U14s steal the show
March 01, 2010While Crosserlough were bidding for a league/championship double, Templeport had an eye on their own special bit of history as they had captured the Roinn 'B' league (beating Drumlane in the decider) and so were also aiming for a spectacular double. With a clinical eye for goal, the team from the west of the county deservedly took the spoils to provide yet another boost to their progressive underage machine.
This promising crop was guided to glory by a management team of Patrick Maguire, Tomas Kellegher, Seamus Martin and Micheal Smith, who also looked after the U13s for the championship in August '09.
The final was a tight and tense affair but it was Templeport's superior firepower that proved decisive as they hit their opponents with a quintet of majors to prevail by a whopping eleven points in the end. The Black & Ambers were missing their key man Ryan Reilly and St Aidan's took full advantage with a goal from top-scoring centrefielder Ben Kiernan inside the opening two minutes. From there to the final whistle, Templeport maintained their advantage and kept their opponents at bay.
Kiernan's opening three-pointer divided the sides at the short whistle, 1-4 to 0-4, but the winners really took matter by the scruff of the proverbial neck thereafter. Kiernan settled the game as a contest with a further brace of goals inside a deadly three-minute period to leave the Saints nine points clear and all but home and hosed.
Darragh O'Shea somehow found the net with a dipping shot nine minutes after the resumption and wing forward Hayden Kellegher stepped up with the fifth goal for his on-song side. Crosserlough managed a consolation goal but by this time Templeport St Aidan's already knew they were about to be crowned county champions. After the final whistle, a jubilant captain Oran Duffy accepted the Cup from Brian Seagrave of Bord Peil na nOg.
Templeport, 2009 Wilton Waste Cavan U14 Roinn 'A' champions: Darren Donohoe; Michael Devine, Niall Farrelly, Conor McAweeney; Dillon Raythorn, Oran Duffy, Benjamin Kelly; Dylan Maguire, Ben Kiernan (3-1); Liam Galligan (0-1), Darragh O'Shea (0-1), Hayden Kellegher (1-0); Killian Leonard (0-1), Eoin Doonan (0-1), Shane Galligan. Subs: Liam McAweeney, Ciaran Leonard, Conor Mimna.
The first real sign that Templeport - who had won the 2008 U13 Division Two championship - were going to emerge as genuine contenders in the '09 U14 championship came when they produced a scintillating display to beat Bailieborough by 1-8 to 2-2 in a replayed quarter-final at Bawnboy. The sides had drawn a few days earlier, after extra time, in Bailieborough. In the replay, Liam Galligan opened the scoring from a free and it was 0-5 to no score when Dylan Maguire landed a great 20th-minute point. The winners led by 0-6 to 1-0 at the break but would have to play into the breeze in the second half. With Niall Farrell and Oran Duffy outstanding at full back and centre back respectively, 'Port continued to battle, even after 'Boro had closed within a point with just five minutes to go. Eoin Doonan bagged the vital goal and 'keeper Darren Donohoe made a crucial late save to ensure a semi-final meeting with Laragh.
While the St Aidan's U14s went on to make history by bringing the 'A' title to Bawnboy for the first time in history, the club's U16s were also part of the Drumport amalgamation that captured the Division Three U16 championship. This crew was looked after by Thomas Doonan, PJ Galligan and Aidan Rudden.
The U12s played many games and were beaten in the league quarter-final. Great credit is due to their management team of Noel O'Shea, Tony McGoldrick, Dessie Maguire and Damien McKenna.
The U10s participated in many tournaments and completed the blitzes from May through to the end of September and were coached and organised by Damien McKenna, with Jim McManus, PP Galligan, Micheal McNulty, Mark Plunkett, Anthony McBrien all helping with the coaching and management side of things.
The juvenile arm of the club also had great help from Noelle Maguire, Sinead Maguire, Conor Bannon and Sean McGoldrick, who were great with the coaching of the U8s. They also had occasional help when needed from Joey Edwards, Catherine Maguire, Theresa Leonard, and Martina McGovern
The minors were part of Drumport (Templeport / Drumlane) and were coached by Aidan Rudden and Patsy Maguire. The U21s were also looked after by Patsy and Aidan.
The senior and Division Five management team for the year was Tommy Mimna, Aidan Rudden and Adrian McGovern. The first team competed in the junior football championship, losing both outings against Butlersbridge (2-8 to 0-4) and Kildallan (1-11 to 0-4). In Division Three of the ACFL, St Aidan's finished tenth out of 14 clubs, with two wins and four draws - a total of eight points. It could have been much better but for a series of narrow one- and two-point defeats. A slight improvement here could make a big difference in 2010, when Mickey Dolan takes over as manager.
Templeport's reserves finished ninth in Division Five in '09, with five wins and two draws secured from their twelve outings.
In November, the club received a great honour when Adrian McGovern was announced as manager of the Cavan ladies for 2010. He has thus stepped down as club ladies manager after being involved for 16 years and bringing many Templeport girls through to the county team, most notably Aisling Doonan and Sharon Cassidy in recent times. Another big honour for the west county club came when secretary Tony McCann, who previously served on the CCC, was elected onto the executive of Cavan County Board.
Templeport GAA held their presentation night in the Slieve Russell Hotel on Saturday November 21 2009, with Tyrone legend Sean Cavanagh on hand to present the medals. It was a night of celebration, music and dance in special recognition of the achievements of the U14 boys team on their winning the U14 Roinn 'A' championship and Roinn 'B' league; the ladies club on their successful year; and the 1969 U14 winners 40 years on.
Templeport ladies
We commenced our year by entering teams at the following levels: under 12 league and championship, under 14 league & championship, under 16 league & championship, minor championship, senior league & championship. This shows how busy our year ahead was going to be.
Our under 12 under the management of Declan Farrell, Martin McDermott & Sinead Dolan took a new panel of over 25 young energetic players to the field. These girls trained hard and showed great prospects and talent for our club in the years ahead.
The under 14 panel under the leadership of Ashling Doonan, Tara Doonan & Marion McHugh saw this team reach the semi-final stage of both the league and championship. They played Bailieboro in the league and were beaten by just two points. Crosserlough overcame them in the championship. They were very unlucky to be knocked out at these stages but we feel that the girls will build upon this for next year.
The under 16 panel were joined for training and management with the under 14 girls. These under 16 girls reached the semi-final stage of their championship in a hotly-contested game against old rivals Mullahoran. The outcome favoured Mullahoran on the day. These two teams met previously in the 9-a-side final, which resulted in a draw that was played in Bultersbridge in August. We held high hopes for this talented young team, who also played minor & were on our starting senior panel.
Our minor panel took on their championship under the management of Adrian McGovern & Ashling Doonan. Having never won a minor title our club was hopeful given the talent of these girls. We overcame Lacken, Mullahoran and Lurgan to reach the very exciting final. The final was played under very wet and cold conditions in Drumlane against Knockbride. This was one of the most exciting games of ladies football played this year. However, as the saying goes, goals win games & we were unlucky to concede too many on the day. We ended the game four points down.
Any team promoted to division 1 and senior championship face a tough prospect playing in such a high grade. This panel of ladies set goals and targets to meet this new challenge. United as a panel we agreed we were playing a grade we deserved to play. Under the management of Adrian, Peggy, Martha and Eoghan we started training in Feb a month before the start of the league. Games were played on a home and away basis. Determination & hard work took us to the top of the league table. We were drawn against Knockbride in the league semi-final. Although unlucky on the day we can stand proud knowing we are division 1 standard & have proven we can hold our own against any team. Championship as the saying goes is a different ball game. Teams that you face off in the league will always be different in the championship. We saw off Knockbride on the August bank holiday weekend. In the semi-final, we met Lacken. Having been knocked out last year by the West Cavan Gaels, they were determined to go all the way this year. Inexperience, nerve and not playing to full potential saw Lacken win out on the day.
We would like to thank all the managers, those that fundraised for us, the parents who brought the children to matches and training, the mens club for their help and support and anyone that helped in any way.
A special word of thanks to Adrian, who has given so much to our club he's been with us for the past 16 years. We wish him every success in his new role as the Cavan ladies manager.
- Templeport ladies GFC Tweet
