Cuchullains GFC, the east Cavan club nestled on the Meath border, produced a consistent league display throughout the 2008 season that earned a top two finishing position and a place in the final against county kingpins, Cavan Gaels. While the Gaels emerged winners in this league final, it was according to the neutral punter, a game which Cuchullains could have won. They scored 1-11 but conceded three goals which allowed the might of Cavan Gaels off the hook in a game that provided top class entertainment and skillful football. While the bitter pill of defeat is always hard to swallow and certainly the loss of a final that bit much more difficult, the men from East Cavan should take heart from the fact that they not only produced some great football on the day, but had the Breffni football aristocrats on the back burner for most of this final. With a little bit of luck on the day, then certainly they would have been crowned champions. It is from this point and their consistent league campaign that the men from Cross - Mullagh should build their challenge for the coming season. Club PRO, Paul Taite has little doubt in his mind that success is something that is not too far away for this present group of players. "We can thank the great work that has been put in over many seasons at juvenile level for the current crop of young talented players at our disposal. The bulk of the senior and junior teams are now made up of young players who have worked their way right up through the ranks. The contest for places is a healthy thing and is something that helps keep all the players on their toes. Many of the younger players now starting out on the junior team would also have high expectations of making into senior ranks over the next season so competition is even going to tougher. All in all this can only be of benefit for the club as the edge will be kept on players' motivation and commitment to retain their places should help give that vital edge in all competitive games," explained Paul. League Run The year began with the appointment of former team player and county footballer Fintan Cahill as manager. Fintan was a popular choice and seen as someone who the players would look up to and respect. He brought former team mate Noel Donoghue in as a selector and Meath man Ciaran 'Suggs' O'Malley as the trainer. A lot of hard work, thought and organisation was put into pre-season training. With a well structured and fresh approach to the new season in place a sense of movement could be determined in the air. As a result of this new buzz, training got off to a bright start and continued with large numbers attending all sessions. This new found enthusiasm was complemented with the infusion of new faces with newcomers to the area 'Big' James King, John Whittaker and Alan Monaghan all joining the club. This was added to further by the inclusion of some of their own younger talented players with twin brothers, Eugene and Terry Keating and Emmet Fox coming on stream from the underage levels. "Enthusiasm was high and this was transformed into performance related results throughout the league" stated Paul. "The league campaign began with a slender but deserved win over Belturbet in Mullagh. Next up were old foes Mullahoran away in a tough match which saw Cahill's new look team record a four point victory." With confidence now building former champions Gowna were next on the list the following weekend in Mullagh. Cuchullainns tore into the Gowna men and led 2-4 to no score before their opposition registered a score. To their credit Gowna drew on their experience and did make a game of it but could never eat into the early lead the home team had established. With three wins from three games people were now starting to sit up and take notice of the 'Cuckoo' early progress. The real test came two weeks later when Cavan Gaels were the opposition on their home patch. This was a game that Cuchullainns will feel they should have won having led right until the final moments, until the Gaels showed why they are county champions by scoring a decisive winning goal at the death. Three wins out of four was indeed an auspicious start to the season for the new team management and their charges. Considering the opposition they faced in their opening four games, Cahill and his team must have been more than happy with the start they made to the campaign. With Lavey, recently promoted to the topflight of Cavan senior football as visitors, Cuchullains could deem themselves lucky to have claimed a draw in this absorbing encounter. The manner in which the home-team drew on all reserves was testament to their new found character and resilience. Wins against Killygarry and Crosserlough and a draw against Denn in Crosskeys help to propel Cuchullains into a commanding second place in the senior league table. Victories again over Drumalee, Ballyhaise and a draw against Lacken ensured a place in the final of the league against champions, Cavan Gaels. The final was played in Ballyhaise in early November and Cuchullains approached the game with no fear having been very unlucky to lose to the Gaels earlier on in the year. With an Ulster semi-final on the cards the following week for the Gaels it is a measure of the respect they have for Cuchullains when they put out their strongest team for the encounter. What resulted was a real thriller which went right down to the wire. In an exciting first half, the Gaels could have been deemed the stronger team and finished the half with a three point lead. The Gaels opened the second half in determined mood and with a goal had Cuchullains six points in arrears. Instead of dampening the challenge of the East Cavan club this score was more a call to arms as Cuchullains rallied and began their assault on the Gaels' lead. A final determined final fifteen minutes saw them encamped in the Gaels goalmouth but that all elusive goal was constantly denied them. Trailing by just two points, Cuchullains nearly stole the show when a rasping shot rebounded back of the Gael's upright. The East Cavan club can indeed hold their heads high after such a battling performance. Man of the match on the day had to be corner back John Flanagan who gave an outstanding performance of the art of defending. For the wise heads at the club, this will all be for nothing if they do not set their targets high and commit themselves to an equally determined campaign in 2009. They certainly have the personnel, now all they need is that little bit extra in belief and dedication to see them put themselves among the elite of Cavan football. The Cuchullains senior panel for 2008 was: Colm Anderson, Mark Clarke, Marty Lynch, Martin Quinn, John Flanagan, Barry Smith, Stephen Lynch, Diarmaid Fox, Paddy McKenna, Killian Farrelly, Donnocha Dunne, Martin Callaghan, Gavin Daly, Adrian Taite, Patrick Murtagh, Eugene Keating, Terry Keating, Killian Murphy, Rory O' Connell, Terry Farrelly, Paul Taite, Paul Tully, James King, Christopher Tully, Killian Lynch, Conor Daly, Seamus Clarke, Conor Smith, Thomas O' Reilly, Gary Daly, Niall Lynch, Peter Murphy, Nicky Callaghan, Alan Callaghan, James Fitzgerald, Mark McKenna, James McKenna, David Fox, Peter Fox, Michael McCann, James Whitakker, Alan Monaghan, Cathal Clarke. Second Team The reserve team ended up finishing mid-table in Division 4. They won over half of their games and were it not for a couple of defeats towards the end of the campaign could have finished much closer to the top of the league. They provided great numbers at training and without doubt the senior team would not have performed as well as they did if it wasn't for their commitment. Their enthusiasm at training and their good run in their league helped keep the pressure on the senior panel throughout a long league campaign. Senior Championship When the first round draw was made for the senior championship some interesting encounters were on the cards, none more so than the meeting of neighbours and close rivals Cuchullains and Ramor Utd. Both clubs have a healthy rivalry with each other and the fixture was sure to bring the best out of both teams with so much local pride at stake. The fact that Cuchullains were top of Division 1 and Ramor were riding high in Division 2 also meant that two of the form teams of 2008 were going head to head. On a perfect sunny day in late July the teams met in Kingscourt before a large crowd looking forward to a good game. Ramor United started much the brighter and raced into a five point lead. Their attack looked sharper than their oppositions with young Paddy McNamee and Ado Cole looking very dangerous. Cuchullains showed great character coming from five points down and eventually got back into it with some great determined team work. A goal just before the stroke of half-time by Paul Taite propelled his side into the lead. The second half was a very tight affair with both teams swapping points until Paddy McNamee popped up to poke home a goal giving Ramor a one point advantage. This sucker goal was to be a true test of Cuchullains resolve and in this test they did not flinch. They were spurred on by inspirational displays from Seamus Clare, Thomas O'Reilly and Conor Daly. Their leadership qualities helped steer Cuchullains through this tough championship encounter. That win put them into a quarter-final game against Denn, a full five weeks later. Like a lot of teams who have to endure long periods between competitive championship encounters the team suffered from the lay-off from competitive football. The five week break wasn't kind to Cuchullains and they struggled to maintain their strong momentum during this break. What resulted was a very disappointing performance against Denn in Breffni Park. In a game which they never got going Denn looked much sharper and deserved to win. It was a huge let down for the club and the team but hopefully can be a learning experience for the club as a whole. No doubt, Cuchullains will feel that if they had overcome this test, then they surely could have made it to the championship final. Although 2008 was deemed a successful year, the fact remains that no silverware was won. New players broke into the team and made an immediate impact, the Keating brothers and young Diarmaid Fox all contributed to the team throughout the year. Young players like John Flanagan, Adrian Taite, Killian Lynch, Donnacha Dunne, Conor Daly, Conor Smith, Seamus Clarke, Gavin Daly and Stephen Lynch put in some fine performances and their youth and sharpness gave the team that extra edge. The more experienced players played their part too and gave fine example to their younger team-mates. Colm Anderson, Barry Smith, Marty Lynch, Patrick Murtagh, Paul Taite, Paul Tully and Alan Callaghan put in a great effort during the year but a special mention must go to the 'old timers' Martin Quinn, Terry Farrelly and Thomas 'Bo' O'Reilly, who, more than any other players are a vital part of the team. The club owe them a great deal of thanks and hope they will continue to play in the blue and white in 2009. Underage Paul said that the work being put in underage level has been something that was always taken quite seriously at Cross - Mullagh. "Saturday mornings in Mullagh are a very busy affair with anything up to ninety youngsters from U6 to U12 training under the supervision of the many volunteers including the likes of Killian Monaghan, Ronan Carolan, Eamonn Carolan Brian Daly, John Taite and Peter Magee. Mullagh, like most of the towns in East Cavan, has seen a population explosion in the last 10 years resulting in a huge increase in the number of players at underage level. "Special mention must go to the committed club members who are putting in a great effort to nurture the young talents of the parish and keep them interested in our code. There is a new soccer club in Mullagh, and with underage rugby getting more popular in Virginia the club has rivals for their young talents. The youth board held underage blitz's and tournaments in Cross and Mullagh in 2008 which were a great success giving enjoyment and competitive games to all of the youngsters and a great day out for their parents. "The U12 and U14 teams were managed by John Taite, Brian Daly, Peter Magee and Eamonn Carolan. U16's were managed by Niall Lynch and Patrick Gaynor and minors by Jimmy O'Reilly, Martin Flanagan, Owen Farrelly and Gavin Daly. It was a year of mixed fortunes at underage level with most of the teams getting to the knockout stages of their respective competitions but loosing at the quarter and semi final stages. Great work is being carried out and the future definitely looks bright as a result," stated a justifiably proud club PRO. U21 The under 21 team under the guidance of Martin Quinn and Niall Lynch received a tough draw in the championship meeting Cavan Gaels in the first round. However, they went into the game with confidence, most of the team being made up of experienced players such as Adrian Taite, Donnacha Dunne, Conor Smith and Killian Lynch who were all regular senior team players. This team had won many medals at all levels at underage and hoped to give the championship a good run. They played the Gaels in a midweek game at the Cross pitch in mid August. A very large crowd turned up for what turned out to be a real thriller of a game producing some outstanding football from both teams. The whole Cuchullains team stood up to the mark with great performances from Rory O'Connell, Killian Murphy, Thomas Reilly and Diarmaid Fox in defence. Midfield duo Adrian Taite and Christopher Tully gave their opposing players a torrid time and Gary Daly, Killian Lynch and Conor Smith were in fine form in attack. The game ended in a draw, the home team recording 1-11 to 0-14 points for the Gaels in one of the best games to be seen at the Cross pitch for many years. Unfortunately the return match in Terry Coyle Park was not as exciting an affair with the Gaels running out convincing winners on their home patch. The under 21 team who lined out was: Devon, Thomas Reilly, Killian Murphy, Rory O'Connell, Diarmaid Fox, Edwin Gaynor, Adrian Taite, Christopher Tully, Luke O'Brien, Donnacha Dunne, Killian Lynch, Gary Daly, Conor Smith, Darren Daly, Rory O' Connell. Senior Teams 2008 will be regarded as one of the most successful years Cuchullains have had. They were unbeaten in all bar one match in the senior league, finishing joint top with Cavan Gaels, who they met in the Division 1 final. It was the first time the club contested a Division 1 final and the progress made during the year will give the players, management and supporter's alike confidence and belief in the team. However, it was not all rosy during the year and with every high apparently comes a low, the low point of the year was undoubtedly the defeat to Denn in the senior championship quarter final in a match that they were hotly tipped to win. Off the field The club intends to carry out significant development on their grounds at Cross pitch in 2009 where the senior team hold most of their training sessions throughout the year, and many underage games are held. It is intended to demolish the existing dressing rooms and construct a new club house, complete with all modern facilities including a gym and treatment rooms. It is also planned to install a new astro-turf training pitch and associated floodlighting should sufficient funding materialise. Most of the senior games are played in Mullagh on the community park which is run by the hardworking Park Development Committee. There is a new Community Centre under construction at the pitch which is due for completion in early 2009. The development committee also invested in a state of the art floodlighting system in recent times similar to the system erected in Kingspan Breffni Park. The club has availed of the new facilities by playing many challenge matches under the lights and they hope to play league games under them in the coming year. Tweet

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