Team of the Year Designed_Layout 1 04/11/2013 17:40 Page 4
opening three minutes which helped settle his team on the big day. When Arva threatened to snatch a late win at Kingspan Breffni Park, Gaffney stepped up to the mark and converted three frees, including a wonder strike from 50 metres, in five minutes to secure the Sean Leddy Cup for the club. Honourable mentions: Feargal Flanagan (Cavan and Butlersbridge), Mona Sheridan (Cavan Ladies and Mullahoran), Turloc Mooney (Cavan U21s and Redhills). 13 Niall McDermott (Cavan and Ballinagh)
t
ot Niall McDerm
McDermott’s deadly free-taking was salient for Ballinagh on their route to the Oliver Plunkett Cup, while his performances for Cavan this past summer demonstrated the calibre of that player he is. The 22-year-old is up there with the most reliable free-takers in the county and his contribution from play saw him hold on to the number 13 jersey for Cavan for most of the season. Come August, his scores would be vital in seeing Ballinagh through to the knockout stages, where 0-7 against Lacken and 1-5 against Crosserlough were crucial in booking Ballinagh’s final berth. In the decider against Cavan Gaels, McDermott landed 0-7 and the rest, as
they say, is history.
Honourable mentions: Grainne Smith (Cavan Ladies and Killygarry), Enda O’Reilly (Cavan U21s and Mullahoran), Tom Hayes (Cavan minors and Cootehill).
14 Bronagh Sheridan (Cavan Ladies and Drumlane) Her penalty sealed Cavan’s fate as AllIreland champions this past September and her 2-4 contribution in the semi-final played a significant part in getting them back to Croke Park. Like so many of her
Bronagh Sheridan
team mates, winning the All-Ireland intermediate championship became a mission for Sheridan after the Breffni women had let the title slip from their grasp in 2011. This year saw the team click at the right time as they overcame past conquers Waterford and Down to reach the final against Tipperary at GAA HQ, where a nervy start had Cavan supporters on the edge of their seats. In the second-half the Ulster women upped the pace and were given a glorious chance when Aisling Doonan won a late penalty which Sheridan converted with composure to help secure a 1-14 to 112 win and a first Mary Quinn Cup for her county. Honourable mentions: Eugene Keating (Cavan), Paul O’Connor (Cavan U21s
and Cavan Gaels), Kevin Bouchier (Arva).
15 Martin Dunne (Cavan and Cavan Gaels) The 24-year-old had a sensational campaign in 2013, scoring 1-33 for Cavan in the All-Ireland SFC and leading his native Cavan Gaels back to the Cavan SFC final after a year’s absence. His Ulster SFC debut would see him contribute 0-9 in a 1-15 to 1-11 victory over Armagh after which Cavan’s championship campaign took off and saw them reach the quarter-finals stage.
Martin Dunn
e
Only Cillian O’Connor would outscore him by the conclusion of the All-Ireland SFC after the Mayo corner-forward made a late return for the final defeat to Dublin. His contribution to Cavan Gaels was immense too, as Joe O’Connor’s men came through the senior championship the hard way seeing off Kingscourt, Mullahoran and Castlerahan, with Dunne playing a salient role in the wins. In the final against Ballinagh, he scored 0-4 but the Gaels finished one short. Honourable mentions: Aisling Doonan (Cavan Ladies and Templeport), Brian Ellis (Arva), Barry McKiernan (Crosserlough).
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