TEAM OF THE YEAR
November 27, 2011Superb between the posts throughout Cavan's successful Ulster Under 21 Championship campaign after having made a full recovery from the injuries which plagued him throughout 2009 and 2010. The Bailieborough Shamrocks shot-stopper, who endured a tough season with his club throughout 2011, kept the Breffni men's defence on their toes throughout March and April to while pulling off some fantastic saves in the meantime to deny the Donegal and Tyrone the goals which would have surely spoiled the party for Terry Hyland's team. The DIT student also gave a strong display in the semi-final against Wexford at Parnell Park before braving a first-half blitz from Galway at Croke Park in the All-Ireland decider which any net-minder in the country would have struggled to cope with.
Honourable mentions: Billy O'Mara (Cavan minors and Bailieborough), Niall McIntyre (Drumgoon), James Reilly (Cavan and Drung)
2 - Oisin Minagh (Cavan U21s and Redhills)
The granite-like defender was solid at full-back during Cavan's Ulster U21FC victory and also starred in Redhills' impressive league campaign which saw the border men top Division One of the ACFL for most of the season. Along with speed and power, bravery is one of Minagh's greatest assets and it proved priceless during Cavan's Ulster U21FC campaign in which every member of the panel had to stand up and be counted for. A tight defender, who can also drive his team forward, Minagh was one of many stars in the Breffni County's Ulster final victory over Tyrone in Enniskillen, where he gave an admirable display in the number three jersey to 'mind the house' and ensure the Red Hands wouldn't get in for a goal which proved the difference between the sides in the end.
Honourable mentions: Marc Leddy (Cavan U21s and Cavan Gaels), Dane O'Dowd (Cavan and Drumlane), Darragh Tighe (Cavan U21s and Killeshandra)
3 - Cathal Collins
(Cavan Gaels)
Arguably Cavan Gaels' finest performer in 2011, Collins was a rock at full-back throughout another successful season for the Terry Coyle Park outfit. During the Gaels' senior championship campaign, 'the Doc' was given tough assignments to mark the likes of Ryan McCormack (Kingscourt), Niall McDermott (Ballinagh) and Oisin O'Connell (Castlerahan), whom were all in terrific form for their clubs this season, when the pressure was on in the knock-out stages of the competition and he would come out of all three battles a winner. Incidentally, the 33-year-old would also give a sterling performance in his side's narrow Ulster club SFC defeat to Glenswilly at Kingspan Breffni Park, where he kept Donegal star Michael Murphy scoreless from play. Along with team captain Eamonn Reilly, Collins has been the key part of the Gaels' backbone and looks set to continue to do so for at least another season.
Honourable mentions: Patrick Carroll (Cavan and Ballinagh), Adrian Crossan (Drumgoon), Pauric McKiernan (Crosserlough)
4 - Donna English
(Cavan Ladies)
Since her breakthrough on to the Cavan Ladies team a few years ago, English has been a revelation in the Breffni women's defence, lining-out anywhere from number two to number nine. This past season saw the Arva native put forth some of her best displays for the Blues as they claimed a memorable scalp over then All-Ireland champions Dublin in the league, retained the Ulster IFC crown and went on to the All-Ireland final at Croke Park, where they suffered agonising heartbreak after a replay. English's performances throughout the All-Ireland series were crucial in Cavan's strong run in the competition, particularly in the semi-final when they came from nine points down to defeat neighbours Leitrim after extra-time. In both games against Westmeath she would again be a driving-force as Adrian McGovern's team came so close to a historic success, while her over over-hyped sin-binning in the closing stages of the replay was harshly pinpointed as the reason Cavan surrendered a five-point lead.
Honourable mentions: Thomas Brady (Munterconnacht), Darren Rabbitt (Cavan Gaels), Liam Og O'Reilly (Shercock).
5 - Kevin Meehan (Cavan U21s and Cavan Gaels)
Quietly superb for club and county all season long, Meehan got deserved recognition when he earned the 'Man of the Match' award for his performance for Cavan Gaels in the SFC final against Castlerahan. Having scored his side's opening goal three minutes into the county final, the versatile Meehan went on to set-up two more as the Gaels tore the Ballyjamesduff men to shreds to score an emphatic 16-point victory, returning the Oliver Plunkett Cup to Terry Coyle Park. Along with producing solid displays for his club all season long, Meehan played his role in Cavan's run to the All-Ireland Under 21 final too as part of a sturdy half-back line which halted Tyrone's runners coming through and got forward at every opportunity in the historic Ulster final triumph.
Honourable mentions: Damien Lynch (Crosserlough), Ronan Flanagan (Cavan and Castlerahan), Damian O'Reilly (Cavan and Belturbet)
6 Brian Sankey (Cavan minors and Shercock)
2011 will quiet simply be a year that 18-year-old Brian Sankey will never forget. After having helped Cavan to their first Ulster minor football championship title in 37 years, Sankey starred in defence for his native Shercock in their triumphant junior championship campaign. The tight-marking centre-back was key during the knock-out stages and gave a performance in the final which surely pushed Cavan team-mate Killian Clarke close for the 'Man of the Match' award. Along with being a focal part in Jodie Clarke's team success, Sankey also co-captained the Shercock/Kingscourt amalgamation O'Raghallaigh Gaels to the county minor championship title after their final victory over Cavan Gaels at Kingspan Breffni Park. With two county medals to go along with an Ulster gong in his back pocket, the past few months have been the sweetest to date in Sankey's premature playing career.
Honourable mentions: Eamonn Reilly (Cavan Gaels), Michael Hannon (Drumgoon), Damien Barkey (Cavan U21s and Ramor).
7 - Conor Moynagh (Cavan minors and Drumgoon)
A few glimpses of Moynagh in the 2010 championship caught the eye, but this year the Drumgoon teenager simply exploded on to the scene with both club and county. His performance at centre-back for his county in the Ulster MFC final against Armagh in Clones had Breffni supporters giving him rave reviews when they were heading out the gates of St Tiernach's Park - and rightly so. If it were not for the heroics of him and his team-mates at the back, then Cavan could well have been pipped by the fancied Orchard men and more minor heartbreak would have ensued. However, Moynagh's brave performance, along with so many of the team that damp July afternoon, instead led Cavan to a surprise victory to end 37 years of hurt in the minor grade. To top it all off, he line-out at wing-forward for his club under three months later and kick three points in a 'Man of the Match' display in the intermediate championship final which helped 'the Goonies' shock Crosserlough and claim the Tommy Gilroy Cup.
Honourable mentions: Fergal Flanagan (Cavan U21s and Butlersbridge), Turloc Mooney (Cavan U21s and Redhills), Robert Maloney-Derham (Cavan Gaels).
8 - Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan U21s and Swanlinbar)
While he collected more silverware in 2011, this past season will be one that McKiernan will look back on in years to come. Being fortunate enough to line-out at Croke Park isn't something every Gaelic footballer has the pleasure of experiencing, but to do it with both your club and county in the same year is really saying something about the calibre of player you are. While many of his Under 21 team mates aren't afraid to describe him as already being the best footballer in the county, the modest Swanlinbar man knows he has a long way to go if he is to help the Cavan seniors achieve the same level of success in which the Under 21s did in 2011. After suffering a disappointing All-Ireland club JFC final defeat to Kerry champions St Mary's at Croker, where he was given the assignment of tracking All Star Bryan Sheehan, the midfielder was the driving-force behind Cavan's prevail in Ulster U21FC and was simply outstanding in the final victory over Tyrone as he became the first Cavan man in 14 years to lift an Ulster championship trophy of any sort.
Honourable mentions: Paul Graham (Cavan minors and Cavan Gaels), Enda King (Cavan Gaels), Padraic O'Reilly (Cavan and Ballinagh)
9 - Keith Fannin (Cavan and Drumgoon)
As he has been doing for the best part of a decade, Fannin continued to pull the strings for Drumgoon this year, with the only difference being an intermediate championship title on the table by the end of the year. While his starch versatility has sometimes been his downfall at inter-county level, Drumgoon manager Aidan Quigley knew exactly where to put Fannin when he took over at the start of the season - right in the tick of things. His switch to centre-field paid massive dividends for 'the Goonies' as he forged a formidable partnership with James McDonald which drove the club to their first IFC decider since 2002. Equally as sharp in defence as he is in attack, his performance in the final against Crosserlough was crucial to a one-point victory which sees the Eire Ogs returning to the top flight of championship football in the county.
Honourable mentions: Ray Cullivan (Cavan and Ballyhaise), Enda McHugh (Shannon Gaels), Declan McKiernan (Killeshandra)
10 - John McEnroe (Shercock)
McEnroe's stirring performance in the junior championship final got Shercock over the line against Mountnugent and saw the club emerge victorious from a county final for the first time since 1984. The 32-year-old captain led from the front for Jodie Clarke's charges throughout a roller coaster junior championship campaign which saw them edge through a tough group before cruising into the semi-final against Arva. After a late Michael O'Reilly point saved a replay for Shercock, they would make no mistake the next day out to win in extra-time and set-up a 'do or die' showdown with beaten 2010 finalists Munterconnacht. After the Munchies had made the better start, McEnroe was the one that grabbed the game by scruff of the neck for Shercock as he went on to kick five points for his side in an admirable display which backboned a 1-10 to 1-7 victory and a first Sean Leddy Cup success for the club in 32 years.
Honourable mentions: Packie Leddy (Cavan U21s and Redhills), Niall Smith (Cavan U21s and Cavan Gaels), Brian Cullen (Munterconnacht)
11 - Sean Brady (Castlerahan)
One of the top footballers in the county when injury-free, Brady was one of the outstanding stars in the Cavan senior football championship in 2011. Stationed at centre-forward by Ciaran Macken, Brady orchestrated for Castlerahan while chipping in with vital scores which included some long range gems during the course of the summer. His superb fielding and deadly accuracy when bearing down on goal make him a nightmare for any defender to try and deal with when he's in his rhythm and his display in the championship semi-final ensured that the Ballyjamesduff men would be playing in their first county final in 43 seasons. His surging run against Cavan Gaels and two excellent frees from way out the field would be among few highlights for Castlerahan in the final, where they were on the receiving end of a 16-point drubbing.
Honourable mentions: Michael Lyng (Cavan and Cavan Gaels), Joe Dillon (Cavan minors and Kingscourt), Declan McCabe (Crosserlough).
12 - Niall Murray (Cavan U21s and Cavan Gaels)
The Cavan Gaels speedster performed admirably enough in the early stages of the season to earn himself a place on the Cavan senior team by the time the summer came around, which says plenty about this 21-year-old's ability. Murray started at centre-forward for the county Under 21s and in the Ulster final his cracking goal inside 15 seconds proved the difference in the Breffni men seeing off Tyrone on a 1-10 to 0-10 score-line at Brewster Park in Enniskillen. In the latter stages of the county senior championship, Murray played a solid role for the Gaels as they cruised past Kingscourt and Ballinagh to advance towards a showdown with Castlerahan which would also unravel as a one-sided contest. 2012 will see Murray looking to cement a place on to Val Andrews' county senior side, and with speed, accuracy and time on his side, not many would bet against him being there or thereabouts.
Honourable mentions: Kevin Bouchier (Cavan minors and Arva), Thomas Moore (Ballinagh), Mark McKeever (Cavan and Gowna)
13 - Aisling Doonan
(Cavan Ladies)
Simply incredible throughout 2011, the Cavan Ladies captain was hugely unfortunate to be denied the opportunity of lifting a long-awaited All-Ireland title for the Breffni County at the end of the season. A focal part in Cavan maintaining their Division Two status and retaining their Ulster IFC crown, the Templeport attacker went into the All-Ireland series as the one to watch for any team that she came up against. Scorer of 1-8 in the Breffni women's dramatic extra-time victory over Leitrim in the All-Ireland semi-final, Westmeath would try and nullify the Cavan skipper's threat in the final but failed to do so and only two goals against the run of play would save them from defeat at Croke Park, where she sent over a spectacular sideline score in the first-half and scored two late points to rescue a draw for Adrian McGovern's team. In the replay, she kicked all of Cavan's first-half points to have them leading at half-time before a late Westmeath rally wrecked the Blues' All-Ireland dreams.
Honourable mentions: Sean Johnston (Cavan and Cavan Gaels), John McCabe (Munterconnacht), Paddy McCabe (Drumgoon).
14 - Niall McDermott
(Cavan U21s and Ballinagh)
McDermott's star continued to rise in 2011 as he led the line for both Ballinagh and Cavan Under 21s in the early stages of the season before going on to make his All-Ireland SFC debut for the Blues. His scores against Fermanagh and Donegal led Cavan back into the Ulster U21FC final and just three days after the provincial success, the Ballinagh sharpshooter's goal at Parnell Park sunk Wexford and put Cavan into a long-awaited All-Ireland final at Croke Park. After suffering the painful defeat to Galway, McDermott put in some fine displays in the latter stages of the league which wouldn't go unnoticed by Terry Hyland and Val Andrews as he would start alongside and Eugene Keating and Sean Johnston in the Cavan full-forward line for their Ulster SFC clash with Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park, where McDermott contributed 0-4 in a heavy defeat. Come the club championship, McDermott would again be relied upon by Ballinagh and firmly delivered as they reached the semi-finals before walking into a Cavan Gaels haymaker which ended their season.
Honourable mentions: Oisin O'Connell (Castlerahan), Killian Clarke (Cavan minors and Shercock), Darragh Carroll (Munterconnacht)
15 - Martin Dunne
(Cavan Gaels)
2011 was another year in which Martin Dunne proved a reliable outlet for scores as he and his Cavan Gaels team mates marched on to an 11th Cavan SFC success. A lethal attacker from the right corner, with speed and deadly accuracy in his arsenal, Dunne was outstanding throughout the Gaels' championship campaign this past season, saving his best performances for the business end of the competition. After the Gaels' comfortable quarter-final victory over Kingscourt, Darren Chapman's team met a Ballinagh side which had already beaten them in group stages and some doubts surfaced over the favourites heading into the last four clash. However, those were quickly swept aside once Dunne scooped for 2-5 to sink their rivals and in the county final against Castlerahan he would also finish top-scorer with a tally of 1-4 to help kill off the Ballyjamesduff men's challenge.
Honourable mentions: Jack Brady (Cavan U21s and Ramor), Cian Mackey (Cavan and Castlerahan), Brendan Fitzpatrick (Belturbet). Tweet
