When Bank of Ireland embarked on their ask-not-what-your-county-can-do-for-you-ask-what-you-can-do-for-your-county promotional campaign for the football championship, they should have enlisted Cuchullains' Shane O'Reilly to star in the accompanying tv ads. Shane's the archetypal gaelic games man and, at 21, has already proven himself a tremendous servant to Breffni County GAA. There are two types of GAA members. The Association can be divided very neatly into talkers and doers. The former category is by far the biggest; the latter - though frighteningly smaller - is infinitely more vital. Cuchullains clubman Shane O'Reilly belongs unequivocally to the second grouping. A veritable man of action, he believes in going out and getting things done. That's not to say that Shane's a man of few words. To the contrary, he talks a good game too and his love for the national code is only too evident in his impassioned tone. Yes, this is a man who would quite gladly eat, sleep and drink Cavan GAA . . . and then come back for a second helping! The wisdom he exudes belies his tender years. At 21, the Mullagh man already has a lifetime's GAA service behind him. A hard worker and an achiever to boot, O'Reilly is a natural born administrator. In the long term, he could prove one of the county's most valuable assets. His enthusiasm knows no bounds and the sky's the limit with regards to what he might go on to achieve. The mind boggles... Having already been elected a delegate to Bord Peil Na nOg, Stephen became PRO of the Cuchullains club at the rare oul age of 17 (having become a committee member at 15) and served in that capacity for a total of six years. While he's been an ardent club activist over the years, the Mullagh gael is probably more widely renowned and acclaimed for his endeavours at county level. Already, he boasts extensive involvement with Cavan County Board. An executive member of Bord Peil Na nOg, he's also Assistant Secretary of Cavan Ladies County Board, Vice-Chairman of Cavan Community Games and PRO of the Cavan Minor Board. In addition to all of the above, he's also a referee. In fact, believe it or not, Shane has already been refereeing for six years and at one stage held the distinction of being the youngest referee in the country. He still remembers the first game he officiated over - an under 14 ladies match played in Canningstown on a evening that threatened to deliver shipwrecks and plankton from the sky. How did Shane become so involved in the administrative/official side of things at such a young age? "I was never really one for playing football but have always had a great love of gaelic games and a great admiration for the input of all the footballers. I think the AIB club championships sum it up when they say 'One Life, One Club'," notes the man from just outside Mullagh village. In an era when passing the buck has become a popular trend within GAA circles, Shane decided conversely to take the proverbial bull by the horns. Very much a hands-on person and a people's person, he spotted a niche which afforded him a definite opportunity of doing something for the betterment of his county. He grasped it with both hands. Never afraid to speak his mind for fear of causing offence, Shane O'Reilly is about as forthright as they come . . . a trait which makes him come across as sincere and genuine. A staunch Fianna Fail activist, he is current Chairman of Young Fianna Fail in Cavan and fully intends to run in the 2004 local elections. Apparently imbued with more energy than an industrial estate consisting exclusively of Lucozade and Red Bull factories, Shane is a sales executive with Fitzpatrick & King Motors, Main Peugeot dealer, Dublin Road, Cavan and also obtained his own auctioneers licence early in 2001, under the name of Shane P O'Reilly & Co. When asked to single out the highlight of an already clustered GAA career, he says: "One of my greatest days in football was in 1999 when I was a youth representative for Cavan County Board at Congress. That was the time when Rule 21 came up for discussion and it was a great experience to be there for what I found to be a very interesting weekend." The young Cavan man admits he'd dearly love to play a more active role at future congresses: "I'll keep working away at club and County Board levels and we'll see what comes from it. Of course, I'd love to become involved on bigger committees, but I'm fully aware of how difficult this is to achieve for one so young." It must have been a strange phenomenon refereeing adult games when Shane was little more than a slip of a lad himself? "It was. I've done some work for the senior board, but not an awful lot. I have to say, however, that I never experienced any real problems. The great thing about Cavan football is that when you leave the field there's no malice and no hard feelings. Our disciplinary records are impeccable. Any disagreements that might arise are left behind on the pitch and forgotten." What are Shane's feelings on Cuchullains' performances during the season just passed? "I'm happy enough. We retained our Division One status, which is an achievement in itself. We ran Mullahoran, Knockbride and Killygarry all within a point and drew with Cavan Gaels who are rated head and shoulders above everyone else in the county, so there are a lot of positives to take from that. "I think Cuchullains could contest a Cavan senior football championship final within the next five years and I've no doubt that the will and determination exist within the club to achieve that. We have the people behind the scenes and the footballers to do it. The players all get on really well and, while there's naturally a healthy competition for places, there's no animosity whatsoever. This just wasn't our year - it was Castlerahan's - but we'll have a new manager next year and everything will hopefully work out. When a club is going well, things tend to fall into place. "Cuchullains GFC was one of the greatest producers of Scor talent at Cavan, Ulster and All-Ireland level for years and the success we enjoyed there shows exactly what can be achieved when things are going well. "In football, we contested and won four underage finals this year. We have so much going for us. A traditional complaint is that we should be doing a lot better with the county players we've had but, in fairness to the county players, they give so much to the Cavan team that they tend to be worn out and over-stretched. They don't get the support and understanding they deserve." At national level, meanwhile, Shane expresses full support for the GPA. "I'm totally supportive of them," he asserts. "I believe the GAA should look after players better and there should be a better-organised and fairer system of payment in place." Cavan's return to the provincial final stage in 2001 was a welcome one. Cuchullains' young achiever is greatly encouraged by their progression: "I think we've proven that we have the talent to do well. Let's remember this was our first Ulster final since 1997. Personally, I think Val Andrews should have been given another year. He did great work in bringing in a lot of young players from the smaller clubs - players who probably never dreamed of playing for Cavan and that was great to see. "There's also a lot of tremendous work being done at County Board level in Cavan and by men like George Cartright, Tom Boylan, Gerry Soden, Barney Cully, Gerry Brady, Anna McCabe and Willie Mimnagh (who is retiring as chairman of Bord na nOg after many years of service) John McGinn, Liam McCabe, Phil Smith, John Duffy and many others too numerous to mention who do great work behind the scenes." A nephew of John O'Reilly who played in goals for Cavan in the 1960s and figured on the Cross junior championship winning team of 1962, Shane is the youngest of five children. His father is a former club committee member and his mother hails from Donegal but - with next May in mind - is very much an adopted Cavan woman! Shane concludes succinctly by stating: "In Mullagh, you don't join the GAA club, you're born into it." Free scoring attack Leave it to the Cuchulainns under 13 side to serve up a thrilling clash! In textbook style the young white and blue brigade kept their supporters on tenterhooks right to the death before clinching the Roinn D title with a dramatic 2-17 to 3-8 win over Corlough. The winners-elect led from pillar to post in what was a thoroughly sporting clash at Breffni Park in late August, getting off the mark with a point by Peter Fox after just three minutes of play. Cuchulainns maintained the pressure and points were swung over with great panache by Conor Smith and Gary Daly as the west Cavan side were slow in settling. Indeed when Corlough did eventually manage to make an impact, Cuchulainns 'keeper Christopher Tully was on hand to make a great save. At the other end, the Corlough 'keeper was well beaten by a fine Terry Keating effort which catapulted Cuchulainns into a 1-3 to 0-0 lead with ten minutes played. Corlough did hit back with a point but further points by Colin Farrelly and Conor Smith thereafter helped edge Cuchulainns further ahead, 1-8 to 0-5, at the interval. Corlough were first to score on the restart but Cuchulainns quickly re-asserted their superiority with a point from the outstanding Conor Smith. A hat-trick of goals though by Corlough inside a ten minute spell had Cuchulainns in a spot of bother but thereafter great defensive work by the champions-elect and a great goal by Gary Daly in the 48th minute was enough to propel them on past the winning post. The all-conquering Cuchulainns team, and scorers, was as follows: Christopher Tully, Eugene Keating, Mark Clarke, Killian Farrelly, Laurence Og O' Brien, Diarmuid Foxe, Peter Fox (0-1), Colin Farrelly (0-4), Jerry Keating (1-0), Conor Smith (0-10), Kevin O'Connell, Gary Daly (1-2), Darren Daly. Determined last quarter A determined last quarter display proved just the ticket for Cuchuallains as they secured the Roinn C under 14 championship title at the expense of a gritty Killygarry team. In what was a terrific advertisement for underage football in Cavan this was a tremendously exciting final played in front of a vocal crowd at Breffni Park. In the end the issue was decided right at the death when Cuchullains fired over a match-winning point. The winners-elect started the game in sprightly fashion and went ahead in the second minute when Conor Smith found the target with a neat point. The Cuchullains defence came under some pressure thereafter but the Killygarry forwards were denied by a good save by Christopher Tully in the Cuchullains goal. Killygarry did equalise shortly afterwards but they were thwarted with successive attacks in the minutes that followed by great defensive work by such as Killian Farrelly and Diarmuid Foxe. Indeed it wasn't until the 12th minute that Killygarry added their second point of the game but Cuchullains came roaring back into the fray when a high ball from a free by Killian Lynch broke on the square where Eugene Keating was on hand to fire the ball into the back of the Killygarry net. With Cuchullains now in front, Killygarry were on the backfoot and another converted free by Conor Smith added to the Cuchullains momentum as they maintained a 1-2 to 0-2 lead. Cuchullains came under some serious pressure from there to the break though and actually fell by 1-2 to 0-6 behind by the half-time whistle. Although Killygarry added to their lead soon after half-time with another point, Cuchullains hung in there and a point by Donnacha Dunne steadied the ship. The aforementioned Dunne then turned provider for Killian Lynch to run in on goal only for his shot to be well saved by the Killygarry 'keeper. Cuchullains kept up the pressure and a fine point by Conor Smith had the crowd in full voice only for Killygarry to come back strongly to score three points on the trot to leave Cuchullains trailing by 1-4 to 0-10. Conor Smith was again on target for Cuchullains with a free and three similar scores by colleague Killian Lynch had their side right back in touch. Now it was Killygarry's turn to put on the pressure but great blocks by Michael Reilly and Alan O'Brien kept the red and blacks at bay. Back came Cuchullains and a great point by Killian Lynch left Cuchullains two points in front. However Killygarry showed great determination to come back and level matters with two unanswered points as the tension became almost tangible. With time almost up, Cuchullains pressed forward with grave intent and when Killian Lynch was fouled pushing forward, the same player composed himself before slotting over the resultant free to duly clinch the title for the Cross-Mullagh contingent. Final score; Cuchullains 1-10 Killygarry 0-12 The following is the victorious Cuchullains line-up and scorers: Christopher Tully; Killan Farrelly, Adrian Tate; Diarmuid Foxe, Michael Reilly, Alan O'Brien; Killian Lynch (0-5), Donnacha Dunne (0-1); Terry Keating, Eugene Keating (1-0), Laurence Og O'Brien; Conor Smith (0-4), Colin Farrelly. Sub used; Peter Foxe Gaels moderated On 21st June, Cuchulainns had Shannon Gaels as opponents in the Roinn D U14 league final. On this occasion the team from Cross-Mullagh were too strong for those opponents as the scoreline would suggest 8-17 to 1-05. Shannon Gaels tried very hard at the start of the match but the full back line of Adrian Taite and Kilian Farrelly dominated and let nothing by them. The half back line of Alan O'Brien, Michael Reilly and Diarmuid Foxe had also the measure of their players and the wing backs attacking play caused plenty of problems for Shannon Gaels with Alan O'Brien getting on the score sheet in the second half with a great goal. Centre field and the forward line scored freely in the first getting a total of 6-11 to Shannon Gael's 1-2. Donnacha Dunne played a captains roll catching and distributing balls while his partner Kilian Lynch covered every blade of grass ending up with a personal tally of 2-3. In the forward line the Keating brothers Terry and Eugene were very committed. Peter Fox, Colin Farrelly and Conor Smith showed that they were all eager to score. And Gary Daly had a very sound game in the Cuchulainn goals. Cuchulainns- Gary Daly, Adrian Taite, Kilian Farrelly, Alan O'Brien (1-0), Michael Reilly, Diarmuid Foxe, Kilian Lynch (2-3), Donnacha Dunne, Terry Keating, Eugene Keating 0-7, Peter Foxe 0-3, Colin Farrelly 101, Conor Smith 4-1. Subs: Emmet Foxe 0-1, Mark Clarke 0-1, Padraig Farrelly, Niall Anderson Daly delight On June 17th Cuchulainns and Shannon Gaels played for the U12 Roinn D title. Cuchulainns having been beaten in this final last year proved worthy winners. Although the scoreline of 3-14 to 1-4 does not do Shannon Gaels justice. Gary Daly opened the scoring with a point in the first minute followed by a point and a goal two minutes later by Conor Smith. Eugene Keating passed the ball to set up the goal. Shannon Gaels went on the attack and were awarded a free only to see it saved on the goaline. Cuchulainns counter attacked and good passing between Terry Keating and Gary Daly saw Gary Daly scoring two points in quick succession. Eugene Keating added another point. Shannon Gaels attacked again and from a good move Pauric McGovern opened their scoring with a well taken goal followed a minute later with a point from Jonathon Corrigan and the score at this stage was Cuchulainns 1-6, Shannon Gaels 1-1. In the 17th minute Gary Daly scored a great goal from a pass by Terry Keating and Cuchulainns added three more points from Conor Smith. Eugene Keating and Kieran O'Connell left the half time score 2-9 to 1-1. Ronan McCaffrey for Shannon Gaels scored first. This was answered by two points from Gary Daly and a great goal by Terry Keating. Diarmuid Foxe broke up several attacks by Shannon Gaels he had great help from Mark Clarke and Thomas Reilly. Aoghan Daly and Kilian Murphy also played well in defence. With eight minutes left Cuchulainns introduced James Farrelly, Matthew Donoghue, Ruairi O'Connell and Norman Ormiston. Cuchulainns then added three more points to their total. While Jonathan Corrigan added two for Shannon Gaels. Cuchulainns - Colin Doughty, T O'Reilly, M Clarke, A Daly, D Foxe, K Murphy, E Keating 0-1, C Smith 1-4, K O'Connell 0-1, T Keating 1-0, K O'Connell 0-1, D Daly, G Daly 1-7 Mullagh's Longest Kicker In the 50s football was played in Matt Reillys field. Names like the McCabes, Dalys, Brogan's, Clarkes, O'Briens and Bradys were to the fore. Amazingly one year is the early 60s, it could have been '60 or '61, we had no team. After about 12 months or so a few of us got together and put things back in motion. Our first game was against Shercock in the league and leaving that day we only had 11 players. Luckily for us we picked up another 5 on the way. We actually played 16 that day and it was not even noticed. By the end of the year we had a panel of around 27. The following, some have gone to their eternal rest, were very much involved. Jimmy Reilly, Seamus Reilly, Charlie Reilly, Paddy Caffrey, Kenny Fox, Larry Lynch, Pat McKenna, Eddie Caffrey, Joe Lynch, Andy McKenna, Jude Daly, Leo McKenna, Michael McLoughlin, John Sheridan, Jim Clarke, Packie Sheridan, Barney Dalton, Michael Fitzsimons, Matty Carolan, Peter Daly, Bernard Smith, Nolie Dalton, Peter Flanagan, PJ Daly and John McKenna. Nowadays, people look out for great goalscorers like our neighbour Ollie Murphy, or the style of such as Padraig Joyce, the power of Anthony Tohill. During the late 50s and early 60s the clean catcher like Mick O'Connell took the eye. Another big attraction for spectators was the long kicker from the ground. Remember in those days we had the old leather ball and it took an expert kicker to get it out beyond midfield. Our own Ronan Carolan has one of the longest kicks of a 'dead ball' around. I do not know if Ronan ever entered a competition for a 'long kick' but I am sure he would be going into the winners enclosure. It was always an eye opener for me to watch those 'dead ball' experts. Usually the full back who let the goalie place the ball after a score or a wide and then gave it one hell of a belt down the field, bits of muck and grass flying in its wake. Back in the 50s I particularly remember a competition to see who could drive the ball the farthest off the ground in the club. Gene McCabe could drive it all of 70 yards while Owen Daly was there or there abouts. But the 'bould' Seamus Reilly was the longest kicker Mullagh football ever had. Seamus was usually full back and took all the kick outs. With Seamus around there was never the question of a back having to look out for the kick out and seldom the midfield had to be on guard for it either as it always landed on the half forward line. Seamus' two sons Jimmy and Fergus have likewise given the club outstanding service for many years now. Jimmy is our long standing goalkeeper and has always served the lads well with his kick out. A real 'chip off the ould block'. - J.C. Tweet

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