Templeport's winning ways continued in 2008. From the youngest to the most mature, silverware was the name of the game It was a terrific occasion, a really enjoyable one for the club and it was great to have so much silverware about!" Tony McCann's beaming smile at the Saints' Dinner Dance last November and his eulogy to a night of nights smacked of the 'cat that got the cream' analogy. The Templeport Secretary joined the club's alumini, present and past, to celebrate the annexation of a quartet of cups fit to give any gael a right 'oul migraine! The title-winning ACFL Division Six squad joined with the county intermediate double-winning ladies in parading their glittering prizes on what was a glittering occasion. For good measure, the cup won by the all-conquering Under 13 Division Two Championship-winning squad was laid bare too for all to honour and rejoice. And putting the icing on the cake was the presence of the members of the club's 1968 Junior Football Championship-winning squad, replete with mementoes presented by the club. "There were player of the year awards; young player of the year too and presentations to the management teams and the newly-weds. Everyone got in on the act. "Fair play to all the winning teams. They deserved their rewards and hopefully we'll be able to have a similar function next year with just as many cups around," Tony added. The first cup won by the club arrived at Bawnboy in all its splendour last August when Templeport's Under 13 starlets scooped the Division Two Championship trophy with aplomb. In steering their way to a fully-deserved 3-8 to 1-7 triumph over Castletara at Kingspan/Breffni Park, the young Saints showed levels of skill and maturity way beyond their years. The Saints' victory owed much to a stunning opening to the third quarter which saw them notch 2-1 without reply in what was a tour de force that Castletara were powerless to stop. Played in poor weather, the final turned out to be a battle royal befitting the competition and one which fairly reflected the quality of the coaching afforded both sets of players. Ultimately it took Templeport's purple period on the restart to divide the sides over the hour after just one point separated the two teams at the interval. As it was, Saint Aidan's jet-propelled start to the second half fairly hoisted them into the driving seat and left them with a useful eight point cushioned lead. In fairness though, such were Castletara's fighting qualities that the spoils were never safely in the grasp of the west Cavan crew 'til the final whistle was sounded. In what was a fine team performance, Templeport were particularly on form in the business part of the field and, pointedly, it was the would-be winners who opened the scoring. Ben Kiernan's shot over the bar after barely four minutes got the Saints up and running and, in truth, they never really looked back thereafter such was their singular focus. Templeport continued to dictate the early pace and when Ben Kiernan scored a cracking goal in the 10th minute to put Templeport 1-2 to 0-1 ahead, Castlertara were clearly shaken. Any danger that the Saints would become complacent were eradicated just four minutes later though when Castletara goaled after some intricate approach work. The teams were now deadlocked for the first time in the match and Templeport were further rocked less than 60 seconds later when they fell behind after their opponents pointed. However that was to be the only time, and the last time, that Castletara would hold lead in the contest as Templeport quickly got the bit between their teeth again. The remainder of the first half saw the players struggle to cope with the slanting rain and slippery ball which conspired to make for a lot of spillages and turnovers. Templeport edged matters on the possession front in the last ten minutes but some great saves by the Castletara 'keeper helped stifle the Saints' bid to add to their goal tally. Templeport flew out of the blocks at the start of the second half as they rushed to consolidate their 1-4 to 1-3 interval lead Inside the first 90 seconds of the second half, a goal apiece by Dara O Se and Ciaran Leonard had Castletara really reeling on the ropes. And when Ben Kiernan added a point for good mearsure in the 33rd minute, suddenly Templeport were cruising on the back of a 3-5 to 1-3 scoreline. To their credit, Castletara worked overtime to regain their composure and their self-belief and from there to the climax of the match they more than matched Templeport. Templeport were made to play second fiddle for a ten minute period, 40th-50th minutes, during which time they conceded two points. Significantly, Castletara failed to breach Templeport's goal though and the closer the chequered flag came into sight the more frustrated and anxious Castletara became. Templeport really rolled up their sleeves to weather the Templeport storm and like all good champions they finished on top with a point apiece from Ben Kiernan and sub. Eoghan Doonan. In truth there were lots of good individual displays it was the collective efforts on the part of theTempleport players that caught the eye the most The Templeport team, and subs, that did duty in the U13 final was as follows; Darren Donohoe; Conor McAweeney, Niall Farrell, Liam McAweeney; Dylan Raythorne, Oran Duffy, Benjamin Kelly; Dylan Maguire (0-1), Liam Galligan (0-1); Ben Kiernan (1-5), Dara O Se (1-0), Killian Leonard; Ciaran Leonard (1-0), Michael Devine, Hayden Kelleher. Subs used; Conor Minagh; Eoghan Doonan (0-1). Ladies on top The rise and rise of ladies football in Templeport continued unabated in 2009 when the club scooped the IFC title which, allied to their league title triumph, sent out a stark message. In 2009 the fairer sex among the Saints will be competing at senior level. One wonders who can stop the ladies' bandwagon from proceeding to reach the summit? Their championship final win was hard-earned though. In careering their way to a 1-11 to 2-4 triumph over Drumgoon, the west Cavan crew had to pull out all the stops in Drumalee. Templeport didn't get off to the best of starts though and they actually fell a goal behind after only five minutes when Drumgoon goaled in clinican fashion. The winners-elect refused to panic though and a point apiece from Clodagh and Aisling Doonan steadied the Templeport ship with just over twelve minutes on the clock. Both sides worked feverishly to win the ball and it wasn't until the 18th minute that the next score arrived with Clodagh Doonan firing home an opportunist goal to put her side ahead. With Regina Greene starting to dominate the midfield exchanges, Templeport's forwards began to be spoilt for good quality, consistent deliveries and the points flowed. Sharon Cassidy nabbed a brace of points and then Aisling Doonan got on the scoresheet once more to leave the Saints apparently cruising on the back of a 1-7 to 1-0 scoreline. The remaining five minutes of the first half were dominated by Drumgoon though and three converted frees by Ciaran Farrell saw the gap closed to seven points at the interval. Templeport got their hands back on the tiller at the start of the second half and a point from Elaine Dolan was just what the doctor ordered for the champions-elect. Determined to make up for the disappointment of the 2007 final, Templeport kept working hard but Drumgoon stuck to their task and a point in the 38th minute was their due reward. At the other end of the field, Templeport showed their eye for goal and two more points from Sharon Cassidy and Aisling Doonan left Drumgoon looking to their laurels once again. Templeport remained on the frontfoot and a brillant long-range point from Sharon Cassidy served to copper-fasten the leaders' advantage. Drumgoon refused to give up the fight but a late goal by them had the word 'consolation' stamped all over it as Templeport kick-started their celebrations at the final whistle. The following is the Templeport squad that overcame Drumgoon in the blue riband championship decider last August: Niamh Gilbride, Aoife McGovern, Sinead Maguire, Mary T. McGoldrick, Martha Brady, Rachel Doonan, Tara Doonan, Mairead Dolan, Sinead Maguire, Pauline Glancy, Aisling McGoldrick, Sharon Cassidy, Clodagh Doonan, Elaine Dolan, Karen Baxter, Kathryn Maguire, Noelle Maguire, Celine Maguire, Ciaran O'Brien, Orla O'Brien, Denise Reilly, Catherine Devine, Sheila Reilly, Shauna Leonard, Jennifer Fee. Saints scoop Division Six title It is often said that a team is only as good as the strength of its bench. In the same regard, the strength of a club's reserves is a fair barometer of the its health. Templeport's all-conquering ACFL Division Six squad showed in 2008 that the Saints' premier adult football team can count on plenty of back-up as they face another season. The club's Division Six crew demonstrated their commitment to the cause and their promise by lifting the league title thanks, ultimately, to a 2-8 to 2-4 win in the final over Cornafean. Played in early November last at the well-appointed Pairc na Gaeilge, Ballyconnell, Templeport benefited to a great degree from some fine individual displays over the hour. Ultimately, Templeport had more aces in their pack than their opponents with the contribution of players like Declan Farrell, Ciaran McManus, Donal Maguire, Pauric McGovern, Martin Dolan and Seamus McAweeney key to giving the Saints the edge when it mattered most. Templeport were rocked early on when Cornafean rushed from the starting blocks and notched 1-1 in a rapid period of time. Templeport circled the wagons though and a converted free by Ciaran McManus helped steady the ship and stymie Cornafean's whirlwind start to the game. Five minutes after McManus opened his side's account, top scorer Pauric McGovern notched Templeport's first goal of the game with 11 minutes on the clock. McGovern's goal came after good spadework by Ciaran McManus and Lasse Morgenrath served to carve open the Cornafean defence. Man of the match McGovern's major levelled matters (1-1 to 1-1) for the first time in the match but scores were to be at a premium thereafter in the run up to the half-time whistle. On the understandably soft sod, the play got bogged down for extended periods and with barren times in front of the respective goals, Templeport's long-held 1-2 to 1-1 advantage remained in place 'till the interval. Templeport were at their best on the restart when, inside the opening 11 minutes, they firmly established themselves on the winning track. Four excellent unanswered points from the Saints left Cornafean reeling on the ropes with a brace from Donal Maguire doing most to unhinge the Reds' winning aspirations. Powered forward by the influential midfield pairing of Martin Dolan and Donal Maguire, Templeport remained firmly cemented in the driving seat as Cornafean worked overtime to arrest their opponents' momentum. To their credit though, Cornafean reduced their deficit to a more manageable four points, 1-2 to 1-6, with 42 minutes on the clock. Then the Reds got a huge filip when the ball was cleverly fisted the ball to the net less than 90 seconds later following a dangerous delivery into the square. Cornafean's major left just the minimum between the sides (1-6 to 2-2) but Templeport responded with gusto and were rewarded with a second goal in the 45th minute. Pauric McGovern's rather fortuitous goal propelled the west Cavan side into a four point lead which was increased further with a fine fisted effort by Seamus McAweeney. Then two minutes from time, Templeport broke through to notch the insurance point with Dessie Maguire firing over a glorious point befitting the occasion. Templeport's heroes against Cornafean were as follows; Adrian McGovern; Conor Bannon, Conor Smith, Gareth Bannon; Sean McGoldrick, Kevin Kellegher, Lasse Morgenrath; Martin Dolan (0-1), Donal Maguire (0-3); Declan Farrell, Ciaran McManus (0-2), Seamus McKiernan; Thomas Doonan, Pauric McGovern (2-1), Seamus McAweeney. Subs used; Dessie Maguire (0-1); Andrew McGovern; Sean Dolan. Tweet

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