When you talk to Shercock football club PRO, Peadar Mohan, you are instantly aware of the pride he has in his club. The softly spoken words that emanate from his conversation carry with them a great deal of commitment and understanding of what it is that makes Shercock work as a football club. By Tony Dunne. Totally aware of his heritage as a Shercock man, nestling on the Monaghan border, Peadar feels that what they have achieved at the club over the years is worthy of praise. You have to look at the geographic location of the East Cavan club to understand the enormity of the task facing them. Surrounded on the Cavan side by the once proud kingpins of Cavan football, Kingscourt and Bailieboro and bordered on most of its parish boundaries by Monaghan clubs, it is indeed no wonder that they have bonded into a tight knit unit that is intent not alone on survival but of raising the stakes and competing for honours in the future. Peadar pointed out that it was important also to stay in Division 2 not only to be competing in a higher standard of football but also to avoid the long round trips associated with playing in Division 3. "When we were in Division 3 a round-trip to Shannon Gaels in West Cavan was 126 miles. That for most people is a day's travel, not alone having to play football in the interim period. So with many teams from East Cavan in Division 2 travel times are dramatically reduced. By the same token, teams from East Cavan create their own 'local derby' status and as a result the intensity of the competition is far greater," stated Peadar. Having come out of the junior ranks just two seasons ago, Shercock found themselves during the 2008 season under pressure at the wrong end of the league table. "We lost one of our most iconic and inspirational players, Brian Hamilton in the very first game of the season with a cruciate knee injury. This injury ruled him out for the entire season. With such a small pick, his loss was to have a detrimental effect on most of our results. We were fortunate that the return from abroad of Kenny Burns mid season was an added bonus to us as we have a relatively small panel to pick from. We were pitched against neighbours Bailieboro, who as a club would have won a number of Cavan senior football championships, so they, we felt, came with a big reputation. We needed to win or at least get a draw and we also needed some results to go in our favour." To their credit, Shercock showed great maturity, dedication and commitment and their hunger to stay up in the higher echelons of senior football, proved to be the formula required on this day that was to test the nerves even of the calmest. The game was held on a knife edge throughout with the sides finishing level. This single point was all that was required by the club to secure their status in Division 2 for 2009. "With the recent economic downturn, and many of the players working locally, the fear of job losses and resulted emigration is something that I have no doubt will be a major worry for most clubs not only in Cavan but throughout the country. We would hope that we can maintain our panel for the incoming season without too much disruption through emigration or injury," stated the club PRO. Peadar in outlining the structure of club, proudly points to the fact that all team managers have been local club members. "At our recent AGM we had ninety eight people present. It was a formidable attendance for any club but one of the striking aspects of that meeting was the fact that we had three consortiums in the running to take over the management of the senior team. This has always been the case at Shercock, while other clubs sought to bring in outside coaches; Shercock put faith in those in the club. "The job went to Michael Nulty, Plunkett O'Reilly and Gerry O'Reilly They will take charge for the coming season and as a unit will look after all the needs required to train and prepare the team. We hope that the downturn in the economy will not have a detrimental drain on our players' resources through emigration as we would not have a large panel of players. Already there is evidence of clubs losing players as young people travel abroad in search of work," stated Peadar. Underage Peadar is rightly proud of the great work being put in at club level at underage football and the contribution of the school in the area over the years has also been of tremendous importance. "We have some great people involved in the coaching structures at underage level at the club and their contribution has been immense. People like Mickey McEntee, Terence Lynch and Paddy Archibald have been tireless in their efforts at this level. While we did not register any silverware this year, we did see some notable progress. With just one school in the area, it is a credit to all those involved to see a team competing in Division 1 of the Cavan U14 Roinn A. Their achievement in making it to the league final was a magnificent achievement not only for the players but also for the management team of Fergus and Noel Clerkin, Darragh McDermott and Michael Cooney. "Playing their football in the top flight was in itself a tough ask but making it to the final and taking on the might of the Cavan Gaels in the decider at Breffni was an even bigger task. The enormity of the occasion failed to faze the Shercock lads and while they were outgunned on the scoreboard 7-9 to 1-9 they can justifiably feel proud for not only getting to the final but also the manner in which they pushed the might of Cavan Gaels to the pin of their collars." While the final scoreline flattered the Gaels, it did little justice to the actual tempo and gallantry of the Shercock squad. The Gaels got the perfect start when they had registered a goal just after seventy-two seconds. Niall Clerkin had Shercock on the scoreboard with a fine point by the sixth minute. With the game settling down the town team were not allowed to settle into their passing game as Shercock, manfully harried and rushed the Gaels into shooting under pressure. Midfielders, David Harper and Niall Clerkin's runs from the middle of the park caused panic in the Gaels defence. Shercock's wholehearted endeavours were not rewarded on the scoreboard. While Shercock were working hard to register their scores, the Gaels had fired in two further goals to give them a half-time lead of 3-4 to 0-4. This interval scoreline could have been radically reduced if lady luck had smiled on Gerry Lynch's sizzling shot as it struck the bottom of the Gaels post. The spirited start to the second-half belied the fact that Shercock were nine points adrift as Niall Clerkin fired over the opening score to reduce the arrears to eight points. Once again the post came to the Gaels' rescue as David Harper saw his shot rebound of the upright. By the fifteenth minute Paul Smith also saw his shot strike the Gaels woodwork and out for a wide. Ryan Clerkin pointed and in concerted effort of do or die, Shercock displayed a tenacity which saw them put the Gaels on the back foot as they poured forward in waves of attack. Shercock were further frustrated with two last ditch saves by Gaels defenders clearing off their line to preserve the town team's lead. The Gaels took full advantage of the Shercock attacking formation and in the final ten minutes exposed the gaps in the Shercock defence to register a further three goals. To their credit, the east Cavan juveniles failed to surrender and displayed a fighting attitude more akin to peers much older than them and were rightly rewarded with a goal and two points. Shercock: James Smith, Adrian Cooney, Paul Sloane, Paul Clarke, Gerry Lynch (1-0), Colin Clerkin, Paddy McMahon, David Harper (0-1), Niall Clerkin (0-4), Michael Gillic, Owen Duffy, Ryan Clerkin (0-3), Philip Clerkin, Michael Reilly, John O'Reilly (0-1). Subs used: Paul Smith, Kieran Cundelon, Joanne Culleton, Kieran Clarke, Lynsey Culleton. "While we had high hopes for this side in the championship we made our exit at the semi-final stage after a replay against Castlerahan. We were six points up going into injury time but two sucker goals brought the game into extra time. We were to lose out by the cruellest of margins a single point in the end. No doubt, this group of players will have a say in the future destination of trophies as they progress through the juvenile ranks," stated the club PRO. A spirited display by the club's U16 side saw them lose out to amalgamated side Redbridge (Redhills and Bultersbridge) in an exciting and closely fought contest. This game went to extra time before the issue was settled. Credit must be attributed to both the players and management team of Paddy Donnery, Gerry McIntyre, Sean Clarke and Pierce McDermott. "In general the structure of underage football at the club is in good hands and I have no doubt that the future of the club is bright as we have some very talented young players coming through," stated Peadar. The club is also blessed by the efforts put in not alone by the players on the playing field but also their contribution off the field. Executive members of the calibre of chairman, Paddy Donnery, Secretary, Angela Hamilton and Treasurer John McEvoy have all contributed to the efficient and smooth running of the club. A great deal of effort in raising finance has been put in by both the players and Paddy O'Reilly. Between them they have amassed a massive total of seventy thousand euros to offset any future development and helping with the running of the club. Tweet

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