According to Kildallan's affable PRO Thomas Cassidy, the football outcome of the 2008 season, which promised much early on, failed to materialise and deliver what many felt could have been a year of good fortune. Having shown so much promise in the early part of the season, a poor mid season run saw us edged out of the promotion race in a season where we felt as a club that we could be genuine contenders. This poor dip was what really determined our entire season. While we did not reach our true potential, it is certain that all at the club, players, committee and team management will no doubt look to the 2009 with new vigour and belief that will see the club as true contender for promotion from Division 3. While we are not the biggest club in Cavan we feel that we have some very talented young players at our disposal and are capable of making a true impact in our current division. When you look at this year's junior championship final, Mountnugent proved that they were good enough to get to the final. Considering that we beat them in the league that in itself should be an incentive to all our players to focus on getting to the final stages of the league and championship and winning," commented Thomas. "While we may not have set the Cavan football scene alight with silverware, we nonetheless have been blessed with a backroom team that has the belief, will and dedication to eventually help our club maintain a status that would be befitting of the efforts of all those involved at Kildallan. The work put in by our executive officers is nothing short of monumental. To this end our current chairman, John O'Gara has played a great part in promoting the club. John, who is a native of Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal, has been in Ballyconnell since 1980 and committed himself as playing member of the club as far back as 1986. Throughout his time with Kildallan, he has served his 'apprenticeship' filling many varied posts," stated the club PRO. "Throughout his participation with Kildallan, John has been very active at underage level, ladies football coach and presently in the position of chairman. Indeed his work rate at the club often sees him involved in helping out at the gate during match day. His enthusiasm and inspiration is equally matched by those around him. We have had a magnificent secretary for the past number of years in Sharon Curry. As a secretary, Sharon, has been an integral part of the club. A dedicated and passionate executive officer, her commitment and input has and still is invaluable." Thomas also pointed out that good work done by the club's treasurers, Mary Donohoe and her husband, Jim who are now in their second season at the financial helm have provided stable financial reports during this time of 'financial meltdown'. "As Treasurers their good work has helped reduce our financial deficit which is no easy task in this present financial climate. While daily reports are widely circulated about banks and financial institutions losing money this has not been the case at Kildallan as our treasurers have consistently sought to reduce the club's financial deficit. Both Mary and Jim, have proven to be astute financial managers for which Kildallan are eternally grateful," stated Thomas. "As a club, Kildallan are always looking to the future and this is something that is not confined to our hopes and aspirations on the playing field. We have, as many in the county have witnessed, magnificent playing and training facilities. While the development at the grounds is ongoing the club is presently in the process of organising a major fund-raising drive with the intentions of finishing off the stand." This is something that according to Thomas is now in the pipeline as the club feel that the present structure is due a 'face-lift'. "This refurbishment undertaking will be financed by a fund-raising drive which will be held in 2009. We would hope to have this work completed by early next year. This project will finish off the playing area at our grounds in Ballyconell," stated the club's PRO. "Each year as a club we set out with great hope and commitment and while at the end of the season we may not have anything in the silverware department we always feel that with a little bit of luck we are as good as the rest. We have a good group of young players who give of their time and for this we greatly appreciate their efforts. With just a little bit of luck in the league campaign we could have been there or thereabouts for a stab at promotion. A few missed opportunities in games that we should and could have won left us tantalising short of those elusive points that could have put us in the promotion race. "No doubt we will approach the coming season of 2009 with greater hope and determination and will be looking for improvement from our current league table position. We can, it is my belief, achieve this. If you look at the calibre of players at our disposal, this is something that is well within our capabilities. It may take that little bit of 'lady luck' and maybe a different way of approaching our season, but all in all I feel that we have the talent to make this happen. "The backing from all those at Kildallan is obvious and I feel deserves some reward. We have been blessed with the great input over the year from our sponsors of Bertie and Mairead Crowe from the Crowes Nest while Gerard Crowe, is a willing sponsor of our juveniles. The dedication from all the people in the background from loyal spectators to the executive have always and still do believe that as a football club we could go on to better things. As they say; 'what's another year'. Well to us it is hopefully a year of triumph both on and off the field. "Throughout 2008, we produced some great performances in the league. It is with performances like those that as a club, we know what we can do and achieve when we put our minds to it," stated Thomas. The success of the Feile competition was a credit to all those involved. It was an exceptional exercise in harmony, vision and management skills. "We had the Tyrone champions, neighbours Shannon Gaels and Boston Gaels from Massachusetts, USA. A fusion of the parents' committee and the club's juvenile committee came into force and their work rate had to be seen to be believed. A comprehensive 'make-over' of the club's facilities was undertaken and it was not uncommon to see the people of the area painting, cleaning, trimming and generally making sure that their area was not only well presented but was something to be proud of. Their commitment was a major contribution to the great success of this Feile weekend. The Boston club were hugely impressed by the efforts of all those at Kildallan that they made a presentation in recognition of the efforts of all at Kildallan. The weekend was capped off with a magnificent night's entertainment at the Crowe's Nest," stated a proud PRO. Underage "Like all other clubs, the lifeline for future progress and stability is completed at underage level. The work being done at Kildallan is no different than any other club and the continual work on a weekly basis is indeed commendable. The drive and enthusiasm from all those coaches who give freely of their time is something that is hard to quantify as their work is indeed the lifeblood of the club. The club runs teams at all the age groups. "While we did not win anything, we would see ourselves as having made progress. Our under 12s made it to the final of the Roinn C championship. We met neighbours and rivals, Drumlane in the final and while we did not emerge victorious on the day, we nonetheless played with great pride and commitment. This was evident as we were overrun in the first half, but a spirited second-half display saw us dramatically reduce the gap. Credit to Drumlane the deserved their victory but make no mistake, Kildallan will be back next year. Many of this present U12 side are very young with most of them available again next year. This was a great achievement for such a young team and credit is due to the entire panel and to their coaches," stated Thomas. Hurling Kildallan has always been synonymous with hurling in the Breffni County. To this end, the work put in by none other than Peadar Neary is legendary. Peadar who is a native of Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, has been resident in the locality for many years and with him he brought a great passion for things gaelic. His enthusiasm, never wanes, he never seems to see any negative hurdles in his pursuits and to this end, his drive and that of his entire family has seen Kildallan, who play in the Cavan hurling league as Woodford Gaels earn their moments of glory. Along with his sons, Daithi and Padraig, they run a juvenile section as well as contributing to the efforts of the senior team. "We have in the past seen, Peadar, having to make the occasional foray into the playing ranks when injury dictated that the squad was operating on dangerously low levels of manpower. Peadar's spirit is something that is evident in all those involved at the club who continually see the future as something hopeful and attainable. This spirit and drive is something that you cannot buy and as a club we are blessed that all those at Kildallan are imbued with this character. So it is my hope and belief, that the future will see a strong, vibrant and successful Kildallan team in the not too distant future," concluded Thomas Cassidy. Tweet

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