Contesting any final in a year is sufficient pride and achievement for most clubs, but to contest every final in the county from U-14, 16, 18, 21, junior and senior (a total of eight in all), is a message of such strong proportions that all other clubs in the Breffni area will have noticed with awe and some trepidation. By Tony Dunne. Eight finals contested, winning the U-14 championship, minor championship, junior championship, senior league and championship, and missing out on U-16, U-21 and Junior League final. Indeed on further scrutiny, the losses at both junior and U-21 were by a single point while the U-16s went under to a much fancied, Castlerahan by just a handful of points. Considering that many of that same U-16 squad is underage again next year, then surely further titles look set to be Cavan Town bound. It is generally accepted within the club that the great work done over the past number of years has yielded the results of the present day. The Gaels were the first club in the county to set the scene of the club fostering a youth policy when they set up an underage committee in the late seventies. The vision of people like J. J. Reilly and Tony Looney were not deterred by the notion that it was unpopular to coach players as young as 12 and 14 on a regular basis. The fruits of the efforts has blossomed to such an extent that all clubs throughout Cavan have now underage structures in place. Saturday morning at Terry Coyle Park is a veritable habitat of juvenile players from U-8 upwards all displaying their skills as they are brought to their routines. J. J. has continued his with his ambition of coaching and along with brother Paddy, Finian Farrell, Michael Graham snr., John Fee, Martin Maguire, Tommy Smith, Jerome Kellegher, Ronan McDermott, Hugh Reilly, Joe O'Connor and former Sligo, Cavan and Leitrim County Manager, P. J. Carroll all ensuring that the "production line" is in top working order. Smooth transition The efforts of underage coaching has paid a rich dividend to the town club with the underage dominance fostering a winning feeling which has transferred itself into the senior arena. Over the past four years, the club has won two senior football titles and three senior leagues. They have contested the last four championship finals, a mark of consistency which makes them a force to be reckoned with. At minor level, their record is formidable. Under the stewardship of Finian Farrell the town club have won the last six minor championship titles, a feat that speaks volumes for the work done throughout the underage levels. Many of the present senior side have progressed through the underage structure and with such a rich vein of talent at their disposal the Gaels look like a force to be reckoned with for many seasons to come. Final defeat The championship final defeat by Gowna in 2002 was to prove to be a catalyst to the town club. While it was felt that the defeat was a combination of factors it was felt however, that a change might benefit the club so a new chairman and team management were sought. Local businessman and former Gaels and Cavan senior football star, Aidan Elliott was to take over the stewardship of the club and with his business approach broke with protocol and decided to take on the services of an outside manager. Elliott wasted no time in gaining the services of former Monaghan senior football stalwart, Gerry McCarville whose pedigree of having won Ulster senior football titles, a national football league title with Monaghan and an impressive fourteen Monaghan senior club football championships and an Ulster club title with his home club, Scotstown came with a glowing reference. It was evident from the early meetings that the teak tough Monaghan man was eager to restore the fortunes of the town club. The management team was complete with the appointment of Ballyhaise man, Aidan Watters as trainer and former Gaels player, Charlie O'Donoghue as selector. With the management team in place the club were still seeking to gain the edge and acquired the services of two new players, county senior football star, Anthony Forde and county minor star, Michael Lyng. Both these players were to prove to be the deciding asset in many of the tight championship encounters to follow. Lyng, was to prove to be vital player for both the senior and minor squads as they took league and championship honours. The new team management were quick to see the result of their pre-season work as they recorded an away win over Ballymachugh in the first round of the league. The Gaels were to finish top of the league only losing out to Gowna and Crosserlough and dropping a point to Killygarry. In the quarter final of the league, the Gaels were to overcome old rivals Gowna and went on to account for Mullahoran in the league semi-final. Crosserlough were to prove to be worthy challengers in the final but even without the services of captain, James Doonan and the suspended Eamon Reilly, the town club were victorious by a single point on the scoreline of 0-12 to 1-8. The contribution of Anthony Forde to the game saw him receive 'man of the match' award. Championship The Championship had an early start, commencing on 4th May when the Gaels had the very difficult opening first round against Crosserlough at Kingspan Breffni Park. A scintillating display by the every improving and impressive Sean Johnston who recorded 2-3 on the day saw the Gaels safely over the first championship hurdle with a two point victory (2-6 to 1-7). With the Gaels safely out of the 'blocks', Ballymachugh were the opponents in the next game but the Gaels brushed aside their threat and recorded a resounding victory on the scoreline of 5-16 to 0-5. Once again, Sean Johnston was proving to be one the county's top marksmen when he accounted for 2-8 of the final tally. With the Gaels gaining in momentum, Lacken were also well beaten when they succumbed to the town team's attack who recorded 2-17 to 0-10 victory. Paul O'Donnell was to prove to be top marksman on this day with a personal tally of 1-5. The quarter-final was to prove to be one of the toughest games of the championship, when the Gaels took on another town team in the form of Belturbet. This was to prove to be torrid affair for the town side as they failed to take a grip on proceedings and for long periods were outplayed by west Cavan side. A narrow victory 1-10 to 0-10 was hard earned but the loss of the talented Sean Johnston, who received a broken collar bone which was to sideline him for the remainder of the championship was a dent on the aspirations of the Gaels championship hopes. With the absence of Johnston, the Gaels drew Gowna in the semi-final, a game many felt would have been the final. In a teak tough and tight encounter, the town side had to play the second-half with fourteen men after referee, Joe McQuillan red carded Cormac Nelligan. It took an injury time free from 35 metres by the cool headed Anthony Forde to draw the game and give the Gaels another chance to make it to the final. In the replay the following week, Martin Brady, took a stern grip on proceedings and sidelined two Gowna players. From the start in this game, the Gaels showed the greater hunger and with Tommy McCormick causing the Gowna defence many problems, the town side ran out deserved winners by 1-10 to 0-8 and secured their final place. In a county final played before a large attendance, Mullahoran, refused to be intimidated by the Gael's reputation and provided a stern test for the town team. The difference on the day was the ability of the Gaels to score goals, and with Mickey Graham leading by example, the title was back in the Breffni capital with a 3-6 to 1-8 win. Graham was duly awarded 'man of the match' on final day. The only drawback on a day of celebration was the injury sustained by Sean Johnston who had been introduced midway through the first half but in a bad fall re-broke his collar bone. This injury was to have repercussions as it sidelined him for another three months and saw him losing out in the U-21 final. Ulster Club Donegal champions, Four Masters travelled to Kingspan Breffni Park for the opening encounter of the Ulster Club championship. The Gaels had to settle for a draw 0-9 each and in the replay in Ballybofey they were without the services of Mickey Graham and Sean Johnston. A combination of factors on the day saw the Cavan side lose out by two points 0-11 to 0-13. This defeat was a huge disappointment to the club and to many Gaels' followers, a missed opportunity to perform at the highest level. Hopefully, the club will get a chance to compete once again at this level and with all players available could be serious contenders for provincial honours. U-21 In football, the old tag of 'sure thing' was exposed for the charoltane it is, as the Gaels with easy victories over Lacken and St. Mary's in the early stages, and a tight encounter with Lurgan in the semi-final looked set to take honours even against the formidable Cormore Gaels who were to be the opposition in the final. In game played in the early part of December in Ballinagh, the town team lost out by a single point. Their lack of scoring power was the main reason for this defeat not to mention that Gowna star, Gerald Pierson's magnificent 45 metre against wind in injury time, was the dividing factor. Reserve Championship The Gaels were to prove final material again in this competition. With a quarter final victory over Drumgoon, they took on Bailieboro and in the semi-final in a game which ended in a draw, an off-the-ball incident saw the towering Gaels midfielder, Ed O'Hanlon sustaining a broken jaw. In the replay, the Gaels made no mistake when they easily accounted for the east Cavan side by 1-11 to 0-8. Crosserlough were to provide the opposition for the final and in a game played on day before the senior final, the town side looked to have victory secured until referee awarded rather bizarrely a penalty for a pick-up in the large parallelogram. Seizing the opportunity and with time running out, Crosserlough's Karl Kelly converted the spot kick to give them a one point victory 1-8 to 1-9. In the the league, the Gaels were determined not to make amends for their championship defeat and were never troubled by any opposition. They easily accounted for Killinkere in the final on a scoreline of 0-13 to 0-7. This victory was the first time the club had won this competition since the late eighties, when reserve team selector, Johnny Farrelly was a team member. Underage Once again the club's underage structure yielded a rich harvest of reward. From the youngest players at under 8 up to minor a great effort was put in by the respective team managements. The preparatory work done at u-8 by Martin Maguire, Ronan McDermott and Paddy Reilly ensures that even at this young age, the fundamentals of Gaelic football are imbued into their young psyche. The U-10 section which is run by Michael Graham snr., and Damien Brady achieved success in winning the inaugural Hughie Smith Perpetual Cup tournament hosted by the club by beating Meath side, Drumconrath in the final. Teams from Monaghan, Meath and Cavan took part in this efficiently run event. Under the management of Joe O'Connor and Hugh O'Reilly the U-12 side showed great improvement making it to the semi-final of the league. It was the U-12 side that produced, what many agree, was the most thrilling encounter at Terry Coyle Park all year when they overcame the a strong Laragh side, in extra time by one point in a play-off to progress to the semi-final. In the semi-final the Gaels were defeated by Bailieboro who went to win the final. At U-14 level, the club reached a pinnacle of success under the guidance of J. J. Reilly, John Fee, Jerome Kellegher and Tommy Smith when they captured the league title, championship crown, county feile, Ulster Feile and reaching the All Ireland semi-final in Division 2 losing out in extra time to eventual winners Dunboyne. The U-15 side which made up the bulk of the U-16 squad won the U-15 Og Sport Seven - a - side competition. The Gaels had little difficulty in reaching the final where their opponents were Castlerahan. In a one-sided affair, the Gaels spurred on by some delightful scoring by Martin Dunne ran out easy winners. Representing Cavan in the Ulster U-15 sevens which was held in Warrenpoint, Co. Down, the town boys reached the semi-final but lost out for a place in the final on scoring averages. In the Plate competition, the homeside accounted for the challenge of the Gaels in the final. With many of the Gaels' players carrying injuries into this final, the odds were always stacked against them. Most notable amongst the injured list was inspirational player and team captain Sean Higgins who was carrying an injury from the opening game of the tournament against Fermanagh champions, Tempo. With many of the U-15 side making it through to the under sixteen ranks. Playing the top flight in the league, the Gaels reached the semi-final where they took on old rivals Crosserlough. In a tight first half, the Gaels were very much in contention at the interval when trailing by just two points. In the second-half a lapse of concentration allowed the 'old enemy' into for a few scores which allowed the Crosserlough boys grow in confidence and run out worthy winners. Having suffered the disappointment of losing out in the league, a determined effort was made the management team of Mick Graham snr., Martin Dunne and P. J. Carroll to try and win the championship. The opening round of the championship was a dreaded draw away from home against the formidable Bailieborough Shamrocks. A big effort from all the top players set the foundations for victory and while the homeside made a spirited comeback the Gaels boys were not be denied this great victory. Buoyed with the spirit of win, both players and management were eagerly awaiting the semi-final clash against a Crosserlough side who had already beaten the town side twice in the league. Led by team captain, Michael 'Stick' Meehan, the Gaels gave a virtuoso display to account convincingly for a talented Crosserlough side. Big displays from some of the younger players, like Christopher Quinn, Martin Dunne, Sean Higgins, and Gerry Reilly helped forge the Gaels path into the final with a meeting against odds on favourites Castlerahan. Played at Kingspan Breffni Park, the Gaels were not overawed by their more experienced opponents and in a thriller put Castlerahan under severe pressure but some defensive blunders gave the initiative to the opposition. A great rally by the town youngsters had the leeway reduced to manageable proportions with just ten minutes remaining. The Gaels failed to hold their composure in front of the Castlerahan goal in those final ten minutes and allowed what could have been a victory slip from their grasp. Even in defeat, the Gaels can take comfort from the fact that this side has many of its players available again next season and should be a force to reckon with. Minor The minor team was to prove to be the star story of the club's season. A team that throughout its four year rise to this stage had failed to win a championship match, broke all the moulds and won the minor double in exciting fashion. This amazing transformation is in no short way down to the player's attitude and a strong management team of Finian Farrell, Michael Graham jnr., and Michael Flynn. The league campaign kicked off with a draw against Kingscourt in Terry Coyle Park. This game proved to be launching pad to league success as the team blitzed their way to the final and ultimate success against Drumalee - the first part of the minor double. With five minor championship titles in row behind them, the Gaels were now set to make an onslaught on the 2003 competition and try to win a record breaking six in a row. The route to championship success was to severely test the town boys as they encountered neighbours, Drumalee, in a quarter final clash. Dismissing the challenge of their neighbours, the Gaels had the unfortunate task of having to do it all again in the semi-final against the same opposition. Showing true character and great discipline on the day, the town boys emerged worthy winners. With a final place booked against a much fancied St. Mary's team, the town team were anxious to complete their double. In a display of great teamwork, the Gaels recorded a record breaking sixth minor title in a row. However, once again, just the like senior side, Ulster proved to be a stumbling block when they went out of the Ulster minor club championship to Tyrone side, Cookstown by 0-8 to 0-3. Having lost a man just after fourteen minutes, the town side never seemed to be able to retrieve the initiative and had to accept their early exit. Active Club While the focus of attention was deservedly placed on the achievements of the various teams and team managements, it would be hard to ignore the contribution of the executive and the many voluntary workers in the club. Club chairman, Aidan Elliott, in his first season at the helm, has shown vision and determination. A shrewd business man, he will not see 2003 as his accomplishment and will be driving the club towards further success in 2004. His aim of winning another senior championship title will be foremost in his drive and his outlook that a Cavan club could and should win a provincial title will help keep his drive alive. The great work by an exceedingly efficient club secretary, Mark Gillick was carried out for the most part in the background but his work throughout the club in 2003 was unquantifiable. The Gaels have always been blessed with good administrators throughout the years and dedicated clubmen, and this is accurately portrayed in the embodiment of the club's vice chairman, Frank Farrell. Frank, continues the tradition of one of the country's longest serving bingo 'callers' and is ably supported by other club stalwarts, J. J., Paddy, Haulie and Eugene O'Reilly, all championship winners in the seventies along with current PRO Philip Finnegan and county board delegate Dominic Brady. Active support from club treasurer, John Duffy, county team hurling manager, Tom Walsh have all help to ensure that the club have a viable financial base to work from. 2004 This is a year when the town club will be hoping to retain the senior football championship, something they have not done since 1977/78 winning teams. With the inaugural launching of the South Ulster football league consisting of teams from Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh and Armagh, it is a great opportunity for clubs to embrace the atmosphere of Ulster football. The return of Nicholas Walsh from Australia is another great boost to the town team as this young man who had a two year stint in professional ranks with Melbourne should prove to a tremendous asset. With the return of the talented and arguably one of Cavan's most talented forwards, Sean Johnston, the Gaels look to be in a healthy state to challenge for further honours this year. In a year gone by, the success of the town team has seen former stalwarts walk with pride. People like Bridgie Murray, (a true Gael' s supporter), Tommy Monaghan, Sean Galligan, Inky Sheridan, Cathal Young, P. J. Carroll, Paddy Murray and Lightning Murray to mention but a few will be hoping that their prolonged 'love affair' with the town club continues on a successful note. Tweet

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