At the start of the football season it did not seem at all likely that the Cavan Gaels minors would experience the excitement or joy of winning any title in 2002. And their league form seemed to indicate that as they lost to Drumalee, Lavey and Castlerahan which put them out of contention for minor league honours on this occasion. However, there was a reason for this poor league form with the club having so many of their players injured or suspended, and they had to field understrength sides in their league games. It is to the credit of the players and their team-management that they came back so strong in the championship, claiming an historic five-in-a-row titles and ending the season on a very high note for the town club. In the opening round of the championship (Division One) they got a bye, and their next game was a clash with Lurgan, fancied by many to do well. However, the young Gaels 'rose to the occasion' in style and were well worth their 0-11 to 0-5 success in a very competitive game played at the Killygarry venue. By virtue of this success they were through to yet another minor championship decider with Cormore Gaels (an amalgamation of Gowna and Arva clubs) their opponents. County final The final was played late in the season at Annalee Park in Ballyhaise before a large crowd. It proved a very exciting final with the outcome in doubt right up to the final whistle. In the end the Cavan Gaels side 'held their nerve' and went on to record a fully deserved but close victory on a scoreline of 0-9 to 1-3. The excitement and sheer joy experienced by all the players, management and supporters will no doubt remain in the hearts and minds of all concerned when the final whistle was blown and the minor football title was back in Cavan town for yet another season! Historic occasion This was truly an historic occasion and the basis for this success was the sheer dedication and hunger of all the players concerned. Indeed, many of these talented young players have a bright future in the game, and will be the backbone of future Cavan Gaels senior sides in the future. All have contributed to this deserved championship success and I suppose it is appropriate that we should mention them by name and their contributions as well. The goalkeeper Charles Halligan has an outstanding season and is really blossoming into a top-class custodian. He was fronted by tenacious defenders in John Reilly, Joe Dunne, Liam Rabbitte, Francis Graham, Ciaran McGlade and Joe Kenny all who were on top of their form, especially in the championship campaign. The real bonus for the team was the hugely improved performances from the midfield duo of Edward O'Hanlon and Alan O'Riordan which contributed to a large extent to the ultimate championship success. They were on top in this vital sector in the county final in what was their best game of the season. In the attack we had outstanding contributions from 'man of the match' in the championship final, Sean Johnston - a tremendous talent who has already played senior championship football with the club, and was a member of both the county minor and under-21 teams in 2002. Also worthy of mention is the contribution of the vastly improved Ciaran Flynn, Gearoid Collins, Stephen Maguire, Ciaran Graham and of course, another county minor in Michael Cooke. They are all talented players, with a great hunger for success. A number of the substitutes made great contributions to the side over the season including Dessie Scanlon, Killian Phair, Damien Brady and Michael Meehan. Ulster club setback On December 14th last, in a pulsating quarter-final in the Ulster Club Minor Football Championship the Cavan Gaels were narrowly defeated by the Monaghan title-holders, Clon-tibret on a scoreline of 1-8 to 1-6. This defeat was all the more disappointing when it was realised in later weeks that the Clontibret side went on to claim the provincial title outright defeating a fancied Armagh Harps side in a one-sided decider by a whopping 14 points!!! It was only in the closing minutes of the quarter-final game played at Shaw's Road, Belfast that the Monaghan side got their noses in front, and even in the dying seconds the Cavan Gaels side almost got a dramatic winner. Overall, the players have had a very enjoyable season culminating in their championship success. The attitude and commitment of all involved players and mentors, especially for the championship was first-class and went a long way in annexing the championship title. These young players have a taste for success at present and want more, and all in all it augurs well for the future of Cavan Gaels club at U-21 and senior ranks in the coming years. Special mention In conclusion, special mention must be given to the dedicated and totally committed management duo of Juvenile Club Chairman Finian Farrell and Michael Graham jnr. They had worked hard with the players over a long season, and had the 'team right' physically and mentally for the championship final - for that alone they deserve a lot of credit! Memorable season for underage teams 2002 proved an outstanding season for the Cavan Gaels underage teams with success coming from both ends of the spectrum ranging from U-10 to minor grades. The season got off to a great start with the U-10 side capturing the Community Games title defeating Lurgan in the final for the first time since 1992. This was a very satisfying result and augurs well for the future of football in the town club. The young players did themselves and their club proud by the standard of football they displayed, and great credit is due to their management team of Michael Graham, snr., Hugh Reilly and Damien Brady. The side was captained by Paul Graham, having been together for over a year and in preparation for the competition trained three times a week - an exceptional effort given that many of them were as young as seven years of age. In the Community Games Ulster semi-final in Enniskillen, the Cavan Gaels side were drawn against the Down champions, and despite being short a number of key players due to holidays they put up a creditable performance going under by a couple of points. And the success continued at U-12 and U-13 levels when under the astute management of J. J. Reilly, John Fee, Jerome Kellegher and Tommy Smith they proved the leading club side in the county at these grades. In the U-12 Final replay, they defeated an equally talented Kingscourt Stars side in what was a memorable decider which 'went down to the wire'. The drawn game was a classic, and the large attendance in Kingspan/Breffni Park, Cavan were treated to a veritable feast of football with all the skills to the fore. In the end in a see-saw struggle, honours ended even, and all agreed that both sides deserved a second chance, given the wretched conditions the game was played under. The replay was moved from Kingspan/Breffni Park, Cavan to Ramor Park, Virginia. This was as exciting as the drawn encounter, and despite the wet conditions both teams 'rose to the occasion'. It looked as if Kingscourt had the edge, but Cavan Gaels refused to yield, and emerged winners in a titanic struggle by a single point. The six year gap had been bridged since this title came to the Cavan town club - the joy of the Cavan Gaels players was unconfined. No doubt, this season's U-13 campaign will be an interesting one. Under-13 campaign After the disappointment of losing out in the final to Bailieborough Shamrocks in the 2001 U-12 decider, hopes were high in the Cavan Gaels camp they could go one better at U-13 level in 2002. In the opening rounds against Castlerahan and Bailieborough Shamrocks in Ballyjamesduff and Terry Coyle Park, Cavan the Cavan Gaels side showed they were a side of huge potential, easily outclassing the opposition. They were worthy finalists, and once again Kingscourt Stars stood between them and another title. Unlike the U-12 decider, this final proved something of an anti-climax. The Gaels players were up for the game right form the start, and try as they might the Kingscourt Stars side couldn't get into the game. In the end, they completely overwhelmed a gallant Kingscourt Stars side, and the disappointment of losing last season at this grade was erased in no uncertain manner. They showed in this campaign they will take some stopping in 2003 at U-14 level, if the players remained focussed and go about their business in the proper manner. They have set their own standards, and if they adhere to them in the future they will be hard to stop! Tweet

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