There is little doubt in the mind of this writer that the true fabric of the GAA is richly encompassed in clubs like Corlough.

Junior clubs on the periphery of their county boundaries who are working from a small population that never fail to compete in leagues deserve the admiration of all. Their enthusiasm and love for the game could only be described as infectious. Year on year, a small dedicated band of officials approach each new season with a hope and determination that would sit well on some of the bigger clubs in the association. To this end, Corlough must be greatly commended for their approach and attitude to the game. What they have achieved and still achieve is truly remarkable. On the playing side they have never failed to field teams and have worked tirelessly on their underage structure. At the same time through a determined and committed effort have provided their club with magnificent facilities at the west Cavan grounds.

Their long serving PRO, Gerry Prior epitomises what the club is all about. Quietly spoken with a resolve that will not be deterred encapsulates the attitude of all of those involved at Corlough.
"Each season we set out our goals in a pragmatic fashion. A good league and championship run would always be our target but like a lot of clubs the end result may not be what we had hoped for. While we may not have always achieved our ambitions, it should not deter from the magnificent effort put in by all the players," says Gerry.

"Clubs are usually judged on the results of their football teams and unfortunately we at Corlough may not have had our best season to date. There are a number of reasons that contributed to this. Throughout our history we have always been a club that thrives on a good start. We seem to gain in confidence from a good opening."

This year the club had a very poor start to their league campaign losing the first five or six games. It was not the case that they were playing badly as they recorded some impressive scores. However, they succumbed to some late flurrys and lost out.
With a poor start to the league campaign it was decided to change the team management structure. The vacant position was filled by club chairman, Michael McGovern.

"We did produce some very good performances, winning two local derby clashes against Kildallan and Templeport and recorded a very impressive away victory over Mountnugent who were riding high in the league table," said the club PRO.
"We have been fortunate that we did not lose any players this year. I can say with pride that we have a very dedicated squad here at the club. The panel of twenty four players are very committed with players making the effort to travel from as far away as Dublin and Galway to attend training and games on the weekend. We also had the McGovern brothers, Barry and David, students in England, who returned home for the summer and were of great importance to the squad.

"While we may not have performed to the best of our ability this season, we do I feel, have the potential to achieve a great deal more. I know we have the players to make a real impact in our division."
The squad is relatively young with the average age around 24 to 25. Players of the calibre of Ronan and Derek Kellegher, and Pauric McGovern have the quality and in Brendan McGovern Corlough have one the county's most gifted free-takers.
"When you consider we have a number of the Dernacrieve minor side also pushing hard for places on the senior squad I feel we just need that little break to help us register a good season.

"I suppose we have also to look at the talent coming through. We have a number of players that contributed enormously to the title challenging Dernacrieve minor and U-16 teams. The amalgamation with Shannon Gaels is something that has served us both well and in our case we have a number of very talented young players from both minor and U-16 coming on stream.
"These young players are now used to playing and winning and making it to finals. With the age spread of our current squad and the availability of the talent that is now coming on stream we will in the future be in a position to mount a serious challenge for honours."

Already players from the minor squad like Paul Cassidy, Mark McGovern, Noel O'Rourke and Thomas Mulryan are making an impact and working their way into the senior set-up. As a playing club Corlough work very hard on and off the field with the players each season making a tremendous commitment.

"I feel that with a bit of luck and a good start we could make a serious challenge for honours," said a very proud club PRO.
"From school level through to minor the small population works against us. So our amalgamation as I have already said has proved to be good for all involved. We do have a good crop of young U-10s at our disposal who have competed in a number of very competitive blitz competitions."

Playing against opponents coming from some the more stronger clubs in, Cavan, Fermanagh and Monaghan this side has acquitted itself with honour. These young budding players have taken on the strength of Cavan Gaels, kingpins at juvenile football in Cavan and also the might of Monaghan club, Magheracloone. The young hopefuls of Ryan Prior, Ronan McGovern, Oisin Owens, Kevin McGovern, Peadar McCaffrey, Danny McGovern, Cormac Duleek and the twin brothers Darragh and Kevin Prior made it to the Shield final of the Kinawley Blitz where sixteen clubs many of them senior provided the opposition. With some great minor and U-16 players coming through and with the talent at U-10 things look bright for the future of the club.

While Corlough may not have won any titles at senior level they nevertheless will look with confidence at the achievements of their juvenile players who had a major input to the amalgamated west Cavan side (Shannon Gaels, Corlough and Swanlinbar), Dernacrieve Gaels.
While this side failed to lift any silverware the signs were heartening as they made the semi-finals of the Division 2 league losing out to eventual winners, Denn and also making it to the championship final where they lost out in the cruelest of fashions going under by a single point, 1-7 to 0-9 in a pulsating final. Indeed it took a last gasp point in the final minute of normal time to nudge Ballymachugh across the line for the spoils on the day.

In a game that was always destined to be close the west Cavan side showed tremendous character as they battled back from a five point half time deficit to take control of the game holding their opponents to just two points in the second half. The irony of the result was that the winner's second point of the second-half came in final minute of that period. There was some consolation for the losers as Aaron O'Hara was awarded 'man of the match'.

Dernacrieve Gaels: Liam Reilly, Joey O'Brien, Stephen McManus, Niall Corrigan, Cathal Dolan, Aaron O'Hara (0-1), Niall McGrath, Stephen Prior, Conor Walsh, Liam McManus, Paul Cassidy, Mark McGovern, Niall Walsh (0-3), Nevin O'Donnell (0-5), Conor McCaffrey.
Subs: John O'Brien for M. McGovern.

Corlough have contributed to the title chasing Dernacrieve U16 team who produced a sterling performance in the drawn final against local rivals Ballyconnell First Ulsters. The drawn game ended on a scoreline of Ballyconnell First Ulsters 1-14 to Dernacrieve Gaels 2-11. They made no mistake in the replay when the sides met again in the replay of the U16 Division 4 final. The winners had five points to spare at the final whistle winning on a scoreline of 3-12 to 1-14.
"This victory is a tremendous boost to all the clubs involved," said the PRO.

The effort put in at the club is something to be proud of. From the players commitment on the playing field and their dedication in helping to raise finance through lottery sales, to the executive, the work put in is inspirational.
"The contribution of Sean and Mary Feeney who have facilitated the club throughout the years with the use of their premises is much appreciated. Credit must also been attributed to the ladies committee who look after all visiting teams and officials by providing food after their exertions of travelling to West Cavan and playing football," said the club PRO.

"I would also like to mention that we at Corlough lost one of the club's great stalwarts this year with the death of Benny Magee. Benny was an outstanding player with Corlough for many years and when he finished his playing career became a committed club worker. Benny was also chairman of Corlough for a number years and on behalf of the club we would like to extend our sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

"We also had the wedding of one our current players. Michael Dolan, a current member of the senior squad, 'tied the knot' when he married local girl Mary McGovern. The club would like to wish them all the best for their married health," said the club PRO. Tweet

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