Dessie O’Reilly with son DJ at a Yankees game

SOME THINGS ARE MEANT TO BE When Dessie O’Reilly packed his bags and headed for the United States, one might have been forgiven for assuming that his gaelic football career would end there and then. However, to the contrary, the Lavey man has enjoyed an illustrious GAA career in New York – as a player, manager and administrator. We caught up with the former Lavey midfielder to gain an insight into his long-term association with the Cavan club in the Big Apple.

Dessie in his New York playing days with Philip Sheridan and the late Mattie Farrelly

B

ack home in Lavey, a young Dessie O’Reilly played football with his native club right through from U12 level into the senior team. Along the way, he collected U14, U16 and minor league medals and was part of an U21 amalgamation side (combined with Virginia and Denn) that lost a county final to Bailieboro.

He had the distinction of lining out in a county intermediate championship final at the age of 16 and had become a regular in the senior team before

emigrating. He was playing midfield with Lavey the year he left (and had won Division Three and Division Two titles as the club powered into the top flight). That was in June, 1995 and Dessie O’Reilly was just 23 at the time.

Seventeen years later, he’s still based on the other side of the Atlantic, working in construction, though a homecoming appears to be on the cards sooner rather than later.

Dessie admits that a part of him has always yearned for home:

Cavan ladies, NY champions 2008

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“I do miss Lavey and club football was always dear to my heart. That’s probably the thing I’ve missed the most. I would have expected to play with Lavey until I was 33 or 34 and that was tough, leaving that behind.

We had just been promoted to Division One football two or three years earlier and the club was going well. It was hard to leave that behind.

You also miss your family, of course, so it’s not easy.”

One family member Dessie hasn’t missed is his sister Rosie, who is of course synonymous with ladies football – and, indeed, the GAA in general – in New York. Upon arrival, he immediately picked up where he had left off with his football career and Rosie was instrumental in this: “When I first came out, I got dropped off and Rosie picked me up and I went straight to training with Cavan at Van Cortlandt Park that very evening,” he reflects. “And that was it – I’ve been involved with them ever since. I played with the Cavan juniors and seniors for eight years but then picked up an injury which put an end

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to my career.

“After a year out here, I got involved with the ladies. Philip Sheridan was manager and I assisted him over the years and then when he retired I took over.”

Two of Dessie’s other sisters – Breda and Angela – are also based in New York – while his brother John Joe is in Atlanta. Back home is his mother Alice and brother Hugh, along with his wife Anne.

Sadly, Dessie’s father – Joe O’Reilly – winner of a SFC medal with Lavey in 1952 – passed away in 1995.

Dessie managed the Cavan ladies in New York for 14 years and also trained the Cavan senior mens team for a few years and managed them one season. “We reached a couple of county finals but unfortunately lost both of them,” he notes. “1992 was the last time Cavan seniors won a championship in New York.

“I played a bit of junior football too and we got to a couple of finals, but lost them as well. While it’s great to get there, it would have been nice to win one of them.”

It was a different story with the Cavan ladies, who were one of the strongest sides in New York and regularly collected silverware. As recently as 2011, Dessie was over the team that reclaimed the New York ladies senior championship.

Rosie managed the team this year and Dessie helped her out behind the scenes but, alas, this time the holders exited the race at the semifinal stage.”

Fair to say that Dessie has positively immersed himself in all things GAA since arriving in the city that never sleeps? “To an extent, the

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74

a decision for when we since setting foot in the Big Apple. He get back home. has also worked at backroom level with various New York ladies teams “I’m really looking down through the years. forward to getting back Clearly, he has served the GAA well into it. I intend to devote in the United States and his energy as much of my own time will be missed when he returns home. as possible to the But this time around, New York’s loss football as well and to will be Cavan’s gain! help out with the young lads any way I can.”

Dessie’s wife Nicola (nee Rogan) hails from Skryne in Meath and is also a keen footballer, lining out for the Cavan ladies team. Needless to say, their son DJ has a Nicola O’Reilly with the couples sons DJ and Kyle (right) football in his hands 24 hours a day!

On the work front, Dessie O’Reilly works as a foreman with PG Drywall and at the time of writing he was busy completing high-end condominiums in Gramercy Park, Manhattan (home to the likes of Julia Roberts, Uma Thurman and Dessie and son DJ with the 2008 Jennifer NY ladies trophy Anniston).

Despite being exiled, Nicola and Dessie O’Reilly at the Cavan Dinner Dance in New York D e s s i e keeps a GAA is our lives out here. It’s part of close eye on what’s our livelihood and it keeps us in touch happening on the GAA with people and helps us make front back home. As for friends, etc.”

Cavan, he concludes: “I Dessie fully intends to remain follow them through the involved for as long as he stays out in papers and the internet.

NY but reveals that the plan at Things haven’t been present is to return home soon: “I going the best but when Nicola, PJ, Kyle and Dessie O’Reilly intend to come home in four years’ you see what Donegal time, in 2016. I’ve bought a house did - and they weren’t back home and my newborn son Kyle any better than us a few will be four by then and I want to start years ago – it gives you him at school back in Cavan. I’m hope. If they could get a looking forward to getting home and few strong lads in there, hopefully everything will go according maybe from the minor to plan.” and U21 teams that have There will be complications, though, been doing well, then not least of which will be trying to hopefully something will decide which club Dessie’s young materialise at the end.” sons DJ and Kyle line out for! “We’ll Senior Footballer of the be living right beside the Killygarry Year with the Cavan club pitch and he’ll be going to school in New York in 1999 and there as well, so it would seem Junior Player of the Year in ’96, Dessiehas been obvious to opt for Killygarry. But I’m a The O’Reilly family, front, l/r: Breda O’Reilly Delahunty, Angela involved with the club at Lavey man myself and I’d love him to Costello, Alice O’Reilly, Hugh O’Reilly. Back, l/r: Rosie, committee level literally play for Lavey – but I suppose that’s Dessie and John Joe O’Reilly

75

SPECIAL FEATURE Keith Geraghty (right) and his Neasden Gaels teammates tackle Crossmaglen Rangers Jamie Clarke

FROM MUNTERCONNAUGHT TO LONDON

E

Moving from Munterconnaught to London did little to put paid to Keith Geraghty’s gaelic football career. To the contrary, the Cavan man has enjoyed an illustrious innings in the English capital, lining out for the Exiles at intercounty level and also collecting two county SFC medals during a 15-year career (to date!) with Neasden Gaels. We caught up with the affable IT Manager to look back on his days of pulling on a GAA jersey and find out whether there’s any more fuel in the tank…

ighteen years after collecting his first adult championship medal, Keith Geraghty is still going strong. “Just about,” he quips, “There’s not much more of it left in me, though.”

Going back to 1994, Keith got his playing days off to a memorable start in the colours of his home club, winning a Cavan junior football championship medal with Munterconnaught. “That was the first championship the club won since 1980 and it was my first year on the senior team,” he recalls. Keith played intermediate football for a couple of years thereafter and departed Ireland when he was 19, leaving one football career behind but embarking on another one on the other side of the Irish Sea. Leaving Ireland in 1997, he didn’t imagine at the time that he’d still be living away from home soil some fifteen years later… “I had done a couple of years in WIT and then transferred to a university in London,” he reflects. “I planned to just go over for a few years but it didn’t work out like that. After getting my degree, I started managing IT departments for organisations about eight or nine years ago and I joined the Dental Council of England in that capacity two years ago. I’m still with them today.”

Is this the sort of job where one would stay in a position only for a limited number of years to get things up and running; then look elsewhere? “Yeah, it’s something you’d do for a number of years before moving on to another organisation. I suppose I’d generally go into an

76

organisation that has particular issues with its IT systems, sort things out and then hand the reins over to somebody else.”

On the football front, the transition was seamless as the Munterconnaught man resumed his playing career almost immediately upon arriving in London. “I started playing in London in 1997 when I joined the Neasden Gaels club,” he confirms. “The club had only just become a senior team that year and they won the senior championship for the first time in 1999 and have been senior ever since.”

Amazingly, Keith has also been a regular on the first team ever since, going on to collect his second London SFC souvenir in 2010 – a victory that had been coming for a while: “We had been beaten in the final of 2008 and 2009 – after a replay – before breaking the duck in 2010.” Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite according to plan in 2012, largely because the team is currently in transition: “We got knocked out at the quarter-final stage. We’re in the process of rebuilding the team at the moment and it just didn’t work out for us this year.”

Of course, the standard of club football in the English capital has never been stronger, with many teams over in London easily on a par with what you’d get at senior club level back home in Ireland.

The recession here has led to more and more quality footballers emigrating to

England. “After a barren spell where things in London weren’t that great, it has really taken off in the last five years,” Keith notes. “For example, in 2010, Crossmaglen Rangers only beat us by five points in an All-Ireland club championship quarter-final. The standard is higher and more and more players over here would have intercounty experience with their respective counties.”

Keith lined out for London for a couple of years himself, between 2002 and 2004, featuring on the championship squad and getting a number of starts in the national football league. But it’s a tall order playing intercounty football with the Exiles and the travelling etc. can really take its toll on both the body and mind.

“It’s very tough. The commitment needed is unbelievable and it’s a different set of circumstances than back home.

Employers over here mightn’t understand what gaelic football is or what the fuss is all about, so it’s hard to give football as an excuse for leaving work early for a match or for training. All I can say is fair play to the lads who keep playing for London on a regular basis because it takes an incredible amount of commitment.”

All things considered, is Keith happy with how his career panned out since he emigrated? “Well, I’ve played a lot of football over the years and I was lucky in that I joined a very good club. Neasden

Gaels is a tightly-knit club, very like Munterconnaught, and we have done very well over the years,” says the Cavan man, who has been heavily involved off the field of play at committee level, serving the club as PRO for the past decade. “In many ways, it’s just like being at home,” he adds.

But of course there’s nothing quite like home. To this end, the IT Manager gets back to Cavan as often as possible but admits that this doesn’t happen as much as he’d ideally like.

As for his native county, he keeps a close eye on the Breffni County at all times and feels that there is “a nice blend” of players coming through at the moment.

“The U21s and minors have been excellent and I’d be encouraged by the calibre of young player coming through in Cavan at the moment.”

At 34, Keith Geraghty probably has a few more seasons left in him. While football becomes more demanding on the body once we pass the 30 mark, it’s also very hard to walk away from the game forever. Will he tog out again in 2013?

“The physicality and the speed of the younger lads is quite high and it’s not getting easier. But I’ll make a decision at the start of the year. Having said that, it’d be hard to stay away from it!”

Only a very brave bookmaker would take a bet on the outcome of that particular decision!

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77

SENIOR LADIES FOOTBALL caption

The Cavan Ladies senior footballers for 2012, front l/r: Kate Smith, Claragh O’Reilly, Fiona Skelly, Rachael Doonan, Rosie Crowe, Aishling Doonan, Caitriona Smith, Sinead Greene, Daena Clerkin, Ciara Gray, Niamh Daly. Back: Aggie Clarke, Aoife McGovern, Ciara O’Reilly, Donna English, Sheana Kiernan, Geraldine Sheridan, Bernadine Brady, Evelyn Baugh, Jenny Kane, Roisin O’Keeffe, Caitriona Smith, Mona Sheridan, Ailish Cornyn, Laura Fitzpatrick

LADIES LUCKLESS ONCE MORE

test by some of the best sides in the country once the league campaign threw in in early February, and there could be no better incentive then to kick off the season against old rivals Fermanagh, across the border.

Recent years have saw Cavan and Fermanagh develop a healthy rivalry at this level, with many of their battles coming in the league and the Ulster Intermediate Championship, and on this occasion it was Cavan that came out away with the spoils in Kinawley, where ace attacker Aisling Doonan was in top form, securing a 1-9 to 2-5 victory and their first win of the new season.

The following weekend saw McGovern’s charges host Tipperary at Kingspan Breffni Park, where the home side were impressive in tough conditions to record a 1-9 to 1-5 win over their Munster counterparts and climb towards the summit of the Division Two table.

With the mood in the camp no doubt upbeat with two wins from as many games, Cavan journeyed south for their next two clashes against Kerry and Clare, where they would be inflicted with heavy defeats. Further losses to Galway (3-12 to 0-8) and Wexford (2-7 to 0-10) left McGovern’s team in a last chance saloon for survival when they welcomed Mayo to Our Lady of Lourdes Park in Mullahoran.

Cavan would put up the fight to the Connacht kingpins, who went on to ease to the league title, however, the class of Cora Staunton and co would simply prove too much to conquer for the Blues as they were made succumb to a 116 to 1-9 defeat, relegating them, along with Tipp, by a mere point with Fermanagh holding on for safety in sixth place.

While disappointed with the outcome of their league campaign, the players wouldn’t have long to dwell on things as their Ulster Intermediate Championship defence was just around the corner. Cavan would be entering the competition as champions, and as favourites in the eyes of many after having reached the 2011 All-Ireland final and only being beaten by a point after a replay.

However, neither the players nor management were taking anything for granted heading into their opening contest

After the heartbreak of 2011, which saw an All-Ireland title slip from their grasp, Cavan Ladies looked to bounce back this past season with Division Two status to maintain in the National League and an Intermediate Championship crown to gun for. Unfortunately, Adrian McGovern’s team would fall just short of both their goals.

I

t’s never easy trying to bounce back from the pain of an All-Ireland final defeat, as Adrian McGovern and the Cavan Ladies found out in what turned out to be a very difficult 2012 season.

With 12 new faces drafted in from the 2011 crop which fell just short against Westmeath at Croke Park the previous October, the Breffni women would be operating out of Division Two in the Bord Gais National Football League with survival outlined as the key objective by their manager McGovern. The Templeport man was coming into his third year with the team and knew that the players would need to be at their sharpest when coming up against the likes of heavy hitters Kerry and Mayo in the second tier.

Training sessions were harsh from the start of January, as the management knew that the team would be put to the

78

against a highly-rated Down side at Clones.

In a tough encounter, Cavan had to pull out all the stops at St Tiernach’s Park to see off the Mourne women and move into the Ulster final. They had their first score inside three minutes from ‘Twiggy’ Smith, but it was Down that were edging matters in the first-half as they bagged two quick goals to leave the Breffni County very much on the back foot.

Points from Aisling Doonan and Roisin O’Keefe would help the 2011 All-Ireland finalists narrow the difference down to 2-4 to 0-5 at the break.

In the second-half, Cavan flew out of the traps with scores from Smith, O’Keefe, Daena Clerkin and Doonan inside the first ten minutes of the resumption levelling the game. A superb score from Rosie Crowe would move the champions in front before Down hit back with another goal. McGovern’s team were far from finished though as a quick succession of points from Doonan and O’Keefe saw the teams finish all square at the end of normal time.

In extra-time, Cavan’s full-back line of Laura Fitzpatrick, Ciara O’Reilly and Ciara Gray were outstanding as they denied the goal-hungry Mourne women a fourth major which would have surely killed off the game, whilst

down the other end attackers O’Keefe, Doonan, Caitriona Smith and Clerkin raised more white flags before Doonan capitalised on a mistake from the Down goalkeeper and lashed to the net to help ensure a 1-21 to 2-9 victory and their passage through to the province’s decider against Armagh on June 23.

Cavan (IFC semi-final v Down): Jenny Kane; Laura Fitzpatrick, Ciara O’Reilly, Ciara Gray; Sinead Greene, Ailish Cornyn, Donna English; Rosie Crowe, Aggie Clarke; Twiggy Smith, Aisling Doonan, Roisin O’Keefe; Caitriona Smith, Claragh O’Reilly, Fiona Skelly. Subs: Mona Sheridan, Daena Clerkin, Niamh Daly, Rachael Doonan, Kate Smith.

Cavan would have to travel to the Athletic Grounds to take on homeadvantaged Armagh side with their coveted Ulster crown on the line.

Shauna O’Hagan got the ball rolling for Armagh with a couple of early points, before Roisin O’Keefe opened Cavan’s account and a slick point from Killygarry ace Caitriona Smith levelled matters ten minutes in. On the quarter hour mark, the hosts scored the first of their three goals with a rifled effort from Caitlin Malone coming off Jenny Kane’s post and landing to O’Hagan, who had the simple task of tapping to the net. A Mags McAlinden point then extended the lead. However, a well-taken goal

Daena Clerkin lets fly

79

from O’Keefe late on in the half left the interval score at 1-3 to 1-2 in favour of Armagh.

Aisling Doonan, who was off key on this particular afternoon, opened the second-half scoring with her only point of the game, which was quickly erased with a Caroline O Hanlon score. More points from Mc Alinden and one from Ciara Lennon saw Armagh stretch their lead further, but they were all cancelled out when Cavan substitute Daena Clerkin netted in a 43rd minute penalty.

The Blues would suffer a major setback four minutes later though when Claragh O’Reilly was sin-binned and with their full-back off the field Ciara Lennon goaled and O’Hagan brought her tally to 1-4 with a brace of fine points. In the last minutes Caitriona Smith and Ciara Lennon exchanged points and with time practically up Kelly Mallon netted Armagh’s third goal to seal a nine-point victory.

The defeat was a crushing one for the players to take, but they would have to gather themselves in just a matter of days as they entered into Group C of the All-Ireland IFC against Roscommon, Longford, Tipperary and Sligo.

On July 1, Roscommon would visit Kingpan Breffni Park and despite firing in three goals on the day, they would finish heavy losers on a 2-17 to 3-3 score-line in what was one of Cavan’s finest performances of their season. As they had against Down in the Ulster semi-final, McGovern’s team demonstrated their scoring prowess against the Rossies, with a lethal half-forward line of Smith, Doonan and O’Keefe inflicting the damage.

The following weekend saw the Breffni women edged out by up and comers Longford (0-11 to 0-7) in Mullahoran, where a dreadful day made scores hard to come by, but an impressive 3-12 to 1-10 triumph over Tipperary down in Templemore left Cavan within a good chance of qualifying for the knock-out stages provided they could overcome Sligo’s challenge.

Played in Drumcliff, where a play-off with Waterford for a semi-final place was at stake for both teams, a dead even contest was played out but it was Sligo that would squeeze through narrowly by 2-11 to 2-9 to advance to a meeting with the Deise and end Cavan’s season on a disappointing note, with their dreams of another surge towards the AllIreland finally painfully quashed.

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SPECIAL FEATURE Joe McIntyre has given great service to the Cavan Association in London

A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO THE ASSOCIATION(S)

Joe McIntyre is 83 years young and is back living in his native Cavan for the past eight years after more than 50 years spent in London.

J

oe

McIntyre's

The passionate Cavan man

memory is better than

is retired since 1993, having

men half his age.

worked for over forty years in

Instead, talk of what Donegal

various jobs in England. He

footballers have brought to

returned to the oul sod in

the table over the past two

2004.

years quickly acts as the

They say that in 1951

stimulus for Joe to recall the

approximately one and a half

late 'forties when Antrim were

million people departed from

in their pomp.

Ireland to seek a better living

"They (Antrim) were the

in London.

ones who introduced the

One of six children born to

hand-passing," Joe declares.

John and Annie (Brady), Joe

They introduced a whole era

left the family farm at his

to Gaelic football and then

homeplace

Kevin Heffernan and the

Belturbet in 1951 "out of

Dubs in the 'fifties carried it

necessity."

at

Kilcorby,

on another bit and then you

Given the nature of the Irish

had the Down team in the

economy in the 'fifties and

'sixties."

the health of the economy

Joe is sitting at home, just a mile

from

the

town

of

Ballyconnell; close enough it

across the pond, it's not surprising to learn of Joe's emigration.

seems to almost drop-kick a

"All my brothers and sisters

size five into the Slieve

followed suit and eventually

Russell hotel.

emigrated. We lived on a

81

Joe McIntyre left Cavan for London in 1951

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small farm of 47 acres, eleven of them in tillage.

"It was very difficult to make a living of such a small farm on the border at that time. The Woodford canal was just a stone's throw from the back door.

"I remember there were all sorts of grants going for farmers living just inside Northern Ireland; grants for calves, bullocks, you name it but none here.

"There was compulsory tillage at the time too and we had to give 11 acres of the farm over to that. Things weren't at all easy back then."

If Joe's early years were flat beer, it wasn't exactly a champagne lifestyle over in oul blighty. The second youngest McIntyre had it hard there too.

He went over to south London in '51 and lodged with his sister Margaret, one of two sisters Joe had over there

at that time. It was a whole new life.

"I was only 18 and it took a bit of time to settle down over there," he explains. In double-quick time, Joe was a familiar figure on the Old Kent Road.

Before too long, he was a stand-out worker for the Dulwich Harps GAA club. He remains the club's Life President to this day.

Joe is the first to admit that his contribution to the playing side of his adopted Harps was limited even though he had the full of his health in London.

"I played football for the minor team in Belturbet under Micky McGearty who was a brilliant man, a man before his time and a great GAA man.

"There was Johnny 'the saddler' Maguire from Ballyconnell too. Both of them were great enthusiasts, very genuine football supporters.

"At the same time, I was doing a lot

of athletics. We used to run for a club called Tom Regan Harriers and we were one of the best in Ulster.

"I enjoyed the athletics but I was probably a bit better at the football, not that I'm saying I was much good at the football, for all I played."

In fairness, Joe didn't get an awful lot of time to hone his innate football skills. Putting bread on the table in his adopted country took priority, after all.

After making a "positive decision to emigrate", Joe began a junior apprenticeship with a heating, ventilation and refrigeration company in London.

"I became what was known then as a 'journeyman', travelling all round England and Wales. In between times I managed to break my collarbone playing football but my time on the pitch was very irregular because of my job and because there wasn't a lot of fixtures organised back

A group at Dulwich Cemetery following the unvailing of headstone in honour of Liam McCarthy

83

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Those who know him say that Joe found his niche in the art of communication and organisational aspects of sporting and cultural affairs.

For instance, he got great kudos and thanks for his role in researching and establishing the grave of Liam MacCarthy, after whom the cup is named.

Liam MacCarthy's remains were put to rest in an unknown grave but through Joe's hard work and diligence they were discovered and a headstone laid.

For his work on Liam MacCarthy's grave in 2002 along with Sean Meaney Joe received the freedom of the Borough of Southwark.

He was also simultaneously the beneficiary of a civic award as a general acknowledgement by his new host population of the good works done by him.

Joe brought the passion and pride he showed while playing football with Belturbet and with Drumlane Sons of O'Connell to his adopted homeland.

Ireland's loss would be Fr. H e t h e r t o n ' s (Munterconnacht-born cofounder of Dulwich Harps) gain and the gain also of Southwark's Irish Forum.

Joe's ability to bring the best out of people and to bring people together became legendary in the south London area. The Midas touch was his.

His role in having a significant part of the park at Peckham Rye set aside for Gaelic games is one of his many legacies though he seeks no credit.

Similarly he refuses to wax lyrical on the story that he was the main man behind the fundraising festival that lit up Peckham Rye for eleven years.

Joe married county Leitrim lass Lily (nee McKeon) in 1961 and they went onto raise two children, Jackie and

Sean, from their home in Forest Hill.

After 21 years spending his time as a 'journeyman', Joe went to work for the Daily Mirror as a manager. His boss later on would be Robert Maxwell.

Running side by side with his professional life was his alter ego as PRO of, and later Life President, Dulwich Harps. He enjoyed great times there.

"The club was kept going all through the years and we were good enough to win the Liam McCarthy Cup (SFC)

on several occasions," Joe says.

"Down the years we had cause to be grateful to the Borough Council and the GAA for allowing us to use Peckham Rye; it was great for camogie too."

Of course, Joe didn't just confine himself to matters GAA. He also got stuck into the affairs of the Cavan Association in London, also in a big way.

There were no medals garnered during his playing career but the

85

manner in which he rolled up his sleeves in England earned him a lot of kudos.

"The Cavan Association was founded in 1952 by a Mullagh man named James Conway so it's celebrating its ruby anniversary this year.

"It has done a great job over the years in raising funds for charitable organisations over the years. I remember in 1991 we had a 100 mile bike ride which finished at the Slieve Russell Hotel. From that fundraiser we were able to donate around 15,000 euros to the Holy Family School, Cootehill."

And a party on November 10th 2012, held in the Irish Centre in London, saw the proverbial 'who's who' of Cavan exiles congregate.

Sadly, Joe thinks that the Cavan Association in London isn't quite as vibrant as it once was. He is conscious of the lack of new, young blood.

"The age profile of the Association is getting higher and higher," Joe points out, "and the younger generation just don't have the same interest.

"It saddens me that the future of the Cavan Association doesn't look all that rosy. I appreciated the pride that was there when I arrived in London."

The grandfather of three has no such fears about the future for Dulwich Harps. "Football is a hand-me-down thing. It'll always be around," he claims.

Joe once penned a song about Cavan's 1947 All-Ireland SFC triumph in the Polo Grounds but, sadly, he doesn't get to many matches these days.

He is a fan of the modern game and says that the fitness, skill, passing and speed of the average county player nowadays is superior to his equivalent player back in the day.

SPECIAL FEATURE

NY’S ANSWER TO O MUIRCHEARTAIGH Over the years hundreds of thousands of Irish people have emigrated to the United States in search of their dreams and prosperity. One such man that has done so is Cavan native Seamus Smith.

H

aving grown in Bailieboro where he played underage football with the club, Seamus headed to Dublin for a few years before emigrating to the states in 1982. New York was his choice of destination. Thirty years later and Seamus has a life time of stories to tell this year's Breffni Blue Yearbook.

Despite, hailing from Cavan, Seamus has given thirty years' service to the Donegal NY club where he has played, managed and held other administrative roles. His knowledge of Gaelic football is surpassed by few and that is why he has held the position of New York manager in the past also.

Seamus has never forgotten his roots and his annual trip home to Ireland coincides with All-Ireland football final weekend, which has been attended by the Cavan native almost every year since he first left these shores.

Not only does Seamus visit the Jones Road venue on the third Sunday of every September, but he also takes in the renowned Kilmacud Sevens competition that is played the day before the AllIreland final.

“The weekend of the AllIreland finals is always something special and it is something that I love going too.

The whole occasion is great and I love taking in the Kilmacud Sevens also as the standard of football and fitness levels are very high indeed,” said Seamus.

Having witnessed so many All-Ireland football finals, the question was put to Seamus as

Making the trip to the Emerald Isle is always one of the highlights of Seamus' year and in July this year, he was back home to celebrate his aunt Mary Ellen Dolan's 100th birthday in her local hostelry The Glan Bar in Glangevlin.

“It was great to see so many family and friends in the one location. Mary Ellen is a great story teller and has a great memory even to this day. She is still as sharp as ever and it was a great night's celebrations.”

When Seamus first travelled to the States in 1982, he started working for the late Mike Cassidy, who he was to become great friends with over the years. For many years Mike did the commentary every Sunday at Gaelic Park, New York during Seamus Smith pictured the GAA season. in Moriarty’s Pub and Restaurant When Mike became ill a few years back, he asked Seamus to help him out and he has now become known as the voice of Gaelic Park.

“When Mike asked to give him a hand out on a Sunday, I had no problem in doing so. We commentate on all the games over there as it creates a good atmosphere in the grounds. It is something that I now love doing.

It may come as no surprise that one of Seamus' heroes is retired RTE commentator Michael O Muircheartaigh, who is now a good friend of Smith family. “I got to know Michael over the years as he had been out here on a couple of occasions.

“I would speak to him regularly on the phone and I have to admit I was heartbroken when he

to which one was his favourite. His reply was: “It is hard to pinpoint just one final, but a few that stick out include the 2008 final between Tyrone and Kerry. Even the minor match between Tyrone and Mayo that day was very good.

“I always think the 1998 final between Kildare and Galway was a great game of football. It was a game of two halves really as Kildare dominated the first, but Galway came back to take the title then.

“I was there to see Donegal, Derry, Armagh and Tyrone all win their first All-Ireland senior titles and those were all great occasions, especially for an Ulster man,” he gleamed.

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announced that he was retiring from commentating. I gave him a call recently and he was telling me about all the outings he was attending around the country, so he is far from retired really.

The man is a gentleman and I'm proud to have him as a friend.”

When Seamus was in a position to open a bar and restaurant in Yonkers three years ago, he immediately thought of his old friend from Kerry and called the premises Moriarty's Pub and Restaurant.

“We had Michael out for the official opening and it was a great occasion. The bar has been going very well ever since and I do spend the majority of my evenings there after I finish my day job working for a management company.”

Seamus has met many great GAA people down through the years, the most recent of which being the Mayo squad and their manager James Horan when they came out after winning the 2011 FBD League.

“I met the Mayo lads when they were out last year and I invited James and a few of them down to the Bar and I have to say we have remained friends ever since. All down through the years some of the top GAA players have been over here.

“The pub is soon to celebrate its third anniversary and Michael O Muircheartaigh will be out to mark the occasion.”

Seamus was a selector on the Donegal side when they won the three-in-a-row of New York titles from 2000 to 2002 and has been involved in the management of numerous teams in the club, not to mention a spell as New York manager. His reputation precedes him in New York GAA circles and this was evident when he was honoured at the 63rd anniversary of the Donegal NY GAA club.

Seamus was this year awarded the Campbell-Houlihan trophy for services to Donegal GAA. This award was established in 1978 in memory of

three young men who were playing for the Donegal club and lost their lives in an accident. Peter Campbell and brothers Des and Ivor Houlihan are remembered by the award.

“The Campbell-Houlihan award means more to be than any other because it keeps alive the memory of the three Donegal footballers who lost their lives,” explained Seamus.

These days Seamus may not have as much involvement with the club as in the past, but he is still a keen GAA man and will remain the voice of Gaelic Park for many years to come.

Best Wishes & Continued Success To Seamus Smith From

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PAT TINNELLY

The Cavan team which claimed the 1969 Anglo Celt Cup, front l/r: H McInerney, S Duggan, C Gallagher, G Kelly, G Cusack, P Tinnelly, E McGowan. Back: R Carolan, D Coyle, JJ O’Reilly, P Lyons, H Newman, T Lynch, B Donohoe, A McCabe

featured in the game between Mullahoran and Kingscourt.

Pat says he can't remember the last time that happened.

"Cavan football isn't in too bad a state right now and I wouldn't worry too much about no county player being on show in the championship (final).

"What I would have noticed though is that there wasn't any real strong figure on show like Ray Carolan or a really gifted forward who could score from play like Charlie Gallagher.

"You'd wonder these days at where are players like Gene Cusacks and John Joe Reilly going to come out of. He (Reilly) was a very underrated player. He was top class.

"I was lucky to play alongside those kind of fellas in the league and championships and Grounds tournament and they were great days. There were a lot of characters about then."

The stellar defender was one of the Breffni County's most inspirational players in their shock Ulster SFC success of 1969 when defending all-Ireland champions Down were downed.

Even though he was embedded in the county teams of the 'sixties and 'seventies, Pat has no hesitation in saying that Cavan were "unfortunate not to pick up an All-Ireland back then."

He remembers marking Offaly's Tony McTague in the 1969 All-Ireland semi-final. Rather than Down, as some might think, he reckons Offaly were Cavan's bogey team in that period.

After beating Down in the 1969 Ulster final, Cavan were the bookies' favourites to lift Sam. Beforehand the Anglo-Celt Cup was paraded at various carnivals across the county.

Despite the hype about regaining the provincial title, Pat discounts the notion that the '69 Cavan squad took its eye off the ball or that heads got too big or feet too big for their boots.

"I don't think anyone involved then would say we were complacent. Offaly were an up and coming team with a lot of good players and were being tipped to win an All-Ireland then.

"McTague was classy and so too were the likes of Nicholas Clavin, Kevin Kilmurray and Willie Bryans. They were as good as anyone around. We hadn't our homework done

ONE OF CAVAN’S FINEST Pat Tinnelly captained a Cavan senior team in an Ulster SFC final and for nearly 15 years was one of the county's stand-out players.

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n the early 'eighties, Kingscourt Stars dynamo Pat Tinnelly was still showing his class at club level in Cavan, even though he was in the twilight of his football career.

He still had the rod of steel running through him but he had much more besides. He had presence and was a truly inspirational player in an evolving and talented young team.

From the heart of the defence, he played the conductor and nobody was able to break his baton on the club front. As they say, form is temporary but class is permanent.

Pat was a tough-as-teak defender but with a great football brain to boot. In possession, few forwards managed to lay a glove on him because of his strength and his positioning.

These days, Pat is a very astute observer of the club and county scene. He has watched with interest this year how his beloved Stars fell short and how Donegal dominated.

In the 2012 Cavan SFC final, no senior county player

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though.

"Offaly were new to us when we met them in the '69 semi-final. We knew of them (Offaly) but we hadn't met them before the semi-final so we were going into the unknown.

"We didn't know it at the time but they had done their homework on us.

They played better on the day and played to their strengths and were probably the better team overall."

So it was a shock win for Offaly then?

"Well, we were taken on the hop by how well they could keep the ball, dictate the game and stop us getting possession back whenever we lost it going forward.

"I think Offaly team brought Gaelic football up to a new level after Down had raised the bar in the earlier part of the 'sixties when they came through.

"We missed the boat against Offaly, no doubt about that. We had a 21 yards free and missed it. I marked McTague in the replay and he got ten frees against us and scored with them all.

"I think drawing with them first time around took the wind out of our sails.

We weren't as confident second time around.

"There were a few changes made with the line-up for the replay. It was another hard, physical game but they had more zip and got the goals. We were slow to learn from our mistakes I'd have to say though."

Interestingly, Pat maintains that "better Cavan teams won nothing so I was fortunate to be around when I was."

Pointedly, he says that not everyone in his day on the intercounty front representing Cavan was "dedicated enough and that told in the end."

"I thought it was a huge blunder too not to have had Fergus McCauley on the '69 team. He was man-of-thematch in the '69 Grounds Tournament final and I think he would have brought something different to the table for the championship."

Pat maintains that Cavan could always give as good as they got against long-time provincial kingpins Down but struggled against lesser sides like Derry.

He says he still finds it incredible that the Breffni blues have only won two Ulster SFC titles between 1969 and the present day.

"Whatever about the '69 Ulster final, I thought we were a bit fortunate to win in '97. I think the county had better championship campaigns and didn't land the Ulster title but I'm amazed we

haven't won it for the last 15 years."

What does he make of the modern football landscape?

"With the modern style of football, when it's played well, it's brilliant to watch but the old style of football in the sixties was more attractive for the fans.

"Back then too, there were a lot of individual clashes which livened up the matches and it's a lot more about the ability of the squad now."

Reflecting on the club scene, Pat is as honest as the day is long. He is precise in his assessment of the laboured and fruitless year experienced by his home town club.

"I think when we won the senior championship in 2010, it was against the odds and took a lot of people in the county by surprise. We probably surprised ourselves too that year.

"We did better than expected in 2010 but it meant an awful lot to the club 'cause we were coming from a pretty low base at that time and expectations weren't that high.

"But Dudley Farrell did a great job in managing the team and he got a lot of assistance from our chairman Pat Faulkner. Things just seemed to click pretty fast into place at that time.

"I'd have to say that Pat (Faulkner) did a great job as chairman. He generated a great spirit about the club and got a whole new enthusiasm going and it stayed for the whole year."

The bulwark of many a Cavan senior team in times past, Pat knows all about shock championship campaigns like Kingscourt's in 2010 'cause he's been there, done that.

The stellar defender was one of the Breffni county's most inspirational players in their shock Ulster SFC success of 1969 when defending AllIreland champions Down were downed.

"I suppose we took a few teams by

surprise when we went all the way in 2010 but that element of surprise wasn't there in 2011 and things went pear-shaped that year."

Did Pat - married to Kerry lady Francis and father of Padraig, Siobhan, Ronan and Roisin - think the current Stars had it in them to repeat the success of 2010 in 2012? And what was his take on the team's championship final exploits against Mullahoran?

"The team wasn't going well for long spells in this year's league and the team was in pretty poor for most of it.

I remember a couple of games before the start of the championship, against Drumalee and Ballyhaise, and they only really put it together late in the second half but still put big scores on the boards at the same time.

"But maybe in winning these games against teams so easily made them that bit complacent. The feeling that Mullahoran was an old team definitely creeped into the camp.

"For some reason, the speed and zip wasn't in the team like it used to be and it seemed like we had too many similar players who just didn't manage to hit the heights in the final."

Can the Stars rebound in 2013?

"I think so although a lot will depend on how many of the old guard hang in there. A lot of the players are very young and you'd be hoping that older fellas like Thomas Wakely, Philly Smith and Gavin Sheenan hang on for at least another year 'cause they'd be hard to replace.

"I think our lads thought Mullahoran were past their sell-by-date even though Dudley (Farrell) was full time telling them the opposite.

"If the team can learn from their mistakes this year, then they'll be there or thereabouts in 2013."

Gabriel Kelly clears his lines in the 1969 Ulster final with support from Brendan Donohue and Pat Tinnelly

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SPECIAL FEATURE

O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy, Main Street, Virginia, Co Cavan

100 YEARS AND COUNTING Celebrating 100 years in business, O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy in Virginia, Co. Cavan marked a landmark year in 2012. We spoke to owner and manager Brian O’Donoghue to find out more about his family business which has been serving the people of Virginia (and beyond) for over a century now.

I

n these tough times, local business has never been more important to towns and parishes across the country. O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy has been providing the people of Virginia with an excellent service for more than 100 years now and has seen the business establishing itself as a part of the town’s rich history.

Three Generations of O’Donoghue’s on Main Street Virginia Located on Main Street, Virginia, since 1912, O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy was first opened by Hugh Bernard O’Donoghue and has been passed down from father to son over three generations. Hugh Barney O’Donoghue, Brian’s Father, still plays an active role in the pharmacy today, providing years of experience and words of wisdom to both staff and customers.

“My granddad, HB O’Donoghue, first set-up the business is 1912, in turn he handed over to my father Hugh Barney in the 1960’s and then it came to me in 2006. I am very fortunate to have my father in the business with me, he has thought me well especially when it comes to valuing our customers who are very important to us. Nothing beats experience and he has great advice for me whenever I need it” explained owner and manager Brian O’Donoghue.

Pride of place in the pharmacy are a number of record books Three generations of O’Donoghue’s l/r: Hugh Bernard, that show details of every single prescription that has been Hugh Barney and Brian sold from O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy over the past one hundred years. This tells its own story as to how things have changed for the O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy business and for their customers since 1912.

Week-long Celebrations to mark the 100th Anniversary “We marked our 100 years on Main Street Virginia with a week-long celebration during September. With offers and give-aways to customers as well as media profiling in the press and radio it was a wonderful party atmosphere which our customers and staff alike enjoyed” Brian stated.

Technological Advances at O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy Down the years, the O’Donoghue’s have invested in developing the pharmacy whether that was in extending the premises or in new equipment. They recently installed the very latest in dispensing technology, "Robbie" the Robot. This helps Brian and his team meet the increasing demands on the variety of medicines, suppliers and wholesalers. The robot assists with the ordering, dispensing and stocktaking of medications. Streamlining the dispensing process allows the O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy staff to focus on quality individual patient care.

It was not the first time an O’Donoghue took the initiative to invest in something new, as Brian was following in his father’s footsteps from two decades

Brian O’Donoghue and his team reviewing one of the many record books that has captured all customer sales information since 1912

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previous. “In 1984 my father was the second Pharmacy owner in Ireland to use a computer for the ordering of prescriptions” stated Brian.

O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy introduces Salin Plus – a natural therapy for Respiratory Problems: Over the years O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy have been introducing new products and services to ensure their customers can best manage their health. Passionate about providing the best possible healthcare service to patients has driven Brian O’Donoghue to search the world to find a therapy that can help many patients with debilitating respiratory conditions such as sinusitis and asthma.

After much searching he found Salin Plus, a salt therapy that uses a non-invasive method of delivering microscopic salt particles deep into the lungs from the O’Donoghues marked the 100th Anniversary in September comfort of the patients home while they sleep.

“There are no masks, tubes or any other invasive equipment, you simply turn on the machine, leave it in the bedroom and it works while you enjoy the best nights’ sleep you’ve had in years, waking the next morning feeling refreshed, energised and with less mucus blocking your airways,” Brian points out.

Used by GAA man Andy Moran from Mayo, the Salin Plus therapy device has proven so successful in the treatment of respiratory conditions that it has been awarded a Gold Medal at the 51st World Exhibition of Innovation, Research and new Technology, Eureka, Brussels, 2002. It also received a Silver Medal Award at Salon International des Inventions, Geneva, 2002 and recognised at the 24th European Cystic Fibrosis Conference in Vienna, 2001.

Offering a wide range of Health Care Services O'Donoghue’s Pharmacy is renowned for their one to one patient care which can be delivered in the privacy of a consultation room where they can help patients understand their health concerns and issues.

Among the specialist services on offer in O'Donoghue's Pharmacy is Health Screening which takes just about 10 minutes and includes checks on Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Iron levels, Glucose levels, Haemoglobin and Peak Flow. They also offer Food

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Here’s to another 100 years of success!

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Intolerance testing and assist customers with weight management programmes.

For those who prefer to choose herbal remedies O’Donoghue’s stock a wide range of A.Vogel products such as Echinacea, Menoforce and Milk Thistle, and also have a range of aromatherapy oils, body washes and bath salts in our extensive Kneipp range.

Home Delivery of Medicines for anybody who cannot get to the Pharmacy “We try hard to do new things, and we’ve just started a collection and delivery service of prescriptions to our older customers, because they are the ones that need it. A simple phone call to the Pharmacy to request the service is all it takes.

O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy will collect the details from the GP’s office and delivery the medication directly to the customers’ door”. Brian O’Donoghue points out

Gift Shop in O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy Alongside all medication needs, O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy offers luxury items such as skin care products including Decleor, Trilogy, Vichy and La Roche-Posay, make-up ranges Rimmel, Bourjois and essence. They also stock a wide range of jewellery, frames and gifts as well as a Fuji film lab where customers can develop films and digital prints and create personalised photo gifts. Their Christmas store welcomes customers from all over the county.

Changing Economic Times Like so many businesses nowadays, O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy has felt the same effects of the recession as most others in the country. The last few years have seen them having to lower their prices at their own cost in order to remain fair to customers that have also been hit by the downturn.

“An awful lot has changed in pharmacy over the last four years and we certainly have been affected by the recession,” Brian admitted.

A history of GAA The O’Donoghue’s GAA roots go back to the 1950s when Brian’s father, Hugh Bernard, lined-out for the Cavan senior football team. ‘HB’ made his debut with the Breffni Blues in 1954 at the age of 18 and served his county up until 1962, when family and work commitments took over.

The business had always remained loyal to Cavan GAA and the Ramor United club, and in recent times they’ve provided their service to one of the Association’s high-profile players, Mayo captain Andy Moran when they introduced him to a new therapy to aid the respiratory system.

Why O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy has been a success for 100 years.

Best Wishes To O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy Continued Best Wishes To O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy From

As for the success story that is O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy, Brian believes it comes down to customer care and hard work.

“The service we provide has been the secret behind our success, I think,” Brian stated. “I start at 8.30am and finish at 7pm and love my job. All the money in the world doesn’t match somebody saying thanks to you”

Great Staff and Customers And speaking of thanks, Brian O’Donoghue applauds his fabulous staff, some of whom have worked with the family for over thirty years and all of whom have the same customer focused ethos as the O’Donoghue family. According to Brian “Any business is as good as the staff you have working for you”.

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Of his customers Brian says that he is always there for them as they are for him and thanks them for being loyal to the O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy brand for over 100 years now.

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FIVE TO WATCH IN 2013 ...

FIVE TO WATCH IN 2013 ...

KILLIAN CLARKE (SHERCOCK) After having helped his club to long-awaited junior championship success in 2011, Clarke would go on to be one of Cavan’s top performers during their All-Ireland U21FC campaign which saw them successfully defend their Ulster crown. In May, the Shercock youngster made his Ulster senior championship debut at full-back for Cavan in their sixpoint defeat to would-be All-Ireland champions Donegal and you can be sure that Terry Hyland intends on keeping the talented prospect around next season.

Clarke’s ability to read the game, allied with some fine ball fetching, sees him able to line-out at either full-back or centre-field, while he’s also been effective in attack for his club in the past. He will have a crucial part to play if Peter Reilly’s U21s are to defend their Ulster title for a second time this spring, when he will be likely to feature in several different positions on the field once again.

RORY DUNNE (REDHILLS) Having only returned from injury this year, you can expect Dunne to stake his claim for a place in the Cavan full-back line in 2013 after being central to the Breffni County’s historic Leinster junior championship triumph back in June. Dunne gave former Wexford All Star Mattie Forde a torrid time on route to the provincial final against Kildare at Newbridge, where he put in another solid performance to help ensure victory over the Lilywhites.

Only a teenager when Redhills captured the intermediate title in 2008 (the following year he would be playing with Cavan seniors), Dunne will be hoping that the border men can be a force in the second tier again in 2013 after the club suffered a disappointing run in this year’s campaign.

Dunne will probably line-out at centre-field for his club next year, but if he is to make his Breffni return then he will likely have his sights set on the number three jersey again, with some stiffer competition for the position this time round.

KEVIN BOUCHIER (ARVA) Bouchier missed the majority of 2012 through injury but still picked up an Ulster U21 medal for his efforts, with a provincial minor from the previous year in his back pocket. The DCU student was sorely missed by his club this past season and will be keen to make up for lost time when Arva bid to end a 20-year wait for the junior championship title next year. Still only 19, next year should also see Bouchier returning to the county Under 21 squad as one of the most prominent attacking options for new manager Peter Reilly. After spending his first season on the bench, Ballyhaise sharpshooter Kevin Tierney delivered awesome displays during March and April to help Cavan defend their Ulster U21 crown, and Bouchier could well have a similar impact next season. He led the line with the Cavan minors superbly in the summer of 2011 and will likely be expected to do the same a grade up this spring.

GERRY SMITH (LAVEY) Awesome during Lavey/Castlerahan’s minor championship triumph, Smith seems to be getting better with each game he plays. The Lavey defender was superb in Cavan’s Ulster MFC final win over Armagh in July 2011 and the past 12 months have saw him put in another stellar season with both club and county. While Lavey’s 2012 season would be cut short at senior level, along with the county minors, Smith would get the chance to shine when Lavey/Castlerahan made their way to the Minor A Championship final against North Eastern Gaels. Smith rescued a draw with two late drives from centre-back, which resulted in equalising points to earn a replay against the Drung/Kill/Laragh amalgamation.

The next day out, the Lavey/Castlerahan management would stick him on the edge of the square for a spell which resulted in three points first-half points and after half-time his contribution at centre-field was immense towards victory.

Going by those performances, he’s likely to be a first choice for Cavan U21s next spring.

MARTIN DUNNE (CAVAN GAELS) Endured a mixed 2012 season, which saw him make his Cavan senior debut before suffering disappointment with Cavan Gaels at the quarter-final stage of the senior championship. Dunne impressed in spells during Cavan’s National League campaign, while his scores helped the Gaels remain at the summit of Division One all season long.

Injury saw the ace attacker miss out on the Breffni men’s All-Ireland SFC campaign, but he is likely to be back in a blue jersey next year as Cavan look to hit the ground running in Division Three of the NFL. As for his club, the Gaels will no doubt be going all out in 2013 with a return to the senior championship final firmly on their radar. If they are to get back to the county final, and win it, than Dunne’s scorers will have a huge bearing on their progress.

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OBITUARIES

FRIENDS WE LOST Brian Clarke (Killinkere) The death of Brian Clarke, The Bridge, Killinkere on March 29 was greeted with great sadness by those who came to know him as a kind, caring and witty person. Aged only 56 years, Brian was diagnosed with a serious illness in November 2011. When he asked his consultant how long he might expect to get, he was told perhaps two months without treatment or four months or more with treatment. His immediate response was "Shur look it, that's it, wouldn't it be worse if it was one of my sisters or one of my nieces or nephews or a young mother. I had a good life, I have no complaints. It would be nice though to live to see the long days again and to see the grass grow."

Most of Brian's wishes were granted but his time was shorter than all who had loved him dearly had hoped for.

Brian lived a good life, was a great brother, uncle and a wonderful son who cared for his mother so well over a long number of years. He was a caring neighbour who loved his townland of Granacunia and his parish of Killinkere.

He was a proud Cavan man and Irishman.

Having left school in 1972 Brian trained as a waiter in the Grasshopper Inn in Clonee and in Killiney Court Hotel. He was such a fine waiter it was believed that he could have worked in the best hotels in the world.

When Brian's dad died in 1978 he came home to look after the family farm. While he may not have been a progressive farmer, the animals he reared were cared for so well and this was noted by his veterinary surgeon John Lynch and by his many good neighbourly farming friends.

Brian loved sport, he was a great bare knuckle boxer in his primary school years and God help anyone who tried to take him on. He followed boxing throughout his life and could name the top fights and boxers in any weight division. Rugby was another sport he enjoyed greatly and even in his sick bed followed the fortunes of the Irish team in this year's Six Nations.

However it is Gaelic football that Brian will be best remembered for. He served as secretary and P.R.O. for Killinkere GAA; his weekly newsletter is still missed by many. In his youth he played a little but didn't excel. However over a 20 year period he managed both the 'B' and the 'C' teams for Killinkere. His easy going manner and commitment to those on the margins gained him so

many friends throughout Killinkere and beyond. He loved the youth and the youth loved him.

Here is a snippet of a typical day in the life of Brian (known as "Gigsy" by the players). The year is 1997, it's around 11am on a Saturday and Brian's on the phone- "Hello, this is Brian, Brian of the Bridge, is so 'n so there? "No he's away" "Hello, this is Brian, Brian Clarke, lookit, is so 'n so there? "No, he got hurt at training last night" "Hello, this is Brian", "Hello, this Brian", it goes on and on until about 3pm. He has 10 definites and is happy that by 5pm in Blacklion, 50 miles away, he'll have 15; they can get into the semi- final if they win this one!

He gets his basic gear together, one football, one old set of jerseys, the book for the team-sheet and of course his Monaghan or Avonmore milk container to carry the water for the boys who didn't train and who would drink water during the game like suck calves! He calls for his right-hand man "Red John" and off they head for BIacklion. He collects a new recruit called Jim Egan from Sharkey's hotel. "Where is Egan from?" asks Red John, "Kerry" says Brian, "anything to John Egan" asks Red John, "Yeah" says Brian a younger brother; it was looking good already.

As they approach BIacklion, Brian sees an ape of a man about 40 years old cutting grass at the front of his house.

He stops and enquires "Do you know where the new pitch is? "No" says your man, with a hint of a Birmingham accent, "I don't know anything about this Club at all, I'm only here a short time." "Did you ever play football?" ask Brian. "I played a little with Erin Gaels in Birmingham years ago."

"He could stand in the goals" says Red John, "we're fairly stuck for a lad this evening" and with a bit of persuasion, yer man agrees to give it a go. His name was Wilburn so they decided to call him Stafford. Brian plays him comer back. The ball comes in, Wilburn fouls a young forward; he's out of wind himself and collapses in a heap. The ref goes to take his name, he forgets what his name is! "What's the name" asks the ref a number of times, no response.

Red John intervenes "he's one of the Staffords."

"Anything to Joe Stafford?" enquires the ref, "a younger brother" says Brian, "the youngest of 15." The team were down by five points at half time; Caldwell, Mollie and Podge arrive late.

Gigsy rings out the changes and they

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make the difference. With time almost up and the sides level there is a disputed line ball. Aidan Cullen, our lines-man says "Whisht, I'll give fair play"; he gives it to Killinkere The ball is kicked in; Caldwell catches it and is dragged down in the square. He takes the penalty himself and buries it. The game's won, the place erupts. The "C"s are in the semi-final, Gigsy is a hero once again. Gigsy you will be missed by your team, your club and all GAA followers.

Brian passed away in Cavan General Hospital on Thursday, March 29 in the loving care of his family and the wonderful staff who are a credit to the health service. Many hundreds of people attended the house, the removal and funeral Mass in St Ultan's Church, Killinkere. He was buried in St Ultan's graveyard. Guards of honour were provided by members of the Killinkere GAA Club and Virginia Show Society.

Brian Clarke is survived by his sisters, Mary, Ann and Eileen, his brothers Phil, John, Pat and Gerard, brothers-in- law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grand nephews, grand nieces and extended family. Brian, you will be missed dearly by all who had the privilege of knowing you. You were a real star. Rest in peace.

Killinkere GAA Eveleen O’Connor (Cavan) Mrs Eveleen O’Connor of Athbara, Cavan passed away on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012, just four months short of her 80th birthday. Her father, Pat O’Hare, was a Garda in Tullyvin, where he served alongside the late Sergeant Mick Higgins. As a young woman, Eveleen played camogie for Kill in 1948, ’49 and ’50 as well as lining out for Killygarry thereafter. She represented Cavan on a regular basis up until 1957 and was skilful enough to earn a call-up from the Ulster selectors in ’56. Eveleen O’Connor also had a great love of golf.

Josie McKeon (Ballinagh) The late Josie McKeon (nee O’Reilly) of Cavan Road, Ballinagh, was part of a well-known GAA family that contributed greatly to the success of Cornafean football and camogie in the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. She played camogie for both Cornafean and the Cavan county team for many years and always had a great love of gaelic games.

Terence McEntee (Drung) The local community was shocked and saddened by the sudden death of Terence McEntee, Lisboduff. Terry had a great interest in gaelic football and music, serving Bunnoe Brass Band as a prominent member for many years.

He was an outstanding coronet player.

On the football field, he lined out for Drung with distinction and also represented the club with tremendous energy off the field of play. He was a selector when the JFC was won in 1980 and also with the St Finbarrs minor side that took gold in 1994 as well as the allconquering Division Two league winning Drung selection of ’97. Terry was deeply proud to watch his three sons represent the club. He also assisted Cavan County Board as a steward at games in Breffni Park as well as serving Ulster Council in a similar role. Guards of honour were provided by Drung GFC, Bunnoe Brass Band, St Finbarrs GFC, Cavan County Board and Castletara Ladies GFC. Tommy Conaty (Denn) The death of Tommy Conaty, Killanure, caused widespread regret in the Denn area and beyond. As a well-known businessman, he ran a bicycle shop along with his brother on Cavan’s Connolly Street for many years. His son Brian is a committee member of Denn GFC and his grandson Ben has played for the U16s and minors with distinction.

Willie O’Leary (Cootehill) Willie O’Leary of 74 Drumnaveil was one of Cootehill’s oldest citizens. He passed away at his home on July 26th following a short illness. A keen lover of both football and hurling, he lined out for Cootehill and was an ardent supporter of the local GAA team as well as the mighty Cats of Kilkenny. A tinsmith by trade, he also had a great love of horses.

Owen McKenna (Ballintemple) It was indeed a sad day for the local community when Owen McKenna of Aughaloora – who was synonymous with the local GAA - passed away at the age of 95. In his younger years, Owen was an exceptional gaelic footballer, a powerful and immovable man who lined out regularly in the No.6 shirt. Winner of an Ulster junior championship with Cavan in 1944, when Derry were beaten by double scores in the provincial final, Owen represented six clubs in total – namely Bruskey, Ballintemple, Kilnaleck, Ballymachugh, Aughaloora and Cornafean. Anyone who saw Owen McKenna play football would readily testify to his strength on the field of play.

John Brady (Loughduff) The late John Brady, Carricknabrick, Loughduff, who passed away on July 9th, 2012, at the age of 82, played football with great pride and verve for Mullahoran Dreadnoughts in his early years. After he hung up his boots ‘Red John’ remained a loyal and passionate supporter of the local GAA club. Active in the farming community all his life, John also enjoyed soccer, cards, draughts and chess. Guards of honour were provided at his removal by Mullahoran GAA club, PTAA, Fianna Fail and Killeshandra Co-Op. Ned Gaffney (Cornafean) Widespread sadness followed the passing of Edward ‘Ned’ Gaffney, Kiltrasna, Corlismore. Affectionately known as Ned all his life, he was a hard-working and popular member of the local community, where he lived for most of his 90-plus years (he was originally from Corduff, Ballinagh and spent seven years in Canada). He played football for both Wateraughey and Cornafean. Fellow players formed a guard of honour at Ned’s removal as a mark of respect and the coffin was draped in the flags of Lacken and Cornafean.

Frank Brady (Ballinagh / Coventry) The sudden death of Frank Brady in his adopted Coventry following a few days’ illness caused shock and sorrow in his native Ballinagh. Frank had emigrated to Coventry as a young man and set up a successful business there. He became deeply involved in the GAA in England and was president of the Roger Casements club as well as a true driving force behind all their successes and activities from fundraising to the securing of their pitch and facilities. He rarely missed a club meeting and led by example when it came to showing generosity towards Roger Casements GFC. Frank was chairman of the ground development committee at Pairc na hEireann and was a highlyrespected GAA figure, both in Ireland and England. Ballinagh GFC provided a guard of honour at Frank’s removal to St Felim’s Church, where GAA president Liam O’Neill and Ulster Council president Aogan Farrell were amongst those in attendance.

Sean O’Reilly (Cornafean) Sean O’Reilly from Drumcoghill loved football and was an enthusiastic supporter of both Cornafean and Cavan. A cousin of the late Big Tom and John Joe O’Reilly, he lined out for the Reds at corner back in his younger days and was vice-president of the club at the time of his passing.

Patrick ‘Packie’ Harten (Mullahoran) There was great sadness as word

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spread of the passing of Patrick ‘Packie’ Harten of Carnagh Lr. Aged 84, Packie was a popular member of the local farming community. He was a keen GAA follower who also enjoyed fishing.

John McEnroe (Kilnaleck) The passing of John ‘Johnny’ McEnroe at the age of 61 led to widespread sorrow throughout Drumbarry, Denn, Crosserlough and beyond. A man of many talents, Johnny played football with Drumavaddy in his youth and was a faithful supporter of Denn GFC. Guards of honour included the GAA, Sliabh Glath Drama Group, the card players, the PTAA and church committees.

William Edgeworth (Ballyhaise) Willie, who passed away on June 8th, 2012, was a keen supporter of Ballyhaise GAA club, for whom his son John starred with the senior team.

Mary Geraghty (Virginia) Mrs Mary Geraghty, Pollentemple, Virginia, was in her 95th year and was the last remaining member of the old Cole family from Maghera. Mary was a loyal supporter of the local GAA, especially Maghera McFinns GFC and the county teams. She was also a member of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association.

Fr Peter McPartlan (Leitrim / Cavan) A former county footballer with Leitrim, Fr Peter passed away on April 21st, 2012 following a long battle with illness.

He served as curate in Coventry, Cavan town, Newtownmanor, Drumreilly, Castletara and Drumlane and was parish priest in Ballintemple from 1999 until his death. As a student, he featured on the Carlow Colleges side that won the Interseminary football competition on three consecutive years as well as an All-Ireland Advanced Colleges title in 1972. Having line out with Aughnasheelin in Leitrim, he won a junior ‘B’ medal with Drumalee before starring at midfield on the first Glencar/Manorhamilton team to win the Leitrim SFC in 1977. Fr Peter also lined out regularly for Leitrim during the 1970s. He tended to get involved with the clubs in any area he was ministering in, becoming president of Lacken Celtics.

Jimmie Costello (Cavan) The death of Jimmie Costello from Drumbo, Cavan on May 1st, 2012, caused widespread sadness. Jimmie had a lifelong love of the GAA throughout his 88 years and was a member of Drumalee GFC, serving the club in many capacities. Jimmie was vice-president of Drumalee at the time

of his death. His sons John, Fergus, the late Phelim and Tommy all played for the club during the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, while his daughter Fionnuala played camogie during her secondary school years. Phelim’s son Eamonn (Jimmie’s grandson) was Ballyhaise senior team captain in 2012, while his brother Niall is also an excellent footballer with the club. Jimmie followed the county team fervently and was a happy man in 2010 as he joined in the celebrations after Drumalee captured the intermediate championship. Members of Drumalee GFC provided a guard of honour.

Niamh Duffy (Killeshandra) As a teenager, the late Niamh Duffy was involved in Community Games, Scor, camogie and dancing. As a valued member of the teaching staff at St John’s NS, Ballybrack, she had prepared the sixth years for confirmation shortly before her death.

Camogie and Scor representatives were amongst those who formed the guard of honour at her removal.

Kathleen Smyth (Denn) The late Kathleen Smyth, Fraal, was born in Athboy, County Meath in 1931.

She spent most of her working life in the capital but returned to Fraal upon retirement and became a valuable part of the local community. Her husband Gussie is vice-president of Denn GFC, while nephew Thomas Smyth is a former player and current committee member with the club.

Pat Reilly (Arva) Patrick Reilly of Behey, Arva passed away at his residence on February 17th, 2012. A popular member of the community, Pat spent his whole life on the home farm. A quiet man, he got great joy from following the fortunes of Cornafean and Cavan down through the years.

Michael O’Reilly (Ballinagh) Ballinagh and the entire county were gripped by sorrow when word spread of the tragic death of Michael O’Reilly in a road accident. Michael was a key part of the family plumbing business and he was also an extremely popular and energetic young man. He played football in his youth and was also a keen swimmer and golfer.

Michael Smith (Drumalee) Michael Smith was an outstanding footballer with Drumalee, winning many titles as he delivered a series of outstanding displays from the half back line. After hanging up his boots, he travelled all around the country in the company of his brother Peter to watch Cavan in action. Born in Cullies in

1942, he showed a very early interest in sport and was soon selected for various underage sides, including St Felim’s (Drumcrave, Killygarry and Crubany).

Michael broke into the Drumalee senior side at the age of 16 and was selected by the Cavan minors the following year.

However, his minor intercounty career was curtailed by participation in another GAA sport, namely handball. Over the years, however, Michael would make a massive contribution to Drumalee and Cavan GAA in general. He won a league in ’64 and was on the team beaten in the final three years later. In 1969, he starred on the side that captured the league and intermediate championship double as well as the John Joe O’Reilly tournament. Michael captained the junior ‘B’ championshipwinning side of 1974. Members of Drumalee GFC provided a guard of honour at the removal.

Lucy Smith (Killeshandra) Lucy Smith (nee Clarke) was one of the most-loved and popular people in the local community. As a talented musician and singer, she was a member of the Odeon Dance Band.

Members of the Leaguers provided a guard of honour as Lucy made her final journey.

Johnny Smith (Denn) The late Johnny Smith was born in Graddum, Crosserlough but emigrated to England, where he worked in the construction industry. After returning home in the 1970s, he lived in Pullabawn and then in Kilnaleck.

Johnny had a great interest in gaelic football all his life, having played with his native Crosserlough as a young man.

Ned Clinton (Lisduff) Ned Clinton, Lisduff, passed away on Holy Thursday morning, 2012, at the age of 83. One of the things he will be best remembered for is his tremendous exploits on the football field, which earned him a great reputation in GAA circles. Born in the townland of Lisduff, close to the border of Ballymachugh and Crosserlough, he represented both parishes with great energy and honesty.

Raymond Murphy (Killeshandra) Raymond Murphy from Railway Road lined out for the Leaguers in his youth and remained a faithful supporter of his local club thereafter. As caretaker of the local grounds, he took great pride in making sure that everything was in perfect nick. Representatives of the local fire brigade (of which he was also a member) and Killeshandra GAA club formed a guard of honour for Raymond’s final journey.

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Phil Gilsenan (Redhills) Phil Gilsenan of Cornabase, Tullyvin and formerly of Corcashel, who passed away on October 3rd, 2012, was a noted footballer with Redhills in his youth. But his career was cut short as he emigrated to England, where he worked for 44 years before returning to Cavan to live in Drung.

Stephen Lynch (Dundalk) Stephen was a native of Cavan and he never lost his great love for the Breffni County, who he supported throughout his life. At his funeral, a Cavan jersey was amongst the gifts that symbolised his life.

Tony Lynch (Dundalk) Tony Lynch, who passed away on March 16th, 2012, was a native of Bailieboro. He served the Dowdallshill club in his native county well, holding a number of positions on the board including treasurer. At his removal, Dowdallshill provided a guard of honour.

Tom Sheridan (Cavan) Sadness was palpable in the Cavan town area on Saturday, September 1st, 2012, when word spread of the passing of Tom Sheridan, 47 Highfield Road.

Tom had a great love of the GAA and he played for Butlersbridge as a young man and was good enough to represent Cavan at minor level.

Nicknamed ‘The Red’, he served both teams with distinction.

PJ O’Reilly (Drumlane) Well-known auctioneer PJ O’Reilly was a very proud man when elected honorary president of Drumlane GFC. He had served his local club in a variety of capacities, including chairman, and Drumlane provided a guard of honour at his removal to Milltown. He was also a big Cavan supporter and regularly travelled to support the Breffni Blues.

Joe Reilly (Cavan) The late Joe Reilly of Latt, Cavan was an active member of Drumalee GFC, Cavan Golf Club and St Vincent De Paul Society.

John McCormack (Kilnaleck) The death of John McCormack caused great sadness in the Kilnaleck area. A former Crosserlough footballer, John won a JFC medal with the black & amber in 1967.

Paddy Brady (Denn) It was truly the end of an era in the parish when Paddy Brady, Banaho, who was 83, passed away early in 2012. Paddy was a lifelong follower of Denn GFC and he supported all sporting events in the parish. His son

Oliver lined out for Denn and his brother, Bro. Oliver, is current vicepresident. Denn GFC respectfully formed a guard of honour at the removal.

Kathleen Flood (Cavan) A native of Newry, County Down, Kathleen Flood of Billis, Cavan passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 15th, 2012. Very much a part of the local community – including GAA activities - Kathleen herself played camogie, badminton and tennis, while her sons Colm and Declan both lined out for Drumalee GFC. Brian Boylan (Ballyhaise) A respected member of the community, Brian Boylan of Coratubber acted as secretary of Ballyhaise GFC between 1964 and ’68, before emigrating to New York. He was also a gifted actor.

Members of Sinn Fein and Ballyhaise GFC formed a guard of honour.

Brian was a brother of Tom Boylan, who has served as Treasurer of the Cavan County Board for many years.

Jimmy Smyth (Cootehill) A native of Aghabog in Monaghan, Jimmy Smyth from 24 Church Street passed away at Cavan General Hospital on December 19th, 2011.

Jimmy was a well-known figure in town and in the GAA club in particular, calling bingo at Cootehill GFC for 27 years.

Tom Smith (Mullahoran) Tom Smith, Legwee, was a member of one of the parish’s most-respected families. He was a massive supporter of the local GAA club, winning a league medal with Mullahoran in 1954. He maintained an avid interest in the GAA throughout his life and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the rules and of results and records at local and national levels.

Joseph Parker (Shercock) Joe Parker, Carrickacreeney, was a deeply intelligent and popular man who suffered a massive setback in 1995 when an injury sustained in a rugby match cost him the use of his arms and legs. He never let that devastating blow get him down and went on to lead an inspirational life before passing away at the age of 43. Guards of honour were provided by Virginia Rugby Club, Shercock GFC and St Patrick’s NS. Garry Morgan (Virginia) Garry came from a staunch Ramor United family and, even though he didn’t play gaelic football, his death came as a massive blow to the local GAA community. His brother Killian is a stalwart of the Ramor United club.

Seamus ‘Seamie’ Kelly (Redhills) The untimely death of Seamie Kelly on December 17th, 2011 caused widespread sadness in Redhills Village and beyond. Seamie had a great love of outdoor sports, particularly hunting and fishing. The guard of honour was formed by members of Redhills GFC, Redhills Gun Club, St Brigid’s NS, St Patrick’s College and Breffni College.

Jean Smith (Kingscourt) Sadly, Jean Smith (nee Sheridan) of Drumcrin, Kingscourt passed away on Wednesday, December 28th, 2011. A native of Bailieboro who was an excellent artist, Jean loved to attend GAA matches and was an avid supporter of both Kingscourt Stars and Cavan.

Breege Foynes (Butlersbridge) The late Breege Foynes played a key role in the history of the local GAA club when she helped design the current Butlersbridge GFC crest. She liked to keep up to speed with how the ‘Bridge were getting on, especially when her nephews Micheal, Darren and Martin Fitzpatrick were playing. Members of Butlersbridge GFC helped form a guard of honour at the removal, alongside former work colleagues from Crompton Greaves.

Patrick O’Reilly (Kilnaleck) The passing of 96-year-old Patrick O’Reilly of Church Road severed a link with a bygone era. As a young man, Patrick had joined the Bruskey Grattans club, going on to serve them as secretary. He was also actively involved in the formation of the Aughaloora club, whom he represented until emigrating to England in search of employment.

Paddy Bird (Bailieboro) The entire Cavan GAA community was left devastated by the tragic death of former Bailieboro and Cavan footballer Paddy Bird in a work accident in Darwin, Australia, in December 2011.

The 24-year-old refrigeration and air conditioning engineer had been working in Australia for just over three months when the tragic accident occurred. Paddy was an exceptional football with Bailieboro Shamrocks.

During his short career, he won two junior titles, a county U16 Division Two championship and a Division Three league. With Cavan, he collected a Hastings Cup medal and lined out in two Leinster junior finals. Paddy also represented his county at U21 level. He was always a prodigious talent, playing U14 football at aged ten and breaking into the Shamrocks first team at 17.

Paddy had emigrated shortly after the first team’s exit from the championship

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and the club had hoped that the exceptionally-talented clubman would one day return to don the Shamrocks jersey again, as he had done with such obvious pride. A masterful free-taker blessed with tremendous speed, balance and high-fielding ability, Paddy Bird was a joy to behold during his alltoo-brief days of lining out with distinction at St Anne’s Park and on pitches across the county and beyond.

Margaret ‘Maggie’ Smith (Redhills) Maggie Smith (nee McManus) of Shannow Wood and formerly of Redhills Village passed away on Sunday, November 29th, 2011, aged 95. Originally from Belturbet, Maggie was very fond of sport in her youth and was so accomplished at camogie that she represented the county. She went on to become a proud supporter of Redhills GFC, particularly when her own sons were playing. Maggie was especially proud when her sons Dessie and Brendan starred on the 1973 championship-winning team and she was an honorary life member of the club when the IFC was welcomed home in 2008. She also served on the ladies club committee. At Margaret’s removal, Redhills GFC respectfully contributed to the guard of honour.

George Curran (Gowna) The passing of George Curran, Lough Gowna, on October 3rd, 2011, caused widespread sadness. A keen athlete in his youth, George played for Gowna and remained interested in the club’s activities long after hanging up his boots. Members of Loch Gamhna GAA contributed to the guard of honour at George’s removal.

Sean Brady (Redhills) Sean Brady of Aghadreenagh passed away on Monday, November 7th, 2011, at the age of just 17. Well-known and very popular in the community, Sean was a member of Redhills GFC, the local Gun Club and Redhills Foroige.

As a gifted defender with the GAA club, he played a leading role right up through the juvenile ranks. He was so popular that members of Butlersbridge GFC and Redhills GFC assisted as stewards at Sean’s removal, while the local club also contributed to the guard of honour, along with members of St Brigid’s NS, Breffni College, Loreto College, Redhills Gun Club and Redhills Foroige.

Martina Cusack (Kilnaleck) The entire community was plunged into deep shock and sorrow by the passing of Martina Cusack of Church Road, who was one of the parish’s mostrespected citizens. Martina was synonymous with all the organisations

in the local community, including the GAA club – camogie in particular. Such were the crowds turning out to pay their final respects to Martina, that members of Crosserlough GAA club had to direct traffic, first to the family home and then again on the day of the funeral.

Bartley Gilsenan Snr. (Killygarry) Bartley Gilsenan Snr. was one of Killygarry GFC’s great stalwarts. He served the club with distinction in a variety of capacities, including club chairman from 1976 until 1981. He sat in the chair again in 1988 when Killygarry Athletic Grounds was officially opened and acted as vicechairman on a number of occasions.

Bartley also represented the club as a delegate to the County Board. His foresight, vision and energy were tremendous assets to the club and Killygarry GFC would not exist as it does today but for the massive contribution of the late Bartley Gilsenan Snr. Paddy Smith (Kilnaleck) Paddy Smith, a popular citizen of the town, passed away peacefully at Cavan General Hospital on Wednesday, November 9th, 2011.

Known extensively by his nickname ‘Paddy the Miller’, the deceased had been involved in a wide range of local activities, not least of which was gaelic football. Paddy lined out for Crosserlough and the GAA was often the main topic of conversation on the premises when he was proprietor of The Central Bar. Maria Lambe (Arva) Formerly Maria Cully of Main Street, Arva, Maria Lambe was in her 97th year when she passed away in Camolin, County Wexford. During her youth, Maria was a star camogie player with the Loreto College camogie team in Cavan.

Tom O’Connor (Cavan) Tom O’Connor of 6 Athbara, Cavan was a popular local councillor and trade unionist, who was also vice-president of Cavan Gaels GFC at the time of his death. He helped found Cavan Trades Council and was a member of the Health Board. His son Pauric played for Cavan Gaels at all levels, lining out against Laragh United in the 1983 SFC final and winning a host of medals at U14, U16, minor and adult levels.

Terry Smith (Butlersbridge) Great shock followed the sudden death on Saturday, October 1st, 2011 of Terry

Smith, Rockland, Cavan and formerly of Smith’s licensed premises, Butlersbridge. Terry starred on the MacRory Cup team at St Patrick’s College and won a county minor medal when Butlersbridge beat Kingscourt in the 1953 MFC decider. He was 15 at the time and played in goal. The following year, he was full back as the ‘Bridge lost the MFC final to Crosserlough. Terry went on to become resident full back with Butlersbridge and captained the club to their first-ever JFC in 1963. In 1988, he was inducted into the Butlersbridge GFC Hall of Fame. At the removal to St Aidan’s, members of Butlersbridge GFC provided a guard of honour to say farewell to one of their all-time greats.

Brian Beglan (Kilnaleck) Brian Beglan from Killydoon, who opted to pursue a life as a cobbler, lived to the age of 88 and had a great interest in the GAA. He never played but he certainly flew the flag for the Association and was once responsible for bringing together a local squad of players from the area and neighbouring parishes who won a minor championship in the 1950s. Many of those players went on to form the backbone of the Crosserlough senior team of the 1960s.

A football was amongst the gifts brought to the altar at Brian’s funeral mass.

Nonie Gormley (Cornafean) Nonie Gormley of Cormore, Arva was a native of Cornafean and a lifelong member of the Cornafean GAA club. It would be fair to say she was steeped in the history of the Association. Her father Pol McSeain and grandfather JP Johnston were secretary and chairman respectively of Cavan County Board, 1909/11. Nonie herself played camogie for Cornafean as a young girl and always encouraged other family members to play the game. In Arva, she was active in the local branch of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association and Arva Apostolic Association.

Edward ‘Ned’ Tully (Kilnaleck) Well-known as a visionary Republican, farmer and family man, the late Ned Tully played football with Denbawn O’Sullivans in his youth.

Andy Cullen (Mullahoran) The late Andy Cullen of Riverstown, Dundalk was a native of Mullahoran.

He was an ardent GAA supporter and was well-known and respected in his native parish.

Jimmy Kelly (Galway / Cavan) Retired Detective Garda Jimmy Kelly,

who was born in Galway, was heavily associated with the hurling and football fraternities in both his native county and Cavan. Jimmy won Galway junior, intermediate and senior hurling championships with Sarsfields and went on to play football with Kildallan GFC, winning a Cavan JFC in 1977. He won two Garda All-Ireland football medals with the Cavan / Monaghan selection and had the distinction of once playing for Sarsfields, the Garda and Kildallan all in the one day! Jimmy was a founder member of the Woodford Gaels hurling club in the ‘80s and was a driving force behind Cavan hurling.

He also went on to represent Drumlane and was joint manager of their MFCwinning team of a decade ago as well as serving them as secretary. Members of the GAA communities from Galway and Cavan flocked to bid their final farewells to one of their finest sons. At the removal, members of Kildallan GFC, Drumlane GFC, Slieve Russell Golf Club and the Sarsfields Hurling Club (including the legendary Joe Cooney) formed a guard of honour.

Hugh Rafferty (Cavan) Hugh Rafferty of Drumcondra and late of Cavan town passed away on Sunday, August 19th, 2012. He was well-known in both GAA and soccer circles. Hugh lined out for St Patrick’s College, Cavan and was on the Ulster side that won the interprovincial colleges title in 1951. He represented the Cavan Slashers club and was good enough to earn selection on the county minor team.

Benny Reilly (Drung) Great sadness followed the passing in October 2012 of Benny Reilly, Bunnoe.

Aged 85, Benny was greatly respected in the local community. He lined out for Drung for many years and was on the side that claimed a league title in 1958.

He remained a huge supporter of the club throughout his life and derived great pride from watching his sons and grandsons pull on the red and white.

Benny was honorary president of Drung GFC, who provided a guard of honour at his removal.

Philip Sheridan (Cavan) Philip 'Phil' Sheridan of 4 Cathedral Close, Cavan town and formerly of Aughnaskerry, Cavan and Cormore, Arva passed away on September 26th, 2012, aged 90. A native of Arva, Phil played gaelic football for Cormore and as a supporter - rarely ever missed a game, club or county. He was a regular visitor to Breffni Park.

We have endeavoured to include the Cavan gaels who passed away between the time of publication of last year’s Breffni Blue and the end of October 2012, when this edition went to press. Every effort has been made to ensure all relevant deaths were included. However, if an omission has been made, we apologise sincerely. We offer heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of our departed. Thanks to all the clubs who assisted in compiling this year’s obituaries.

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SWANLINBAR Gearoid McKiernan

2012 RESU LTS

EDGING CLOSER Swanlinbar may have come up short in their bid for the intermediate championship this past season, but talent and belief is plentiful within the St Mary’s club, according to new chairman Vincent O’Reilly.

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his past season was one which saw the semi-final hurdle of the intermediate championship prove just too high to get over for Swanlinbar’s senior footballers, with a goal-rout from Cootehill denying them at Kingspan Breffni Park in September. Having come so close to getting a crack at the coveted Tommy Gilroy Cup, you can be sure Swad aren’t about to throw in the towel on their chief objective any time soon.

Heading into 2012, the club had appointed a new management team which consisted of Kevin Prior, Aidan McCarron, John Killeeny and Ciaran

ACFL Divis ion 2 Swanlinbar 1-10 2-11 D Swanlinbar 1-6 2-11 Cro enn sse Knockbride 0-9 0-10 Sw rlough an Killinkere 2 -15 2-10 Sw linbar anlinbar Kill 2-6 1-1 3 Swanlinb Swanlinbar ar 1-13 0-12 C avan Gaels Drung 1-14 2-11 Swanlin Shannon G bar aels 1-14 0 -19 Swanlin Swanlinbar bar 2-10 2-11 D rumlane Mountnuge nt 1-15 2-1 5 Swanlinb Swanlinbar ar 0-11 1-6 Co otehill Celti Swanlinbar c 0-15 2-7 Bu tlersbridge Swanlinbar 0-16 0-12 C orn Killeshandra 0-16 2-12 S afean Swanlinbar wanlinbar v Munterco nnaught – n ot played IFC Swanlinbar 1-11 0-10 C ava Swanlinbar 1-6 3-12 Cro n Gaels sserlough Swanlinbar 2-13 0-9 Ba Killinkere G ilieborough AA 1-10 0-1 5 Swanlinb Cootehill C ar - QF eltic 4-11 0 -12 Swanlin bar - SF

McGovern and from the first training session of the year in January they made clear to the players what their season would be about.

“The aim was to win the intermediate championship and try and get as far up the Division Two table as we could,” explained Vincent O’Reilly, who took up the chairman role in the club for 2012.

“We felt we were strong enough to win the championship even though we’d lost four players to emigration from last year. Michael Curran would have been a big enough loss to us during the league as well, but he travelled back and forth from England

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for the championship which was a big help to us.”

Swad would get off to a shaky start in their All County Football League Division Two campaign, with come early defeats before wins against Kill (1-13 to 2-6), Cavan Gaels (1-13 to 012) and former junior rivals Shannon Gaels (0-19 to 1-14) saw the team’s form pick up well heading towards their intermediate championship opener at the end of July.

A hard found win against Munterconnacht (2-15 to 1-15) on July 22 meant that the St Mary’s men would be in with a chance of qualifying for the league semi-finals

The Swanlinbar seniors 2012 style, front l/r: Liam Prior, Paddy Reilly, Paul Prior, Robbie Prior, Joseph O’Brien, Michael Cunningham, Thomas O’Brien, Adrian McGoldrick, Christopher Curran, Padraig McManus, Stephen McGoldrick. Back: Gearoid McKiernan, Greg McGovern, Paul O’Brien, Damian Leydon, Gerry Scollan, Stephen Prior, Michael Curran, Conor Walsh, Padraig Leydon, Gerry McAveety, Declan Gilheaney, Gavin Leydon

SWANLINBAR - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

The Dernarieve Gaels Under 12s, front l/r: James McGovern, Oisin Morris, Adrian McGovern, Dara Prior, Conall McGovern, Sean McGovern, Dara McGoldrick, Ciaran Hurley, Cian McGovern, Peadar Cafferty, Mark O’Reilly. Back: Gerry Prior, Seamus Corrigan, Fionnan McGovern, Ryan Morris, Kevin Prior, James McBarron, Padraig Lyons, Ryan Prior, Eoghan Baxter, Dillon O’Brien, James McGovern, Matthew Morris, Oadhran McGoldrick, Kevin McGovern, Hugh McMurrow, Noel McGovern

as they geared up for the championship’s start “We didn’t start off well in the league,” O’Reilly stated. “We lost our first few games and things weren’t looking well, but we put a good run together during the second-half of it which left us towards the upper end going into the championship. The form going into the first game was good and the lads were really up for the first game against Cavan Gaels.”

Played at Packie Devlin Park in Killeshandra, it was Swad that made the better start against their Cavan town counterparts with Gearoid McKiernan and Robbie Prior booting over the first two points for the early

lead. The Gaels would hit back, but they were stunned with the outstanding Chris Curran raced through their defence and fired a thunderbolt to the back of Richard Murphy’s net.

The goal saw Swad take in the 1-4 to 0-5 half-time lead, but the early stages of the second-half saw the Gaels quickly level and they’d move into their first lead with 20 minutes left to play. As the game grew older McKiernan began to get into his rhythm though, and the Cavan midfielder kicked two points before winning a free for Prior to slot which saw the west Cavan men back with the advantage. Michael Cunningham

would kick the score of the game from 50 metre soon after and from there on it never looked as though Swad would be pipped, as they ran out 1-11 to 0-10 winners to put one foot in the quarter-finals.

“We played well on the day against the Gaels and came through by a couple of points in the end, but the next day Crosserlough hammered us and it left us needing a win from our last day to go through,” said O’Reilly.

The 3-12 to 1-6 trouncing at the hands of the Kilnaleck men, who were beaten finalists in 2011, left Prior and co going back to the drawing board in order for the team to get the win they needed against

The Swanlinbar squad that participated in the Intermediate Football Championship, front l/r: Gavin Leydon, Joseph O’Brien, Damian Leydon, Paul O’Brien, Michael Cunningham (Capt), Robbie Prior, Rory McBarron, Thomas O’Brien, Paul Prior, Padraig McManus, Paddy Reilly, Christopher Curran. Back: Greg McGovern, Michael Curran, Gearoid McKiernan, Conor Walsh, John Cunningham, Gerry Scollan, Padraig Leydon, Stephen Prior, Liam Prior, Adrian McGoldrick, Seamus Corrigan, Donal McGovern

101

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Gearoid McKiernan

Kieran McGovern

Joseph O’Brien

Bailieborough in their remaining group game.

The Shamrocks had been highflying in Division Three all season long and were sure to provide Swad with a stern test when the two sides met in Drumalee in the last weekend of August. In the end though, the 2010 junior champions would come through with flying colours at St Felim’s Park, where they came away 2-13 to 0-9 winners to set-up a showdown with Killinkere in the last eight.

“The Bailieborough game was vital for us,” the chairman stated. “We had to win it in order to get through to the quarter-finals and it was ‘do or die’ from our prospective. That was the way we approached it and thankfully we played some of our best football all year that day and won comfortably enough in the end.”

The team would be well primed when they met Killinkere at Kingspan Breffni Park, where a semi-final place was at stake. Swad endured a shaky enough start to the game which saw their opponents goal in the 10th minute, but the west Cavan men recovered superbly to kick six consecutive points, with their midfield pairing of McKiernan and Michael Cunningham to the fore, which saw them lead by 0-9 to 1-3 at the break.

Killinkere flew out of the traps for the second-half, kicking three points in five minutes but through Robbie Prior Swad had another scoring outlet and the corner-forward settled his team with two frees which were backed up by another Michael Cunningham point. Killinkere hit back with two points of their own but were fortunate not to concede a goal when Ruairi McBarron’s effort was well-saved by Sean McGovern, but it made little difference in the end as McKiernan wrapped up the 0-15 to 1-10 win for the St Mary’s side with a neat point in injury-time to seal a semi-final berth.

Swanlinbar (IFC quarter-final v Killinkere): Gerry Scollan; Joe O’Brien, Thomas O’Brien, Paul Prior; Damian Leydon, Adrian McGoldrick (0-1), Paul O’Brien; Michael Cunningham (0-3), Gearoid McKiernan (0-4); Chris Curran (0-1), Padraig Leydon, Greg McGovern (01); Ruairi McBarron, Michael Curran,

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Robbie Prior (0-5, 5f). Subs: Donal McGovern, John Cunningham, Padraig McManus, Paul Prior.

In the last four, Swad would meet a Cootehill side that were on a hot run of form after impressing in the group stages and seeing off Killeshandra in their respective quarter-final by 1-11 to 0-10.

When the two teams met under lights at Kingspan Breffni Park on September 22 it would be the underdogs that enjoyed the better start as Padraig McManus, Michael Cunninghan and Ruairi McBarron made it 0-3 to nothing after 10 minutes. Incidentally, Swad had a goal ruled out in the first minute by Cavan Gaels referee Martin Sexton and almost hit the net again only for a superb stop by Ryan Carroll in the Cootehill goal. The missed chances would come back to haunt Swad by the end of the half as concession of two goals from Stevie O’Connor and Dean Connolly led Cootehill towards a 2-6 to 0-7 lead at the halfway stage.

Two Robbie Prior frees looked to have Swad on the right path early on in the resumption, but when they conceded a penalty which Enda Hessin converted they’d be down by nine points with 15 minutes to play.

The trailers would be reduced to 13 men in that time and were left to play catch up in the end, as they exited the

John Cunningham

championship on a 4-11 to 0-13 score-line which saw Cootehill advance to the final against Lacken, whom they’d lose out to after a replay.

“We knew going into the game that Cootehill were going well but we still felt we could get the win,” O’Reilly stated. “On the day they scored four goals against us and beat us well, but I still don’t think there was that big a gap between us and if we had met them on another day who’s to say what would have happened.

“We did have a goal disallowed in the first minute of that game that could have changed things, but I don’t think it should be looked at like that. There’s a lot of things that go against you and go for you in games, so you can’t read into it too much.

Players just have to concentrate on themselves.”

He added: “Next year we’ll have to improve on our defensive set-up and we’ll be hoping to regroup from that defeat. We’ll have to check the emigration status of the players and hopefully we’ll have a few more young lads coming into the team.

“I’d just like to thank the committee for their hard work during the year and our main sponsors Leydon Coaches as well.”

James McBarron

JUVENILE Things continued to stay strong on the juvenile front for Swanlinbar in 2012 when their underage players once again joined with neighbours Corlough, Kildallan and Shannon Gaels to form the Dernacrieve Gaels amalgamation. In August, the minor team (known as West Cavan Gaels) advanced to through to the semifinals of the Division One Championship, where they lost out to beaten finalists North Eastern Gaels.

A month later the team’s Under 12 footballers would do their respective clubs proud when they captured the Division Two Championship title after defeating Killeshandra Leaguers in the final on the 3G pitch at Kingspan Breffni Park. Meanwhile the club’s Under 10 footballers also brought silverware back to the parish earlier in the season when they won backto-back blitzes in Kildallan and Drumlane.

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Christopher Curran

Robbie Prior

The Bailieborogh senior squad, front l/r: Shane Kelly, Niall Donnelly, James Fulton, Eoin O’Sullivan, Calvin Daly, Sean Cooney, Declan O’Reilly, Shane Dillon, Conor Tierney, Damien O’Reilly, Paul Cooney Jnr, Aiden Reilly, Paul Cooney Snr, Sean Farrelly, Ciaran McCabe, Garreth Brennan. Back: Marcus Clarke, Thomas Cooney, David Carolan, Barry Mc Mahon, Damien Lynch, Michael Argue, Niall Comey, James Cooney, Paul O’Reilly, Luke Moynagh, Peter Clerkin, Senan O’Reilly, Jeffery Martin, Michael Clinch, Paul Dooley, Stephen Kierans, Philip Clarke

BAILIEBOROUGH - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

BAILIEBORO Conor Tierney

2012 RESU LTS

ON THE UP While most clubs set their sights on championship before a ball is even thrown in for the new season, this year was all about the league for Bailieborough Shamrocks as they targeted a return to Division Two of the All County Football League. PRO Oliver Tierney told us more.

2

012 would turn out a tough assignment for any Division Three team seeking promotion to the intermediate ranks. A top place finish - and only a top place finish - in the league table would be sufficient enough for a play-off place with Division Two’s bottom side, with the winners making the potent leap up to the second tier for 2013.

When manager Jimmy Reilly came into his second year in charge of the club, the objectives he and his

ACFL Divis ion 3 Bailieborou gh 0-7 0 Arva 0-8 3-1 -5 Ballymachugh 3 Bailieboro Templeport ugh 0-5 2-17 Ba ilieborough Bailieborou gh 1-16 0-1 Maghera Laragh 0-5 2-7 Bailiebo rough Bailieborou gh 1-13 1-1 0 Kildallan Ballymachu gh 0-12 1-1 3 Baili Shercock 1 -11 2-3 Baili eborough eborough Bailieborou gh 1-11 0-3 Bailieborou Arva gh 1-15 0-4 Templeport Maghera 1 -4 3-9 Baili eborough Corlough 0 -10 3-11 Ba ilieborough Bailieborou gh Kildallan 3-1 0-6 0-5 Shercock 2 0-13 Baili eborough Bailieborou gh 1-15 0-1 Bailieborou 4 Laragh gh v Corlou gh – not pla Bailieborou yed gh 1-11 0-7 Arva –SF Bailieborou gh v Ballym achugh – fin al IFC Bailieborou gh 2-5 1-11 Crosserlou Cavan Gae gh ls 4-13 1-7 Bailieborou Swanlinbar gh 2-13 0-9 Ba ilieborough

selectors, Philly Dunne and Paul Kelly, set out for the team were direct, as PRO Oliver Tierney explained.

“The target for us was to try and get out of Division Three,” said Tierney.

“We had no emigration within the team from last year. We have a very young team, but what we would be lacking is your 27, 28 year-old that could grab the game by the scruff of the neck for you.

“We lost the likes of David Rooney and Ollie Kellegher through injury

107

and retirement this year and they would have been huge losses to us.

Our biggest lost though would have been Paddy Byrd, who was tragically killed in Australia at the end of 2011.

That was something that hit the club hard and I suppose the players that were there kind of wanted to win something for him. We felt we were good enough to win Division Three and would have had a lot of players left over from the last time we got promoted from it.”

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The U16 league winning panel, front l/r: Tommy Rogers, Peter Carolan, Jack Renihan, Reece Clarke, Ben Hannigan, Colin Comey, Christopher Hall, Darren Clarke, Eric Sheckelton, Eoin O’Reilly. Back: Cillian Beirne, Daniel Kenny, Ciaran Keegan, Niall Smith, Killian McCabe, Conor Larkin, Jacques Tierney, Stephen Monaghan, Darren Brady, Harry O’Neill, Christopher Dunne, Brendan Argue, Nathan Ellis

The Shamrocks’ start to the league campaign would be an outstanding one, as they trounced Arva in their opening away game by 3-12 to 0-8 which would turn out to be the first victory of 14 to come, with just two

defeats being suffered all year in Division Three.

Wins against Kildallan (1-13 to 110), Ballymachugh (1-13 to 0-12) and Arva (1-11 to 0-3) saw Reilly’s charges head towards the

intermediate championship with a full head of steam, which they would surely need as they opened their campaign against one of the competition’s favourites in the form of Crosserlough at the end of July.

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On league duty against Maghera, front , l/r: Damien O’Reilly, Jeffery Martin, Michael Clinch, Aiden Reilly, Ciaran McCabe, David Carolan, Declan O’Reilly (captain), Eoin O’Sullivan, Philip Clarke, Senan O’Reilly. Back: Gerry Clarke, Garreth Brennan, Paul Cooney Snr, Niall Comey, Paul Hanley, Conor Tierney, Paul O’Reilly, Peter Clerkin, James Cooney, Shane Dillon, Luke Moynagh, Michael Argue, Stephen Kierans

“We got off to a good start in the league,” said Tierney. “We did lose a game to Shercock in Shercock, but we were going well overall and got a great win over Shercock in Bailieborough towards the end of the season which kind of left our fate in our own hands. The last game we had in the league was against Laragh and we won it by four points.

Laragh had been going well at the time because they were after getting into the junior championship final, so it was a big result for us and made sure that we finished the

season top of the table.”

Bailieborough’s spot at the top of Division Three was far from secured heading into the championship tough, and they knew they’d be coming up against higher calibre teams than they’d been playing the previous five months.

First up for the Shamrocks was a battle with one of the competition’s favourites Crosserlough at Kingspan Breffni Park, where a tight first-half saw the Kilnaleck men lead by a point at the halfway stage. As the secondhalf progressed,

The club’s senior camogie seven-a-side winners

The Shamrocks U10 squad which took part in the club’s annual Blitz in St Anne’s Park. Mentors Brendan Reilly, Cathal Sheridan, Padraig Farrelly and Kevin McIntyre are also pictured

111

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Senan O’Reilly

Aiden Reilly

Conor Tierney

Crosserlough would move into a 0-10 to 0-5 lead before Bailieborough struck goals through Niall Comey and Michael Argue which looked to have secured the win. However, they’d be foiled by an injury-time goal from Colin Lynch which consigned the team to their first championship defeat of the season.

The following weekend saw Reilly’s men suffer a harsh defeat at the hands of a goal-hungry Cavan Gaels side, which ended their hopes of a quarter-final place before going in against Swanlinbar in their remaining group game.

“We conceded a late goal against Crosserlough to lose the game and if we’d have won who’s to say how far we could have went. Crosserlough went on to a semi-final, which they should have won, from there and we went on to lose our next two games,” Tierney stated.

“It was really a game that we could have won. We lost heavy to Cavan Gaels the next day and that meant that our last game against Swanlinbar made no difference, because we were out of the championship.”

It meant that Bailieborough would return to league action without a championship victory, needing wins to maintain their promotion goal. In August, the team would battle it out with second-placed Shercock, who had already defeated them earlier in the season, at St Anne’s Park, where they grinded out a 0-6 to 0-5 win over the junior champions to take a huge step towards Division Two. Defeat to Kildallan in the next round would be a mere blip from Reilly’s team as a 1-15 to 0-14 victory over JFC finalists Laragh United in Bailieborough would see the hosts securing top spot in Division Three for a semi-final berth with Arva and, more importantly, a shot at promotion back to the second tier.

In the last four, Bailieborough would meet Arva at PJ Duke Park in Stradone and come away with a 1-11 to 0-7 victory to book a final date with Ballymachugh, who upset former junior champions Shercock in their respective semi-final in Kingscourt.

Both winning teams would journey to O’Raghallaigh Park for the Division Three decider on October 20, and in

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U16 captain Darren Clarke accepts the league trophy

the end it was goals that made the difference for Bailieborough as they in clinching the title. The Shamrocks had dominated early proceedings as a trademark goal from Michael Argue and some fine shooting from Niall Kelly put them 1-4 to 0-1 in front after 15 minutes. Ballymachugh hit back with three unanswered points of their own, which trimmed the down difference by half-time.

In the second-half, Ballymachugh nudged themselves in front but, to their credit, the Shamrocks never threw in the towel and they showed great composure in the latter stages when Niall Comey set-up Owen O’Sullivan for the vital goal which proved a huge blow to their opponents.

Bailieborough would go on to increase their lead late on with a fine score from team captain Declan O’Reilly, who went on to collect the cup on the club’s behalf as they saw out a 2-9 to 012 victory.

U16S TAKE DIV 1 TITLE

Sean Cooney

David Carolan

In May, Bailieborough’s Under 16 footballers clinched the club’s first piece of silverware for 2012 when they overcame Crosserlough’s challenge in the Division One league final at Ramor United Park in Virginia.

Having won the Christy Shiels annual 7-a-side tournament earlier in the year, a talented Bailieborough side headed into their league campaign with some strong form which helped them move into the semi-finals, where they edged past Ramor United by 0-9 to 0-8. Nonetheless they would still be heading into the Division One decider against Crosserlough on May 25th as underdogs.

Played in glorious summer conditions, the opening exchanges had been even up until the first quarter when the young Shamrocks began to pull away with a well-finished goal from Rhys Clarke. From there, the east Cavan side began to dominate their opponents with three unanswered points and a

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goal from corner-forward Ciaran Keegan ushering them towards a 2-5 to 1-3 lead against the favourites.

Crosserlough did their best to cut the deficit immediately into the resumption, but they could find no way past a stern Bailieborough defence for whom Darren Brady, Colin Larkin and Darren Clarke were best. The Reds would land their third goal of the match from the secondhalf throw-in which saw a long ball being pumped into Keegan, who gathered a fired to the corner of Ian Telford’s net. More points followed for the Shamrocks before the superb Harry O’Neill fired in goal number four from full-forward to all but kill off the game as a contest. To their credit, Crosserlough rallied and pulled back two goals but there was no halting Bailieborough’s momentum as they would go on to secure a 4-12 to 3-7 win which saw team captain Darren Clarke going up to receive the Cup on his team’s behalf.

The Bailieborough team that lined out that day was as follows: Ciaran Monaghan; Eric Shekleton, Darren Brady, Nathan Ellis; Colin Comey, Darren Clarke, Colin Larkin; Tommy Rogers, Christopher Dunne; Jack Renihan, Brendan Argue, Ben Hannigan; Ciaran Keegan, Harry O’Neill, Rhys Clarke. Subs: Jacques Tierney, Niall Smith, Daniel Kenny, Killian Byrne, Christopher Hall, Killian McCabe, Peter Carolan, Eoghan O’Reilly.

LADIES GOING STRONG 2012 saw the Bailieborough Shamrocks ladies competing in the intermediate championship, where the biggest crowd of the year at St Anne’s Park turned up to watch an intriguing contest between Knockbride and the hosts, which saw the Canningstown women coming away with the spoils and going on to claim the title. Many of the same Bailieborough players would line-out for the club’s camogie team this past season, whilst the Shamrocks were also major contributors to the East Cavan Gaels hurling side in 2012, which saw an eastern amalgamation of Knockbride, Shercock, Kingscourt and Bailieborough competing in the small ball game.

Intermediate championship winners, front l/r: Shane O’Reilly, Terry Hyland, Declan Brady, Eddie Sheridan, Finbar O’Reilly, Martin Brady, James Galligan, Raymond Galligan, Philip Moynagh, Martin Brady, Craig Lanauze, Stephen Brady, Declan Brady. Back: Kevin Shanaughy, Jason O’Reilly, Daniel Brady, Pauric Leddy, Shane Finnegan, James Moynagh, Niall McKiernan, Damien McKiernan, Bryan Gaffney, Colin Comerford, Joe Crowe, Conor Finnegan, Trevor Crowe, Michael Shanaghy, Nevin Mc Kiernan, Karl Reilly, Martin Brady

LACKEN - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

LACKEN Raymond Galligan proudly hoists the Tommy Gilroy Cup aloft

2012 RESU LTS

BACK IN THE TOP TIER Lacken’s objectives were achieved in full this past season, with a fourth intermediate title earned for the club and league safety all but assured by mid-July. In his first year as a senior manager, former Cavan ace Jason O’Reilly made good on his promise and led the club back to the coveted Tommy Gilroy Cup. The former Cavan goal-poacher spoke to Shane Corrigan about the experience.

A

fter the trauma of relegation, the most any club can ask for the following year is an immediate return to their former ranks. Needless to say Lacken had no complaints at the end of 2012 with an intermediate championship title in the bag and their senior status confirmed for the following year.

Jason O’Reilly would have settled for that too. Having gained some experience under former Cavan colleague Mickey Graham with the

ACFL Divis ion 1 Lacken 0-1 3 1-7 Beltu rbet Lacken 3-8 0-12 Ballina gh Lacken 1-7 1-6 Mullaho ra n Lavey 1-6 0 -11 Lacken Lacken 2-1 3 0-7 Redh ills Killygarry 2 -8 0-12 Lack en Ramor 0-7 1-8 Lacken Lacken 2-7 1-11 Drumg oon Gowna 2-1 0 2-6 Lacke n Ballyhaise 1-10 1-8 La cken Lacken 3-1 0 3-9 Kingsc ourt Lacken 0-8 0-4 Drumale Castleraha e n 0-6 1-10 Lacken Cúchulainn s 1-9 0-10 Lacken Lacken 1-1 1 3-15 Cava n Gaels IFC Lacken 3-1 0 2-3 Killinke re Shercock 1 -4 0-16 Lack en Knockbride 1-9 4-14 La cken Drumlane 2 -4 1-11 Lack Crosserlou e n – QF gh 1-7 0-10 Crosserlou Lacken – S gh 0-8 0-9 F Lacken – S Cootehill 1-1 F replay 0 L a ck e n1 Lacken 3-1 0 1-9 Coote -10 - Final hill – Final replay

county minors a few years back, you could say that the Belturbet man was being thrown in at the deep end when he took over the reins of a club fully expected to win the intermediate championship and battle their way towards the upper end of Division One in order to avoid a relegation battle involving somewhere between 10 to 12 teams.

He revealed that he could have missed the whole adventure had he not changed his mind at the last

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minute to join the Crowe Park outfit.

“Last December I got a phone call from Lacken and they knew I was interested in taking over a senior team,” explained O’Reilly.

“I’d already given my word to another team outside the county, but I thought about it for a while and decided to go with Lacken. We had a meeting at the end of the year and just set out goals for ourselves to try and improve on 2011. We wanted to

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118

What a year it has been for the Lacken squad, front l/r: Bryan Gaffney, Terry Hyland, Kevin Shanaughy, Declan Brady, Philip Moynagh, Raymond Galligan, Nevin McKiernan, Martin Brady, Joseph Sorohan, Karl O’Reilly. Back: Shane O’Reilly, Pauric Leddy, Conor Finnegan, Martin Brady, James Galligan, Niall McKiernan, Michael Shanaughy, Colin Comerford, Shane Finnegan, Stephen Brady, James Moynagh, Craig Lanauze, Daniel Brady

improve with each game from the very start of the league, with winning the intermediate championship in the back of our minds.”

Lacken’s rigorous training sessions commenced in early January and the team were well primed by the end of February when the ACFL Division One rolled around. Victory over O’Reilly’s native Belturbet (0-13 to 17) saw his team off to a flying start with four more consecutive wins to come, leaving them sitting pretty at the summit of Division One heading into Round Six. “We won our first five matches in the league, so you could say that we hit the ground running alright,” the

Lacken boss stated. “A lot of those wins came down to the belief in the players and we were working hard in games. We’d been training since the start of January and I think those few weeks we had on the other teams we’d been playing really stood to us.”

While the team’s form would take a slight dip in the middle of the league campaign, things picked up towards the end of June with their championship opener fast approaching. Wins over Ramor United (1-8 to 0-7) and Gowna (1-13 to 1-9) saw Lacken head into the intermediate championship with the favourites’ tag and their senior status for 2013 all but consolidated.

Killinkere, Shercock and Knockbride would all fall on Lacken’s sword in the group stages, with O’Reilly’s team showcasing their physicality and combined talent by putting up big scores to cruise into the last eight of the competition.

“Our form heading towards the championship was good. I think we won our last two matches before going into the Killinkere game,” said the Belturbet man.

“We never underestimated any team we played this year and I knew that the likes of Killinkere and Shercock were going to be tough games for us. Thankfully we got through them and that put us into the

On league duty, front l/r: Martin Brady, Philip Moynagh, Finbar O’Reilly, Michael Shanaughy, Raymond Galligan, Craig Lanauze, Terry Hyland, Martin Brady Joseph Sorohan, Nevin McKiernan, Karl Reilly, Daniel Brady. Back: Pauric Leddy, James Moynagh, Kevin Shanaughy, Stephen Brady, Shane O’Reilly, Joseph Crowe, Colin Comerford, James Galligan, Conor Finnegan, Damien McKiernan, Shane Finnegan, Declan Brady, Bryan Gaffney, Niall McKiernan

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120

Tristan Lynch

Conor Finnegan

Niall McKiernan

quarter-finals before we’d have to play Knockbride in our last game.”

The quarter-final draw would pit Lacken against beaten 2010 finalists Drumlane at Kingspan Breffni Park, where a sterling first-half performance would see them in complete control by half-time, leading 1-8 to 0-0. The Milltown men came out for the second-half a transformed team, notching 2-4, but Raymond Galligan’s early goal proved the difference in the wet and blustery conditions, with Lacken’s semi-final slot confirmed.

“We’d played them at the start of the year in a challenge match and only beat them by a couple of points. I’d know Drumlane well and know that they’re a team that fights to the end,” said O’Reilly.

“We got off to a great start with the breeze in the first-half and I suppose if Drumlane had to have played in the first-half that day at all we could have been in trouble, because they came back at us strong in the second-half.

Thankfully, we came through though and made the semi-finals.”

After that, a battle with Crosserlough awaited Lacken, with a county final place at stake, and O’Reilly and co knew that they’d have to up the ante in order to get past the black and ambers. Under the managership of former Cavan star Bernard Morris, the Kilnaleck men were on a mission to get back to the intermediate decider which they suffered a shock defeat in in 2011, when Drumgoon upset the odds to claim their first title since 2002.

Played at Kingspan Breffni Park, Lacken made the better start in the derby but were dealt a swift double blow when centre-back Kevin Shanaghy was red-carded and Enda Gaffney converted a penalty on the half-hour which saw Crosserlough into a 1-4 to 0-6 half-time lead. The second-half would see Lacken fighting for their lives until late on when Niall McKiernan’s free earned them a draw and the second chance they needed to see off their neighbours.

The replay was another airtight encounter and it was Crosserlough that had made the better start with their first three scores coming inside

121

Niall McKiernan accepts the Man-of-the-Match award

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122

Lacken’s senior camogie team, front l/r: Aisling King, Emer Smith, Andrea Lynch, Susan Mulligan, Miranda Crowe, Rosie Crowe, Sinead Brady, Helena Brady, Ellen Murphy, Fiona Crowe, Niamh McInerney, Lisa Magauraghan. Back: Catriona Leddy, Roisin O’Keeffe, Sinead O’Keeffe, Eimear Brady, Maria Murphy, Bernie Briody, Marie Brady, Lisa Bennitt, Michelle Ellis, Fiona Brady, Nora Moore, Orla McInerney, Niamh Brady, Aoife Brady, Mary Moore

the opening six minutes, while Lacken only saw their first score arrive after 13 minutes. The would-be winners did pull level by the break though with ace forward Raymond Galligan in fine shooting form. The second-half was nip and tuck, and a another replay looked certain until wing-back Nevin McKiernan made the most of a poor clearance from Crosserlough’s scrambling defence to land a 63rd minute winner.

“They were beaten finalists last year

and we knew that would have hurt them. It was a local derby as well, so we knew we’d have to up our performance,” said O’Reilly.

“We tried to keep to what we were good at and not make too many mistakes, and in the first game I think we showed great character to get a draw playing with 14 men for the second-half. The second day a lot of the lads stood up to the mark and one of our last scores came from the fullback driving forward and one of the

wing-backs kicking it over, so I think that really showed that everyone counted that day for us.”

In the final, Lacken would meet an in-form Cootehill side that had impressed with four goals in their semi-final demolishment of Swanlinbar, but it was O’Reilly’s charges that made a flying-start with points from captain Raymond Galligan, Finbar O’Reilly and Conor Finnegan before the former lashed in a goal which saw them into a five-

The up and coming players in the club, front l/r: Torin Brady, James Smith, Oisin Flemming, Donal Finnegan, David Halton. Back (included are): Killian Brady, Liam McKiernan, Aoghan Halton, A O’Reilly, Conor Ellis, Tristan Lynch, Aaron Brady, Fionn Flemming

123

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124

point lead by the halfway stage.

After having led for 53 minutes at Kingspan Breffni Park, Lacken looked to be in trouble when Enda Hessin crashed in a late penalty for Cootehill, who would again level in injury-time through John McCutcheon before free-taker Mark Mullan was presented with a chance to clinch the title with the last kick of the game.

The centre-forward sent wide though and the 2004 champions would be able to breathe a huge sigh of relief and have another chance six days later.

The scheduling of the game would see Kevin Shanaghy missing out on the replay by a day due to suspension, but from the outset it was clear that the Lacken players were up for another tough hour against a side gunning for their club’s first intermediate championship success since 1971.

The scores of Raymond Galligan, Niall McKiernan and Finbar O’Reilly would see the Sky Blues getting off to an ideal start before conceding a penalty which Enda Hessin converted on the quarter hour mark. Crucially, Lacken never panicked and when Galligan released McKiernan to blast to the net soon afterwards it would send them towards a 1-6 to 1-3 halftime lead.

Cootehill flew out of the traps for the second-half and took back the lead as the game entered its final quarter.

Lacken were made dig deep to stall the town side’s momentum and when Conor Finnegan released McKiernan for his second goal on 49 minutes the tide was firmly stemmed. With the difference at one point, the closing stages would be tense but Lacken finally put some breathing space between the teams once McKiernan got in for his third major two minutes from the end which sealed the victory and saw Raymond Galligan heading for the podium to collect the Tommy Gilroy Cup on the club’s behalf.

Lacken (IFC final replay): Colin Comerford; Shane Finnegan, Trevor Crowe, Damien McKiernan; Nevin McKiernan (0-1), Philip Moynagh, Martin Brady; Martin Brady, Joe Crowe; Niall McKiernan (3-3, 3f), Finbar O’Reilly (0-2), Michael Shanaghy; James Moynagh, Conor

Philip Moynagh

Finnegan (0-1), Raymond Galligan (0-2, 1f). Subs: Stephen Brady (0-1) for M Brady (52), Declan Brady for J Moynagh (60).

“Only four of the lads had been there (the IFC final) before and I think nerves might have had an effect on both teams the first day. The older fellas calmed things down a bit, but at the back of it all they were probably nervous themselves,” O’Reilly stated.

“We dominated the first-half, but credit to Cootehill they came out and played a hell of a second-half and we were lucky to hang on for a draw in the end. The second day I think it was just a matter of the goals coming at the right time for us.”

He added: “There were great celebrations in the club afterwards.

When you have young fellas looking up to your senior players it’s always great for a club.”

As for 2013, ‘Jayo’ has his sights set on another flying start in Division One, allied with consolidation of their senior championship status.

“Staying up in senior will be the aim next year and we’ll try our best. But the same as this year, we’re going to be taking it one game at a time,” he said.

LADIES CLINCH SENIOR CROWN

Raymond Galligan

Manager Jason O’Reilly

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In August, Lacken ladies regained their senior football championship title when they defeated Templeport in a thrilling final in Killeshandra.

It was Lacken’s sizzling start that saw them gain the upper hand in this contest, with a brace of goals from lethal corner-forward Nora Moore surging them towards a 2-5 to 0-0 lead after 15 minutes. To their credit, Templeport responded brilliantly and shot goals of their own before Joanne Moore registered Lacken’s third to leave it at 3-8 to 3-3 by the break in favour of the would-be winners.

Eireann Galligan struck two points early on in the restart to keep the Sky Blues in the driving-seat. Aishling Doonan would cancel those out down the other end, but further points from the excellent Roisin O’Keefe and Debbie Lee Fox-Gaffney made sure the Bawnboy women faced an uphill battle heading into the closing quarter. Lacken’s team management

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Stephen Brady

of Gerry Charters, Cormac Smith and Maureen Lynch switched Catriona Leddy from wing-back to corner-forward in the latter stages, and it wouldn’t be long before the Cavan ace got on the score-sheet with two points, which O’Keefe, Galligan and Nora Moore backed up to see out a 3-19 to 4-7 win and ensure the Michelle Keating Cup’s passage back to Lacken.

Lacken (SFC final v Templeport): Sinead Galligan; Ann-Marie Moynagh, Niamh McInerney, Laura Leddy; Mary Moore, Catriona Leddy (0-2), Andrea Finnegan; Rosie Crowe (0-1), Shona King; Josephine Maguire (0-1), Roisin O’Keefe (0-7), Eireanne Galligan (0-3); Joanne Moore (1-0), Debbie Lee Fox Gaffney (0-3), Nora Moore (2-2).

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Finbar O’Reilly

SOUTHERN GAELS PIPPED IN CHAMPIONSHIP DECIDER

James Galligan

Niall McKiernan

In October, the Lacken/Gowna amalgamation of Southern Gaels did their respective clubs proud when they reached the Minor B Football Championship final against Crosserlough.

After having disposed of Mullahoran (2-12 to 0-10), Ramor United (1-11 to 1-10) and Drumbo (09 to 1-4) on route to the final, the Gaels were faced with a tough assignment against the young Kilnaleck men and got themselves off to a dream start in the final at Kingspan Breffni Park, where Conor Madden hit the net inside two minutes to put the Lacken/Gowna combination in early command. The Gowna teen added more points but Crosserlough fought back to only trail by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break.

The black and ambers would be level by the 36th minute and led two minutes later, but a Craig Lanauze point squared the teams once more heading towards what was going to be a nerve-wrecking closing 15 minutes for both sets of supporters. It was at that stage that Shane Galligan fired past Ryan Galligan in the Gaels’ goal for a three-point lead, which would be the difference between the sides despite late points from Madden and Thomas Galligan.

127

Nevin McKiernan

Terry Hyland

This squad made the long trip to Cootehill for a league game

SHANNON GAELS - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

SHANNON GAELS

2012 RESU LTS

Michael Griffin

THE ONLY WAY IS UP Unfortunately for Shannon Gaels, 2012 was a year which consisted of more downs than ups with an early exit in the junior championship following relegation from Division Two of the ACFL. There are a few positives to look forward to though in the Blacklion club, according to rising star Jason McLoughlin.

T

hese are tough times for the rural GAA clubs of Ireland.

Recent years have seen emigration devastate clubs all over the country for numbers and this past season saw Shannon Gaels endure the full brunt of the economic downturn, with their senior squad depleted for much of 2012.

After securing their place in Division Two for another year in 2011, Shannon Gaels entered into the second tier of the All County Football

ACFL Divis ion 2 Butlersbridg e 0-7 0-5 S Shannon G hannon Ga aels 0-7 0-1 els 0 Munterco Killinkere v nnaught Shannon G aels – no Shannon G aels 1-3 4-1 t played Drung v Sh 0 Kill annon Gae ls – not pla Drumlane v yed Shannon G aels Shannon G aels 0-7 0-1 – not played 4 Kno Shannon G aels 0-4 4-1 ckbride Crosserlou 9 Denn gh 3-13 1-7 Shannon G Shannon G aels aels 1-14 0 -19 Swanlin Mountnuge bar nt 0-9 0-5 S hannon Ga Shannon G els aels 0-8 1-1 4 Killeshan Shannon G dra aels 1-7 1-7 Cornafean Cootehill 3-1 7 1-7 Shan Shannon G non Gaels aels 2-8 4-1 3 Cavan G aels JFC Templeport 1-5 1-5 Sha nnon Gaels Templeport 0-10 0 Arva 0-7 1-1 -9 Shannon Gaels 0 Shannon Mountnugent Gaels 1-11 0-13 S hannon Gae ls - QF

League with hopes of maintaining their status once more. Under the guidance of Eugene Walsh, the aim was to try and hit the ground running in the league and get some decent form together for the summer’s championship.

However, a poor start, which saw opening round defeats to former Division Three foes Munterconnacht (0-10 to 0-7), Butlersbridge (0-7 to 05) and Kill (4-10 to 0-3), due to a lack of numbers, would take its toll as

129

young up and coming defender Jason McLoughlin explained.

“We had a lot of lads gone abroad and lots of them doing exams as well,” stated McLoughlin. “I suppose a lot of them would have seen what happened to Stephen McManus as well and didn’t want to risk missing exams, and you can’t blame them for that.

McManus had been part of the Cavan minor panel along with club

Pat McCaffrey

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130

The successful Under 12's

mate Niall Walsh and suffered a bad injury which hindered his participation for much of the season for both club and county. Incidentally, McLoughlin, Nevin O’Donnell and PP O’Hara would be part of Cavan’s triumphant Ulster Under 21 winning squad, representing the Shannon Gaels club proud in their 1-10 0-10 victory over Tyrone in Enniskillen on April 11.

Of the successful trio, McLoughlin would go on to make his senior championship debut for Cavan in May. The 19-year-old lined-out at right half-back in the Breffni men’s preliminary round defeat to champions Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park, where he put in a solid 70 minutes work against arguably the top side in the country.

Victory over Fermanagh and defeat to Kildare followed in the qualifiers for Cavan and McLoughlin, but the gifted defender wasn’t dwelling on his county’s exit by early July, but instead switching his focus towards his club’s chief objective for the season with their league status already surrendered.

“Our objective was to win the championship because we knew that we’d be struggling for numbers in the league,” he said. “I suppose we wanted to try and redeem ourselves a bit for what happened in the league and we knew that what we had was definitely good enough to get us into

the knock-out stages.

“The first day we played Templeport and we drew with them. It was a game that could have gone either way in the end, but I thought we should have won that game, to be honest.”

Shannon Gaels went in against the Bawnboy men knowing that a win would see them with their foot in the quarter-finals, and after losing out narrowly in the semi-final the previous year the players were certainly up for the battle. Despite their dreary league form, Walsh’s charges went into the game as favourites but would end up finishing level on 1-5 apiece with their west Cavan counterparts.

In the replay at St Mary’s Park in Swanlinbar, Templeport raced out of the traps from the very start to shoot themselves into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead.

Eamon Reilly responded for the Gaels in the 16th and 18th minutes but his side couldn’t stop the St Aidan’s outfit from going in at the break with the 0-8 to 0-4 advantage.

Reilly would crash a shot off the crossbar early on in the restart before Niall Walsh and Liam Galligan traded points to keep the difference at four.

And although Shannon Gaels would push for the win late on, they still finished on the wrong side of a 0-10 to 0-8 result.

Shannon Gaels (JFC replay v

131

Templeport): Padraig McGovern; Niall Corrigan, Stephen McManus, Michael Griffin; Kevin McGovern, Ollie Nolan, Aaron O’Hara; Cian McGovern, Jason McLoughlin; Liam O’Reilly, Eamon Reilly (0-4), Paul McGovern; Ronan McCaffrey (0-1), Niall Walsh (0-3), Paul McCaffrey.

The defeat sent the Gaels into a last chance saloon with Arva, who had also lost out in last year’s semi-final narrowly to eventual winners Shercock and were keen to prove a point themselves.

Played under lights in Bawnboy, Shannon Gaels would only have two scorers out of their starting 15 but it would prove more than sufficient enough to see off Arva by six points and advance through to the quarterfinals.

Walsh’s team were the hungrier outfit from the word go and with Cian McGovern and Ollie Nolan dominating around the centre early on they capitalised on the majority of possession, with minor full-forward Niall Walsh booting over some early points, before veteran Eamon Reilly raised the umpire’s white flag twice in quick succession.

Arva hit back, but couldn’t come to terms with the Gaels’ ace pairing of Nevin O’Donnell and Walsh inside as the latter finished over a few more scores before Reilly landed another to send the Sligo border men in at the

break with a 0-8 to 0-3 lead.

The would-be winners would make the perfect start to the second-half as well, with a well-worked move from the back eventually finding its way up to Walsh on the edge of the square, from where the teenager rattled the top corner of Richard Keith’s net.

Arva posted a couple of quick points in response, but they couldn’t handle their opponents momentum as Walsh brought his tally up to 1-7 for the night to help secure a deserved 1-10 to 07 win for the Gaels.

Shannon Gaels (JFC v Arva): Padraig McGovern; Niall Corrigan, Stephen McManus, Michael Griffin; Kevin McGovern, Jason McLoughlin, Aaron O’Hara; Cian McGovern, Ollie Nolan; Liam O’Reilly, Eamon Reilly (0-3), Paul McGovern; Nevin O’Donnell, Niall Walsh (1-7, 3f), Paul McCaffrey.

“The Arva game would definitely have been our best performance of the year,” said McLoughlin. “The whole team came together that day and we wanted to prove what we could do with a full panel of players.

We beat them by six points in the end and were looking forward to the quarter-final with hopes of getting into the semi-finals again.”

Mountnugent would stand in Shannon Gaels’ way of another semifinal berth. Played in Killeshandra, the Blacklion men recovered from a slow start to only trail by one point (06 to 0-5) at the interval, with Nevin O’Donnell (2) and Niall Walsh having levelled the game in the 28th minute before Ciaran Caffrey put the Meath border men back in front on the stroke of half-time.

Mountnugent stretched their lead to three early on in the resumption and landed a huge blow in the 37th minute when Caffrey got in behind the Gaels’ defence to fire past goalkeeper Padraig McGovern.

However, the westsiders weren’t prepared to throw in the towel just yet and battled back brilliantly with points from the on-song PP O’Hara to bring it back to the minimum before Niall Walsh squared the sides.

Mountnugent got their noses in front late on before Nevin O’Donnell cancelled out in the closing stages. A draw looked certain until McCaffrey grabbed a late winner for

Mountnugent to see them through to the last four at the Gaels’ expense.

“One or two decisions went against us in the game and I still felt we were unlucky,” McLoughlin assessed.

“PP (O’Hara) had a goal chance that their ‘keeper just tipped over and had that went in it could have been a different story for us. We went four or five points up in that game and they showed good character to come back the way they did. You have to give them credit for that and I suppose you could say that they deserved the win after that performance.”

With relegation in the league already confirmed, the defeat was no doubt a huge disappointment for the players but McLoughlin is already looking forward to 2013, despite not being around until next June with college commitments abroad.

“We’ll be back in Division Three next year and the hopes will be to get promotion again and then concentrate on the championship,” he said. “We’ll have a few more lads available that weren’t around this year, so hopefully we can improve and get a lot more positive results.”

Shannon Gaels joint captains Deane Feeley and Cormac Fitzpatrick receive the new U12 Summer League Cup from Conor Dourneen (Bord Peil na nOg)

MFC SEMI-FINAL FOR WCG August saw the minor football amalgamation of Shannon Gaels, Swanlinbar, Kildallan and Corlough enter the top division of the championship race as West Cavan Gaels and come close to what would have been a historic county final appearance for their respective clubs.

Ironically, the western amalgamation’s first outing in Division One would be against neighbours Templeport at the quarter-final stage and after a thrilling encounter in Blacklion, it was the Gaels that would emerge deserved 113 to 1-10 winners. In the last four, a combination of Drung, Kill and Laragh, known as North Eastern Gaels, awaited and the two teams would meet on September 4 at St Aidan’s Park in Bawnboy, where a Division One final place was at stake.

After a reasonably even first-half, it was the impressive east siders that pulled away in the second half-hour of play which saw them eventually end up 1-13 to 1-5 winners on the day to advance into the county final.

132

Sean Cassidy

Oliver Nolan

SPECIAL FEATURE

Joe Lynch being presented with the 1996 London JFC trophy

G

etting a club off the ground is never an easy feat, but it’s something which Joe Lynch seems to have a talent for.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE One of Drung’s junior championship medal winners back in 1980, Joe Lynch continues to devote much of his time to Gaelic football across the Channel with the Harlesden Harps club. We caught up with the Drung native to find out about his past playing days and his current role at a club which he co-founded 22 years ago.

Back in the 1970s Joe Lynch and his brothers lined-out for Castletara/Ballyhaise at underage level, with Joe winning an Under 14 title with the club. We all went to school in Castletara which was the nearest school to our house but we actually lived in the parish of Drung and it wasn’t long before they came calling. A few years later myself and my three brothers, P.J., Benny and Tony, made the move to Drung.

Having clinched their first junior championship crown way back in 1947, the Drung men were keen to end a famine for their club and were confident in doing so under the guidance of team manager, the late Fr Benny Maguire, who had started Joe at centre-field. In the final they faced a formidable Maghera MacFinns side and edged a close encounter against the Meath-border men to capture the club’s second ever junior football championship. In the years leading up to this championship win Jim McDonnell had done a great job coaching a very young side together with the late, great Ben Smith.

“Myself and Michael Smith moved to London in 1979 and still came home for all of Drung’s matches” explained Joe. “Jim McDonnell was a big influence on me as a manager and after him Fr Benny Maguire took over the team. We beat championship favourites Knockbride in the semi-final and Fr Benny said that we’d have to stay at home for the next three weeks leading up to the final and train with the team if we were to win it. We played Maghera in the final and it would have been Drung’s first final in quite some time.

It was a tight game and thankfully we won it in the end. I’ll never forget the smile on Fr Benny’s face after the final whistle.”

133

Drung made it through to two championship semi-finals in the next three years only to lose in both.

When the recession hit Ireland in the mid 80’s Drung and Crosserlough were hardest hit with emigration resulting in a young Drung team being dismantled with the loss of players like the Reilly brothers, Smith brothers, Coyle brothers, Eamon Reilly and Michael Smith to destinations all over the world.

Joe added: “I moved to London permanently after that and started playing with Wembley Gaels soon after.”

It wasn’t long after Joe’s departure from home that he found himself playing along with his brother Pat in a senior championship semi-final in London with Wembley Gaels where they beat Moindearg by 6 points but the club would be informed of some bad news in the days that followed which eventually saw them being denied a place in the final.

Joe explained. “We won the game, but there was an objection to one of our players which resulted in Wembley Gaels being thrown out of the competition. It was a big mistake by the management and things were tough in the club after that.”

It led Joe and a few of his fellow Cavan men towards forming their own club a few years down the line. The club was named Harlesden Harps and the

Joe (with cup) celebrates with his son Darren and daughter Lauren (on left)

founders of the club were as follows; George McDermott of Longford, Joe Lynch, Michael Smith, Frank Bannon all of Cavan and Liam Coyle of Tyrone.

“We formed the Harlesden Harps in 1990 and got to the junior championship final in 1991. We lost in the final by 1 point to Western Exiles who we beat two weeks previously when I scored a penalty to win the McArdle Cup and bring the first ever silverware to the Harps” he said.

Joe went on to say “The following year there was no stopping the Harps as we made a clean sweep in the

Drung’s JFC winners from 1980 with Joe third from left in the back row

Joe on the Harps team from 1991

134

championship, league and cup competitions. I was player/manager playing at full back with fellow Drung men Michael Smyth and Sean Coyle, Drumlane duo Jim Gannon and Frank Bannon, Belturbet’s Michael Lawlor and Jimmy McGovern from Blacklion.”

After that the intermediate championship would prove a tough assignment for the Harps and they were back in the junior ranks by 1996, when they completed a McArdle Cup and championship double when Joe again played at full back and acted as a selector with the team. During this season we had more Cavan players in Gregory Crowe (Drung), Wayne Hennessy (Kingscourt) and Ian Gorby (Belturbet).

After a dry spell the club clinched the Sean Sheils Cup in 2003, with the Murphy Cup to follow in 2004 before the biggest triumph in their short history arrived the following year.

“In 2005, we won the intermediate championship,” Joe stated. “We went on from there and won the All Britain Championship and played Monaghan Harps in the All-Ireland quarter-final.

They were a strong side. They beat us and I think they went and lost the final to the Kerry champions.”

2005 was undoubtedly a landmark year for the Harps, and for me as team manager, with former Cavan underage star Trent Fitzpatrick of Kildallan proving a profitable asset during a remarkable season for the club.

Like so many on the team, Fitzpatrick was sublime in the intermediate final before helping the team reach the All Britain Championship Final against Scottish champions Dunedin Connollys. A hard fought victory over Connollys

saw them set up a meeting with Monaghan Harps in the last eight of the All-Ireland series, where the Farney County champions would simply prove too strong.

The Harps have been waiting on silverware ever since that historic season, and came close last year when they advanced to the semi-finals of the championship, with Castlerahan man Fiarchra Sweeney and Stephen Brady from Mullahoran being prominent members of the team.

In 2012, the club were narrowly pipped in their quest for the knock-out stages and it’s now back to the drawing board for Joe and his selectors as the Harps look to improve their fortunes on the playing field for next year. Joe himself will be hoping that a few more newcomers can help bolster the squad, along with some home grown players yet to come through the ranks.

“My son Darren plays on the team as does Ronan McGee. They’re both London born and Ronan’s parents are from Ballyjamesduff,” he explained. “Darren is playing with the London Irish soccer club and is Under 21 captain of the Harps as well. He was also part of the London senior squad that played in the Connacht senior championship this year.”

Joe will no doubt be hoping that his son can go on to have a successful career in his chosen sports, and as for his beloved Drung he’ll certainly be keeping two fingers crossed that the club can return to the winning form which saw them capture the Sean Leddy Cup in 2008.

“I get home a couple of times a year and try to see Drung play whenever I can. They’ve had some good players down the years including the Fitzpatricks, Reillys, Crowes, Currans, O’Rourkes and James and Eamon Reilly to mention but a few.

The likes of Ciaran Galligan and Barry Watters are very talented players, so hopefully a couple more young players can come through the ranks to strengthen the squad. Joe goes on to say “It would also be great to see Cavan getting back to contesting for Ulster Championship finals in the coming years.

“As for London, I think the team have improved over the past few years. They have a good management setup and the training is very professional compared to what it was a few years back so hopefully London can make the breakthrough soon.”

Joe concluded “During my playing career for Drung my late mother, Mary Ellen Lynch, was a keen supporter and came to see every match and she was a very proud mother to have four sons playing together on so many occasions.

“My wife Patricia, who is also from Drung, and our daughter Lauren, are always there to offer their support for Harlesden Harps.”

Joe Lynch is a Site Supervisor at Lynch Project Services, owned by his brother Pat. The company is based in North West London since 1997 and in that time have gained many years of expertise in both the commercial and residential aspects of construction.

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The Munterconnacht squad, front row l/r: Brendan Plunkett, Tadgh Morrissey, James Hetherton, Brendan O’Se, Mark Flynn. Johnny Morrissey, Jack Gilsenan. Middle: Donal Heerey, Terry McCabe, Sean Nolan, Brian Cullen, Peter Cullen, Danny Nolan, Shane O’Reilly, Owen Healy, Gary Rock. Back: Stephen Sheridan, Niall McEnroe, Darragh Carroll, Pauric O’Dwyer, John McCabe, James Baugh, Stephen Keogan, Thomas Brady, Mark Finnegan, Colm Caffrey, Paddy Shortt

MUNTERCONNACHT - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

MUNTERCONNACHT

Sean Meehan

2012 RESU LTS

BLUE AND WHITE BLOODED Bertie Brady is joint-President of Munterconnacht GFC. He's a real mine of information too.

P

ick a year over the past halfcentury and more. Now want to know how Cavan's footballers fared out in that particular year? Well, give Bertie Brady a jingle.

He'll fill you in a jiffy.

Fact is, Bertie is your quiz buff's dream interviewee. He is 78 years young and his memory is as fresh as newly-fallen snow.

His memories are a mix of the personal and of club and county.

Either way, his reflections are grossly

ACFL Divis ion 2 Munterconn aught 2-9 2 -8 Mountnu Shannon G gent aels 0-7 0-1 0 Munterco Killinkere 1 nnaught -14 1-12 M unterconna Munterconn ught aught 1-12 0-6 Kill Drung 1-8 1 -4 M u nterconnau Munterconn ght aught 0-7 2 -12 Killesha Drumlane 1 ndra -4 1-7 Mun terconnaug Crosserlou ht gh 1-15 1-5 Munterconn Munterconn a u ght aught 1-6 0 Munterconn -12 Denn aught 1-10 2-8 Cornafe Cootehill 6-1 an 4 0-4 Munte Munterconn rconnaught aught 0-18 3-5 Knockb Butlersbridg ride e 0-13 1-10 Munterconn Munterconna aught ught v Cavan Swanlinbar Gaels – not pl v Munterco nnaught – n ayed ot played JFC Munterconn aught 0-8 0 -8 Arva Arva 0-7 0-1 3 Munterco Kildallan 3-7 nnaught 0-5 Munterc onnaught – QF

entertaining and positively luminous.

He attended five all-Ireland SFC finals involving the Breffni County. His first final was in 1945, then he was at Croker again on finals day in '48, '49 and in '52 when the Cavan v Meath decider went to a replay.

Bertie seems to have a special affinity for Cavan football in the 'fifties. Hardly surprising though given that it was in that decade that he enjoyed his best days on the playing field with his native Munterconnacht

135

and his adopted Virginia.

He recalls Munterconnacht locking horns with a Mick Higgins-powered Bailieboro side in the 1952 Cavan SFC final even though he didn't figure himself in that decider having just come on board at the tail end of that year.

But what did he make of the late, great Higgins?

"He was one of the best footballers Cavan ever produced; he had a lot going for himself and was a lot bigger

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Under 13 Division 3 championship winners, front l/r: Conor Deegan, Enda O'Shea, Ben Gilsenan, Luke Brodie, Cian O'Shea, Craig Daly, Sean Erickson, Conor Hetherton, Darragh O'Leary. Back: John O'Reilly (coach), Kenth Fadoju, Luke Lawless, Kevin Hendrick, Fionn O'Reilly, Tiarnan O'Reilly, Edward Devereaux-Gilsenan, Eoin Lynch, Shane Hanly, Brian Skelly, Cyril O'Reilly (coach)

man than most people say.

"I played against him in the league final in '53. Some people would tell you that he was well past his best at that time but I didn't see it that way."

Bertie loved his time playing Gaelic football, whether with his native Munchies or later with the local Blues and recalls lining out with such household names as Fr. Seamus Hetherton - Munterconnacht's only senior countyman at that time.

Munterconnacht's well got honourary joint-President invariably played on the half-back line but he himself says that he was well short of county standard.

Bertie says he could run but he wasn't strong enough for intercounty football unlike his brother Paddy who wore the blue of Cavan at senior level before being forced to seek work across the Irish Sea in 1958.

Unlike some of his vintage, Bertie believes that the quality

of the football evident in Cavan during the 'fifties was "good."

"The senior championship was played in knock-out form back then and it was more interesting because of that.

When you were beaten in the championship, that was that, you were out of the championship and that's the way it should be still."

And contrary to reports which have done the rounds over the years, Bertie says that "football wasn't that dirty but you had to look out for yourself. It wasn't easy for a young fella to keep out of trouble but when I started at 17 I was lucky to have experienced and big men like Paddy McCabe and 'big' Pat Conaty to look after me. 'Big' Pat could catch a ball with one hand. There were very few who could out-muscle the likes of him."

When he togged out for Virginia Blues, Bertie had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with great county footballers

The U12 squad

139

U13 Shane Harley

Niall McHugo

Terry McCabe (background) and Brendan O'Shea

like Hugh Barney Donohoe and Tommy Galligan and his participation in the 1959 SFC final is his most memorable match.

Bertie also fondly recalls lining out in the '58 JFC final when Virginia overcame a Crosserlough outfit on the cusp of a record-breaking nine-ina-row of SFC title victories.

In 1962, Bertie added to his collection of medals by featuring in Virginia's defensive rearguard in their SFC victory.

His switch to Virginia proved to be very rewarding and enjoyable then?

"I went to play with Virginia after Munterconnacht folded for a while because a handful of players were forced to emmigrate.

"They are two great clubs and I was proud and happy to play with both of them and enjoyed my football everytime I togged out and put on boots."

Bertie's recollections are liberally laced with stories of clashes with the best Mullahoran, Cornafean, Bailieboro and Cootehill Celtic had to offer.

The Brady household was Gaelic football-central when Bertie was a gasun growing up. Suffice to say, football was the Brady's staple diet.

A love of football is in Bertie's blood.

His father Paddy Brady was Chairman of Munterconnacht GFC in 1928 and never missed a club match.

Bertie's mother Mary (nee Mulvanny) mightn't have sported a blueblood football pedigree but she provided the support structure to enable the Brady bunch (of men) to follow the native game they loved.

"I suppose even if I wanted to steer clear of the football when I was younger, I couldn't have because that's all there was around when I was growing up and it was football and more football in our house when I was young.

"Our house was only a mile or so away from the old (train) station in Virginia and I remembered going to Dublin to the different all-Ireland finals."

As regards his own playing career, Bertie played away at club level 'till the mid-sixties. He says he hung up the boots in 1966 with absolutely no regrets.

Reflecting on the direction Gaelic

140

Joint captains Cian O'Shea and Craig Daly receive the U13 Division 3 championship cup from Brian Seagrave

U13 Luke Brodie

Kevin Hendrick during the U13 final

his son Patrick - every single one of Cavan's senior competitive matches in 2012.

So what is his view about how things went for the county seniors in the past year?

"We went out of the Ulster championship very quickly but I didn't expect us to beat Donegal. We went into that game as big underdogs.

"I suppose losing to them (Donegal) doesn't look too bad now considering how they did in the championship after that.

"You'd be hoping that with the young fellas that have won a couple of under 21 titles and the minor team that won an Ulster title as well, that enough young talent will come through to make a difference in the next couple of years with the seniors."

Bertie's love of club is all-consuming though and he delights in talking about the state-of-the-art facilities that now mark Munterconnacht's HQ. About two years ago, Bertie took centre stage as joint-President of the club when he helped mark the opening of the club's new complex.

"The facilities are a great credit to everyone working at the club over the last few years. They did a lot of fundraising and raised a lot of money to pay for all the work carried out."

And what of the fortunes of the club's premier team in 2012?

"After getting to the last two junior championship finals, I thought they'd have went one step further this year but that's not how it turned out.

"It was a big surprise to everyone in the club and probably everyone in the county when Kildallan beat us.

"I think maybe our players Aisling Gilsenan in action during the U12 final underestimated them (Kildallan).

They (Kildallan) were the better team on the day and deserved to win.

"There's some good young players coming up through the ranks and you'd have to hope that the team can E:mark@mmgbricklayers.co.uk rebound from this y e a r ' s Best Wishes To Munterconnacht GAA disappointments In 2013 and come back From Mark McGovern stronger in 2013."

football has taken in recent years, Bertie says that "it's a whole different ball game nowadays."

Interestingly, the avid, long-time football fan believes that while Gaelic football has almost changed beyond recognition he reckons that it's not any more pleasing on the eye.

"I wouldn't think the modern game is any better than it was when I was playing senior football," Bertie booms.

"Football these days is definitely a lot faster and the players are a lot fitter but I don't know whether the football is any better.

"In my opinion, there's too much running with the ball and not enough kicking for scores or kick passing."

For all his misgivings about the modern game of football, Bertie goes to as many Munterconnacht and Cavan games as he possibly can.

In fact, Bertie takes great pride in proclaiming that, apart from Cavan's trip to Derry for their Dr. McKenna Cup clash, he attended - along with

Angelo McDonnell and James Cole

Tommy Brady

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U12 Kenth Fadoju

SPECIAL FEATURE Proprietor Anselm Lovett with Cavan Box staff members Pauric, Damien, David and Sylivia

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE In business, just like in sport, investing in the future is absolutely vital. To this end, Cavan Box has certainly not been found wanting. A resounding local success story, the company benefits from massive ongoing investment, which has enabled it to develop into a significant employer in the Ballyjamesduff area. We caught up with proprietor Anselm Lovett, who also happens to be a keen GAA follower and a club member for Killygarry as well as sponsoring Killeshandra.

I

n the three decades or so since its inception, Cavan Box has developed into one of Ireland’s premier suppliers of packaging, providing solutions to a wide range of industries.

By continuing to move with the times – or ahead of them! – and by providing a product that is practical, dependable and affordable, the company has stolen a march on its competitors to become the packaging partner of choice for a whole host of illustrious customers.

And an enormous investment of approximately €4m over the past four years will ensure that Cavan Box retains its hardearned place at the forefront of the market.

Cavan Box was established in 1983 and as proprietor of the trailblazing company, Anselm notes: “We produce packaging, primarily for the food industry but also for a range of other industries. We produce all our own raw material and are the only independent, Irish-owned box plant left in Ireland.”

How exactly does the process work? “Basically, we recycle paper which comes back into the factory from OCC (which stands for Old Corrugated Cases, which have already performed their function). This OCC is shredded and baled at Ballyjamesduff ready for shipment to a mill on the continent.

Unfortunately, there are no paper mills in Ireland at the moment!

At the mill, this recycled material from Ballyjamesduff is combined with wood chip and through the latest technology available is converted into reels of paper to be returned to Cavan Box. Then in Cavan Box the paper is constructed into cardboard sheets, which is subsequently converted into corrugated boxes.” These boxes are made to customer’s exact specification to suit the individual packaging requirements of his / her own product.

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Boxes are designed at the design department in Cavan Box and the end result can range from a plain brown box to a multi-coloured display box for merchandising in supermarkets. With the modern investment in the Ballyjamesduff facility no order is too small and definitely no order is too large!

It would be no exaggeration to describe Cavan Box as a resounding success story. Directly and indirectly, the company is responsible for up to 100 people in employment in this region – a massive boost to the local economy in these darkest of economic times. Significantly, the vast majority of this employment is local, within a 20km radius of Ballyjamesduff. Anselm is obviously proud to be able to generate work for so many and is very grateful to the commitment and hard work of all employees who contribute to the success and survival of the company in these tough times, though he diplomatically points out: “Liffey Meats, Fine Irish Pine, Kildara Mushrooms and Breffni Mushrooms

automated our plant so that we can are also very important local employers.” now produce boxes in less than 24 Thankfully, Cavan Box has hours. By being able to supply appeared to be pretty much products so quickly, we have put recession-proof so far because of the ourselves in a very strong position. company’s approach to actively The investment programme is cutting costs and offering lower continuing especially in the priced alternatives continually to its introduction of new production/sales customer base. While the downturn targets and quality standards has forced too many companies out “About 60% of our business at of business, Cavan Box has embarked Best Wishes To Cavan Box From on a policy of strong investment, confident that by Monday- Sheep Sale starting at 11am sharp continuously Tuesday- Cattle improving their Calves- at 11am with live exporters present product and efficiency levels Weanling ring now open - Sale at 1pm sharp they can weather Bullocks and Heifers - 12 Noon Sharp the storm.

Dry Cows - 12.30pm “We’ve invested STORE OPENING HOURS 9AM - 1PM 2PM - 6 PM MONDAY TO SATURDAY around €4m over the last four years,” Tel: Mart 049 8544483 | Store 049 8544515 Anselm confirms.

F: 049 8544748 or 086 8953859 E: Bjamesmart1@eircom.net “We have exploited excellent deals from machinery suppliers and have

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Every aspect of the Cavan Box process is environmentally friendly

present would be from regular customers, while the rest fluctuates on demand.

“We have found that if you provide a good product and a good service then customers will tend to remain very loyal to you. Our model would be based on very low-cost production and we operate at all times as a partner to our customers. They know us over the years and they know they can trust us.”

In the times that are in it, has price become more important than quality and service? “To be honest, quality and service are taken as a given now, so the bottom line is price really and you have to give value for money.”

Quality is paramount, however, and Cavan Box is pushing the boat out in this department as well. “We are currently in the process of securing the highest quality standard for food manufacturing packaging.

“The company was the first corrugated company back in 1990 to achieve the ISO recognition and shortly after that the BRC (food standard) accreditation.

The company is currently embarking on High Risk BRC standard - this involves major changes to the structure of the factory internally and new working procedures. However, when this is achieved the facility will have the highest possible standard available for the production of packaging for the food industry” Anselm continues.

“This will allow us to supply packaging to food companies where the product is actually in contact with the packaging. It’s not a requirement of our customers at the moment but we are planning ahead and will be rebuilding our factory over the course of the next year. I would like to stress that all our packaging is 100% Irishmanufactured and we would like to thank our customers for supporting Irish manufacturing in times that can only be very tough and competitive for all manufacturing sectors.”

On the GAA front, Cavan Box is the official sponsor of Killeshandra Leaguers GFC and also provides a lot of sponsorship to other GAA teams across the county, with underage teams in particular benefiting. “We set aside a budget every year to support community engagement whether in the way of sports sponsorship or worthy charitable causes,” Anselm says.

Indeed, the company is always prepared to support all sports and to this end they also sponsor the local Ballyjamesduff juvenile soccer club, who in return have called their pitch Cavan Box Park.

Killygarry is Anselm’s home club and his young children currently represent the club on the field of play.

The Killeshandra Leaguers are sponsored by Cavan Box

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A former player himself, he also keeps a close eye on the progress (or lack thereof!) of the county team and can’t hide his disappointment at how the Breffni County have been performing in recent years.

In short, the proprietor of Cavan Box believes Cavan should be doing better and he is frustrated to note how far they have fallen down the pecking order: “They have some of the best facilities in the country and have everything laid on for them but the players as a team aren’t performing the way they should be or are capable off. Cavan won’t hit the peaks again unless all the players are prepared to give 100% commitment seven days a week, 365 days of the year. That’s what’s required in the modern era and unfortunately for an intercounty player to achieve results they must be prepared to sacrifice a certain period of their life to achieve the results “It’s terrible to see Cavan rated at 300-1 to win the All-Ireland while Donegal our neighbours are as low as 5/2, we are down there with the likes of London and New York.

Playing intercounty football these days is practically a full-time job and career. Lads have to be prepared to give everything for at least six years and if they do they will earn real respect and admiration from the Breffni people.

“It’s a serious sacrifice but there are bound to be at least 20 lads in Cavan who are prepared to give this commitment and you are better off with ordinary footballers who give 120% than talented players who aren’t prepared to apply themselves or be a team player. In sport or in business, the secret is to get lads on board who are prepared to give it everything and the results will come eventually. Hard work doesn’t guarantee success but it certainly improves your chances and the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

“As Thomas Edison once said ‘Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration’.

“Accordingly a very good footballer is often merely an averagely-talented person who has done all of his or her training and preparation.”

SPECIAL FEATURE

A PROUD TRADITION The Irish Farmers' Association is a highly professional, well-resourced organisation whose record of delivery is the envy of many other representative bodies at home and in Europe. Central to the success and development of IFA is its structure.

Tim has completed his four-year term

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he IFA has a mass membership with over 87.000 farmers contributing to the Association. A strong united membership provides the strength and financial resources to ensure that IFA delivers for Irish farmers.

There are numerous different sectors within the IFA and for this year's Breffni Blue Yearbook, we profile one such area that has a strong relationship with Cavan and that is the pig industry. To help us get an understating of this sector, we speak to IFA Pigs' Committee chairman Tim Cullinan.

The role of committee chairman may be a voluntary one, but Tim admitted that there was plenty to oversee. “I would work closely with Bord Bia and the Government with regards to any issues within the pig industry,” said Tim. “I would also represent all Irish pig farmers in Brussels on EU matters. Basically, it is dealing with farm politics and it is a fouryear term and I am coming to the end of my term in December,” added the Tipperary native.

“There are many issues to be dealt with within the industry. Basically we are trying to grow the sector, which can be difficult at times and certainly in the current economic climate.”

Recently, the Irish Farmers' Association announced that sample testing as part of the 'DNA certified' Programme for pig meat has begun, which will expose

The pig industry is massive in Cavan and Monaghan

Hygiene is another area that is focussed on

147

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misleading labelling and provide an assurance for producers and consumers on the origin of pig meat.

Tim said pig producers are in a loss-making situation, which has the industry on the brink.

“Widespread mislabelling is part of our difficulty and has led to the development of the DNA Certified Programme. Pig producers and consumers will be secure in the knowledge that solid science is determining the precise origin of pig meat. The successful implementation of the Programme will effectively put an end to misleading labelling in the retail, processing and catering sectors.”

Earlier this year Tim Cullinan welcomed the announcement that Ireland

has achieved Aujeszky's Disease-free status. This is a hugely beneficial achievement for the country.

“Although this programme has been running for some time, it was farmers' cooperation particularly in the last year that resulted in this success for the entire country.

This status will enable our factories to explore new markets, maintain existing markets and Irish pig farmers will be able to export live without additional costs and bureaucracy.

“This further underpins the high health status of the Irish pig herd. Irish farmers work to some of the world's highest production standards and I hope that any benefits in terms of markets or increased prices

Animal welfare is paramount

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150

will be returned to farmers by the processors.

“The Aujeszkys free status which will help with exports could also help sustain the Irish pig industry and bring pig producers back into profitability”.

Tim also revealed that other significant progress in the industry this year included a price increase of 20% that was passed back to hard strapped pig producers. However, that has been eroded by the cost of feed increasing by 40%.

“The price increase is welcome, it is simply not sufficient to bring producers back near profitability at current feed prices. I cannot stress strongly enough how difficult the situation is on pig farms at the moment. We are estimating average losses on pig farms of up to €20 per pig.

“With retailers taking higher margins in the Irish market than in the UK, it is clear that they have scope to reduce their margins and return a more sustainable price to support Irish pig producers. Usage of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance logo has risen to all time high levels in pork and bacon.

This is a proof of Irish consumers' loyalty and demand for Irish product.

“Irish processors must get higher prices back from the retailers for this

Ireland produces top quality pork products

Quality Assured Irish meat. The retailers can afford to lower their profit margin to ensure that pig producers' and consumers' needs are met”.

Cavan and Monaghan are two of the biggest pig farming counties in Ireland and Tim revealed that he spends a lot of time in both. “I would be on the road a lot and I would be up in Cavan a good bit. There are many pig farmers there and in Monaghan.”

New EU regulations being introduced mean that farmers must expand their premises by up to as much as 30%. A grant is now available to farmers and Tim admitted

151

that this has had a knock on effect for other industries.

“Not alone have farmers benefitted from the grants, but the building industry has also. Slatted sheds have to be constructed and it has created a lot of work in the building trade when it is badly needed.”

Tim does feel that the dominance of the big retailers is doing nothing for the big industry and indeed it has hit the local people considerably hard.

“They say they are creating jobs, but there not really. They are actually taking away from the local community and this is an area that needs to be addressed.”

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SPECIAL FEATURE Around 250 people are employed by Breffni Mushrooms

FORMER CAVAN FOOTBALLER BOOSTING THE ECONOMY

As the driving force behind Breffni Mushrooms in Kilnaleck, former Ballymachugh and Cavan footballer Eugene Kiernan is one of Cavan’s largest employers. We met up with Eugene to discuss the amazing success story of the family business to date as well as his love of Cavan GAA.

E

ugene Kiernan established Breffni Mushrooms in conjunction with his brothers Pat, Thomas and John twelve years ago. Breffni Mushrooms was set up as a marketing company to promote the three family-owned mushroom growing farms, with the Kiernan family having been synonymous with this industry since 1981. All based in County Cavan, these three farms supply their produce exclusively into Breffni Mushrooms.

Eugene, who runs his own farm in Kilnaleck, notes: “It’s a family company. We basically have three family-owned farms which supply directly into Breffni Mushrooms, which does the marketing. We decided to set the company up when we saw a niche in the market; we explored it; went ahead; and have grown ever since.”

To say that Breffni Mushrooms has been a resounding success story would be an exercise in understatement. Operating out of the rural heartland of Cavan, close to Kilnaleck, the company has blossomed to its current status where it has a turnover of approximately €23million per year. 95% of produce is exported into the UK market with multiples such as Lidl, Aldi, Tesco and Iceland counted amongst the expansive list of customers.

Here in Ireland, meanwhile, customers include Lidl and some local Tesco outlets as well as a few markets in Dublin.

Providing gainful employment to a staff of around 250 people, Breffni Mushrooms is not just one of the largest employers in the locality but one of the biggest in the entire county. As such, the company is worth its weight in gold to the people of the Breffni County in these recessionary times…

Of course, it’s all fine and well having a large turnover but this is pretty meaningless if a nice profit isn’t being realised. How difficult is it to get the books to balance? “It’s tough but you have to keep on top of things and become more efficient by the day,” says Eugene. “You have to be as cost-effective as possible. We run a very modern operation and that is crucial in this line of work.”

The following statement gives an indication of the sheer scope of the operation: “We send four 40-foot loads to the UK every day – seven days a week, 365 days a year. Morgan Transport handles all our transport and distribution and we concentrate on what we do best – producing the mushrooms.

“We also acquired a fourth farm in Scotland in November of last year, which gives us a base in the UK and enables us to satisfy customers in the UK who insist on local produce.”

Still, 90% of Breffni Mushrooms’ employees are based in Cavan and Eugene is proud to be one of the largest employers

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The Kiernan family has been synonymous with the mushroom industry since 1981

in the county. “I am proud of that,” he admits. “I’m proud because of where we are based here in our home county and the way things are in the local economy – it’s a good success story. Every euro that comes out of a company – in wages or whatever – it resonates tenfold through the local economy. People don’t put enough emphasis on that. We don’t place enough focus on retaining jobs in Cavan. And employers today are not treated with any respect by the powers that be.”

Looking to the future, Eugene is delighted that Breffni Mushrooms is largely immune to the economic downturn that is wreaking havoc with the very identity of the Irish nation: “We are very fortunate to be in the food industry, which is export-led and

is moving forward.

“We have strived to raise the bar from both an environmental and production point of view. For example, no chemicals or pesticides are used in our production process.

We use steam rather than chemicals and we use Nemesis fly control systems.

“All our spent-mushroom compost is recycled and re-used and all our compost is organic.

“We also use biomass boilers – which burn locally-sourced woodchips instead of oil – and this saves us €5,000 per week as well as helping the environment and reducing oil imports.

“All our staff are FETAC trained and are fully-qualified mushroom harvesters within six months, which

would be rare in the industry.

“We also have the most modern growing farms possible and have surpassed the Dutch in terms of technology. We went with Dutch shelving back in 1996 and everybody thought we were mad at the time.

There were 600 growers in Ireland back then and there are 50 now.

Anyone who didn’t invest then is out of the game now.”

Speaking of ‘the game’, outside of mushrooms, Eugene Kiernan is bestknown for his exploits on the football pitch. Between U21 and senior grades, he represented Cavan for the best part of a decade – between 1979 and ’89 – lining out mostly at corner back or wing back. Reflecting on those days in the county colours, he says:

The Kiernan brothers established Breffni Mushrooms twelve years ago

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Breffni Mushrooms exports four 40-foot loads to the UK every day

“It was terrific – a great experience. I played under four different Cavan managers and we contested the 1983 Ulster final, losing by two points to Donegal. We also played in the Centenary Cup semi-final against Meath at Croke Park in 1984 and won a couple of McKenna Cup medals and Division Two leagues.”

At club level, utilised predominantly at centre back or midfield, Eugene represented Ballymachugh from 1975 right through until 1995, the highlight being the intermediate championship success of 1981. After hanging up his boots, he had a few different stints as first-team manager in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

He currently serves the local GAA club as treasurer. With his playing days well and truly behind him, he does a bit of cycling nowadays to keep himself fit.

“The club is doing reasonably well these days,” Eugene comments. “We’re a small club but we have a great underage structure in place. We have been hit by emigration but we have good minor and U16

teams there at present and that goes right down to U8.

In fairness, we were worse hit in the ‘80s when the cream of the crop went to the States and we had a better team out there than we had at home!”

As for Cavan, the managing director of Breffni Mushrooms concludes: “We have as good a structure in there at the top now as we’ve ever had in the past.

The team needs our support and they clearly have a long way to go, but when you see what Jim McGuinness achieved with Donegal in two years it leads you to believe that anything is possible.

“We have good minor and U21 players coming through and our present team is arguably better than Donegal were two years ago. With the right attitude, anything is possible, so I would be optimistic about the future of Cavan football.”

It’s that natural, innate optimism that has made Eugene Kiernan a success in everything he does!

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SPECIAL FEATURE

An aerial view of a section of the new road

PROCEEDING WITH CAUTION Not before time, Belturbet is getting a bypass. By the summer of 2013, the N3 Butlersbridge to Belturbet Road Improvement Scheme should be completed and the new route opened to the public.

This has been a demanding 24-month-plus scheme, not least due to the fact that it goes so close to the environmentallysensitive Aghnaguig Bog. We caught up with project manager Alfredo Sobrino to get an insight into how the €23m scheme is being delivered in a manner that keeps all parties happy.

T

he prestigious contract to design and build the N3 Butlersbridge to Belturbet Road Improvement Scheme (incorporating the Belturbet Bypass) was secured by Ferrovial Agroman Ireland Ltd. and PT McWilliams in a joint venture. The scheme comprises the construction of approximately 6.7km of standard single carriageway, including the bypass of Belturbet town.

The mainline of the new route will be generally 7.3m wide, with 2.5m wide hard shoulders and 3m wide verges on each side.

This project is of a testing and sensitive nature – unique in that it passes through an environmentally-sensitive area. The preexisting landscape of the area is characterised by drumlins with intervening areas of loughs and very soft ground (including Aghnaguig Bog, Putiaghan Bog etc.). The scheme passes within close proximity to Aghnaguig Bog, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

The N3 Butlersbridge to Belturbet Road Improvement Scheme project includes the provision of two significant bridge structures - the River Erne Bridge and the Aghnaguig Bog Bridge.

The River Erne Bridge – which will be a superb feat of engineering - consists of a three span cable stayed extrados type bridge. On completion it will be the first of its kind in Ireland and the UK and it will represent a significant engineering landmark in the county. The bridge is approximately 141m long, consisting of a central span of 69 metres across the River Erne and two side spans of 36 metres each.

The Aghnaguig Bog Bridge will be a three span bridge of minimum length 210 metres with the central span being 110 metres. The bridge will mitigate the impact of the scheme on the

157

There are two significant bridge structures on the N3 Butlersbridge to Belturbet Road Improvement scheme

Work on the scheme will take approximately 24 months

protected wetland of Aghnaguig Bog. The project as a whole also includes the realignment of adjoining regional and local roads, earthworks, drainage, diversion of services, surfacing, road markings, landscaping, and accommodation works for affected landowners.

Work commenced on site on the €23m scheme on May 11th, 2011 and the project was due to be completed within 24 months. If all goes according to plan, motorists should be able to avail of the new stretch of motorway by the summer of 2013. The new road will run from the

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roundabout at Staghall and link in with the N3 at Annagh Lake.

While the long-term benefits of the Belturbet Bypass are obvious (it will remove traffic congestion from the town), the spin-off of the construction work immediately became apparent when the roadworks began, with members of the road crews bringing their custom to local businesses on a daily basis, according to county manager Jack Keyes.

Project manager on the N3 Butlersbridge to Belturbet Road Improvement Scheme, Alfredo Sobrino, admits that the scheme has not been without its complications: “It is not straightforward because it is going through a few environmentallysensitive ecological areas, which presents obvious problems. As the road is going to be close to lakes and to the river, it means that there have been a lot of environmental consultations. The National Parks and Wildlife Service and many other third parties have been involved in these discussions and we have to take on board everything they say.

So, while it has been relatively straightforward from a construction point of view, there have been a lot of environmental considerations.”

Prior to the N3 Butlersbridge to Belturbet Road Improvement Scheme, Ferrovial Agroman Ireland Ltd. was also involved in a similar project on the N3 between Virginia and Clonee. Other major projects that Alfredo worked on include the 39kmlong M4-M6 Kilcock – Kinnegad Motorway, the A1 between Dundalk and Newry and the Newry Bypass.

Regarding the current status of the

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Belturbet project, Alfredo concedes that it is unlikely that the original May 2013 target for completion will be met. However, he is confident the works will be finished by July 2013: “Unfortunately, the schedule is a little bit behind due to the environmental issues and the fact that we’ve been involved in a lot of talks, but we are putting measures in place and expect to get back on track. Sometimes on a project you will get these issues and they are really out of our hands.

Cavan County Council has hired a specialist to look after the whole area regarding Aghnaguig Bog.” For the duration of the project, Alfredo has been based in Cavan. In terms of direct employment, the project has brought plenty of muchneeded work to the local community, generating a lot of revenue locally, and the knock-on benefit to local businesses has been significant.

“There are about 175 people in total working on this project – around 150 on site and then a further 25 in the office between managers, engineers, accountants, administration, health

The new road is a challenging project due to sensitive environmental issues

and safety etc.”

Alfredo is now hoping for a mild winter as he kicks on with the aim of getting the new roadway completed as soon as possible: “It would be welcome. Most of the works have already been completed and the plan

for the winter will be to put down tarmacadam. But blacktop works cannot be done in very cold weather.

Rain wouldn’t have any major effect but we’ll be hoping that it doesn’t get too cold.”

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159

The Drumgoon senior side, front l/r: Brendan McCabe, Dominic Donegan, Connor Bates, Ian Craddock, Mark Murray, Conor Moynagh, Edward Gaffney, Shane Smith, Michael Hannon, Paddy Smith, Killian Moynagh.

Back: Benny McIntyre (selector), Aidan Brazil (selector), Ronan McDonald, Philip Smith, Shane McGorry, Pauric McGorry, Ciarรกn Lennon, Niall McIntyre, Michael McDonald, Jim McNally, Paddy McCabe (captain), Keith Fannin, Niall Fortune, Aogรกn Farrell, Aidan Quigley (manager)

DRUMGOON - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

DRUMGOON

2012 RESU LTS ACFL Divis ion 1 Drumalee 0 -9 0-7 Drum Drumgoon goon 0-14 3-11 C úchulainns Belturbet 0 -10 1-10 Dru mg Drumgoon 2-6 1-9 Bally oon haise Ballinagh 1 -14 1-9 Dru mgoon Drumgoon 0-12 1-14 R amor Drumgoon 2-9 1-10 La vey Lacken 2-7 1-11 Drumg oon Drumgoon 1-8 3-11 Kin gscourt Cavan Gae ls 1-13 3-10 Drumgoon Drumgoon 1-7 2-9 Cast lera Mullahoran 1-15 2-7 Dru han mgoon Killygarry 1 -6 2-14 Dru mgoon Drumgoon 5-16 3-10 R edhills Drumgoon 2-10 2-10 G owna

Conor Moynagh

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH After capturing the intermediate championship crown in 2011, Drumgoon did their utmost to hold on to their senior status this year. However, that was easier said than done for so many clubs in the top tier over the past 12 months, as chairman Bernard McIntyre explained.

I

t’s never easy at the top. But for Drumgoon GAA, 2012 will be viewed as a season which saw plenty of positives achieved in the ACFL Division One and senior championship. Crowned intermediate champions the previous October, Aidan Quigley’s team came into the new campaign with a sole objective of surviving the race for 2013 senior status.

Wins over league-leaders Cavan Gaels, Redhills, Belturbet, Lacken,

SFC Drumgoon 2-11 0-15 R edh Drumgoon 0-16 0-12 R ills amor Drumgoon 1-7 2-12 Ca Kingscourt stlerahan 1-13 0-10 D rumgoon – QF

Lavey and Killygarry, along with draws against Ballyhaise and Gowna, saw the Eire Og men claim a 10th place finish in Division One, while their impressive form in the early rounds of the championship would carry them through to the quarterfinal stage against a Kingscourt side which seemed destined for big things at that stage of the season.

In his second year as chairman of the club, Bernard McIntyre has saw the team make huge strides since

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taking over in 2011 and explained that this year was all about the team trying to consolidate their place alongside the county’s big guns.

“The objective was to try and stay in the senior championship and in Division One of the league,” explained McIntyre. “Only for the league structure this year we wouldn’t have had to worry about relegation. It’s a good thing and a bad thing, because it leaves every game

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The U16 side took on Drumlane in the Division 3 championship final, front l/r: Wesley Moore, Colm Shalvey, Padraig Jackson, Enda Shalvey (joint captain), Christopher McCabe (joint captain), Darren Lavery, Conall Farrell, Niall Clerkin. Back: Michael Shalvey (selector), Paddy Bates (manager), Joshua Crowe, Adam Crowe, Oisín Quinn, Derek Osoimojokhian, Shane Clerkin, Barry Harkin, Cathal Bannon, Gavin O Brian, Dylan Bates (selector), Finbarr Crowe (selector)

competitive and means that there’s a bit of incentive there for teams. There were games there in the last few years where clubs wouldn’t field teams for their last games after the championship because it made no difference to them.

“For a small club, I think we’ve achieved a lot this year. I mean we beat the likes of Cavan Gaels and Lacken, who were going well in the intermediate, and it’s a real credit to the players some of the performances that were put in this year.”

Drumgoon’s start to the season would be far from ideal, with opening round defeats to Drumalee (0-9 to 0-

7) and Cuchullains (3-11 to 0-14).

Victory away to Belturbet (1-10 to 010) would see the team’s form take a turn for the better by April as a draw with Ballyhaise (2-6 to 1-9) and wins over Lavey (2-9 to 1-10), Lacken (111 to 2-7) and Cavan Gaels (3-10 to 1-13) ushered them away from the foot of the Division One table as a championship opener with Redhills at the end of July approached.

While Quigley had been without the services of James McDonald, Conor Moynagh and Shane McGorry for much of the league campaign up until now, he would welcome back the latter two for the showdown with Redhills in Cootehill.

A 14th minute penalty from Keith Fannin, who had proudly captained Cavan to a historic Leinster Junior Championship title the previous month, sent Drumgoon on their way to a hard fought, and vital, win at Hugh O’Reilly Park.

In game in which goals proved salient for the victors, it was Redhills that started the better side by opening up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after nine minutes. Drumgoon began to discover their rhythm after that and outscored their opponents by five points to one in the space of 10 minutes, with Fannin, Shane Smith and Paddy McCabe doing the damage. Fannin’s penalty a minute

Facing up to Laragh in the Junior A Camogie championship final were, front l/r: Cody Shalvey (mascot), Holly Halpin, Katie Fitzpatrick, Siobhan Black, Càit Jackson, Joanne Halpin, Carmel McBride, Sarah McCabe, Sabrina Shalvey, Caoimhe Clarke, Margaret McCabe, Naoise McDermott (mascot). Back: Eddie Brady (manager), Cora McBride, Niamh Farrell, Irene McCabe, Tara Fitzpatrick, Hannah Magee, Ashling McDermott, Anita McKitterick, Eileen Brady, Angela Black, Bridget Markey, Eimear O’Hea, Caroline Shalvey

163

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Christopher McCabe in action during the minor final

Minor Declan Hand

Dominic Donegan on minor duty

shy of the quarter hour mark laid the foundations for a 1-7 to 0-8 lead at half-time.

In the second-half, Quigley’s charges signalled their intent early on as Jim McNally set-up McCabe to hit the Redhills’ net, before substitute Shane McGorry had a third goal chance cleared off the line by scrambling defenders.

The border men would themselves be denied a goal moments later when Niall McIntyre pulled off a superb save to turn Joe Callan’s rasping shot away, which could well have made the difference between the teams.

Redhills pulled back their deficit back to three with 10 minutes to go, but Drumgoon held on at the back, with Michael Hannon and Philip Smith superb in their central positions, to see out a 2-11 to 0-15 win and put one foot in the quarter-finals.

Drumgoon (SFC v Redhills): Niall McIntyre; Ian Craddock, Philip Smith, Edward Gaffney; Brendan McCabe, Michael Hannon (0-1), Conor Moynagh; Michael McDonald (0-1), Jim McNally; Adrian Crossan, Keith Fannin (1-3, 1 pen), Shane Smith (02); Niall Fortune (0-1), Ronan McDonald, Paddy McCabe (1-2).

Subs: Aogan Farrell and Shane McGorry.

“We played Redhills in Cootehill and after the first 10 minutes we kind of took over and ended up winning comfortably,” said McIntyre. “We didn’t play that well, to be honest, but we still did enough to consolidate our first-half lead and it was enough to get the win, which was all that mattered.”

It meant that Drumgoon would be travelling to Kingscourt for a showdown with Ramor United, where a place in the quarter-finals would be guaranteed provided they could get a win over the Virginia men.

Once again the intermediate champions would get off to a slow start, which let their opponents move into a 0-7 to 0-3 lead after 16 minutes. Fannin had opened the scoring for Drumgoon, but it was points from the same player, along with Michael Hannon and Shane Smith that proved pivotal in not letting Ramor run away with things before half-time. Fannin (2) and Paddy McCabe ensured that ‘the Goonies’

165

U18 Simon Boyle

U13 Adrian McCluskey

Enda Shalvey during the U16 final

Representing the club in the U13 Division 3 final, front l/r: Ciarán Bannon, Darragh Lynch, Dylan Hand, Jamie McQuaid, Jason O Brian, Michael McCann (captain), Caolan Jackson McCabe, Liam Fox, James Quinn, Damien Osoimojokhian, Jamie Bannon. Back: Aogán Farrell (coach), Peter Hand (manager), Jack Clarke, Sean Carragher, Donal Keappock, Adrian McCluskey, Francis Quinn, Derek Osoimojokhian, Joseph Lee McQuillan, Darragh Boylan, Aaron Kenny, Anthony McCluskey (selector), Brendan McCabe (coach)

would finish out the half on fire, and in front, as they went in at the break with the 0-8 to 0-7 lead.

Ramor would take back the lead in the early stages of the second-half, but with Fannin in outstanding form they struggled to keep out the scores as their versatility man landed his fifth before Aogan Farrell swung Drumgoon back into the lead. Fannin added two more and when Michael McDonald landed what was the score of the game from all of 50 metres Drumgoon were well on their way.

Fannin struck his ninth late on before having a penalty saved by Aaron Farrelly, and when Edward Gaffney’s dashing run up field was smashed over Quigley’s side’s place in the last eight was sealed on a 0-16 to 0-12 score-line.

“It was a tough game that day in Kingscourt,” the chairman admitted.

“We made life difficult for ourselves at the start, but the whole team kind of lifted themselves when they needed to. Niall McIntyre made a great save at a crucial stage and the likes of Keith Fannin and Mick McDonald were very good for us. The young lads like Conor Moynagh were good too and Shane Smith was excellent, as he had been all year.”

The victory left Drumgoon’s remaining group game against Castlerahan a ‘dead rubber’ affair, as McIntyre explained.

“The game was played in Mullahoran and it was a useful exercise to either team,” he said. “We didn’t even have a sub on the day with so many lads nursing injury and

ended up finishing the game with 14 men because we couldn’t bring anyone on.”

With their passage through the quarter-finals already secured, defeat to Castlerahan made no difference to Quigley and his players as they set their sights on a battle with Kingscourt on September 1.

It was the 2010 county champions that made a blistering start to the contest in Cootehill, where Drumgoon had actually opened the scoring inside the first minute through their veteran midfielder Jim McNally. The Stars caught fire soon after though as Philip Smith goaled on six minutes before an array of points landed Kingscourt in a 1-8 to 0-2 lead at halftime Drumgoon would have the wind

On duty for the minor final, front l/r: Enda Shalvey, Darren Lavery, Ryan Craddock, Joseph Kelly, Barry Cooney (joint captain), Dominic Donegan (joint captain), Joshua Crowe, Conall McCabe, Aaron McCabe. Back: Paddy Bates (manager), Dylan Bates (selector), Declan Hand, Simon Boyle, Christopher McCabe, Gavin O Brian, Paul McMahon, Stephen Reburn, Conor McGorry, Míchael McGibney, Michael Fitzpatrick (assistant manager)

166

U16 Conall Farrell

Adam Crowe on U16 duty

Joshua Crowe for the U16s

advantage in the second-half, but still faced a huge uphill battle for that coveted semi-final berth. Keith Fannin’s frees, along with a Michael Hannon point and scores from Paddy McCabe kept Drumgoon within some sort of touching distance, but the goals they so sorely needed to get back into contention never came, and it was Kingscourt that came away from Hugh O’Reilly Park 1-13 to 0-10 winners to set-up a last four clash with Castlerahan.

(Drumgoon SFC quarter-final v Kingscourt): Niall McIntyre; Killian Moynagh, Adrian Crossan, Edward Gaffney (0-1); Philip Smith, Michael Hannon (0-1), Shane McGorry; Jim McNally (0-1), Michael McDonald (01); Conor Moynagh, Pauric McGorry, Keith Fanniin (0-4, 4f); Shane Smith, Ronan McDonald, Paddy McCabe (02, 2f). Subs: Brendan McCabe, Niall Fortune, Shane McGorry, Aogan Farrell.

“We felt fairly confident going into the game, actually,” McIntyre stated.

“We knew that if we played to our potential we could surprise them. The game was in Cootehill and we were up against a strong breeze in the firsthalf which they took advantage of.

We won the second-half, if you want to put it like that. I think they led by nine at half-time and we lost in the end by six. The difference on the day was that their forwards were much more clinical than ours and hopefully that’s something we can improve on next year.”

Drumgoon would return to their league campaign after the Kingscourt defeat and gained the points needed to leave themselves within a fighting chance heading into the last round, but a draw with Gowna (2-10 to 2-10) on the last day wouldn’t prove sufficient enough for survival.

“We beat Redhills and a few others to get ourselves into a survival position in the last game,” said McIntyre.

“If we hadn’t had started so poorly maybe things would have been different. We lost our first two games to Drumalee and Cuchullains narrowly, but we were short a few players which you can’t afford to be at this level. Looking back at it we should have won a few more games than we did in the league.”

167

Shane Smith

Selector Aidan Brazil

Edward Gaffney and goalkeeper Niall McIntyre in action against Redhills

On duty in the league, front l/r: Seamus O’Brien, Raymond O’Brien, Larry Maguire, Micháel Clarke, Adrian Carroll, Seán Rogers, Finbar Carolan, Darren Clarke, Back: Kevin Traynor, Niall McCabe, Larry Reilly, Peter O’Reilly, Stephen Tormey, Kevin Carolan, Raphael Rogers, Brendan Carolan, Eamon Carolan, Hugo O’Reilly

KNOCKBRIDE - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

KNOCKBRIDE

The intermediate championship winning ladies squad, front l/r: Leanne O Reilly, Denise Smith, Aine Collins, Aine Nulty, Sinead Clarke, Leanne Clarke, Aggie Clarke, Sarah McCabe, Aileen Cosgrove, Katie Rogers, Lisa McCabe, Amie Rooney, Nicola Rogers, Dermot O Brien. Back: Jason O’Connor, Stephen Tormey, Carmel McCabe, Arlene Clarke, Elaine Costin O’Connor, Emma Duffy, Amie Lynch, Nicola Higgins, Jenny O’Rourke, Tina Reilly, Aoife Nulty, Pamela Keaskin, Aisling O’Reilly, Jennifer Lackey, Maggie Donohoe

KNOCKBRIDE LADIES PROVIDE THE SILVER LINING Knockbride experienced troubled times on the IFC and league fronts. Thankfully the ladies fraternity provided a shining light of hope

K

nockbride GFC is famed for developing top class players capable of shining on the intercounty stage. We all know about the club's contribution to Cavan's glorious Anglo Cup success in '97 in St. Tighernach's Park, Clones.

However, the east Cavan outfit is much more than just bluebloods among their number swatting allcomers in a marquee venue in a blue riband competition.

Fact is, that while Knockbride remain adept at developing ubertalented players, the club's capacity to cultivate coaches is arguably the big shining light these days where the

2012 RESU LTS ACFL Divis ion 2 Cavan Gae ls 1-12 0-7 Knockbride Knockbride 0-9 1-7 Butle rsbridge Knockbride 3-6 1-11 M ountnugent Knockbride 0-9 0-10 Sw anlinbar Knockbride 1-9 0-9 Kill inkere Kill 2-17 2-1 2 Knockbrid Killeshandra e 1-11 1-8 Kn Shannon G aels 0-7 0-1 ockbride 4 Knockbrid Knockbride e 0-10 4-6 Dru mlane Denn 2-15 0 -4 Knockbride Munterconn aught 0-18 3-5 Knockb Knockbride ride 0-6 2-8 Dru Cornafean ng 3-12 1-7 Kn ockbride Knockbride 0-7 1-11 Co Knockbride o 0-6 7-10 Cro tehill sserlough IFC Shercock 0 -14 0-5 Kno ckbride Knockbride 0-9 1-17 Kill inkere Knockbride 1-9 4-14 La cken

red and green brigade preside. The club's Youth Board Secretary is suitably impressed: "We've a great underage committee in place and great mentors. You couldn't get any better than the likes of Larry and Peter Reilly and it's great to see them putting something back into coaching after all their years playing for the club and the county," says hard-working club officer Nuala Rogers.

"But it's not as if Larry and Peter are on their own 'cause we have 16 coaches working away in Knockbride but, still, you can't do with too much help.

169

"We're putting in a winter training programme for the juveniles aged between eight, ten and twelve plus fourteen and sixteen.

"It'll be a case of 'all hands on deck' over the next few months to make sure that the programme is successful but I'm sure it will considering the numbers of players we have and the numbers of mentors too. We should have at least four coaches looking after each group of players.”

Nuala views the winter programme as key to the whole business of keeping youngsters on their toes over the erstwhile 'closed' period either

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The U12 Division 1 finalists, front l/r: Jack Burke, Cian Donohoe, Alan Murray, Shane Carolan, Matthew Traynor, Diarmuid Smith, Sean Smith, Conor Shanley, Jamie Benson. Back: Declan O’Reilly, Callum Clarke, James McGuinness, Frank McCabe, Philip McCabe, Ben Mulvey, Philip Nulty, DJ Cassidy, Fergal Smith, Cian O’Reilly, Paul Benson, Jim Bob O’Reilly

side of the Christmas break.

Crucially, she also feels that the October to March period ought to be used as a building block towards summer success.

"I think the days when players, of any age, put their feet up in October and didn't put their boots back on 'till the spring time are gone.

"Every club has to work that bit harder to keep up with the changing times as regards coaching and improving players' skills and we're no different because, let's face it, lads are going to be doing much on their own time over the winter so it really has to be organised for them by the club mentors.

"You have to keep the young players interested and fit in time for the start of the new season in

February so we will be training our juvenile teams on the Astro turf pitch at The Vale on Fridays from six to eight o'clock and I'm sure the response from the players will be nothing other than positive."

As one of Cavan's oldest clubs, Knockbride holds a special place in the Breffni County GAA family and the likes of Nuala Rogers is clearly extremely proud to be able to play her part in what is an annual passion play in the eastern part of Cavan.

But the local gaels, like Nuala, in Knockbride and its environs recognise that tradition counts for nothing if the future isn't looked after.

What better way to provide for the future well-being of a club than to nurture success at underage level?

Hence, the joyousness of seeing

Knockbride players consistently making their way into underage finals, if not the winner's enclosure.

"We haven't that big of a 'pick', just east Knockbride and west Knockbride schools, but we try to make most of the material that comes our way.

"Knockbride's a country area and numbers would be a problem most years - that's why we'd have to amalgamate some years with Bailieboro.

"It was great though that the under 12s reached the division one final this year - the first ever time that happened in the club - and that sort of achievement is a great boost to the young lads and to the people that are working with them as mentors and everyone on the juvenile committee

The cup is in the bag and Knockbride’s intermediate championship winners pose with their mentors and mascots

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Knockbride ladies manager Jason O Connor is congratulated after the final whistle in the decider

Amy Rooney was Player of the Match in the ladies IFC final

Aggie Clarke is presented with the Ladies IFC trophy

even though they lost out on winning the final due, I think, to a lot of nerves and the wet and windy night didn't help either."

Nuala further explains that the club's under 14s competed well in both the league and championship campaigns but without getting among the prizes.

In the championship, Knockbride's starlets lost out very narrowly to a strong amalgamation side in St. Joes in the opening round but made a bigger impression in the league where they reached the semi-finals.

Unfortunately, the club's under 16s were thin on the ground in 2012 with a quite a few of the under 14 squad included in their ranks.

At minor level, the strength in depth boasted by the coming together of Knockbride and Bailieboro to form Eastern Gaels was telling and in sharp contrast to the lengths, for instance, Knockbride had to go to in order to field a team on their own at under 16 level. Nuala concludes: "Overall our underage sector is in a healthy state which is good 'cause it's those young fellas that we'll be looking to build a good senior team."

Meanwhile, the husband of Kieran and mother of boys Philip and David and girls Katie and Nicola (all avid footballers), Nuala's joy concerning the success achieved this year by the ladies football section of the club in early September has definition and depth.

As someone who was formerly Secretary of the ladies football committee for ten years, ladies football is, she concedes, "my first love."

Nuala is currently assistant Secretary of the ladies' fraternity and was thrilled by her club's 2-10 to 2-7 win in the 2012 IFC final over Killygarry.

Having impressed with victories over Bailieboro and Mullahoran in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively, Knockbride went into the final as favourites to lift the title.

However, it would appear that Knockbride's triumph was carved out against the odds and achieved with revivalist zeal.

"We lost a lot of players over the last

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Larry Reilly

Seamus O’Brien

Raymond O’Brien

current senior team's side and they in her various administration roles few years for different reasons. I'd can only improve with more empowered her team-mates back say the panel might have been short experience and the introduction of then! eight or nine or the number it had in new blood over the next couple of Elsewhere in the earnest gaeldom recent times so to win the years." that is Knockbride, the fortunes of the intermediate championship this year Under the stewardship of Bailieboro club's premier men’s football team was really brilliant and a great lift to native Francis Clarke, Knockbride dipped in the past year. ladies football in the club. failed to get out of their group in the The fallow times continue for "Luckily some of the girls came IFC with defeats to Lacken Celtic, Knockbride at intermediate level but back out of retirement and gave it Killinkere and deadly rivals Shercock the club is far from a busted flush if their all for at least another year. It their lot in the championship in 2012.

Nuala is to be believed: was a really exciting final and a great "I don't think anyone can start to "We lost a few of the more senior one to win." blame Francis Clarke. A manager can players over the past wee while Nuala runs a Montessori school only work with the material that he through emigration and that set us locally. It's just one of the many hats has at hand and it'll take another back and there was one or two she has chosen to wear for apart couple of years for the team to get in retirements as well but I don't think from her officership with the ladies the sort of extra quality that will make expectations were that high in the and her role as secretary of a difference. I think patience is the first place at the start of this year.

Knockbride juvenile committee, she key thing now for the men."

"The present panel hasn't just got is also Secretary of the parent club.

Words to the wise. the same strength on the bench that So where does she get her other Knockbride inspiration from or her energy to be teams have had such a luminous figure in Knockbride but there's still a GAA circles.

Drumhilla, Shercock, Co. Cavan. good few young "I didn't have anyone in particular in Tel: 042-9669858 players coming the family, going back, who was big Full range of Solid Wood Kitchens through and into the GAA so I suppose it's just my Modern & Traditional Styles hopefully the own love of sport that keeps me at it."

Designed for your Specification best of the Nuala was always sporty even if she Free Quotations current under was alone among nine girls growing 16s will add a lot Best Wishes to Knockbride GAA up who was that way inclined and as to things in a a teenager attending St. Aidan's couple of years Comprehensive, Cootehill, her sporty time but it might nature was showcased primarily in take 'till then. the handball courts there.

"Age is on the Nuala came under the tutelage of h a n d b a l l enthusiast and St. A i d a n ' s schoolteacher Best Wishes to Jack Foley and Knockbride GAA she became so good at the ancient game that she collected an all-Ireland medal for her troubles!

Later on, she distinguished herself at ladies football and helped her native club to two Ulster IFC titles as well as a host of county IFC and senior titles.

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Up against Knockbride in the league were, front l/r: Gerry Sheridan,Dan Wharton, James Cullen, Jack Wharton, Cormac Geogehegan, Val Sheridan, Adrian McCaffrey, Paul Brady, Andrew Wharton, Gordon Morrow, Eamon Gaffney. Back: Eamon Reilly (selector), Terrance Reynolds (manager), Ciaran Briody, Cian Geogehegan, Ciaran Duignan, Cathal Sheridan, Andrew Smith, Pauric Tully Barry Doyle, Killian Reilly, Wayne Johnson, Niall Corcoran, Tommy Duffy (selector).

CORNAFEAN - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

CORNAFEAN

2012 RESU LTS

Jack Wharton

BLUEBLOODS OF CAVAN GAA Cornafean boast teams teeming with talent... but not just on the field of play. Long-time coach Sean Kilkenny explains.

By Kevin Carney.

T

he simplest perusal of the underage football results in the county this year tells yet another positive tale about Cornafean GFC. We're getting pretty used to seeing the Reds make so many others blue at the business end of juvenile competitions that book-ending the summary of the club's activities with mention of finals or semi-finals has gotten to be common-place.

Over the years, a dedicated band of coaches has constructed a lustre at grass roots level that bears

ACFL Divis ion 2 Drung 2-10 0-13 Corna fean Cornafean 1-8 1-16 Kill Drumlane 2 -14 1-3 Corn afean Cornafean 1-8 5-15 De Crosserlou nn gh 0-14 1-6 Cornafean Cornafean 1-10 2-6 Co otehill Cornafean 0-12 0-7 Bu tlersbridge Munterconn aught 1-10 2-8 Cornafe Cornafean an 2-12 0-5 M ountnugent Cornafean 0-3 1-11 Kill eshandra Cavan Gae ls 0-21 1-11 Cornafean Shannon G aels 1-7 1-7 Cornafean Swanlinbar 0-16 0-12 C ornafean Cornafean 3-12 1-7 Kn ockbride Killinkere 0 -21 1-4 Corn afean JFC Maghera 0 -4 3-12 Corn afean Cornafean 1-6 0-13 La ragh – QF

comparison with work done in any of the other 39 clubs. 2012 fairly showcased both the coaches' long and short-term work in Cornafean and the emerging talent they've unearthed and fostered.

To aid them in spreading the gospel, Cornafean's underage disciples are luckier than most in that three primary schools, namely, Corlas, Coronea and Ballinagh form a pretty solid crutch to help them in their endeavours.

And while the majority of those youngsters are ensconced in

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Ballinagh National School - which serves neighbouring GAA clubs as well of course - the guts of 90 kids in the other two schools are readymade Reds.

For more years than outsiders could only hazard a guess at, the likes of Seamus Doyle, Philip Wilson and Liam Young have been at the coalface of underage coaching in Cornafean.

Similarily, Sean Kilkenny has been at the epicentre of every positive club story to emerge from Cornafean's underage set-up over the guts of the

The Cornafean squad that took on Laragh in the championship, front l/r: Stephen Harrington, Wayne Johnson, Cormac Geogehegan, Val Sheridan, Dan Wharton, Killian Reilly, Adrian McCaffrey, Paul Brady, Jack Wharton, Andrew Wharton, James Cullen, Tommy Duffy. Back: Andrew Johnson, Cian Geogehegan, Ciaran Duignan, Ciaran Briody, Gordon Morrow, Eamon Gaffney, Niall Sheridan, Andrew Smith, Pauric Tully, Cathal Sheridan, Gerry Sheridan, Liam Duignan, Ciaran Gray, Barry Doyle

last ten years.

Like his comrades-in-arms, Sean has faithfully coached and supervised dozens of Cornafean starlets each Saturday morning for the most part of each year.

Pauric Tully

Unlike so many others in other GAA clubs countrywide, the 2000 JFC medallist continues to 'put something back' into the club he got so much out of as a player in his pomp. Not for him a love affair with golf, post-football career. Instead, when he hung up his boots after that gloriously dramatic championship final win over Drumgoon, he turned his attentions to coaching and administrative work within the club.

Sean wears two red and white garlanded hats that we know. He's a coach, of course, but also for the last five years he has served the club as PRO. Those from within the wider GAA world and others from the local media who've had

Best Wishes To Cornafean GAA In 2013 From

reason to work with him will tell you that there are few other PROs in Cavan who could lace his boots.

So what's to report about 2012 from a Cornafean perspective then? Quite a bit, in actual fact. According to the

Gerry Sheridan

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Daniel Cullivan in U14 action with Christopher Smith in the background

U14 James Cartwright

Senior team coach Terrance Reynolds

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"We've got another underage team (under 14s) into the finals which is great because it's been a regular thing (making the finals) for a while now with a lot of our juvenile teams knocking on the door over the last few years.

"The ladies (football) are flying and only for we were missing five players for the first part of the year, the seniors would have done a lot better."

While the graduation from underage ranks of would-be senior luminaries such as the three Wharton brothers and Niall Sheridan boosted the hand of the senior selectors in the past year, Cornafean's premier team sorely missed the presence last spring of their more seasoned campaigners.

It would be difficult for any club in the county to do itself justice at senior level if they were missing such stalwarts as Cornafean were at the outset of 2012 in the shape of Barry Doyle, Mark Johnson, Gordon Morrow, Padraig Reilly and Liam Duignan - all established first teamers.

Things did improve though as virtually everyone was back in the harness by the time the first round of the JFC came around.

Maghera were Cornafean's quarterfinal opponents. The Reds ought to have won by more than they did but getting into the semis was allimportant.

"Unfortunately the lads underperformed in the semi-final against Laragh," the aforementioned Kilkenny explains," and things never went our way like they did, for instance, against Maghera or Knockbride."

Those clued into the junior fare had earmarked Cornafean as possible dark horses with Mountnugent the pre-competition favourites.

"I think most people reckoned that Mountnugent were going to be the team to beat but when the lads came back (from abroad) expectations in the club increased noticeably and so the Laragh result was very

177

Cian Geogehegan

Adrian McCaffrey

Val Sheridan and Paul Brady

Some of the current squad are fast approaching their sell-by-date. Others just aren't hitting the high notes that was once their preserve.

"I don't think we can expect too much from the seniors for a couple of more years," Sean opines. "I think you'll see the senior team going through a bit of a transition period but team is well capable of staying in division two.

"With no disrespect to the teams that are in division Eamon Gaffney three, we don't want to be joining them any time soon. disappointing. I think a bit of Going back to division three would be complacency against them was a big a major blow and it could be hard factor in the defeat." enough to get out of it."

Cornafean's exit from the Just how smooth and fluid championship left all and sundry Cornafean's 'transition' period is about the club sourer than curdled could be influenced by obvious cream and Sean, for his part, external factors, Sean suggests.

In believes life may not be any sweeter this regard, he is talking, amongst next year even with the underage other variables, about the production line in such good nick at repercussions of an economy still in a minor level. state of decline if not flux.

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clubs will end up when it comes to fielding teams at adult level 'cause the number of players already working abroad is even greater than it was in the mid-eighties and that's saying something.

"I don't think there's any question but that the availability of jobs is going to count a lot for teams looking to win something, regardless at what grade."

Cornafean's catchment area is fairly good. Better than most, it has to be said. The three national schools at their disposal says as much.

The bluebloods of Cavan GAA back in the early part of the 20th century can also bank on a near imperious tradition to underpin their winning ways.

Those from the outside looking in can see that the teeming talent at the club isn't confined to a certain team or grade. Here, Scor comes to mind.

Has another club a better record in Scor than Cornafean? Doubtful. It

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178

has led the way in the cultural side of things in this county for years and years.

For every Paddy McDermott in the club, there's a PJ McGlade, Tommy McGivney, George Cartwright, Art McSeain, Brian Doyle and all others mentioned above . . .and more besides. How many other clubs can boast such doers, so many GAA loyalists? Precious few.

Sean has just completed his fifth successive year as PRO. Cornafean

are lucky to have such a stayer in that most unloved of administrative positions.

And eschewing the risk of blowing his own trumpet, Sean is unequivocal in his assessment of the importance of a good PRO: "A good PRO is crucial for any club, no matter how successful or unsuccessful the club is. You need to keep people in the club - and outside as well - informed about what is going on in the club, from every age group

up to senior.

"The club is fortunate in that there are a lot of good communicators in the club and Bernard Madden is a very good and capable Secretary and he helps me and the others over teams keep the rest of the club members clued in as to how we're doing."

Good to hear Cornafean continue to more than hold their own on a number of fronts.

Credit to all concerned.

The U14 squad were Division 2 championship finalists

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179

The Drung senior squad for 2012, front l/r: Philip Monahan, Fergal Hueston, Declan McEntee, Ray Fay, Paddy McEntee, Paul Hueston, Barry Watters, Gregory Rossiter, Andrew Rossiter, Ciaran Galligan, Kevin McCaul, Finbar Reilly. Back: Dan Fay, Noel Hueston, Killian Monahan, Aidan McCaul, Stephen Reilly, Aaron Watson, James Reilly, Christy Moore, John Cassidy, Michael McEntee, Gary Watters, Alan Curran, Stephen Jackson, Conor O'Reilly

DRUNG - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

DRUNG Killian Monahan

2012 RESU LTS

MOORE OF THE SAME? NO THANKS Drung had a bad day at the office in 2012 with honours eluding them in the league and championship. Worse still, the club lost one of their most die-hard members. Drung dynamo Christopher Moore reflects on the past season. By Kevin Carney.

A

fter an underage career that dripped with honours, Christopher Moore could have been forgiven for thinking this Gaelic football lark was a piece of cake after adding a JFC medal in 2008 at the age of 19 to his burgeoning collection of gongs.

However, over the past four years, red and white garlands down Bunnoe way have been conspicuous by their absence.

Drung's engine has been spluttering

ACFL Divis ion 2 Crosserlou gh 1-7 1-8 Drung Drung 2-10 0-13 Corna fean Drung 0-10 0-8 Cavan Gaels Drung 1-8 1 -4 Munterc onnaught Mountnuge nt 1-5 0-8 D Drung v Sh rung annon Gae ls – not pla Drung 1-6 1 yed -6 Killinkere Butlersbridg e 0-14 0-4 Drung Kill 2-10 0-1 2 Drung Drung 1-14 2-11 Swanlin bar Cootehill 4-8 0-7 Drung Knockbride 0-6 2-8 Dru ng Drung 1-10 0-7 Killesha ndra Drumlane 1 -7 0-9 Drun g Drung v De nn – not pla yed IFC Drung 0-8 1 -10 Cooteh ill Ballyhaise 0-1 Drung 2-7 0 1 1-8 Drung -9 Butlersb Crosserlou ridge gh 1-14 0-7 Drung –

more often than not and, for his part, Moore by his own admission, at times looked more one-paced in 2012 than turbo-charged in his endeavours.

Although Drung's inner-circle scoff at the notion that their premier team is going through a transitional stage, some of the natural-born leaders from yesteryear have lost some of their lustre, others have finished their journey while it appears most of the rest have L-plates emblazoned on their jerseys. In short, Drung,

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QF

c o l l e c t i v e l y, didn't cut it in the past year.

For his part, Moore is honest enough to admit that 2012 was far from a vintage year for himself. Like the team, he promised more than he delivered. "I had a 'just alright' kind of year," he concedes. I felt I had more to offer than what I produced on the field this season."

Christopher was part of a rich crop of juveniles some years ago that appeared to have the sort of strong

North Eastern Gaels were minor finalists

teeth and sharp claws capable of tearing into all-comers down the tracks.

From under 10 to under 21, Christopher featured alongside would-be senior luminaries such as Barry Watters, Mickey McEntee, Fergal Heuston and Aidan McCaul Drung's very own underage rat pack.

But while time is still all on their side, it's hard to get used to not winning after a silver spoon-in-themouth start to one's football career.

The now 23 year old Dalcassian is anxious to re-visit the good old days when the winner's enclosure was a veritable home from home but he is unequivocal in his thinking on what needs to change if Drung are to remount the podium: "We have to get rid of the inconsistency we showed this season - it was our main problem in 2012," the wholehearted midfielder opines.

Too true. League tables are rarely charged with perjury and the most simple analogy of Drung's league results fairly underpin young Moore's

concise summation of his club's season in the intermediate ranks.

Drung enjoyed a spring-heeled start to 2012. The team beat Crosserlough on their home patch in Kilnaleck, for starters. They followed that up shortly afterwards with a win over Cavan Gaels and then further victories over Cornafean and Munterconnacht ratcheted up the feel-good factor in the club.

Sadly, the wheels began to come off the wagon with the team drawing games they ought to have won and losing games they ought to have chiselled out a draw.

"We were playing some very good football early on in the season, getting our fair share of luck and getting through for scores which was something we hadn't been doing in other years," Christopher explains.

Then bang, crash, wallop. A trip to Butlersbridge on the June Bank Holiday weekend saw Moore and co. receive a ten point hiding. It was to prove a watershed match for Drung.

A real season-changer.

Best Wishes to Drung GFC from

"It might be a silly thing to say but our form before the game with the 'bridge might have been a bit too good and we were probably complacent and paid the penalty.

"The defeat to the 'bridge definitely broke our momentum and we struggled to get into our stride after that.

"We started training on January 8th this year but I don't think we ever had a fully-fit squad with everyone available for three straight games which, in fairness, didn't help our cause.

"We struggled to get a settled team.

The stuff was there but we just didn't click on all the days we needed to but it wasn't for lack of effort or commitment.

"I'd say the league campaign was disappointing overall. At the start of the year we probably would have hoped to have picked up 20 points whereas we ended up with 17 points which wasn't too far short of our target and finishing in fifth or sixth place isn't too bad.

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"Right from last January the championship was our priority though and we're normally considered to be a better championship team.

"We were lucky though (in the championship) to get out of the group 'cause it was mainly down to other results going our way."

It should be recalled that after suffering four county final defeats in eight years, Drung's patience was also wearing very thin before they captured the JFC crown in 2008.

That was a title triumph that ended a barren run at adult level that stretched back to 1997 when the club won division two of the ACFL. How does the current Drung squad compare to the Class of 2008?

"Back then, we had a lot of experienced fellas on the team who knew how to grind out wins, how to turn a possible defeat into a win or a likely defeat into a draw.

"The present squad isn't as experienced and there's a few fellas just bedding themselves into the senior team and it'll take time to get the right balance.

"Hopefully the fellas who've won under 16 and minor medals in the last couple of years will come through as a group and add to our strength in depth.

"This year there seemed to be more competition for places than other years I can remember but, at the same time, when there's two or three players out injured, our resources are stretched."

The feeling remains abroad though from outside the confines of the parish that Drung can be their own worst enemies at times.

It appears to some looking from the outside in that the Dalcassians can cave into pressure that they themselves conspire to engineer.

That said, the team did emerge from a tough championship group made up of Ballyhaise, Cootehill Celtic and Butlersbridge even if results from the games involving the other teams did fall into their lap.

"We definitely took a step in the right direction this year by getting out of the group. Ballyhaise are tipped every year to be in the running for the championship; Cootehill are

improving every year and we haven't beaten the 'bridge in three years but it was just a pity we had to rely on the other results to go our way to get out of the group.

"Unfortunately, after the group stage, the pressure seemed to get to us in trying to make it into the semifinals because we didn't do ourselves justice in the quarter-final (0-7 to 1-14 defeat) against Crosserlough."

Christy is understandably a bit downcast in reflecting on his team's championship travails but perspective kicks in when his thoughts turn to the untimely death last August of Terry McEntee, one of the club's staunchest and most seasoned supporters.

"Terry died on a Monday and was buried on the Thursday before our game with Crosserlough so that cast a big dark cloud over the championship and put things into perspective for everyone.

"For as long as I've been going to training in Bunnoe and to matches supporting Drung, Terry has been around and it'll take some getting used to now that he'll no longer be around.

"He was nearly always the first one you'd see around the dressing-rooms before and after a match and he had an incredible interest in football.

"It was obvious that Paddy, Mickey and Declan (Terry's three sons) were going to play for the seniors and it was to their credit that they lined out against Crosserlough because it must have been very hard on them but I know that they wanted to play the game."

Christy maintains the tragedy of Terry McEntee's death at a relatively young age shouldn't be proffered as an excuse for Drung's poor display against Crosserlough.

"The spirit in the club in 2012 was second to none; the game against Crosserlough can be put down to just a bad day at the office," he concludes.

Son of PJ and Bernie Moore (nee Fay), Christy is involved in the landscaping business.

Here's hoping that he can help design a lush future for the club on the back of a disappointing and poignant season.

183

Andrew Rossiter

Paul Hueston

Killian Monahan

The Ballymachugh senior team that faced Killeshandra in the first round of the Intermediate championship, front l/r: Aodhain Kiernan, Diarmaid O’Reilly, Ollie Kiernan, Alan Donohoe, Brian Donohoe, James Kiernan, Anthony Baxter, John Fox, Stephen Harten, Darragh Kiernan, Padraig Galligan, David Kerrigan, Killian Goldrick. Back: Finbar Sheridan, David Mulligan, Killian Smith, Barry Kiernan, Padraig Sheridan, Paddy Baxter, Richard Fitzsimons, Brendan McElarney, Vincent Ellis, Gavin Smith, Liam Goldrick-Buchanan, Kieran Goldrick, Noel Denneny, James McElarney, Philip Donohoe

BALLYMACHUGH - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

BALLYMACHUGH

2012 RESU LTS

Killian Smith eyes up another score

A COMING FORCE For the first time in seven years, no silverware came Ballymachugh's way. Crisis? Au contraire

I

n Ballymachugh GAA circles, they make no bones about admitting that they fell short of the mark at senior level in the past year.

Promotion to Division Two of the ACFL was the ultimate goal and it just didn't happen for the 'Hughs and there's just no sugar coating that point.

The continuing emergence of a rich crop of teeming talent offers much hope for the future though and the feeling abroad is that their day will come.

ACFL Divis ion 3 Bailieborou gh 0-7 0-5 Ballymachu Ballymachu gh gh 0-14 1-8 Shercock Ballymachu gh 1-14 2-5 Corlough Maghera 1 -8 4 Kildallan 0-1 -13 Ballymachugh 1 0-10 Bally machugh Arva 0-7 0-7 Ballymachu Ballymachu gh gh 0-12 1-1 3 Bailieboro Shercock 1 ugh -14 1-9 Bally machugh Ballymachu gh 2-9 3-5 Ma Corlough 0 -4 2-15 Bally ghera machugh Ballymachu gh 2-13 0-1 0 Laragh U Ballymachu td gh 2-19 1-6 Templeport Laragh Utd 0-9 2-10 Ba llymachugh Ballymachu gh 2-11 2-7 Kildallan Ballymachu gh 2-13 1-1 Templeport 3 Arva 0-5 2-11 Ba Ballymachu llymachugh gh 0-10 0-8 Shercock – Ballmachug semi-final h 0-12 Baili eborough 2 -9– final IFC Ballymachu gh 1-11 2-9 Kille Drumlane 1 -10 0-7 Bally shandra machugh Kill 3-9 3-1 3 Ballymach ugh

Hindsight tells us that Bailieboro always looked like the team the best of the rest had to beat in division three in 2012. Ballymachugh found that out.

In the very first round of the league, the Shamrocks edged out Ballymachugh by a single point in what all present agreed was a substandard tie.

Then midway through the league, Ballymachugh got another chance to put one over the east Cavan town side but defeat was again their lot.

185

P o i n t e d l y, Bailieboro Shamrocks were the only team to nab both points on their visit to Ballyheelan. It's a telling statistic from the past season.

"Our home form was very good but it was our away results that let us down," Ballymachugh's highly efficient PRO Ronan Baxter reflected.

"We didn't pick up any points on our visits to Shercock, Bailieboro and Kildallan and got just a draw against Arva when we should have done better.

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PROPS: TERRY & JACQUELINE DENNENY 186

Barry Kiernan attempts to pull away from the defender

James Kiernan steadies himself before sending over a free against Killeshandra in the championship

Philip Donohoe in a tussle for possession with the opposition

"At the start of the year, we definitely thought we'd be there or thereabouts when the league title was being handed out but we finished in third place.

"In fairness, I suppose most people around the county would have tipped Bailieboro and Shercock for the (league) title at the start of the year.

"They were relegated from division two last year and after playing Bailieboro in the first round and seeing how good they were, we then came up against Shercock in the second round of the league but we won comfortably which was just the sort of result we needed after losing to Bailieboro.

"Unfortunately, in the following game at the start of April we lost out to Kildallan in Ballyconnell which was probably as much of a shock to them as it was to us but, in fairness, they were up for it and we had a stinker with a lot of our lads just not turning up on the day."

As for expectations, Ronan explains that there were genuine aspirations, league-wise, but not to the same degree as regards the championship.

The club's inability to emerge from the group stages of the IFC didn't exactly catapult anyone of a green and yellow hue into depression mode.

Killeshandra were hot favourites to beat Ballymachugh in the first round of the championship but the script was very nearly ripped up, Ronan says: "We were winning by five points with about three minutes to go in the match when they were awarded two penalties - with one of them being very controversial - and ended up winning by a point.

"The second round game in Lacken against Drumlane didn't work out for us either. Some our our 'big' players just didn't perform on the day.

"The final game against Kill was meaningless in that neither us or them had anything to play for but, still, the lads put in a great display to win well."

In the cold light of day, does Ronan believe that the championship campaign ought to have returned a much better dividend?

"I'm not sure because all the other teams in the intermediate championship were division two teams so you have to take that into account.

"I suppose had we played Kill in the first round and got a win over them, that would have given us a lot of

187

Senior championship debutant Darragh Kiernan goes on another lung bursting run

Brian Donohoe carries the ball forward

Kieran Goldrick takes on Killeshandra’s Shane O’Reilly

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188

momentum and would have set us up nicely to take on Drumlane but, instead, we had to meet Killeshandra first of all and they were one of the more fancied teams in the competition."

For all the club's disappointment in both the league and the championship, there's an exhuberance and a confidence surrounding the flagship team operating out of Ballyheelan that hasn't been evident in quite a number of years.

After all, it's not that long ago that Ballymachugh were hard pressed to field teams, week in, week out, at senior level. These days it's a different story.

Ballymachugh making the league semi-finals and having a credible reserve squad to dip into represents a significant degree of progress.

In the last four of the league, Ballymachugh would score a 0-10 to 0-8 win over JFC champions Shercock, before going down to the inform Bailieborough at O’Reilly Park in Cootehill, where it finished 2-9 to 012 in favour of the Shamrocks.

"At the start of the year, we had between 35 and 40 lads out for senior training which is a far cry from a few years ago," 21 year old Ronan explains.

"When things were at a low ebb a few years ago, you heard stories about players thinking about joining another club but that's not the case now.

"I think a lot of the promise at senior level comes from the fact that there are so many young lads coming through now from the underage ranks.

"We have minors now who have shown that they are capable of making the step up to intermediate ranks; fellas like Stephen Harten, Liam Buchanan Goldrick and Darragh Kiernan have all contributed a lot to the seniors this year and they probably symbolise the sort of young talent we have now."

For his part, Ronan takes particular delight in witnessing the coming of age of such up-and-coming talent in Ballymachugh because for the last few years, he has teamed up with John Coyle and Eugene Duffy to hone the skills of the club's burgeoning young talent.

Ballymachugh has a bright future ahead of itself if the quantity and quality of youngsters on its books these days is anything to go by.

Most of the current minors have

distuinquished themselves at under league, we competed well."

12 right up to under 18 levels, Ronan concedes though that collecting a slew of county medals in playing against amalgamations made the process. up of several clubs can be a It's a stark but revealing fact that "daunting challenge" for over the past five years, Ballymachugh's young guns.

Ballymachugh has figured in nine These are challenges that the county underage finals - from under 'hughs have met head-on however 13 to minor - in that period which is a with the defeat of the Cootehill record which very few other of the Celtic/Drumgoon minor amalgam a county's 40 clubs could boast. case in point.

Uniquely, the club played in division The club's minors were arguably one of the minor league this year, their flagship underage team in 2012 following on from their but ultimately they fell short, coming a unprecedented appearance in cropped in the quarter-finals. division two in 2011.

"There are a lot of very good, "A very good crop of underage players has come together at the promising footballers on the minor same time which is fairly rare and the team but we haven't had much more hope is that maybe seven or eight of than 18 players to pick from all year. the current minors will go onto make "I think it's a case of more quality a good impression at senior level than quantity with most of our over the next few years," Ronan opines. underage teams and we can get into "Over the last few years, we have a bit of trouble if we pick up some concentrated on bringing on the injuries." weaker players. We feel that it is Brother of like-minded gaels, more often the performances of the Stephen (outgoing manager of the weaker players, instead of the Ballymachugh senior team) and Niall stronger ones, who have won important matches for us.

Baxter (a member of the club's IFC "Also at training, we try to re-create winning team from 1999), the very match conditions and organising the capable club PRO first got involved in drills in a way that they are physical coaching matters at Ballymachugh at and aren't boring so the players are 14. getting fitter without really being Ronan admits that coaching is a aware of the work they're putting in."

Ronan explains that there is a great labour of love for him, the business of work ethic among the up and coming public relations a little less so! teenagers and that seeing them A student at Athlone IT where he is going down for individual training isn't in his fourth year of a Batchelor of rare.

Business and Sports Management While nine of the current minor team (Honours) Degree course, Ronan is are overage for 2013 at minor level, Ronan is optimistic that contemplating taking a sabbatical in Ballymachugh will be a force to be the coming year from coaching. reckoned with.

Those who know Ronan are "We're realistic about the potential convinced that his proposed that we have at underage level. After sabbatical is destined to be very wee all, this was the first year in seven indeed! years that no cup came to the parish.

Best Wishes To Ballymachugh In 2013, From "We know we all have to work harder, players and coaches, 'cause we are playing at a higher level across most of the underage grades.

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189

The Drumalee senior side for 2012, front l/r: Kevin Downey, Sean O'Kane, Daire Donohoe, Damien Donohoe, Enda McCormick, Peter McGinnity, Andrew Fallon,Kevin Gavigan, Timmy Looney. Back: Tomas O'Keeffe, Micheal Higgins, David O'Keeffe, Gary Malone, Daragh Gaffney, Jimmy Fallon, James Heffernan, Dylan McCaffery, Kevin Donohoe,Cian Byrne, Michael Brennan, Shane McCarthy, Leigh Dunne

DRUMALEE - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

DRUMALEE

2012 RESU LTS

Kevin Donohoe

RESTRUCTURING FOR DRUMALEE While Drumalee’s survival ambitions in the top tier this year weren’t achieved, things are far from ‘doom and gloom’ in the club. Ten years after joining the St Felim’s Park outfit from his native Simonstown, Michael Brennan told Breffni Blue about a tough 2012 season and the hopes for next year within the club.

A

fter having attained complete senior status by the end of 2011 with promotion from Division Two, Drumalee’s objective for the following season was somewhat obvious. However, staying at the top is easier said than done these days, especially when it comes to the All County Football League Division One in Cavan.

Just to clarify, the new system format in Cavan, voted in by the clubs in late 2011, is set to see just ten

ACFL Divis ion 1 Drumalee 0 -9 0-7 Drum goon Gowna 0-1 2 0-8 Drum alee Drumalee 3 -9 2-11 Cúch ulainns Drumalee 0 -6 1-12 Cast lerahan Belturbet 1 -11 1-7 Dru malee Drumalee 0 -7 3-14 Ram Cavan Gae or ls 3-17 0-9 Drumalee Mullahoran 2-7 0-6 Dru malee Drumalee 0 -9 0-10 Lave y Redhills 0-1 7 1-9 Drum alee Drumalee 1 -11 0-12 Ba llyhaise Ballinagh 4 -16 0-6 Dru malee Lacken 0-8 0-4 Drumale Drumalee 0 e -6 5-23 Kin gscourt Killygarry v Drumalee – not played

teams in Division One in 2013, with 20 teams in the intermediate championship and 11 in the junior championship.

It all meant that things were going to be difficult for Drumalee from the outset of 2012, with a flying start needed in the league in order to have a realistic chance of avoiding relegation.

“The league format was a difficult one this year,” stated midfielder Michael Brennan. “In my opinion it

191

SFC Belturbet 2 -8 0-10 Dru malee Drumalee 1 -8 2-10 Balli nagh

was a bit of a crazy idea to bring 10 or 12 teams into a relegation battle, especially when you have referees from those clubs involved in many of those games. Now I’m not saying that the referees had any affect, but I don’t think the county board considered that before deciding to go with this format.”

Either way, Drumalee’s objectives weren’t about to change. Under the guidance of club man Ger O’Shaughnessy, the players would

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192

The Drumalee seniors line up for the traditional pre-match picture, back l/r: Micheal Higgins, David Goldrick, Tomas O'Keeffe, Jimmy Fallon, Shane McCarthy, Daragh Gaffney, Brendan Smith, James Heffernan, Damien Donohoe, Kevin Donohoe, Michael Brennan, Gary Malone, Timmy Looney. Front: Kevin Downey, David O'Keeffe, Sean O'Kane, Leigh Dunne, Cian Byrne, Peter McGinnity, Enda McCormick, Daire Donohoe, Andrew Fallon, Kevin Gavigan, Mickey Goldrick, Sean O'Flaherty

be well primed for the season’s throw-in at the end of February, with their sights set on a good start to try and hit the ground running in what was going to be a battle amongst 16 teams to try and stay around the north end of the table come the season’s end.

Intermediate champions in 2010, Drumalee would be going into the new campaign minus the services of a few key members, as Brennan explained.

“Our aims would have been the same as any other club I suppose and they were to try and stay in Division One and qualify for the quarter-finals of the championship,” he stated.

“But we had a few lads missing who would have been key for us. Patrick Colton had been playing well at corner-forward for the last two years, but had to move abroad for work and would have been a big loss to us along with Gary Ferncombe, who was studying in England. Kevin Donohoe was another lad out for most of the year with injury, along with Daire Donohoe as well, so we

were kind of depleted by missing those lads.”

First up for O’Shaughnessy’s team would be a clash with intermediate champions Drumgoon at St Felim’s Park, where the hosts secured a hard-earned 0-9 to 0-7 win. Defeat away to Gowna (0-12 to 0-8) would follow before a rousing 1-14 to 0-6 home win against Cuchullains lifted spirits again after a long break which stretched into April after the county’s second successive Ulster Under 21 triumph.

“We started off okay in the league,” Brennan explained. “We won two of our first three games but after that things just started to go wrong. We were starting games well and building up a lead and then letting teams back into it in the second-half. That was the story of our year, I suppose.

“At senior level, you can’t afford to be missing your best players either and we would have been without three of our most consistent players for much of the season, which did affect us, especially when it came to the close games where we only lost by a few points.”

Drumbo reached the semi-finals of the MFC Division 2

193

The team’s form dipped from midApril onwards, with consecutive defeats all but consigning them to relegation before their form picked up towards the senior championship’s start at the end of July.

Up first for the Cavan town side would be a clash with league relegation rivals Belturbet at Kingspan Breffni Park, where a win would be vital for both parties in a three-team group.

With both Daire and Kevin Donohoe fit to start, O’Shaughnessy would deploy Brennan at full-forward and bring former top-scorer Daragh Gaffney out to the centre of the field alongside Gary Malone for the battle with the Rories. Drumalee would steer themselves into an early threepoint lead in this match before being caught out for two goals which saw the maroons lead narrowly by 2-1 to 0-6 at the break.

In the second-half, Kevin Donohoe levelled the game early on before Belturbet regained a foothold through the points of Conor Vaughan and Brendan Fitzpatrick. A Brennan free saw the difference down to the

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194

Daire Donohoe

James Heffernan.

Kevin Gavigan

minimum on 42 minutes, but three unanswered points put the Rories in a commanding position heading into the closing stages of the game.

Andrew Fallon pulled back a point to give Drumalee some hope, but it was Belturbet that closed out a 2-8 to 0-9 win to leave Drumalee needing a win against Ballinagh for a quarter-final berth.

Drumalee (SFC v Belturbet): James Heffernan; Peter McGinnity, Brendan Smith, Shane McCarthy; Kevin Gavigan, Enda McCormick, Daire Donohoe (0-1); Gary Malone, Daragh Gaffney; Cian Byrne (0-1), Kevin Donohoe (0-1), Andrew Fallon (0-1); Damien Donohoe, Michael Brennan (0-5, 5f), Jimmy Fallon.

Subs: Sean O’Kane for D Donohoe, Michael Higgins for A Fallon, Timmy Looney for J Fallon.

“In the middle of the league we had a bit of a downer, but results were improving towards the championship and the mood was good going into the Belturbet game,” said the former county senior.

“We played them in our first game in Breffni Park and we were up something like 0-6 to 0-3 when we let them in for two goals before half-time, which you can’t afford to do in the championship. They went on and won the game by five points and I think we were given a lesson about being clinical that day, to be honest.”

Another battle with Ballinagh in early August awaited Drumalee at Kingspan Breffni Park, where again the concession of two first-half goals would contribute to O’Shaughnessy’s side’s downfall.

Ballinagh had made the better start with their first three points coming inside the opening five minutes, before a Brennan free had Drumalee off the mark. The Saffrons responded in deadly fashion by lashing home their first goal through Kevin Smith and the same player would find the net again on 23 minutes to leave Drumalee trailing by 2-6 to 0-5 at the interval.

O’Shaughnessy introduced both Leigh Dunne and Michael Higgins after half-time in a bid to shake up his team’s attack and it paid some dividends as they would register their first goal of the championship through a penalty converted by Brennan to leave them within touching distance of their opponents. Niall McDermott

195

Michael Brennan

Manager Ger Shaughnessy (right) with trainer Paul McCorry

Kevin Donohoe

and Colin Gumley pushed Ballinagh’s lead back up to five ahead of a scoring drought which would ensue for 14 minutes. Drumalee’s last score would come late on via a Brennan ‘45’ which saw them finish on the wrong side of a 2-10 to 1-8 score-line, confirming their championship exit.

Drumalee (SFC v Drumalee): James Heffernan; Peter McGinnity, Craig Sheridan, Shane McCarthy; Kevin Gavigan, Enda McCormick, Daire Donohoe; Gary Malone, Daragh Gaffney; Tomas O’Keefe, Kevin Donohoe (0-1), Andrew Fallon; Damien Donohoe, Michael Brennan (1-7), Jimmy Fallon. Subs: Leigh Dunne for T O’Keefe, Michael Higgins for G Malone, Cian Byrne for D Donohoe.

“Because we were in a group of three teams, it meant that we needed a result from the Ballinagh game. The pressure was on going into that game and again goals were our big downfall, but when you’re missing a few of your regulars it’s always going to be tough for you,” Brennan assessed.

With their demotion from Division One confirmed after an early exit from the senior championship campaign, Drumalee will now be

looking to shake up things once more in the second tier next season. Brennan and co will be hoping that 2013 may see a few more players becoming available to the squad as well, with as many personnel as possible needed for what is surely going to be an almighty battle amongst 20 clubs for the race back to senior.

“We go back to Division Two next year and the big thing for us will be to try and get the belief back and also get a full squad together again,” said Brennan.

“I still maintain that if we had a full squad this year we would have put in much better performances in the league and the championship. Hopefully, next year I will be proved right and we have our best players available to us.”

The Simonstown native is sure to be keeping a close eye on the Cavan senior set-up as well next year, after having lost his place on the panel three weeks before their Ulster SFC opener with Donegal this past May. “When Val (Andrews) left the set-up, Terry (Hyland) and Anthony (Forde) named a new panel three weeks before the game against Donegal

Michael Brennan

196

Gary Malone

and unfortunately I wasn’t a part of that,” Brennan stated. “I have to say I have the utmost respect for Terry and I really do think he is the right man for the job. I think Cavan will be focusing on the football aspect in training next year, because they did put in a lot of weights training last year which had to be done with a lot of them young lads and hopefully it will do them the world of good.”

SHERCOCK

2012 RESU LTS

John McEnroe

A TOUGH BREAK Maintaining intermediate status was easier said than done in 2012, but Shercock did their best to remain a second tier outfit anyway, as PRO Joe O’Reilly explained.

A

ACFL Divis ion 3 Shercock 0 -11 1-5 Corl Ballymachu ough gh 0-14 1-8 Shercock Templeport 1-4 3-9 She rcock Maghera 0 -5 2-14 She rcock Shercock 2 -11 2-6 Lara gh Corlough 2 -5 1-11 She rcock Shercock 1 -11 2-3 Baili eborough Shercock 1 -14 1-9 Bally machugh Arva 0-13 0 -11 Sherco ck Shercock 2 -1 Kildallan 0-5 4 0-7 Arva 2-12 Sherc ock Shercock 4 -18 0-3 Tem pleport Bailieborou gh 0-6 0-5 Shercock Shercock 3 -17 2-7 Ma ghera Laragh 0-8 4-14 Sherc Shercock v ock Kildallan – not played Ballymachu gh 0-10 0-8 Shercock – SF IFC Shercock 0 -14 0-5 Kno ckbride Shercock 1 -4 0-16 Lack en Killinkere 2 -14 3-9 She rcock

fter ending their long wait to

2013 the club faced into an uphill

capture the Sean Leddy

battle at the start of the season.

A former player with the club himself,

Reilly,

along

with

his

Cup in 2011, Shercock’s

It meant that Reilly, who had taken

selectors Darragh Roe and Francis

goals this past season were there for

over the reins of the senior team from

Byrne, understood the extent of the

anyone to see. Staying within the

Jody Clarke, after the club stalwart

challenge his players faced, with

intermediate ranks was the objective

led them to a first JFC triumph since

home and away games in the league

for Barry Reilly’s new talented team,

1984, and his players would have to

set to stretch from late February until

which boasted young talents like

win Division Three of the All County

the end of September, with nothing

county aces Killian Clarke and Brian

Football League outright if they were

but a first-place finish being sufficient

Sankey,

to be playing in the 2013 intermediate

enough for a shot at promotion. He

championship.

knew ingredients were there within

but

with

new

formats

implemented by the county board for

197

The Shercock seniors for 2012, front l/r: Niall Clerkin, Shane McPhillips, Kieran McDermott, Liam Og O’Reilly, Killian Clarke, Ciaran Lennon, Damien McIntyre, Aidan Lennon, Shane Clarke, John O’Reilly, Owen Duffy, Dean O’Reilly, Kenny Burns. Back: Stephen Donnery, Paul Sloane, Colin Clerkin, Sean Magee, Declan McIntyre, Paddy McPhillips, Joe O’Reilly, Colin Courtney, Brian Sankey, David Harpur, John O’Reilly, James McMahon, Ryan Clerkin, Philip Burns, Emmet Reilly, Lee Clarke

SHERCOCK - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

The successful O’Raghallaigh Gaels minor Division 1 team, front l/r: Ritchie Curtis, Aaron McMahon, Robbie Rowntree, Padraig Faulkner, Owen Duffy, Colin Clerkin, Paul Sloane, Niall Clerkin, Rory Sheridan, Darren Grey, Cathal McKeown. Back: Francis McPhillips, Oisin Finnegan, John O’Reilly, Patrick McMahon, David Harpur, Aaron Browne, Ryan McCullough, Shay Rooney, Niall Reilly, Jack Sheanon, Killian Farrelly, Ryan Clerkin, Gary Lynch, Peter McKeown, John McMahon

the team though, and what it would come down to was gathering together some good form allied with a bit of luck.

“The objectives were to retain our championship status after winning the junior last year and try and do as well as we could the league,” said Joe O’Reilly, who took on the PRO duties with the club this year.

“But it ended up that we had to win

the league in order to stay intermediate, so we were confident that we could get a top two finish in the league and winning the intermediate championship would mean that we’d be going up senior in both league and championship.”

Shercock’s start to the league would be an impressive one, with wins over Corlough (0-11 to 1-5), Laragh United (2-11 to 2-6), Bailieborough (1-11 to

2-3), Ballymachugh (1-14 to 1-9) and Templeport (4-18 to 0-3) surging them towards the upper end of the table towards the approach of their intermediate championship opener against rivals Knockbride.

However, Joe, who was also a member of the senior team, explained that it was defeats in the middle of the championship which ended up costing Shercock top spot

Shercock U16 ladies claimed the Division 2 title by defeating Cornafean in the final

199

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in Division Three Best Wishes To Shercock GAA & All The best come the season’s In 2013 From end.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot in the games against Arva and Bailieborough,” he said. “We should Newsagents • Grocery • Light Hardware have beaten Arva and did beat Bailieborough in Shercock, Co. Cavan Shercock, but Tel: 042 9669112 or 087 6786574 couldn’t get the win we needed against Shercock (IFC v Knockbride): them in Bailieborough. It was a killer Colin Courtney; Dean Reilly, Liam Og blow because a win in either of those O’Reilly, Colin Clerkin; Damien games would have put us in top spot, McIntyre (0-1), Brian Sankey (0-1), especially if we had beaten Ciaran Lennon; Michael O’Reilly (0Bailieborough because they ended 2), Sean Magee; Niall Clerkin (0-3, up qualifying for the play-off spot.”

1f), John McEnroe (0-1), Philip Nonetheless, Reilly’s charges had Burns; Declan McIntyre, Aidan still been steaming towards a first intermediate championship opener in Lennon (0-1), Killian Clarke (0-3, 1f). some time, with some fine league Subs: Ryan Clerkin (0-1), Paddy form under their belts, and truly McPhilips (0-1). fancied their chances when they While the manner of the victory travelled to Cootehill to take on would provide a further morale boost neighbours Knockbride. to the players, the team would swiftly After their opponents had taken the be brought crashing back down to early lead, the junior champions hit earth when they met Lacken at form in the latter stages of the half Kingspan Breffni Park, where the with points from Damien McIntyre, championship favourites flexed their Michael O’Reilly and Killian Clarke to considerable muscle and came away take in the 0-6 to 0-3 lead at half-time.

0-16 to 1-4 winners.

Knockbride’s cause wouldn’t be “With all due respect to Knockbride, helped by the sending off of centreI think we played them off the field back Dermot O’Brien early in the that day. We were by far the better second-half, as Shercock made the team and I think we really showed most of the man advantage which what we could do that day,” Joe allowed their own number six to tear stated. through the space and rifle over “We went into the game against before Niall Clerkin added to the Lacken, after beating Knockbride, advantage. O’Reilly and Clarke confident that we could cause an doubled their tallies as well, while upset against them. I think we got it 2011 captain John McEnroe, who had tactically wrong on the day though, been so instrumental in the junior and just couldn’t handle their strength final triumph over Munterconnacht and conditioning. They were just a lot the previous October, also got in on fitter than us and blew us off the field the scoring. Clerkin and Clarke would that day.” finish with 0-3 apiece, and Ryan The defeat left Shercock in need of Clerkin and Paddy McPhilips would a win in their remaining group game come off the bench to round off what against Killinkere in order to advance was a long-awaited intermediate through to the quarter-finals. championship win the for club, 0-14 Played in Kingscourt, both teams to 0-5. would serve up an entertaining

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Shercock captain Annette Clarke accepts the U12 Division 2 Cup from Ladies Board Treasurer, Grainne Flood

Robbie Rowntree

Brian Sankey

201

championship battle which saw Shercock edge the better start with goals from Declan McIntyre and Killian Clarke, who, incidentally, had played a focal part in Cavan’s Ulster U21 title defence earlier in the season, but still trailed by the minimum (1-8 to 2-4) at half-time.

The second-half saw Killinkere edge matters in the points stakes, as Michael O’Reilly’s sending off in the first-half took its toll on the Shercock cause.

Ryan Clerkin and McIntyre grabbed sorely needed scores heading towards the final ten minutes, but they were left with a mountain to climb when Peter McCabe hit the back of Colin Courtney’s net.

John McEnroe did grab a late goal for Reilly’s men, but it was Killinkere that advance through to the last eight on a 2-14 to 3-9 score-line.

“We were a bit unlucky, I thought. A lot of young fellas got their chance for us that day and played really well,” Joe explained.

“One of our best players, Michael O’Reilly, got sent off 15 minutes into the game and it was always going to be difficult for us after that, because Michael would be one of the best fielders of a ball in Cavan.

Unfortunately we just didn’t have enough to get the win and we missed out on a quarter-final because of it.”

During the championship campaign, Shercock also took a blow to their league hopes when they suffered defeats at the hands of Arva and Bailieborough, with the latter going on to clinch top spot in Division

Three.

“We just weren’t as confident going in against Bailieborough after the Lacken game,” said the PRO. “If it had of been after the Knockbride game it could have been a different result, but the stuffing was kind of knocked out of us after the Lacken game and it showed with the result in Bailieborough. It’s very frustrating to lose your intermediate status after trying so long to get up there, but we’ll just have to improve on it next year.”

He added: “There’s a great buzz in the club at the minute. We were a bit unfortunate in a few games and hopefully we’ll be able to rectify that next year and put those defeats behind us. We’ll be hoping to get back to the intermediate ranks again, but as always, it will take a big effort.”

“Killian Clarke and Brian Sankey are our county representatives there, and we have a lot more good young fellas coming through as well. There’s a good atmosphere in the training sessions as well, so hopefully next year we can improve things more.”

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MINORS CLAIM LEAGUE TITLE In April, the club’s minor footballers once again combined with Kingscourt and clinched the Minor Football League Division One title as O’Raghallaigh Gaels.

Having claimed the county minor championship title the previous autumn, the Gaels entered their Division One campaign as favourites and demonstrated some

202

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Co-captains of the O’Raghallaigh Gaels minor Division1 league winning side were Colin Clerkin and Padraig Faulkner

Brian Sankey

Ryan Clerkin

scorching form which saw them claim six wins out of six games on route to the final, with Ballymachugh, St Finbarr’s, Castlerahan, Ramor, Cavan Gaels and St Joseph’s all falling to their sword. They would meet the latter in the final at Ramor Park, where an early goal blitz proved crucial for the winners as the majors of Robbie Rowntree (penalty), Niall O’Reilly and Owen Duffy ushered them 3-5 to 0-6 in front by the halfway stage.

Far from dead and buried, St Joseph’s struck six unanswered points after the resumption to cut the deficit to two before the Gaels landed another blow when David Harpur setup Niall Clerkin and the Shercock youngster blasted past to the net.

The Saints pulled back a goal of their own to leave a nervy finish at the end, but when Gary Lynch was sent through in injury-time the substitute made no mistake in firing over the insurance point for O’Raghallaigh Gaels, who emerged 4-6 to 1-13 winners from Virginia to secure the title.

O’Raghallaigh Gaels (MFL Div 1 final v St Joseph’s): Shay Rooney; Killian Farrelly, Rory Sheridan, Paul Sloane; Patrick McMahon, Colin Clerkin, Niall O’Reilly (1-0); David Harpur (0-2), Padraig Faulkner; Niall Clerkin (1-2), Aaron Browne, Robbie Rowntree (1-1); Ryan Clerkin, Jack Sheehan, Owen Duffy (1-0). Sub: Gary Lynch (0-1).

The team would carry the momentum with them into the Division One Championship and scored another impressive win over St Joseph’s (2-14 to 1-8), before suffering a shock 2-10 to 1-7 defeat at the hands of Lavey/Castlerahan after a replay at the semi-final stage.

However, it wouldn’t be the club’s last shot at silverware for the season, as Shercock’s Under 16 Ladies did the club proud at the end of September when they captured the Division Two Championship title after beating Cornafean by 2-3 to 1-5 in a tense final.

203

Ciaran Lennon

Michael O’Reilly

Sean Magee

Representing Ballyhaise in 2012, front l/r: Neil Rooney, Francis McConnell, Cian Tierney, Donal McGoldrick, Brendan Lyons, Kevin Tierney, Colm Reilly, Sean Fay, Shane McKiernan, Eamonn Costello, Christopher Reilly, Fergal Slowey, Steven Smith. Back: Barry Kelly, Gavin Smith, Don Gorby, Enda Fay, Ryan Brennan, Adam Boyle, Niall Costello, Darragh Prior, Brendan Maguire, Michael Rooney, Niall Conaty, Sean McCormack, Barry Reilly, Barry McCrudden, John Fay, PJ Brady

BALLYHAISE - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

BALLYHAISE Neil Rooney

2012 RESU LTS ACFL Divis ion 1 Ballyhaise 0-5 0-8 Mu llahoran Lavey 3-12 0-12 Ballyh aise Drumgoon 2-6 1-9 Bally haise Ballyhaise 0-11 2-8 Go Cavan Gae wna ls 2-15 0-8 Ballyhaise Ballyhaise 1-10 1-12 K illygarry Ballyhaise 0-10 1-10 C astlerahan Belturbet 0 -12 0-9 Bally haise Ballyhaise 1-10 1-8 La cken Drumalee 1 -11 0-12 Ba llyhaise Ballyhaise 0-13 0-12 C Ăşchulainns Redhills 1-8 1-11 Ballyh aise Kingscourt 2-17 0-1 Ba llyhaise Ballyhaise 1-10 4-13 B allinagh Ramor 1-12 0-8 Ballyha ise

BALLYHAISE SUFFER UNDER NEW SYSTEM A turbulent season has seen Ballyhaise relegated from the top flight of Cavan football. A valiant effort from all involved at senior level was not enough to see the club slip down to ply their football trade in Division 2 for the 2013 season.

W

ith an emerging young side, Division 2 could prove to be a real building ground for the upcoming young guns of Ballyhaise. The wise mentors at the club are well aware of the challenge facing the team when they commence their campaign next season. Division 2 was always the most competitive of Cavan leagues but with the addition of six senior Division 1 teams making the drop this coming season the stakes will have

IFC Butlersbridg e 2-6 0-15 Ballyhaise Ballyhaise 0-11 1-8 An Cootehill C Drong eltic 1-12 1 -9 Ballyhais e

significantly increased.

Looking back over the 2012 season, team manager, Dessie Reilly feels that the absence of a number of key players was a deciding factor in some of the poor results. Dessie, who took over the demanding task of team manager at the club, had the credentials to assess the needs of the side. A former player with Ballyhaise, Dessie played all the grades and has been ingrained in the fabric of the club as a player,

205

manager and committee member.

When you listen to Dessie talk you are left in no doubt to his love for football and his commitment to Ballyhaise GFC. Two things are immediately evident when you first meet the Ballyhaise manager, his pragmatism and his passion. When taking on the job of managing his local club he was totally aware of the task that faced him. The new structure of Cavan league football, with a guaranteed six teams facing

Dermot Lee would like to wish Ballyhaise Ladies & Men GFC All The Best In 2013

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The Castletara team and management after St Finbars had been defeated in the U14 Division 3 final

relegation, was sure to put an added burden on his plans.

“While we had a number of key players out through injury for the start of the league I would not offer it as an excuse for our poor start. We lost some of those early games by the closets of margins and like all things in football, if those early results had gone our way we could be looking at a different scenario today,” said Dessie.

“Having previously managed Ballyhaise from 1999 to 2001, I was aware of the commitment needed to try and secure our place in Division 1.

Getting off to a good start in the league is always vital and helps not only to imbue players with confidence but also alleviates pressure on the team. With so many young players coming on stream and an extended league campaign with teams having to play fourteen games, it was vital to have the younger less developed players physically ready for the campaign.

“With this in mind we decided to put in place a strengthening programme supervised by Owen Maguire. This approach was open to all but aimed specifically at U-16s to U-21. We twin tracked this approach both, as a short-term and a long-term strategy for the club, which I feel, will be of benefit down the road. On a more immediate footing we decided to bring the services of outside specialists to work with the team and to this end we brought in former AllIreland Armagh senior player, Oisin McConville. Oisin worked with the forwards on scoring techniques while we also availed of the services of

goalkeeping coach, Aaron Donohoe.

Aaron a former county goalkeeper, is rated extremely highly as a specialist coach,” said Dessie.

“As a team we had a good balance of older players and a strong mix of some very talented young footballers.

However, the core strength of a side, players aged 22 – 28 was in short supply at Ballyhaise. This is vital area as players of this age group are usually reaching their peak and have a huge contribution to a side,” said the team manager.

“We started our league campaign with a great deal of belief and hope but with the absence of key players Aidan Moran, Mark Brennan, Francis Moore and Barry Kelly who were out with long-term injuries and the hugely influential Barry McCrudden, life in the fast lane as it were was indeed going to be difficult. Also with the absence of five players committed to training with the county panel, Ray Cullivan, Sean McCormack, Fergal Slowey all with the senior squad and Kevin Tierney and Aidan Moran with the U-21s it was difficult to try and work without the services of such key personnel” said the team manager.

“We were very fortunate to have a very committed Eamon Costello as team captain this season and with his leadership and commitment players responded in a very positive manner.

The fact that the early results did not go our way, while disappointing, could not be faulted by the great effort put in by the players on the field.”

Throughout the league, the absence of players through injury and family commitments saw the club

207

having to use eight of their U21 squad. A number of the less established players who came into the side made an impact. Ryan Brennan took up the challenge of playing in midfield and acquitted himself admirably while David Duggan’s early season form was heartening. However, David was unavailable for most of the summer through work commitments and is now set to reside in England where he is going to teacher training college. Other young players, Sean Fay and Frances McConnell who when called upon also gave good accounts of themselves.

“Our failure to get off to a decent start immediately put us under pressure but even with the absence of some key players the team were totally committed and focused on trying to blend together to get a good run at the Intermediate championship, a competition we felt we were quite capable of winning.”

Ballyhaise approached the championship in a determined mood and with senior players of the calibre of Colm Reilly, Michael Rooney working hard in the league and the return of Barry McCrudden things were beginning to look up.

“However we were dealt a cruel blow with Ray Cullivan absenting himself from football for the championship campaign having played for the past number of seasons without a break. Ray is a huge component of the Ballyhaise team and while we had a decent championship campaign, winning one, drawing one and losing one, he would have been the difference of us

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Castletara captain Killian Watters accepts the U14 Division 3 cup from Brian Seagrave

Christopher Reilly

Sean McCormack

reaching the quarter-finals. No doubt he will be back refreshed for next season and his contribution will be greatly needed in the tough confines of Division 2,” said the team manager.

The club has two other teams competing in league competitions.

The second team played in Division 1 Reserve League. They finished second in the table just behind leaders, Ballinagh.

“This team was under the guidance of team manager, Sean Prior who did trojan work throughout the season with this group of players. Our other team, our thirds, play in Division 3 Reserve league.

Under the management of a former club stalwart, Noel Walsh they acquitted themselves well considering the knock-on affect from an injury ravaged first team squad,” said Dessie.

Depleted on one occasion the services of team managers Noel and Dessie were pressed into service.

The third team went under to Arva in the quarter-final of the championship.

“While things may not have gone the way we had hoped for we nevertheless approached the entire season in a constructive professional manner. Praise must be attributed to the team selectors of Fr. Michael Reuter and Sean Reilly who gave tirelessly of their services as did our kitman, Tommy Conaty.

Our statistician, Adrian McKiernan, did sterling work. Indeed the statistics make very interesting reading.

Tribute must also be paid to our first aid team of Carmel and Sean Prior who were always available for duty,” said Dessie.

“While results may not have panned out in a favourable manner for the club, I have no doubt in my mind that the basis for a strong club is now firmly in place.”

Ballyhaise has a good chairman in Noel Gilmartin, ably assisted by a strong executive of Siobhan Brady (secretary), Eamonn Reilly (Treasurer) and a hard working committee who will leave no stone unturned in giving the club every chance of returning to Division 1.

There is a promising playing panel in Ballyhaise with many of the younger players showing great potential. The only real threat to Ballyhaise, and any other club for that matter, is the fear of emigration of its

209

Fergal Slowey

Kevin Tierney

Barry Mc Crudden

younger players. If they manage to keep their panel together the bulk of the minor team who have competed and won at underage level in the top division then they can re-establish themselves in Division 1 as worthy contenders.

JUVENILE FOOTBALL

Cormac Wall, Cathal Young and Killian Watters.

The team management of Mark O’Rourke, Colm McBreen, Eamon Brady, Bricker Wall, Finbarr Moore and Derry Scanlon can indeed be proud of their achievements.

MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP

The fruits of good direction and excellent coaching at juvenile level has paid rich dividends over the past few seasons with the Ballyhaise club now recognized as strong contenders in all grades. Juvenile Chairman, Mark O’Rourke has fused together a strong, dedicated and knowledgeable coaching structure through their dedication and commitment have produced many wonderful underage sides over the past seasons. This season has been no exception with the U14s taking pride of place as they produced some great displays on their way to the Division Three Championship final.

In the final at Kingspan Breffni Park, Castletara took on Drung/Kill amalgamation St Finbarr’s and struck three first-half goals through Oisin Boyle, Finbarr Moore and Killian Watters to lead by 3-5 to 2-5 at the halfway stage. In the second-half, St Finbarr’s piled on the pressure but the brave Ballyhaise boys held out, with another goal proving vital in a 48 to 3-8 win to capture the title.

The Ballyhaise squad was as follows: Gary Bonner, Ryan Bonner, Oisin Boyle, Michael Brady, Ryan Conaty, Aaron Crowe, Stephen Duffy, Conor Duggan, Brian Foley, Adam Heaslip, Ross Hennessy, Alpha Ike, Oisin McBreen, Ryan McMahon Lynch, Finbarr Moore, Cian O'Reilly, Gary O'Rourke, Isaac Scanlon,

Ballyhaise were joined with Drumalee to form Drumbo this past season and reached the semi-finals of the Division Two Minor Football Championship final in September.

Having saw off the challenges of Drumlane (0-12 to 1-5) and St Felim’s (4-14 to 0-5), Drumbo entered into the last four of the competition with strong form ahead of their clash with Southern Gaels, who had defeated Ramor narrowly after a replay. Played in Cornafean, it was the Gowna/Lacken amalgamation that edged a 0-9 to 1-4 win to advance to the final against Crosserlough, who would emerge 1-13 to 1-10 winners at Kingspan Breffni Park when the two teams meet in mid-October.

CAMOGIE A major drive at the beginning of the season saw the club secure the services of local men, Colm Lynch and James Brady as team trainers and Tom Smith as selector and chairman. The focus was on developing the younger players alongside the more established campaigners. Playing under the banner of Castletara, the club proved to be the dominant force in the Cavan camogie for many seasons. Fielding both senior and junior teams this season proved to be a much leaner spell as regards silverware. With the

club in the throes of rebuilding it was heartening to see the junior squad make it to the final of the junior championship for the first time in three years. This squad led by experienced players Lorraine Crudden, Geraldine Mulvanney, Ann McCabe was backed up the youthful talents of Carmel Fay, Roisin Dunne and Serianna Morrow. Playing against a more physical Denn side Castletara lost out. When the disappointment of losing a final fades the experience gathered by the much younger Castletara players will stand to them in future campaigns.

With eight players on the county senior panel , Sinead Moore, Orla Prior, Mairead McCabe, Hazel O’Connor, Grainne Smith, Brid Boylan and the two Elaine Reillys, the club will be hoping for greater glory in the coming season. When you take this cadre of county players and align with the talents of experienced campaigners like Majella Prior, Jolene Lynch things can only move in the right direction.

“According to long term club servant and playing member, Geraldine Mulvanney: “We do have the talent and the experience to make it back to the top ranks of camogie in Cavan.

We have a strong panel of senior county players and a good pool of upand-coming young talent as well as some more experienced players from the ‘glory days’. I feel this combination along with the management set-up of Colm, James and Tom can drive us on to greater things. We are also very well served by an excellent first aid officer in Susan Smith who has given freely of her services over the years,” said Geraldine.

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CORLOUGH

2012 RESU LTS

Kevin McGovern

BETTER DAYS AHEAD Boasting some of the best facilities in the county, the Corlough GAA club have been keen to back up their impressive new grounds with some winning results. Kieran McCaffrey acted as senior team selector in 2012 and filled us in on a year that unfortunately consisted of more downs than ups for the west Cavan men. By Shane Corrigan.

B

eing a rural club nowadays isn’t easy. Low funds and the emigration of players – issues widespread throughout the GAA at present - are tough problems for any club to try and juggle, but when it comes to a well-run outfit like Corlough, who are yearning to progress, it can be somewhat crippling.

Corlough’s objectives for 2012 were to simply try and improve on their

ACFL Divis ion 3 Shercock 0 -11 1-5 Corl ough Corlough 1 -10 1-6 Ma ghera Ballymachu gh 1-14 2-5 Corlough Laragh 2-2 0 1-6 Corlo ugh Kildallan 2-9 3-5 Corloug h Corlough 0 -6 3-13 Arv Templeport a 1-6 1-11 Co rlough Corlough 2 -5 1-11 She rcock Maghera 0 -5 0-12 Corl ough Corlough 0 -3 1-12 Lara Corlough 0 gh -4 2-15 Bally machugh Corlough 0 -10 3-11 Ba ilieborough Corlough 0 -6 1-10 Kild allan Arva 2-16 2 -7 Corlough Corlough 1 -11 0-10 Te Bailieborou mpleport gh v Corlou gh – not pla yed JFC Mountnuge nt 1-13 1-1 0 Corlough Kildallan 1-9 0-7 Corloug Corlough 0 h -10 1-9 Ma ghera

fortunes of the previous year, which meant a further place finish up the table of Division Three of the All County Football League and at least one win in the Junior Football Championship.

Along with being appointed as a selector for the Corlough senior team, Kieran McCaffrey is also heavily involved as a member of the executive committee and he outlined the diverse approach the club took at

211

the start of the year in appointing the new senior team management for the 2012 season.

“There were was no managers this year,” McCaffrey explained. “We decided to have three selectors and one team trainer instead of putting just one person in place to try and manage the team. Myself, Francis McGovern and Hugh McGovern were the selectors and the trainer was Eoin

The Corlough senior outfit, front l/r: Martin Cassidy, Michael Dolan, Alan Wright, Ciaran Dolan, Brendan McGovern (captain), Peter Prior, Barry McGovern, Joe Dolan, Darren Dolan. Back: Ciaran Caffery, Hugh McGovern, Ronan Kelleher, Damien McGovern, Ray McGovern, Eoghan McGovern, Shane McGovern, Mark McGovern, Pauric McGovern, Derek Kelleher, Kevin McGovern, Eoin Mooney, Francis McGovern

CORLOUGH - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

Mooney, who was coming with a good reputation from Lisnaskea.”

The decision to have three local selectors and an outside team trainer was certainly a different approach from Corlough’s executive, but not one that is totally unheard of. Many clubs, particularly in recent times, have opted to go with a group management rather than one person, who is usually aided by a selector or two, calling the shots.

When the management first met with the players ahead of the new season the aims set out were simple, according to McCaffrey.

“We just wanted to improve the whole thing from last year and we did have a lot of good performances throughout the year despite results not going our way,” he stated.

“We’d two good wins against Maghera and a win over Templeport in the league but with the numbers we had it was always going to be tough for us to challenge for promotion. So we kind of set our sights on the championship after that and hoped to give a good account of ourselves in it.”

Corlough’s league campaign prior to their championship opener saw them score just three wins

from 14 games, and all involved knew that a huge push would be needed in order to have any chance of upsetting a Mountnugent side which were holding their own in Division Two of the league and installed as one of the firm favourites for the junior championship.

As the game unravelled, it was Mountnugent that had to pull out all the stops to avoid an opening round defeat in Lacken on July 28.

Brendan McGovern had opened the scoring for the underdogs with a well-struck free in the early stages before Thomas Brady rifled the ball to the roof of the Mountnugent net on nine minutes.

While their opponents hit back with a goal of their own, further points from Martin Cassidy, Paul Cassidy and Ronan Kelleher saw the west Cavan side into a 1-5 to 1-3 half-time lead.

Mountnugent grabbed the opening score of the restart in a bid to turn the tide, but their opponents weren’t going anywhere as scores from Derek Kelleher and Brendan McGovern saw them into a three-point lead with 15 minutes remaining.

Determined to the very end, the Division Three champions upped the ante with Cavan star David Givney, who had been well

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Shane McGovern

Ciaran Dolan

marshalled up until this point by Padraig McGovern, finally getting to grips at centre-field to help his team pull level heading towards the closing stages. In the end, points from Givney and Ciaran Caffrey would deny Corlough, as Mountnugent advanced narrowly on a score-line of 1-13 to 1-10.

“We played a brilliant first-half against Mountugent and kept it going until the last 15 minutes and kind of went off after that,” said McCaffrey.

“Unfortunately, we were beaten by a couple of points on the day but could still take plenty of pride from our performance for much of that game.

We knew ourselves that if we could up it a bit more from that game the next day that we’d be able to get a win.”

Up next was a west Cavan derby with Kildallan in Bawnboy, where the St Patrick’s Park outfit would be without both Paul Cassidy and Barry Wright through injury.

Kildallan opened the scoring inside six minutes and it was nip and tuck from that point until the interval, with Ciaran Dolan, Martin Cassidy and Brendan McGovern (2) shooting over the points for Corlough which saw them trail by the minimum (0-5 to 0-4) come half-time. In the second-half, the green and whites moved into their first lead with a brace of points from the evergreen McGovern. Kildallan stepped it up a gear and dominated the final quarter with their in-form forward Darragh McGovern sending over the points before Michael Power’s 49th minute goal all but killed off the game.

Derek Kelleher

Alan Wright

Corlough (JFC v Kildallan): Shane McGovern; Darren Dolan, Alan Wright, Kevin McGovern; Eoghan McGovern, Ronan Kelleher, Barry McGovern; Padraig McGovern, Derek Kelleher; Peter Prior, Martin Cassidy (0-1), Ciaran Dolan (0-1); Michael Dolan (0-1), Brendan McGovern (0-4), Mark McGovern.

Subs: None used

Ronan Kelleher

The defeat left Corlough in a last chance saloon with Maghera MacFinns for a quarter-final spot and in a fiercely competitive contest both teams were even throughout,

214

Kevin McGovern

Derek Kelleher

shooting 10 scores apiece. But it was a 49th minute goal from substitute Brian Duffy that made all the difference for Maghera as they clinched a 1-9 to 0-10 victory and advanced through to the quarterfinals against Templeport.

The sides had been level on 0-4 apiece going in at the break in Kingspan Breffni Park and Corlough moved into a two-point lead just minutes into the restart via points from Brendan McGovern and Padraig McGovern. Maghera battled back, but the lead was still Corlough’s to lose as the game entered its final quarter and they would be dealt a huge blow when Duffy found the net for the MacFinns. Two more Brendan McGovern frees levelled, but

Maghera still had the wind in their sails and kicked on for a two-point victory which all but ended Corlough’s season.

“It was a dogged game and the referee let a lot go that day in Breffni (Park), which would have suited them more than us, to be honest,” said McCaffrey. “It was point for point and we were level six times, but they got the goal and that was always going to be the difference between us.

“Unfortunately, we were missing Gerry Prior and Barry Wright for that game, which were two huge losses going in. We didn’t really play well enough to win the game in truth and there’s always disappointment when you leave the championship early, but hopefully we can improve on it next year.”

He added: “We had two lads in Scotland, Darren Dolan and Derek Kelleher, that came home for practically every game and you have to say fair play to them for doing that.

There’s a lot of committed people in this club and if things can keep going well at underage level then hopefully we can bring them through the ranks all the way to senior and improve things.”

Corlough would finish their season on somewhat a high by defeating rivals Templeport, who had only booked their place into the semifinals of the 2012 junior championship the previous weekend with victory over Maghera, 1-11 to 0-10 at St Patrick’s Park, which saw the home side recording their fourth victory of the league campaign.

No doubt all involved will be hoping to pick up where they left off come 2013.

Ronan Kelleher

Ironically, the western amalgamation’s first outing in Division One would be against neighbours Templeport at the quarter-final stage and after a thrilling encounter in Blacklion, it was the Gaels that would emerge deserved 113 to 1-10 winners. In the last four, a combination of Drung, Kill and Laragh, known as North Eastern Gaels, awaited and the two teams would meet on September 4 at St Aidan’s Park in Bawnboy, where a Division One final place was at stake.

After a reasonably even first-half, it was the impressive east siders that pulled away in the second half-hour of play which saw them eventually end up 1-13 to 1-5 winners on the day to advance into the county final.

WEST CAVAN GAELS REACH MINOR SEMI

Francis McGovern

In August, the minor footballers of Corlough, Swanlinbar, Kildallan and Shannon Gaels entered the top division of the championship race as West Cavan Gaels and came close to what would have been a historic county final appearance for their respective clubs.

215

Hugh McGovern

The Kill senior squad line up prior to their IFC encounter against Killeshandra, front l/r: David Pickens, Liam Keane, Ciaran Reilly, Ray Magee, Barry McMenamin, Donal Kissane, Niall McCaffery, Conor McCaffery, Damien O Brien, Kevin Reilly, Brendan Hannigan. Back: Damien Foster, Shane Tiernan, Liam Kelly, Liam Gaffney, Sean Gaffney, Killian Brady, Darren Tiernan, Arron McIntyre, Pierce McKenna, Luke Smith, Luke O’Brien, Conor McKenna, Pat O’Brien

KILL - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

KILL

2012 RESU LTS ACFL Divis ion 2 Kill 2-4 2-7 Cootehill Cornafean 1-8 1-16 Kill Cavan Gae ls 2-11 2-7 Kill Munterconn aught 1-12 0-6 Kill Kill 1-12 2-8 Mountnuge n Shannon G aels 1-3 4-1 t 0 Kill Kill 2-17 2-1 2 Knockbrid e Kill 2-6 1-1 3 Swanlinb ar Kill 2-10 0-1 2 Drung Killeshandra 0-15 1-6 Kill Kill 0-11 1-1 0 Butlersbri dge Killinkere 4 -16 1-9 Kill Kill 1-11 2-1 2 Drumlane Denn 5-12 0-7 Kill Kill 2-9 2-11 Crosserlou gh

Luke O’Brien

MORE THAN HOLDING THEIR OWN 2012 was truly a year of transition for the Kill Shamrocks club, with four seniors hanging up their boots at the end of the previous season and as many minors coming aboard.

Club secretary Gerry Pritchard explains what happened in a year where league survival was top priority.

W

hile clubs all over the country have been decimated by emigration in recent times, it was retirement that hit Kill the hardest once the 2011 season drew to a close. All in all, four of the Shamrocks starting line-up from that season had took the decision that they weren’t going to be available for selection again in 2012, leaving Mickey Lee with a few holes to fill in his team for second year in charge as senior team manager.

Lee had steered his native Drumalee to the intermediate championship title in 2010 and was hoping to make further progress with his newly adopted club after 2011 saw the Shamrocks defeated at the quarter-final stage by neighbours Drumgoon, who, incidentally, would go on to capture the title.

“We were just hoping to finish higher up the table in the league and try and get back into the knock-out stages of the championship,”

217

IFC Drumlane 0 -9 0-7 Kill Kill 1-6 1-1 7 Killeshan dra Kill 3-9 3-1 3 Ballymach ugh

explained secretary and devoted clubman Gerry Pritchard.

“We had about four players that retired after last season and ended up depending on a couple of minors that came into the team. Aaron McIntyre and Ciaran O’Reilly would have been starting for us all year and Brian Crowe would have played a good few games for us as well.”

Lee, along with team selectors Gerry O’Hanlon and 2011 All-Ireland SFC referee Joe McQuillan, would

draft in the youngsters and put the new-look panel through a tough training regime at the start of the New Year, as major emphasis was put on the team’s start to their ACFL Division Two campaign.

First up was a home meeting with rivals Cootehill at the end of February, which saw the town side come away with a narrow 2-7 to 2-4 victory. While it wasn’t the ideal start, Lee’s charges would bounce back the next day out with an impressive 1-16 to 1-8 win over Cornafean, with a victory over Munterconnacht (0-16 to 1-10) to follow.

“We started off well in the league.

We won our first few games but unfortunately the form was poor coming into the championship,” said Pritchard.

“Pearse (McKenna) had been playing well for us all year but we lost Anthony Brady and a few others to America in the summer and that took its toll, I suppose.”

Kill would open their intermediate football championship campaign against 2010 finalists Drumlane at Max McGrath Park in Redhills, where the Shamrocks finished two points shy of their west Cavan counterparts.

In a game where scores were hard to come by, it was favourites Drumlane that led by a slender 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, with Sean Gaffney, Conor McCaffrey and Darren Tiernan sending over the points for the Shamrocks. In the second-half, Gaffney’s frees kept the pressure on Kill’s opponents before goalkeeper Killian Brady pulled off a heroic save to deny Drumlane the net. It was Kill that would regret their missed chances towards the end tough, as they fell to a 0-9 to 0-7 defeat.

Kill (IFC v Drumlane): Killian Brady; Donal Kissane, Barry McMenamin, Ciaran Reilly; Aaron McIntyre, Luke O’Brien, Ray Magee; Sean Gaffney (0-5, 3f), Darren Tiernan (0-1); Conor McCaffrey (0-1), Pierce McKenna, Liam Gaffney; Damien O’Brien, Niall McCaffrey, Liam Kelly. Subs: Brian Crowe (blood), Shane Tiernan, Barry Kissane.

The following weekend would see Lee’s men endure a heavy 1-17 to 18 defeat at the hands of Killeshandra in Belturbet, ending their championship hopes and leaving

their remaining group game against Ballymachugh a dead rubber affair as neither side had a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, and no teams would be relegated from the intermediate championship in 2012.

“Drumlane was our first game in the group and we were very unfortunate that day because it was such a lowscoring game and we just couldn’t get the ball over the bar,” stated the secretary.

“Once we lost that game we were always going to be struggling to get out of the group and the next day against Killeshandra we hit the post twice in the first-half and their fitness was just far more superior to ours in the second-half.

“When we played Ballymachugh in our last game it was a real wet, horrible day up in Ramor and we lost by 3-13 to 3-9. We went down to 14 men in the second-half and that kind of killed us, but the game made no difference anyway because Drumlane and Killeshandra were already through to the quarter-finals.”

The championship exit was far from the last interests of Kill’s season.

Lee’s team would still have to assure themselves of Division Two football for 2013, as they restarted their league campaign in September with two games remaining.

Six places from the foot of the table, the Shamrocks would have to take on high-flyers Denn and Crossserlough, both of whom were gunning for promotion, in their last two games, with a trip to Crosskeys up first. On the day, Kill were completely outclassed by the senior outfit, who recorded a 5-12 to 0-7 win at St Matthews Park.

The defeat would send the alarm bells ringing only momentarily among the Kill contingent, as Knockbride’s loss to Cornafean on the same day meant that the Shamrocks’ safety was assured with 10 points going into their Round 15 game with Crosserlough, and sights are already being set on 2013, according to Pritchard.

“We have a few good minors coming through and if we can hold on to Pearse for another year we’ll be hoping to really challenge in the league next year,” he said.

“We’ve fallen at the quarter-final

218

Conor McCaffery

Aaron McIntyre and Donal Kissane (background)

Darren Tiernan

stage in the championship a couple years in a row now and our hope would be to try and get into the semi-finals next year, but you have to be realistic as well.

Next year the intermediate championship is going to be very tough for a lot of teams.”

GAELS REACH CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL In September, Kill’s minor footballers lined-out in the Division One Championship final, having amalgamated with Drung and Laragh United to form North Eastern Gaels.

Under the management of Raymond Maguire, Niall McCaffrey, Niall Reilly, Thomas Jackson and Philip Brady, the Gaels had come through tough encounters against Templeport (1-10 to 1-9), St Joseph’s (1-10 to 1-8) and West Cavan Gaels (1-13 to 1-5) to book their place in the county final against Lavey/Castlerahan, who had upset defending champions O’Raghallaigh Gaels in their respective semi-final.

The two sides clashed on September 30th at Kingspan Breffni Park, where the minor final would raise the curtain for the senior decider between Kingscourt Stars and Mullahoran, and after a drab hour’s football the game finished all square in 0-6 apiece.

In an enthralling final replay, the standard of football overshadowed that of the previous game by some distance with both teams notching as many scores in the opening half as they did the previous Sunday.

Sean Tierney opened the scoring inside 20 seconds for North Eastern

The Kill management, l/r: Gerry O’Hallon, Mickey Lee and Eamon McEnroe

Gaels to set the tone for what would unravel as a riveting first-half. Enda Flanagan responded with a free and the Lavey/Castlerahan centreforward could have added a goal in the 7th minute, but his fisted effort bounced the wrong side of the post.

Gary Watters shot the Gaels back in front two minutes later, but Lavey/Castlerahan were beginning to edge things at this stage as Daire McEnroe had a goal chance cleared off the line and Gerry Smith added a point after being moved from centreback to the edge of the square.

A Liam McKenna free kept the advantage with the Laragh/Kill/Drung combo, but they’d be dealt a blow when failing to clear danger from their square and allowing McEnroe to bury past a stranded Joseph O’Donoghue in the Gaels goal. The next three scores would arrive via Flanagan (free) and the superb Smith (2), before the Gaels hit a purple patch in the closing stages of the half which saw McKenna and Sean Tierney combining brilliantly to release Caolain O’Reilly in the big square, from where the corner-forward

applied a devastating finish to the net. Two well-struck Stephen Jackson frees in the added minutes meant the sides would go in level for the break on 1-5 each.

A McKenna free handed the Gaels their first lead since the 15th minute two minutes into the resumption, which Senan Gilchreest cancelled-out to level the sides for the third time before Lavey/Castlerahan asserted their authority on things with the endeavours of their forwards earning frees for Smith and Flanagan to pop over for a two-point lead ahead of a killer blow.

In the 41st minute the game’s salient moment arrived when Paul Gilchreest cut in from the right wing and set-up Lindo Majola and the substitute made no mistake in rifling past O’Donoghue for a second threepointer. The Gaels rallied for a quick response which saw Ryan Egan being dismissed for picking up a second yellow card, and despite the points of joint captain Shane O’Rourke and McKenna (free) Lavey/Castlerahan were able to hold out for a coveted victory.

North Eastern Gaels (MFC final replay v Lavey/Castlerahan): Joseph O’Donoghue; CJ McCabe, Shane McCann, Kieran Reilly; Aaron Watson, Shane O’Rourke (0-1), Ian Middleton; Brian Crowe, Aaron McIntyre; Liam McKenna (0-3, 3f), Stephen Jackson (0-3, 2f), Sean Tierney (0-1); Caolain O’Reilly (1-0), Gary Watters (0-1), Damian O’Reilly.

Subs: Eoin O’Donoghue for I Middleton (30), Cian O’Rourke for C O’Reilly (53).

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The Lavey senior team, front l/r: Senan Gilchreest, Darren Donegan, Darren Jordan, Fergal Smith, James Cunningham, Christopher Conroy, Shane Tierney, Dean Rutherford, Joey Jordan, Finbarr Jordan, Darragh Conaty, Oliver Smith, Paul Murphy. Back: Terence Smith, James Tierney, Paul Gilchreest, Karl Duke, David Tierney, Darren Smith, Conor Martin, Stephen Jordan, Kevin Brady, Shane Conaty, Diarmuid Conaty, Ronan Smith, Darren Monaghan, Kevin Smith, Aaron Smith

LAVEY - SENIOR FOOTBALLERS 2012

LAVEY

2012 RESU LTS Lavey/Castlerahan joint captains Gerry Smith and Enda Flanagan hoist aloft the Minor A Championship trophy

FOR LAVEY, SUCCESS IS SIMPLY A CASE OF BLACK AND WHITE

ACFL Divis ion 1 Belturbet 1 -7 1-9 Lave y Lavey 3-12 0-12 Ballyh aise Lavey 1-8 0 -7 Ramor Lavey 1-12 0-9 Redhill s Lavey 1-6 0 -11 Lacken Kingscourt 1-2 0-8 Lave y Drumgoon 2-9 1-10 La vey Mullahoran 0-12 1-10 L avey Lavey 2-9 2 -6 Gowna Drumalee 0 -9 0-10 Lave y Ballinagh 1 -13 2-10 La vey Lavey 0-8 2 -8 Killygarr y Lavey 0-8 2 -9 Cúchula inns Cavan Gae ls 2-8 1-9 L avey Lavey 1-8 C astlerahan 1-8 SFC Cavan Gae ls 1-10 0-11 Lave Kingscourt 5-9 0-5 Lave y y Lavey v De nn – not pla yed

Things continue to look up for Lavey. 2012 represented yet another show of strength by those of a black and white hue. By Kevin Carney.

A

ny perusal of any season going back over the past decade will tell you that few clubs in the county can match Lavey's consistent level of progress.

A familiar narrative has unfolded going way back to the start of the noughties with a slew of underage titles underpinning the club's evolution.

A rod of titles runs through the club

with silverware being nabbed in every single grade except senior level for longer than most can remember.

The club's performances over the course of the past year has merely served to underscore the growing feeling that Lavey is a coming force.

Lavey have gone about their business of generating and nurturing a stream of underage talent in a brisk and business-like fashion.

221

A confluence of hard work, innate talent and vaulting ambition has propelled Lavey from also-rans to real-life SFC contenders in-waiting.

The Lavey faithful's resolve remains iron. Rather than drifting along with the tide, the club is rowing with vigour towards the elysian fields.

In that latter regard, one wonders who in Breffni-land would bet against Lavey annexing the blue riband, SFC

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