Ballyhaise approached the 2004 football season with renewed vigour and hopeful ambition of promotion back into the top strand of football in Division One. The club had managed to entice back the services of manager, Phelim Plunkett, who had proved his ability with neighbours, Butlersbridge. By Tony Dunne. Plunkett along with his fellow selectors Pat Duggan, Sean Rehill and Enda McGowan set the players realistic targets of promotion back to Division One and an Intermediate championship title. Right from the outset, Ballyhaise showed signs of a recovery and promise of what might be achieved as they produced good form in the early rounds of the league with some great displays against Lacken, Ballinagh and Swanlinbar. Their impressive form and consistency throughout the entire league ensured a deserved promotion back into the top flight of Cavan senior football. The club's record in the league was indeed impressive, having just lost two games, one to table toppers Cuchullains and the other in a local derby against Drung. The club also managed to produce magnificent form at home as not once did they lose a competitive fixture on home soil. An impressive first half performance against Swanlinbar in the league semi-final seemed like the club were heading for a final clash against table toppers Cuchullains, but a poor second half display saw Swanlinbar edge them out in the final minutes on a scoreline of 2-8 to 0-11. The reserve team also produced good form and they were unlucky not get a shot at the semi-final as they missed out by just a single point. Championship After having produced some impressive displays in the league campaign, the Intermediate championship was a realistic aim for the team. The team management had earmarked this competition as a must win and with a great deal of work put in by all, hopes were high of finishing the season on a high note. With players of the calibre of Adrian O'Rourke, Barry Kelly, James Brady, Adrian Delaney, Colm Reilly, Eamonn Costello and the McCrudden brothers, Barry and Gerry, to mention just a few, performing well, the aim of championship silverware seemed a realistic goal. Ballyhaise were drawn in what looked the more difficult side of the draw. The team showed their intent when they accounted for Drumlane, Killinkere and Drumalee in the first three games. That put them on a high and a great exhibition against eventual winners Lacken saw the team recorded an impressive 3-11 to 0-7 victory. That win meant that hopes were high of a championship title arriving to the club. The good run came to an end when Ballinagh proved to have the upper hand in a tight affair when they scored two second half goals to edge out Ballyhaise by four points. The only other defeat in the group stages came when Ballyhaise had already qualified for the quarter-finals. A lack-lustre display against neighbours Laragh saw them concede victory. The quarter-final draw saw the clash against neighbours Drung and this proved to be a typical local derby. The game was a tense affair with neither side looking to have the upper hand. Ballyhaise looked set for victory when they held a two point lead with just three minutes remaining. As is often the case in championship football, the issue of never say die reared its head and Drung produced a killer blow in the final minute of injury time when they struck for a goal to gain victory by two points, 2-5 to 1-6. While there was bitter disappointment at the defeat, the team management rallied and a great performance by the reserve team saw them win the Division 2 championship. After winning all three games in the qualifying section against Drung, Cootehill, Lavey, the reserve team narrowly beat Cuchullains in the quarter-final and Killinkere in the semi-final. The team performed admirably in all these games and played some very exciting football particularly in the quarter and semi-finals when they had to dig deep to get the results. This set up a showdown against old rivals Ballinagh. The final was a very exciting affair and with missed chances on both sides it left the result in doubt up to the final whistle. Ballyhaise finally won out by 2-10 to 1-10. Under 21 The U21 team reached the Division 2 Championship semi-final after beating Redhills comprehensively. The team lined out in the semi-final missing a number of key players through injury and despite a gallant effort on the day were beaten by a stronger Lavey team. The club will look back on the 2004 season with satisfaction and realise that while they did not win any silverware, they managed to see themselves back among the elite of Cavan football in Division 1. With the services of team manager Phelim Plunkett secured for the coming season, the first aim of the club will be to solidify themselves in the top flight and once again try to win that elusive Intermediate championship title. Both tasks are well within the grasp of the team and an exciting and hopefully a fruitful season awaits. Lotto and Fundraising The lotto is the main source of income in the club and this looks after the day-to-day expenses. Huge credit must go to all the lads who work tirelessly every Sunday and Monday nights. Without them, the club just wouldn't function financially. With this in mind, the club is hugely thankful to the generous sponsorship provided by Joe Gormley of JM Cars in Cavan. Ladies Football No to be outdone by their male counterparts, the ladies of the club had quite a productive season. While they did not win any silverware they were unfortunate to lose out in the Shield final to Drumgoon. A good run in the league saw them make it to the competition final where Lacken proved too strong on the day. U13 victory is the highlight of Castletara's juvenile year The Trojan work put in at underage level at the club paid a rich dividend during 2004 when the U13 side were victorious in the Roinn B final played at Kingspan/Breffni Park. This was a sweet victory for the aspiring young colts from the area as they overcame a strong challenge from a very talented Drumgoon side. The victory was made all the more sweet by virtue of the fact that Drumgoon had beaten Castletara's U12 side in the final just two months previously. A great deal of credit for this success must go to team coach Dessie O'Reilly, who is a former player and manager of the senior team. Progress continued with the U16 team who showed great form in reaching the final of their division only to lose out to a very talented Denn outfit. Team manager Declan Reilly, while disappointed at not winning silver, was proud of the achievement of his team. Due to an unprecedented amount of injuries throughout the season, the minor team coached by present senior player and former Offaly inter-county star Adrian Delaney struggled in Division One and saw themselves return to Division Two for the championship. This minor side did get some reward by making it to the semi-final stages of that competition, but they had to give way to a much stronger Killygarry side at the penultimate stage. The juvenile committee will look back on the 2004 season with satisfaction and feel proud of their work at having reached finals at U12, U13 and U16 levels and, despite having suffered a great deal of injuries along the way, the minor team making it through to the semi-final of their championship. The inclusion of Fergal Slowey and Raymond Cullivan on the county minor was also a great boost to the club's underage structure. Coaching for the youth of the parish continues every Saturday morning and with Paul McGoldrick, Scotchie McKiernan, Eamon Brady (Mullahoran senior goalkeeper), Tommy Conaty and Francie Moore working hard at U10 level, a steady supply of talent is coming through the underage systems. With a strong coaching emphasis on skill development and recreation, the Castletara Juvenile Committee and coaches can look forward to a fruitful 2005 season. Camogie 2004 proved yet again to be another successful year in the annals of Castletara Camogie Club. The great work done over the years at juvenile level delivered a rich dividend during 2004 as the 'young guns' proved that they have what it takes to continue in the successful ways of their recently retired senior players. Young players of the calibre of Mairead McCabe, Ann Marie Fay and Claire Smith proved that have now what it takes to help the club survive at the top flight. Despite many of the more prominent players 'calling it day' prior to the start of the 2004 season, the club was sufficiently motivated to pretty much dominate affairs within the county but alas once again failed in their ultimate quest of taking that elusive Ulster title. The failure of the club to capture the provincial crown will help spur the more experienced players like Lorraine Cudden, Ann McCabe and the Prior sisters to make one more serious attempt to capture the much sought after title. The senior team proved too strong in the championship final as they accounted for Lacken and once again held on to their league title when they overcame Laragh. The quest for Ulster honours was firmly in the sights of the Castletara girls and a good run through the province earned them a place in the final against Down's Liatroim. Once again, the final itself proved to be a bridge too far for the Cavan ladies and they must once again look to the 2005 season to try and capture that Holy Grail. It was a small crumb of comfort to the Ballyhaise based club that their victors on the day went on to win the All-Ireland club title. The club also showed that they are capable of competing with the best and retained their mid Ulster title in a tough and competitive competition. Success was not just confined to the senior side as the junior team also carved out their own success by winning the league title and a centenary tournament. The work at underage level, which is ever ongoing, showed that success is expected at an early age when the U14's won the championship in 2004. Perhaps the biggest loss sustained by the club was the fact that team trainer Tom Downes stood down from his role. Tom, who coached the team for four years, was without one of the main inspirational figures in the success of the club. His loss will be sadly felt and will help focus the Castletara ladies into action for another tough season ahead in 2005. Tweet

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