2004 was a truly historic, unique season of football for Cavan Gaels as they notched up nine county titles at all levels; among them the senior championship and senior league titles Back in the 'seventies, on the inter-county football front, Kerry and Dublin raised the bar. Thirty years on Cavan Gaels are doing precisely the same in Cavan football circles. The only difference is; the county town side seems to be even more ahead of the chasing pack right now than the other behemoths of Gaelic football were when Heffo and Micko ruled. Indeed, there are some who say that the only way is down now for the Gaels but that's not exactly true. One remembers when, upon beating Mullahoran last October to win their second successive SFC title, the feeling in the Gaels' dressing-room smacked of a squad of players and a think-tank team not yet sated. "Winning the Ulster club title is the ultimate goal," team-spokesman Philip Finnegan declares, "so that might have explained the mood in the camp at that time," the former star player adds. Philip isn't counting any chickens but he is hopeful that the blues will get another crack at grasping the holy grail by the end of this year. In the meantime, he and the rest of the Gaels' stalwarts are looking forward to building on what was the most successful year in the club's history since its formation in 1957. The Gaels' senior championship success story got up and running with a 2-16 to 2-6 win over Belturbet. Ironically victory was achieved despite the concession by Gerry McCarville's charges of 2-2 inside the opening 13 minutes which gave Belturbet a shock 2-2 to 0-3 lead. However thanks, in part to a 19th minute Cathal Collins goal which put his side 1-7 to 2-3 ahead at the interval, the champions gravitated towards their expected win. Did Philip and co. expect the club to go on and claim nine trophies though? "No. We might have expected to go on and win four or five but not nine." One of that "four or five" was brought another step closer with a follow-up SFC victory (2-20 to 1-4) over Ballymachugh in late June. As the scoreline suggests, the county town side held and a 0-8 to 0-1 scoreline in the Gaels' favour at the interval left the writing on the wall for the Ballyheelan men. The game was sewn up three minutes after the restart courtesy of a Tommy McCormack goal. All year the sheer strength of the Gaels' squad became increasingly apparent as they romped through the league campaign and coasted in the championship. "The population of the town has boomed over the years but we've quality as well as quantity and it helps, of course, to get in fellas like Anthony Forde and Mickey Lyng. Success breeds success and fellas want to play with the Gaels. "There are no lines of demarcation and as the town grows so is the club with more and more new blood joining the club. "The club puts a lot of work into inviting youngsters to play with the club and then does a lot of work in encouraging them to improve themselves as footballers," Philip explains. So that's the winning formula - or part of it at least. But then there is the element of self-discipline which, it seems, is an inherent part of the groups of footballers based at Terry Coyle Park. That discipline is demonstrated on and off the pitch. In the SFC in late July, the senior team's 3-15 to 0-6 win over Crosserlough saw the players put in a really disciplined display. The game was a real cakewalk for the Gaels; their 3-7 to 0-0 lead after 23 minutes more than enough of a cushioned lead for them to go on and triumphed pulling up. In what was inarguably the score of the match, the ball was worked up from their own 21 metre line by the Gaels to the front of the Crosserlough goal where Cormac Nelligan was on hand to bang the ball to the net to leave his side 3-5 to 0-0 to the good. And yet in Philip's eyes that wasn't the Gaels' best football of the year. "I'd say our first 20 minutes display against Carrickmacross in the South Ulster League final when we scored 2-10. "It was as close to pure football as you could get." Things held to script thereafter as the defending champions Cavan Gaels cemented their place in the quarter-finals of the SFC with a 1-13 to 0-9 win over Knockbride in late August in Cootehill. In essence, it took a purple spell, lasting all of five minutes, by the Gerry McCarville-managed side at the start of the final quarter to really see off the challenge of the green and reds. The champions were helped earlier in the 11th minute when Mickey Graham and Cathal Collins combined at the latter end of a good move to put the impressive Cormac Nelligan through for a tap-in goal. Nelligan's major was added to by points by Enda King and Niall Collins which left the blues 1-5 to 0-2 in control. It was a similar story next time out. The Gaels remained on course to retain the blue riband title after a 1-4 tally by county star Anthony Forde helped propel them through to the semi-finals at the expense of raging hot underdogs Drumgoon in Bailieboro. The Gaels' 1-15 to 0-4 win may have slightly flattered them but Forde's form and that of former county ace Mickey Graham has sent out an ominous signal to pretenders to their crown. Graham chipped in with four points from play as his side consolidated their 0-7 to 0-1 interval lead with a 48th minute goal from man of the match Forde which put the issue beyond doubt. Once again the strength in depth at the club came into its own. "The work carried out at the club over the years at underage level has been phenomenal. "My eyes were opened in a big way at the funeral of John Fee. "There were droves of young fellas, teenagers and seniors at the funeral; all of whom would have been coached over the years by John and JJ (Reilly)," Philip reminds us. The Gaels' superiority in Cavan in '04 was again highlighted in a big way in the SFC semi-finals when they completely overwhelmed Denn side in a lop-sided (2-13 to 0-3) encounter at Kingspan/Breffni Park in late September. And for once, the imbalanced nature of the final scoreline fairly reflected the nature and pattern of the exchanges. In what was an archetypal mis-match, the defending champions never had to hit top gear in order to set up a final date with rank outsiders Mullahoran. Ironically the Gaels took all of 15 minutes time to get out of an atypical early slumber but once Cormac Nelligan flicked a Mickey Lyng free to the net ten minutes later, a real sense of what was to come was all too pervasive at headquarters. A brace of points thereafter by the lively Mickey Graham and a point apiece by Sean Johnston and Mickey Lyng duly had Denn backpeddling to the break. The second half saw Denn all but collapse in the face of unrelenting attacks by the county town side. Michael Lyng pointed after barely 30 seconds to get the Gaels up and running and a goal by Mickey Graham thereafter in the 9th minute left Denn in a hopeless situation as they chased a 0-2 to 2-6 deficit. The first week of October and final day brought the inevitable into focus. As things panned out, it was a clinically-taken goal just five minutes from time by man of the match Mickey Graham which proved to be the killer punch as the Gaels secured their second consecutive Cavan SFC title with a gritty 1-9 to 0-7 win at Kingspan/Breffni Park over 2003 final opponents Mullahoran. Mullahoran took the game to their vaunted opponents in the first half and weren't flattered by their 0-4 to 0-2 first quarter lead and but for a brilliant save by Gaels' goalkeeper Elliott to deny Philip Brady in the 26th minute with a fine diving save, it could have been worse for the county town side. The Gaels weren't at their best and were held to a draw at the interval (0-4 to 0-4). But once Mickey Lyng converted a free in the 43rd minute, the writing was on the wall for the chasing team as they faced into a 0-5 to 0-7 deficit. That said, the Gaels' lead was a precarious enough one and they had a let-off just after the three-quarter hour mark when Anthony Forde effected a 'foot block' on Philip Brady's shot at goal but referee McQuillan deemed it was outside the square. In the final quarter the Gaels set about going for the jugular. Still the issue was delicately poised with seven minutes left to play with Eddie Reilly's converted free cutting the Gaels' lead to a single point, 0-8 to 0-7. However like true champions, the blues finished with a flourish to floor the challengers. Just when a draw looked on the horizon as the final minutes ticked by, Paul O'Donnell slipped match-winner Graham through for the all-important and solitary goal of the match. Thereafter, the blues kept their feet on the pedal and a 26th minute point from overlapping midfielder Collins wrapped up the proceedings. Cavan Gaels' 2004 SFC-winning team lined out as follows; Eoghan Elliott; Eamon Reilly, Darren Rabbitte, Shane McGlade; Karl Crotty, Gavin Duffy, Nicholas Walsh; Enda King, Cathal Collins (0-1); Michael Lyng (0-3, all frees), Anthony Forde (0-2), Paul O'Donnell; Mickey Graham (1-2), Cormac Nelligan (0-1, one free), Seanie Johnston. Subs; Dominic Reilly;Tommy McCormack. Thereafter the Gaels warmed up for their Ulster club SFC tilt with Crossmaglen by sealing yet another league and championship double with a facile 1-19 to 1-5 win over Denn in a predictably lop-sided division one final clash at Killygarry. In a splendid all-round fine team display, Sean Johnston nicked the man of the match award with a 1-8 tally which, in truth, had as much to do with the service he received as his continuing good form in front of goal. Johnston was just one of a number of stars for the county town side who re-iterated their early season dominance over their Crosskeys-based opponents with little fuss. Trailing by six points at half-time, Denn shot themselves in the foot just two minutes into the second half when they had a defender red-carded. On a perfect day for football, Denn were bright and breezy in the opening few minutes and duly opened their tally with John Smith's converted free countering a first minute effort by Sean Reilly. Crucially, Denn weren't to score again for a further 21 minutes as the Gaels went about dominating practically every sector of the field. The aforementioned Johnston opened his personal account after seven minutes before the equally impressive John Gurhy notched the first of his three points in the 10th minute. By the time Johnston fired over his second point in the 13th minute, Denn were already looking at a 0-1 to 0-7 deficit. It was largely one-way traffic from there up until the time Dominic Reilly helped add the coup de grace in the 21st minute when he executed a defence-splitting pass which allowed Johnston to power through and goal from close range. Johnston's major catapulted his side into a 1-17 to 1-5 advantage and that was that save a point apiece by the Gaels' goal-scorer and Paul O'Donnell. The Cavan Gaels' league final-winning team was; Eoghan Elliott; Eamon Reilly, Darren Rabbitt, Patrick Graham; John Gurhy (0-3), Gavin Duffy (0-1), Niall Lynch; Enda King, Sean Reilly (0-1); Tommy McCormack (0-1), Dominic Reilly (0-1), Paul O'Donnell (0-1); Niall Collins (0-2), Cathal Collins, Sean Johnston (1-8). Subs used; Nicholas Walsh (0-1); Gearoid Collins; Anthony Forde; Damien O'Connor; Cormac Nelligan. Gaels gave challengers the blues 2004 was a year of some outstanding title wins by Cavan Gaels' finest at various grades. Here's some of them Under 14s in a league of their own An amazing third-quarter display in which they notched 1-12 and conceded just one point embellished a polished performance by Cavan Gaels as they reversed a four point half-time deficit to overcome Laragh United by 2-17 to 1-9 in a bristling Under 14 Roinn A League final. Trailing by 1-3 to 1-7 at the interval, things weren't exactly going to script for the would-be champions but inspired by half-time substitute Conor McClarey and emboldened by a stiffening breeze, the match favourites duly reeled in their opponents' lead before eventually romping to an emphatic victory. The second half was a frenetic affair but the game began to run away from Laragh, in truth, from the moment John Fortune levelled the scores for the first time in the match (at 1-8 apiece) in the 20th minute of the second half. And with the stiffening breeze and the apparent superior fitness of the blues helping to bolster the Gaels' resurgence by the minute, Laragh were soon facing an uphill challenge in every way. And once supersub McClarey edged his side into the lead for the first time in the match in the 22nd minute, the Gaels assumed the look of the unstoppables. From there to the finish, the aforementioned McClarey gave an almost flawless exhibition of point-scoring while behind him Niall Smith was lynchpin and driving force wrapped into one. In truth though, the Gaels were a terrificly unified, cohesive force and their polished performance in the second half especially showed the squad to have a potency and a degree of football nous which augurs well for their future success as a group of players. The following players steered Cavan Gaels to victory in the Under 14 Roinn A League decider; Michael Coyle; Fergal Blessing, Damien Kellegher, Shane Harten; Mark Leddy, Niall Murray (0-2), Paul McKiernan (0-1); Niall Smith (0-2, both frees), William Courtney; John Fortune (0-1), Eamon Cooney (2-1), Kevin Meehan; Robert Maloney, Barry Myles (0-1), Conor Reilly. Sub used; Conor McClarey (0-9, two frees). Dunne deal Cavan Gaels' prized under 16 troupe added further lustre to their club's underage record of successes in 2004 when they produced a blistering final quarter to overcome Bailieboro by 3-9 to 2-6 in a thrilling Under 16 League Division One final replay at Kingspan/Breffni Park. Two cracking goals by livewire corner-forward Martin Dunne hallmarked the Gaels' storming run to the winners' enclosure. Having fought out a wonderful draw last time out, it was no surprise that little separated the sides in the replay. In the end, the county town's greater armoury in front of goal, their better 'bench', some outstanding individual performers at the rear and the drafting out to midfield of the winners' full-forward Christopher Quinn for the last quarter conspired to edge the blues home with a bit to spare. Predictably, there was only just one score separating what were two very well-matched teams at the interval. And that score came as early as the fourth minute and was, in fact, the opening score with a great move beginning with the Gaels' keeper, continued on by among others Martin Dunne and ending with the overlapping Daniel Graham side-stepping the last Bailieboro defender before rifling the ball low into the net at the old scoreboard end of the pitch. The Gaels gave as good as they got in the first half and up until the final ten minutes of the half arguably edged matters in the possession stakes. And with expert timing the Gaels managed to sew some further doubt into the minds of the would-be losers by having the last say of the half with a Martin Dunne free serving to extend their long-time lead to three points, 1-4 to 0-4. Just before the short whistle sounded, Martin Dunne almost latched onto a punt forward by Gaels' team-mate Leigh Jackson but Declan Delaney in the Boro goal was alert to make a timely interception. Bailieboro banged over two points in as many minutes of the restart but while the Gaels replied in kind, Bailieboro managed to find the Gaels net. Amazingly that score was to be Bailieboro's last for a further 24 minutes by which stage Luke Sheridan's opportunist goal had consolation written all over it. In between times, Martin Dunne with a brace of goals in the 21st minute and the 30th minute plus some excellent foraging by Christopher Quinn and the addition of supersub Liam Og Cooke saw to it that the injury-hit Bailieboro defence were finally cracked open in a fatal manner. The Gaels almost looked as if they had bided their time and there was no denying the worthiness of their hard-earned but deserved victory. Final score: Gaels 3-9, Bailieboro 2-6 Hats off to the Cavan Gaels under 16 players who downed Bailieboro; Michael Coyle; Paddy Heslin, Leigh Jackson, Dallan McCormack; Levi Murphy, Sean Higgins (0-1), Declan Meehan; Daniel Graham (1-1), Pauric Carroll; Robert Maloney, Gerry Reilly, Conor McClarey; Martin Dunne (2-5), Christopher Quinn (0-2), Killian McKiernan. Subs used; Liam Og Cooke; Rory McGrath. Minors achieve major landmark title win The Gaels' efforts to achieve a record seven-in-a-row MFC titles were thwarted in early October when a last minute goal by a rejuvenated Lurgan side brought an intriguing but weather-hampered MFC decider to a close at Kingspan/Breffni Park. The Gaels looked a shoe-in for the title when they led by four points with just over three minutes remaining against Lurgan in the decider. Lurgan had been rocked back on their heels when Martin Dunne goaled with eight minutes left to play in the second half after a great move down the left wing by the increasingly confident Gaels. However Lurgan's (Ramor, Maghera and Munterconnacht) increasing pressure in the second half told and with the last kick of the ball, the match favourites goaled to level matters at 1-6 apiece at the death. The replay was another thriller with goals by Martin Dunne and Anthony Quinn in the 12th and 19th minutes of the first half being crucial in propelling the county town side to yet another title win. Dunne's effort put his side into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead and with Quinn's effort easing the Gaels into a three point interval lead, Lurgan were under extreme pressure to get themselves out of jail. Lurgan pressed hard 'till the end and actually got to within a point of their opponents as the first of the four added-on minutes clicked in. With great resilience, the Gaels broke upfield and Martin Dunne added to the team's tally in the 63rd minute; a score which was augmented by a converted '45 by Gearoid Collins in the 63rd minute to copper-fasten the blues' 2-8 to 1-8 victory. Those that figured in the win over Lurgan in the MFC final were; David Reilly; Gerard Reilly, John Reilly, Darren Cassidy; Michael Meehan, Joe Dunne, Anthony Quinn (0-1); Gearoid Collins (0-1), Donal Farrelly; Andrew Nelligan, Thomas Kenny (0-1), Christopher Quinn (0-1); Martin Dunne (1-3), Sean Higgins (0-1), Alan O'Riordan (0-1). Subs used; Daniel Graham, Leigh Jackson, Shane Craig. Under 21s wrap up remarkable season The Gaels classy under 21 squad showed Castlerahan a clean pair of heels in the championship final in late December by dishing out a 2-7 to 0-7 defeat to the Ballyjamesduff-based crew. The match favourites demonstrated a superior degree of fitness, greater capacity to find their team-mates and an ability to execute scores with the minimum of fuss. The sides were level at 0-2 apiece after six minutes but the accurate boot of Ciaran Flynn gradually eased the blues into a two point lead at the end of the first quarter. A further point by Sean Johnston added to the Gaels' momentum and when Ronan Farrelly and Micheal Lyng combined for the former to bag a goal with six minutes of the first half left to play, the writing was on the wall for the maroon and whites. Ahead by 1-5 to 0-3 on the restart, the Gaels were comfortable in defending their lead but proceeded to drive a stake through the heart of the Castlerahan team in the 13th minute when Ciaran Flynn set up Sean Johnston for the second goal of the game. From there to the finish, the Gaels were never really troubled and they went onto easily consolidate their advantage with points from Ciaran Flynn and Sean Johnston. Cavan Gaels' Under 21 Championship heroes were; Charles Halligan; Kevin Downes, Damien O'Connor, Joe Kenny; Michael Cooke, John Gurhy, Francis Graham; Sean Reilly, Nicholas Walsh; Ed O'Hanlon, Micheal Lyng (0-1), Ronan Farrelly; Ciaran Flynn (0-4), Sean Johnston (1-2), Niall Collins. Subs used; Ciaran McGlade, Gearoid Collins, John Murray, Stephen Maguire. Another success Cavan Gaels added to their bevy of 2004 county title successes when they produced a rolled-up-sleeves display to defeat neighbours Killygarry by 0-6 to 0-4 in a dogged ACFL Division 1A decider in a continuous downfall in Drumalee. In a game which saw both defences largely on top over the hour, opportunities in front of goal were few and far between as most of the play was concentrated for the most part between the respective 45 metre lines. With the ground conditions like an ice rink and a swirling wind making life extremely difficult for the players, the 100mph pace of the game was hardly conducive to playing quality football. As such it was no surprise that it wasn't until the 17th minute that the first point was recorded with the Gaels' Ciaran Flynn converting a free. The Gaels were that bit more potent and despite recording seven wides they also notched two points courtesy of frees by Ed O'Hanlon and Cormac Nelligan. Ahead by 0-3 to 0-1 on the restart, the would-be champions proceeded to mix the awful (poor wides) with some fine approach work and points from O'Hanlon (free) and Kevin Downes duly stretched the county town's lead to four points inside the first nine minutes. Killygarry worked hard to keep in touch and by the 26th minute they had cut the Gaels' lead to two points. Three minutes later a converted free by the red and blacks left just the minimum between the sides. However the introduction of experienced subs. Paul O'Donnell and Enda King helped greatly in consolidating the Gaels' advantage from open play and also on the scoreboard. In fact it took a fine point by the aforementioned King four minutes into added on time to seal the spoils for the blues. The Gaels held on despite having to play the full quota of added-on time with just 14 men after they had used up all their five subs. The victorious Cavan Gaels line-out was as follows; Charlie Halligan; Darren Smith, Dessie Scanlon, Patrick Graham; John Gurhy, Paraic Byrne, Niall Lynch; Eddie O'Hanlon (0-2, both frees), Sean Reilly; Joe Kenny, Tommy McCormack, Kevin Downes (0-1); Ciaran Flynn (0-1), Ciaran McGlade, Michael Cooke. Subs used; Cormac Nelligan (0-1); Paul O'Donnell; Gearoid Collins; Damien O'Connor; Enda King (0-1). Tweet

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