keith fannin designed_Layout 1 05/11/2013 14:48 Page 2
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CAVAN’S MR VERSATILE
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Cavan captain Keith Fannin accepts the 2012 Leinster JFC Cup from Leinster Board Chairman Martin Skelly
ormer county stalwart Keith Fannin is upbeat about the Breffni County's prospects as Terry Hyland's charges bid to build on the progress made this year. He is encouraged by the impact of the successful U-21s on the senior team's fortunes. The curtain came down on Keith Fannin's intercounty career in 2012 but not before he entered the history books as the first captain from the Breffni County to lift the Leinster JFC silverware. The Drumgoon man earned that distinction following Cavan's 1-13 to 09 final victory over Kildare in Newbridge back in late June 12 months ago. Revenge proved to be a dish best served cold as Fannin and his teammates made up for the disappointment of losing the 2011 decider at the hands of the Lilywhites. “It's not often a team from Ulster wins a Leinster championship, and it’s not often that Cavan wins a provincial championship,” remarked Keith who lined out at left half-forward in the decider. “We played Kildare in the final the
previous year and the better team won that day. It’s difficult in that we have to play all our games away from home in the Leinster championship. Anytime you come away from Newbridge with a win is always a good result. “It was good for the players and the county. We’re on a bit of a roll at the minute with the senior team, the minors, U-21s and ladies teams. These are exciting times to be supporting Cavan teams and long may it continue.” The junior success had a positive spin off on the senior set-up with Martin Dunne one of the successful graduates from the class of 2012. The Cavan Gaels clubman was the top scorer in the provincial final win over Kildare with five points and went on to clock up 2-5 against Kerry in the semi-final but was unable to prevent a 2-6 to 1-16 defeat. The experience obviously stood him in good stead and he made a seamless transition to senior football in 2013 when finishing as the second top scorer in this year's All-Ireland SFC behind Mayo's Cillian O'Connor. “Martin Reilly came back from injury to play and made his way back on to the senior panel,” Keith pointed out,
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'Rory Dunne was full-back and he also made the step up to the seniors this year. Junior football is a good stepping stone for young players. It’s a step up from club football and it gives them a taste of intercounty football, gives them the opportunity to wear the county jersey.” 30 year old Keith got his first taste of senior intercounty championship action under Eamon Coleman as a corner-back against Antrim in the 2005 Ulster SFC quarter-final. He was one of four championship debutants on duty that day – Drumgoon clubmate Michael Hannon, goalkeeper James Reilly and Mark Cahill were the other three - but it proved to something of a baptism of fire as Cavan were lucky to get away with an 0-11 apiece draw at Kingspan Breffni Park. His last game in the famed blue jersey at senior level was against the same opposition in the league in March, 2012 but, on that occasion, he was between the posts. An ever-present in the senior squad for seven years, his versatility on the field saw him filling different roles at different times. Goalkeeper, corner-