Historic year
December 31, 2010The west Cavan club, who changed their name from Kildallan for this year, celebrated the anniversary with exciting weekend of activities from August 13-15, which marked an unique landmark in their history.
However, before all that there was football to be played in the ACFL Division Three and in the junior football championship by the team now known as Ballyconnell First Ulster. At the start of the year, the club looked outside for management and appointed Gowna native Fergal Harten to help steer them towards promotion to the intermediate ranks.
Harten, who was apart of the Gowna team in 2002 which captured the club's seventh Cavan senior football championship title, came in with designs for success in a unique year for the club and was confident he had the right ingredients in his panel to lead them back out of the bottom tier.
Honest endeavour is what Harten received from his players in the first two months of training and it showed when they travelled to promotion-chasers and intermediate outfit Ballymachugh for their second league game, having handed struggling Maghera a 1-12 to 0-5 defeat at First Ulsters Park in their opening match at the start of April. Managed by former Cavan great Stephen King, Ballymachugh weren't going in the same bracket with regards to opposition and they pushed their visitors all the way, before the men from Ballyconnell dug deep and grafted for a 2-9 to 2-8 victory to pick up a second pair of points.
It was the perfect start for Harten's charges, but they kept grounded as another journey beckoned just out the road to Bawnboy, where rivals Templeport were looking to mark a special occasion of their own in the opening weekend of May. At the official switching on of the new floodlights at St Aidan's Park, goals made all the difference for Ballyconnell First Ulsters as they downed the hosts with a 3-9 to 0-11 win in front of a sizeable crowd in Bawnboy.
A week later and the team hit their first bump in the road when Arva came away with a 1-10 to 2-4 win from Ballyconnell, which was quickly followed by high-flying Shannon Gaels hitting them for five goals in the next round and sending them home from Blacklion with an 11-point defeat. A four-point loss to Swanlinbar (1-13 to 1-9) in the next outing all but ended the team's bid for promotion to Division Two and that was certainly confirmed when Cornafean consigned the First Ulsters to a fourth straight defeat on a 0-12 to 1-5 score-line.
The tide was stemmed somewhat when Ballyconnell First Ulsters and Mountugent played out a hard-earned 1-10 each draw to share the points and Harten's side would have to settle for another draw when Munterconnacht visited and the score was 2-9 to 1-12, which saw them settle for a sixth place finish as the focus quickly shifted towards the junior championship.
Grouped together with Arva, Corlough and Mountnugent, Ballyconnell First Ulsters were to get nothing easy, particularly with their opener coming against the latter.
The two teams clashed at St Felim's Park in Drumalee and it wasn't looking good for the west Cavan men in the opening stages as they trailed by two with Michael Power's point being outweighed by scores from Ronan Caffrey, David Givney and Barry Givney down the other end. The battle between Power and young county star Givney proved a formidable one at the centre of the field, as Jason Curry ushered Ballyconnell back into the lead by the 21st minute with three unanswered points.
The red and whites pushed on from there with Curry to the forefront, as they took in the 0-8 to 0-5 lead, and within 15 seconds of the restart Ballyconnell cracked in their first goal after a long-range free from full-forward Ronan O'Reilly fell to the net. Mountugent hit back immediately with points from Ronan Caffrey and David Givney. When Caffrey hit the net soon afterwards the alarm bells were ringing for Ballyconnell, but they fought back bravely once more as Curry released O'Reilly for his second goal, before getting in on the action himself to net a fine individual goal in injury-time and secure the points for the town side.
A week later a place in the quarter-finals was up for grabs when Ballyconnell First Ulster clashed with Arva in Corlough, where the former finished second best as an 11th minute Brian Ellis goal proved too much to overcome and Arva went through on a 1-9 to 0-10 score-line.
The defeat meant that a win for Harten's team in their last game against Corlough was essential if they were avoid exiting the championship at the group stages.
Hotly-fancied to come through, Ballyconnell didn't disappoint their supporters when they made the short journey to Drumlane to watch their team dispose of their opponents by a comfortable 2-8 to 0-3 to mark the biggest win of their season.
The First Ulsters were always in control once Wayne O'Grady set-up Ronan O'Reilly for their first goal six minutes before the interval, when they led by 1-3 to no score. In the second-half the winners kept their foot on the throttle as points from Jason Curry, Stephen Crowe and Shane Reilly saw them cut further clear, before Corlough registered their first score in the 41st minute through Martin Cassidy. It never worried their opponents though, as O'Reilly got in for his second goal in the final quarter to comfortable secure a place in the last eight.
Ballyconnell (JFC v Corlough): Ronan Fitzpatrick; Niall Crowe, James Cassidy, Padraig Neary; Shane McPartland, Colin Reilly, Daithi Neary; Stephen Wynne, Michael Power; Colin O'Hara, Shane Reilly (0-3), Wayne O'Grady; Jason Curry (0-3), Ronan O'Reilly (2-1), Stephen Crowe (0-1). Subs: Aaron Duignan, Darren McGovern.
In the quarter-finals Munterconnacht awaited and come September 5th at Kingspan Breffni Park they came, saw and conquered to bring the curtain down on Ballyconnell First Ulsters' campaign and book their place in the semi-finals on a 0-16 to 1-6 score-line. Having trailed by 0-9 to 0-4 at the interval, Ballyconnell never looked like clawing their way back into this game, even after Jason Curry fired in the game's only goal as they trailed by 0-13 to 1-5, as the scores of Darragh Carroll and John McCabe sealed their fate in the end.
U16s edge a thriller
The club's Under 16 footballers helped celebrate the 125th birthday in some style in August when they came out on top against neighbours Drumlane in an absolute classic at Kingspan Breffni Park to clinch the Division Four championship title.
Drumlane looked to be in control when they dispatched 26th minute penalty to the net, but Ballyconnell grabbed a badly needed goal seven minutes into the second-half when Glen Rogers won back possession and full-forward and rifled the ball into the net. A left-footed point from Cian Crowe cut the gap down to one, before Drumlane responded with a Francis Lunney goal.
Six points down, Ballyconnell were in serious trouble, but they refused to throw in the towel. A brilliant goal from Rogers, who cut in along the end line and crashed the ball to the net from an acute angle, was followed up by two points from the same player to reduce the difference to a single points heading for the closing stages.
The momentum was firmly with the town side and with three minutes to go they added their third goal after Dion Johnson got on the end of a loose ball to fire a powerful shot past Jamie Donohoe in the Drumlane goal. That score put Ballyconnell ahead for the first time in the game and two minutes later key-man Rogers sealed the deal when he rose to punch in another goal for the First Ulsters.
After the full-time whistle there were scenes of jubilation as the Ballyconnell crowd flooded on to the pitch to help celebrate the achievement of some first silverware of the season, after the minors had been denied league and championship glory earlier on in the year at the final stages by Ballymachugh and Killygarry, respectively.
The team which lined-out in the triumph over Drumlane on August 3 was as follows: Mateusz Krolieki, Shane McGovern, Laurence Corcoran, Conor Crowe, Owen McPartland, Fergal Donohoe, Neasan Neary, Cian Crowe, Oisin Murray, Dion Johnson, Dary Johnson, Glen Rogers, Ciaran Donohoe.
125 celebrations a huge success
The Under 16s' success couldn't have been timed any more to perfection, as the following weekend saw Ballyconnell First Ulsters mark their 125th anniversary with memorable celebrations.
Blessed with fine weather, the weekend 13th, 14th and 15th celebrations proved a resounding success. A capacity congregation at the Mass on the Friday evening, celebrated by Fr. Eamonn Lynch, P.P., assisted by Fr. Pat Farrelly, C.C., Fr. Brian McElhinny, P.P. and Fr. Phil Brady, P.P, were treated to the wonderful tunes of St. Michael's Brass Band, Enniskillen, and their rendition of "Faith of our Fathers" at the conclusion of the Mass, was greeted with rapturous applause. After Mass, the crowd marched to Pairc na gCead Ultach, led by St. Michael's Band.
It was wonderful to see all the young players, dressed in their club jerseys, and accompanied by former players from the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 80's, and club members proudly walking behind their club banner, as they marched through the town to the field, to the applause of the people who lined the streets. A short talk on the history of the GAA in the Ballyconnell area was given by Dr Brendan Scott, followed by unveiling of Commemorative Plaque at the clubrooms, by Aoghan Farrell, President of Ulster Council, and Tom Reilly, Chairman of Cavan Co Board. Beautiful food was served in the marquee erected at the field and afterwards the crowd was treated to wonderful Irish music and dancing by young people from the parish. Visitors and locals alike were high in their praise for the wonderful talents of these young people.
Saturday morning commenced with an Under 10 Blitz conducted by County Board coaching officers, followed by the Colm Curry Memorial match, contested by Under 10 teams from Ballyconnell First Ulsters and Belturbet, with Belturbet emerging comfortable winners. Perhaps it was a fitting result, as the late Colm's two grandchildren were playing on the Belturbet team. The Memorial Cup was presented to the Belturbet team by Colm's widow, Mrs. Curry, as well as a set of medals to both teams. An Under 12 match was played between Ballyconnell First Ulsters and Templeport, with Templeport running out victorious. Medals were presented to both teams. Tea, sandwiches and refreshments were provided by the very hardworking ladies committee.
Also on display throughout the afternoon were arts and crafts by local people, which generated much admiration and interest. The entries to the children's art competition were also on display in the clubrooms. The John James Smith Memorial match was contested by Under 14 teams from Ballyconnell First Ulsters and Carrigallen, with the local team being victorious. The Memorial Cup was presented by Benny Smith, on behalf of the Smith family, and set of winners and runners-up medals. The Patrick Early Memorial match was between the First Ulsters and Drumreilly, with Drumreilly snatching victory in the dying minutes of the game. The Patrick Early Shield was presented by Mrs. Kathleen McKiernan, sister of the late Patrick, together with a set of winners and runners-up medals.
Again the ladies committee were on hand to serve sandwiches and refreshments to both teams and supporters. The Adult Fancy Dress competition attracted a large number of entries, with a lot of thought and imagination being used by the entrants. Presentation of medals to the Under 16 County Championship winners, by Tom Reilly, County Board Chairman, was another proud moment for the club. Presentations were also made by Tom Reilly to members of the 1950 and 60's teams, many of whom travelled from all over the country for the occasion. The dance on the Saturday night was a most enjoyable occasion, and the capacity attendance danced the night away in the company of friends, family and visitors.
On Sunday, with the sun shining in a clear blue sky, a perfect setting was provided for the Children's Fancy Dress competition and Annual Sport Day. The children, accompanied by their parents and friends, marched from the Courthouse to Pairc na gCead Ultach, led by the ever dependant and wonderful St. Mary's Mountain Road Pipe Band. The good weather attracted a large crowd to the Sports Day and Bonny Baby Competition.
The Joanne Davis Memorial Rounders match was played immediately after the sports, and was keenly contested. A minute's silence was observed before the match, in honour of the late Maurice Cassidy, Greenville, who was instrumental in setting up Rounders in the parish many years ago. The victors were the Ardlogher team and the Memorial Shield was presented by Mrs Anita Lewis, sister of the late Joanne Davis. The final event of the day was ACFL Div 2 semi-final between Drumlane and Drumgoon, which attracted a large crowd of supporters. Drumlane emerged victorious on the occasion, and were wished the best of luck in the final. The ladies committee were again on hand to provide sandwiches to both teams.
The 125 committee would like to thank all who worked so hard to make this weekend such a great success and to the local and wider community for their support of all events. To Aoghan Farrell and Tom Reilly for taking the time from their busy schedules to attend. To the former players, officers and members, who travelled long distances to be with there for the celebrations. Sincere thanks also to the local Garda Siochanna for their assistance in policing all events throughout the weekend. Tweet
