The difficulties which were associated with Ballinagh football club during the 2008 season should not hide what this club is really about or what they have achieved over the past number of seasons. Under the guidance of former Cavan inter-county stalwart, Bernard Morris and his management team of Willie Reilly and Sean Finnegan, Ballinagh as a football club rose from Division 2 to Division 1 in a meteoric rise. During their run to Division 1, Morris blended a youthful side that proved capable of competing and producing an exciting brand of open and skilful football along the way. Indeed, many footballer followers anticipated that they could seriously challenge for senior championship honours. However, this was not to be, as the club, instead found itself fighting a rearguard action at county board level from incidents which occurred off-pitch, but to their credit, Ballinagh emerged with their dignity intact and a determination to provide Cavan club football with an alternative challenger for top senior honours in the 2009 season. Unfortunately, the off-field negotiations did little to boost their 2008 chances and Ballinagh made a rather tame exit from the championship at the hands of Castlerahan. According to the team manager Bernard Morris, when asked what he thought were the reasons for their exit from the 2008 championship, he simply refused to allow any negative talk as an excuse but was more direct when saying: "We have played and won for the past number of years, and while we were gathering a momentum to our game this year, having beaten the Gaels early on in the league, the exit from the championship, in my view, was really down to a game too far. We needed a break, something we were not afforded as we were competing in the All Ireland club Intermediate championship, where we progressed to the All Ireland semi-final. We made our exit from the competition at this stage and it was just six weeks before we were back in action in the Cavan senior football league. It was a big ask of these young players, many of whom were also in third level education and were now back at the studies. The non-stop regime really is what, in my opinion, took its inevitable toll on the players in the end." Under the stewardship of Bernard, Ballinagh have shown and proved that they have now become a force within football in the Breffni County. Having won the Cavan Intermediate football championship in 2007 they set out in pursuit firstly for an Ulster crown in that grade which they achieved in an historic victory over Dunloy from Antrim. This victory saw them etch their own piece of historical folklore as they were the first Cavan team to win an Ulster title under the present championship set-up. The beginning of 2008 saw them take on Fingal Ravens from Dublin and in an exciting and tense game, Ballinagh were edged out of a place in the final. To gather a sense of what Ballinagh are really about and how they approached their difficulties in 2008, you will have to look no further than their forthright an honest chairman, John Keating. John, who is a native of Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford, displays a commitment and belief in his adopted club more akin to a native of the area. When you listen to John speak about Ballinagh, you are left in no doubt, that this adopted son of the locality, who is in Cavan for the past nineteen years, is a 'Ballinagh man' true and true. He speaks with passion, pride and a great deal of commitment. His sense of belief and faith in the people of the locality is embedded in his rhetoric. The sense of pride at what has been achieved by the people at the club and his praise for both the committees and players is unquestionable and unshakeable. "I think that it is now time to put all negativity behind us and concentrate on what we are really about, producing a strong football club, which will be a credit and sense of pride to all the people of Ballinagh. Indeed if you look at what has been achieved at Ballinagh since 2006 it is indeed impressive and worthy of note. We won promotion out of Division 2 in 2005 and in 2007 won the Cavan Intermediate football championship, reversing the result of the 2006 championship. We also went on to win the Cavan senior football league beating the might of Gowna. This was a wonderful achievement as many pundits gave us very little chance in this game against the power of Gowna. However, the belief and talent at the club had other ideas and went on to record a famous senior victory for the club. We continued on our winning ways for the remainder of the 2007 season, defeating Dunloy of Antrim in the final of the Ulster club Intermediate championship. We also won the Cavan U21 Division 2 championship in 2006. So all in all the progress of the club has indeed been impressive and something to be proud of. This is what should be foremost in the minds of football pundits when looking at Ballinagh," stated the chairman. "When you look at Ballinagh as a football club, it is hard to escape from the fact that we are building a young and talented outfit. This has been in the process for the past two years, and under the guidance of team manager, Bernard Morris and his management team of Willie Reilly and Sean Finnegan, many of the young minors of two years ago are now accepted regulars on this present side. Indeed, the management team are not adverse to introducing some of our more talented present day minors into the senior fold thus ensuring a good supply of talented young players to help build up a strong squad. We have players of the calibre of Padraig Reilly, who is a member of the Cavan senior football team, Anthony Gaynor, who many people feel should be on the Cavan senior team, Niall McDermott, David Finnegan, Niall McInerney, Colin Gumley, Patrick Carroll, Terry Smith, Kevin Smith and Thomas Moore, all young men. Our 'older' players are also well under the thirty mark. Players like Darragh McCarthy, Paul Galligan, the Maguire brothers, Declan Baird and the Brady brothers have all contributed to making the present Ballinagh team an exciting and winning combination. When you look at the age profile of the present senior team and the exciting prospects at minor level, it is hard not to feel enthusiastic about the future. This kind of enthusiasm generated by the players of all teams and the hard-working coaches and committee members help put in perspective the negativity of the early part of this year. The fostering of a good environment for Gaelic games is visible and paramount at the club," stated John. When speaking about the juvenile section of Ballinagh football club, the chairman was quick to point out that words would in his opinion be inadequate to compliment the coaches and people at all levels of the underage structure. "We always had an underage section at the club and over the many years a great deal of committed and dedicated Ballinagh people gave of their time and experience to help formulate what is now in-situ at Ballinagh. During 2007 we encouraged young players to come and participate in coaching sessions on a Saturday. The main purpose was to put in place an under eight team which would pave the way for the U10s. The response was go great, that we even have young children as young as four coming on a Saturday morning to the club grounds. It is not an uncommon sight to see upwards of seventy children, both boys and girls, enjoying the Saturday morning sessions. The calibre of people we have coaching at underage level, is indicative of where this club are hoping to go in the future. We have players and ex-players involved in coaching. Presently, the U8s to U10s are under the guidance of senior goalkeeper, Darragh McCarthy, Raymond Finnegan, Colm Finnegan and Rory Brennan. Rory is also a playing member of the senior team. We have taken part in many of the club blitzes throughout the county during 2008 and while this exercise is not about winning but fostering a love for the game, then I feel we have achieved that concept at this level. At U12 level we made it to the semi-finals of the Roinn B only to lose out to neighbours, Lacken, who went on to win the title. This was a tremendous achievement for us and the team's coaches, Shane Devine, Padraig McCabe and Padraig Kellegher. We also made it to the final of the U-13 Roinn C championship only to lose out to Drumlane. Our U14s found the going tough in Roinn B but with many of that side still eligible next year, it should not prove to be such a daunting task. "No doubt their coaching staff of James Dorneen, Damien O'Reilly, John Keating, Shane Devine, Padraig McCabe and Padraig Kellegher will be looking to go one better next time. The commitment and input from our present day players can be seen to its full benefit with Darragh McCarthy, Colin Gumley junior and Anthony Duffy working with our U16 squad. Our minors who made it to the semi-final of the Division 2 championship where they lost out to Lavey are coached by Declan Baird, Brian Gumley junior, and Jarlath McDermott, with Declan and Brian members of the present senior squad. With that kind of commitment coming from so many of the present senior squads, we hope that their enthusiasm will be both infectious and inspirational to all the young hopefuls at the club," stated John. John who it has already been mentioned hails from that Munster bastion of hurling, Waterford, had little difficulty in helping to promote camogie at the club. The response to the promotion of camogie was truly magnificent stated John. "We made it to the final of the senior B camogie final only to lose out to Crosserlough in replay. The drawn game was certainly a thriller while the replay was equally as exciting. Both teams produced some excellent camogie but it was Crosserlough's day as they edged us out by a single goal, 3-6 to 2-6. The sides were level with just a few minutes left, when Crosserlough got the all important winning score. With the score coming so late in the game we had no time to respond and had to accept defeat. No doubt, this group of players will be seeking to emulate their male counterparts in the coming seasons and add silverware to their credit. This great achievement in getting to a final and taking it to a replay was due in many ways to the work put in by Louise Maguire, Siobhan Finnegan and Theresa Gumley," stated a proud club chairman. Off the field Ballinagh have been setting their own pace with a state of the art astro turf playing facility. "This facility came on stream towards the end of 2007 and is now open to the public. The club also use it for circuit training. This project has now being fully utilized is of tremendous importance to the club. We have been extremely fortunate that over the past three years, we had very supportive sponsors in Sean and Colette Bogue of Comar Properties. I know that I speak on behalf of all at the club in extending our greatest appreciation to them and their company for their valued sponsorship. Also we would like to thank the senior team management of Bernard Morris, Willie Reilly and Sean Finnegan. The acquiring of a senior championship title would be a great bonus to the club. With the draconian measures imposed by the Cavan County Board the accruing of finance in 2008 is going to be a challenge. With the loss of gate receipts for the league on top of our heavy fine all the stops will have to be utilized to help keep the club afloat financially. However, I have great belief in the people of Ballinagh and their indomitable spirit and I know that their resolve and fortitude even in these recessionary times will surmount and overcome whatever obstacles are laid in our path. What does not kill us can only make us stronger," said a defiant club chairman. John was at pains to point out that the great work done at the club could not have been achieved without the services of people like Michael O'Reilly, the club secretary, whose commitment was monumental as was the contribution from people like Anthony Wharton, Vice Chairman and also a major club sponsor. We also had in Padraig McCabe, a tireless worker whose help in financial and project development of the stand and training pitch was invaluable. We also had the unsung heroes in Gerry O'Reilly, the club's registrar who looked after all the needs of the players. He was assisted when called upon by Ollie Gumley. It is people like the above that embrace and represent the well-being of the club," stated the chairman. "I would also like to point out the contribution of Michael Dunne, who acted as our Feile officer when we hosted Tourlestrand from Sligo was one of the off-field highlights of the season. Michael's enthusiasm was infectious which through osmosis worked its way into his hard working committee. To all of them, the club indeed owe a great debt of gratitude for an enjoyable, successful and well presented weekend of football," stated John. Ballinagh Supporters Club Since its founding in 2007, the Ballinagh Supporters club has been a great success, providing financial support for the club during the senior team's run to the All-Ireland IFC club semi-final, as well as the success of the Ballinagh underage teams and camogie club. PRO John McDermott explains aims behind the club and what they have done in the past two years to try and aid the Ballinagh club. "The aims of the club were to promote Ballinagh GFC and to help out in any areas that we could. With this in mind we organised and ran a very successful 'Race Night' in Cronin's. This gave us a financial base from which we could implement our programmes. Other fundraising included the designing and selling of club shirts to supporters prior to the All-Ireland semi-final fixture in Navan. The shirts marked the return to our traditional club colours for supporters gear," said McDermott. "To date we have provided t-shirts for all of the people that attend our Under 10 football sessions, sports shirts to our winning minor squad and shirts and jackets to Ballinagh camogie club. "Our Ulster winning team in '07 took up a lot of our earlier focus. We are proud of our Bus Program, whereby we organise coaches to the Ulster semi-final, Ulster final and the All-Ireland semi-final at reduced rates. We would like to acknowledge the role of Whartons Travel in this program. "We acknowledged the exploits of our senior football team by laying on a complimentary day at Navan Races followed by a meal in Lisgrey House that evening. We also made a financial contribution towards the winning senior and junior expenses. We would like to thank Ester Daly for all the IT work that she has voluntary done for our committee. "A supporters club is a welcome appendage to any football club. It provides a link between the main committee and the public and is an extra promotional arm. Finally, we would like to thank all of our supporters, whose moral and financial help have been crucial to our success," he concluded. Tweet

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