Due to circumstances beyond their control, Belturbet weren't firing on all cylinders for their crucial 2003 senior football championship quarter-final meeting with Cavan Gaels. In spite of this, the Rory O'Moores almost pulled off a famous victory before falling marginally short on the wrong end of a 1-10 to 0-10 scoreline. It was a gallant effort from the Belturbet men and clearly indicates that they will be a force to be reckoned with in coming years. Had they enjoyed a bit more luck on the injury front in '03, Stephen King's side could quite easily have gone on to finish top of the pile. Certainly, the management team of King, Declan O'Reilly and Barry Lawlor prepared the team meticulously. No stone was left unturned and the objective was to give the SFC a right rattle ... which they did, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, there are variables that cannot be accounted for as part and parcel of team preparations and it was these factors that ultimately contributed to Belturbet's championship downfall at the hands of the eventual champions (Gaels went on to beat Gowna in the semi-final and Mullahoran in the county decider). One can't help but wonder how far an injury-free Belturbet might have progressed. However, there's a time and place for such speculation and this is NOT it! In the Cavan Yearbook we deal with the facts. And the fact of the matter is that despite playing impressively - often against the odds - Belturbet came unstuck at the quarter-final stage. Looking back on the campaign, selector Declan O'Reilly admits to having mixed emotions. He's happy with the spirit shown by the team, but a little disappointed that they didn't progress further in the premier competition. Over to Declan: "I suppose it's fair to say that while we're not entirely happy with how the year went, we're not exactly despondent either. The team shaped up well and we genuinely believe we could have gone further but for a spate of injuries at the worst possible time. We have a small panel at the best of times, so a few injuries always leave us under strength. It was disappointing that the injuries had to occur when they did, because up until then we were going well and the plan was to peak for the quarter-final." As it was, the Maroon & Whites were fighting an uphill battle before the ball was even thrown in for that game. The sense of frustration is almost palpable: "It wasn't so much the result we were disappointed with. We were more disappointed with the injuries that deprived us of some key players and left us with an even smaller pick than usual for our biggest game of the year," Declan confirms. "Compared to a lot of other senior clubs in the county, we have a small panel to start with, but injury left us with only 17 or 18 fellas togged out for the Cavan Gaels game. Clearly, that's not ideal for a championship quarter-final. We were down to our bare bones. In fairness, though, the lads we had played extremely well and were unlucky not to get a result." After enduring some relegation dogfights in recent seasons, some people might be inclined to think that Belturbet are doing well to merely consolidate their senior status, but this outlook is not reflected in and around Rory O'Moore Park. Rather, those who guide the club's fortunes are seeking a senior breakthrough. Says the 2002/03 selector: "We geared our whole efforts in 2003 towards the championship and we were definitely intent on making an impact. Stephen invested a phenomenal effort into preparing the team and they were coming to their peak at just the right time. They really were starting to look the part and we thought we were in with a shout ... but then the injuries hit." JJ Murphy was one of the unfortunates who sustained a bad injury. His brother Paul was also injured, but manfully took to the field for the SFC quarter-final and actually put in a terrific performance. Jason Reilly also carried an ankle injury in against Cavan, while Killian McDwyer was forced out of the game at a vital stage. Amazingly, Belturbet still pushed their more fancied opponents all the way and were decidedly unfortunate to go under by a goal. Having rattled Cavan Gaels with a team of walking wounded, Belturbet realised that they could well have progressed to the last four had they been at full strength. "That's the biggest disappointment," Declan continues. "If we had been beaten with our full team then we could have no complaints and it would have been a lot easier to take. But circumstances that were beyond our control conspired against us. "I felt sorry for Stephen [King] because the work he did with the team was exceptional. He put everything into preparing a team that would peak at the right time and all that work was undone by bad luck. Afterwards people said that the game turned on two goal chances - one they scored and one we missed. That's how close we came to beating them. It's very frustrating but there's nothing we can do about it now..." Belturbet have been senior since winning the intermediate championship in 1996 (hot on the heels of their '95 junior championship heist). They are no longer content to simply hold their own at the top table, as they boast players capable of capturing senior silverware. "The club is aiming for more than just survival," says Butlersbridge native Declan O'Reilly. "We have some superb players. In a lot of positions, we have players who are at least as good if not better than most other clubs in the county. "And Stephen King is doing a great job with them. I'd like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Stephen. We both started playing with the Cavan minors together - Thomas McDermott used to bring the two of us to all the matches - and I could see back then the commitment and drive that would make him a great footballer. "He has the same fierce determination as a manager and he's also going to go on to be one of the top managers in the business. He's very calm on the line and reads the game really well - I can see him going all the way in GAA management. I sincerely hope he does so." Prior to joining Stephen as a senior team selector for the 2002 campaign, Declan spent four years coaching underage teams within the club. During that time, he has witnessed at first hand the tremendous work being invested behind the scenes. He notes: "I think the biggest challenge facing the GAA is to start looking after the people in the background, the people who keep the Association up and running with their endless endeavour and sacrifice - the people who look after the pitches and the clubhouses, the underage coaches, the committees. "There are so many unsung heroes and the GAA should start to acknowledge their contribution. We're very lucky with the great people we have behind the club here in Belturbet - great servants who should be looked after better. Without them the GAA would be nothing. "There's a big emphasis on looking after players but there's no danger of a shortage of players within the GAA. It's administrators and groundsman who are thin on the ground. They do so much work, which is not only unseen but also unappreciated." Declan hints that after six years involved in team management he may take a backseat in 2004 and spend more time watching his own sons develop as players, something he hasn't really had time to do up until now. He says he thoroughly enjoyed his involvement with both the juvenile and senior teams, in particular working alongside Stephen King and Barry Lawlor, both of whom taught him a great deal. Reflecting on the past couple of seasons, he states: "I think the team has made progress, and that's the most important thing. We haven't won any major honours yet, but hopefully that'll come. The big trophies are now within grasping distance and I think the players realise that. We're genuine contenders now and if a few more lads break through we'll be even stronger." Looking to 2004? "I think Belturbet are now up there in the handful of teams that can win the Cavan senior football championship. We beat Gowna in the championship in 2002 and we ran Mullahoran within a couple of points. And we came within a goal of Cavan Gaels this year - so Belturbet are certainly one of the teams that nobody wants to play." All-Ireland glory for O'Moores Belturbet Rory O'Moores were celebrating after being crowned 2004 All-Ireland Scor na nOg champions earlier this year. The national final took place at Athlone IT on the Saturday evening of February 21st and the Cavan and Ulster representatives came out on top against opponents from Kerry, Wexford and Leitrim to claim All-Ireland distinction. A large Belturbet/Cavan contingent travelled to the midlands venue for the final and enthusiastically celebrated the O'Moores' remarkable success. Though Readoiri titles had previously been gleaned, this was the first time a Cavan team had managed to win in the Ceile Dancing section. The winning Belturbet Rory O'Moores team was: Maria Fitzpatrick, Suzanne Costello, Bronagh Fitzgerald, Kelly O'Reilly, Ciara Brady, Katie Murray, Claire Monaghan and Grace McDonald. Anna and Sonia Leonard acted as trainers. Tremendous support and encouragement were also received from county Scor chairman Paddy McDermott and Rory O'Moores GFC. There were big celebrations in Belturbet when the team arrived home with the silverware on the Saturday night. Tweet

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