For a Laois man, Pat Fitzpatrick doesn't half exude a passion for football in his adopted county of Cavan and, in particular, around Bally'duff. Kevin Carney reports. Pat Fitzpatrick barely recognisable midlands accent blends into the Cavan air with all the ease of a morning drizzle down Bally'duff way, appropriately enough. Where once his loyalty lay firmly and squarely with home town team Mountmellick, the famed Castlerahan club now hosts the considerable organisational and motivational skills. It's been nearly twenty years now since Pat set down his roots in the Breffni county and for most of those years, the native Leinsterman has played out his love of Gaelic games in the company of the maroon and white-clad Castlerahan gaels. For a short time before that he fielded with Killygarry but in 1991/92 threw in his lot with the underage brigade in Ballyjamesduff and he's been an everpresent at the coalface of GAA affairs there ever since. Lucky Castlerahan After starting off his Castlerahan club career at underage level before proceeding, years later, to get immersed in administration work for his adopted club, Pat has seen his Castlerahan days turn full circle. Less than a couple of months ago, but bold Pat succeeded outgoing chief Noel Flanagan as Chairman of the Castlerahan juvenile committee. This current year will mark his second stint in the juvenile hot seat having also filled the position some five years ago. He has high hopes that the club's recent record at underage level can be consolidated in the coming year. "There's a good flow of underage talent at the club and we're hopeful the most of our teams will be competing at the top level this year. "The footballers that have been coming out of Ballyjamesduff and Castlerahan national schools over the years have been going well at Cumann na mBunscoil and Community Games competitions and its up to the club to see that the talent continues to come through." Truth is, Castlerahan GAA has been pumping out a string of quality underage teams for many years. There were a couple of excellent squads back in the mid-eighties (particularly at under 16 level) and then the formation of the club's juvenile committee in 1991/92 helped embolden the ongoing coaching work locally and the positive input of parents in the area, especially far from work shy mothers! Gradually the Castlerahan underage tended to view the town club as being one which promised a lot of underage level but consistently failed to deliver at adult level. Was this an unfair perception? "Maybe not. Before the 2001 success, we had an opportunity to win the intermediate in '99 but we lost in the semi-final, after a replay, to Ballymachugh who went onto win the championship. "We led them for a long time in both games but didn't put them away. "There is a case to be made for the fact the club has had difficulty in getting fellas to make the switch from being good minors to being good seniors. "But Castlerahan aren't alone in that respect. "But the intermediate championship success in 2001 saw a big turnaround in that regard - it was a big boost to everyone and a great source of satisfaction and pride to the club. "The challenge for us all now is to try and make sure that the team can keep its pace in senior ranks," Pat explains. Did the team's success in beating the best of the rest in 2001 surprise the body of the club? "Probably a wee bit but the team made their own bit of luck during the campaign and deserved to go the distance. "Championship games are all about what happens on the day and our lads rose to the occasion each time. "Although very few people in the county would have made us favourites, the team beat fancied teams like Drung and Ballinagh and deserved to win it out." Significantly, Pat says that all belonging to Castlerahan GAA view the aforementioned intermediate title win as merely a 'stepping stone' to bigger and better things. With a good crop of footballers consistently emerging from under 16 and minor ranks to compete for places on the club's adult teams. Pat and Co. won't be entirely happy until much bigger prizes are scooped. And with the population of the greater Bally'duff area having gotten an injection from the loins of the Celtic Tiger, it seems likely that the well (of potential talent) will be even bigger in the years ahead from which the club can dip into. "There's no magic formula for hitting the jackpot at adult level. "You have to work hard at underage level and hope that the players stick with it all the way up to senior level," Pat reminds us. And certainly given the lesson to be learned from the parish side that went all the way to the national Community Games finals some ten years ago and which included in its ranks current Cavan senior Sean Brady, it is clear that nurturing the grass roots can be hugely rewarding. "Like a lot of other clubs, we have suffered because of incidences when the 'fall-off' tally is high. "For instance of the team that won the 1992 Under 14, thirteen-a-side Roinn B Championship, only one of them that won the intermediate championship in 2001. "That's disappointing but that's the way it can go when fellas head off to college or emigration kicks in," says the popular referee. But Pat is optimistic that Castlerahan can built upon their aforementioned intermediate success, sooner rather than later although he does feel that "a bit of a gap has opened up between the likes of Cavan Gaels, Gowna and the rest of the chasing pack." "I don't think it would be realistic to think that we can win the senior championship in the next couple of years. "I feel that it could be maybe six years before we see the current team reach its peak but we'll still have to better at that stage than Cavan Gaels." The Gaels are set to dominate them? "Long-term, they'll be the team to beat which mightn't be a bad thing for football in Cavan 'cause you need to have a successful club based in the county town. "They're reaping at senior level what they sowed at underage in the early nineties when the likes of Nicholas Walsh was prominent at under 12 level," Pat replies. Reflecting on Castlerahan's displays in the senior championship in 2003, last year's club secretary - he has since handed over the reigns to his wife Carmel - says that there was much relief among club members that senior status was retained. "It's vital that the current senior players continue to get experience playing at the highest level possible. "They did well to beat Kingscourt, having lost narrowly to Mullahoran when they were unlucky enough to hit the bar. "Then in the quarter-finals they lost to Bailieboro by a couple of points so it wasn't a bad season." Looking ahead to the coming season, Pat remarks that he is happy to see the league reverting to its hitherto system of promotion and relegation. "It's good to see the old system coming back. "It'll put pressure on clubs to get their act together from the very start of the year. "And with the new South Ulster league getting underway, there should be a real competitive edge to the club scene well in advance of the championships in the summer." Hopeful that new team-manager Gene Cusack and team-trainer Aidan O'Connell can get the best out of the Castlerahan seniors in 2004, Pat says that it'll be disappointing if the maroon and whites don't at least make the quarter-finals of the senior championship. "With a good draw, the team might even make the semi-finals. "That and a decent run in the league would represent good progress," Pat concludes. Sweet Sixteens The five-star nature of Castlerahan's underage pedigree brooks no debate. 2003 saw the club's under 16 troupe display its potential - on the double. Building from the grass roots is clearly the Castlerahan mantra as any gael with a modicum of knowledge of the club's coaching policy would concur. In 2003, the hard work carried out at juvenile level at the Ballyjamesduff-based club over the last few years in particular fairly came home to roost. In what turned out to be a landmark year for underage football for the maroon and whites, the club saw the cream of its young under 16 footballers skip to a league and championship double. The writing was on the wall for the best of the rest in the county at under 16 level way back in early summer as Castlerahan beat a path to the league semi-final. There the team's splendid victory over a vaunted Lurgan side had the county talking. Little wonder then that the Castlerahan under 16s went into the league decider in confident, assured and determined mood. But few clubs in the county sport the kind of record as Crosserlough at underage level and the black and ambers were to prove, once again, mighty opponents. As things transpired, the Ballyjamesduff-based crew predictably had to produce football right out of the top drawer to beat a gutsy Crosserlough side in a real thriller in Kingspan/Breffni Park in last June. Indeed an indomitable spirit and an unquenching desire for victory were the hallmarks of the Castlerahan display which saw the maroon and whites overcome their opponents by 3-9 to 3-7 in a hugely exciting and entertaining decider. In a game which proved to be a marvellous advertisement for underage football in the county, the closeness of the final score provided a true indication of how evenly balanced the contest was and just how little separated the sides over what was a thrilling hour's football. The game was played at a frenetic pace throughout but, for once, the quality of the game didn't suffer because of it. It was an archtypal see-saw encounter with one team and then the other appearing on the cusp of securing a stranglehold on proceedings only for their opponent to wrestle their way back into pole position. It was Crosserlough who drew first blood in a major way when, in the 9th minute, they goaled to ease their way into a 1-11 to 0-2 lead. Castlerahan didn't allow the concession of the Crosserlough goal to unduly rattle them through and, indeed, it was the loss through injury in the 18th and 20th minutes of Gavin Cunningham and Damien Farrelly which threatened to haven an even more negative impact. Credit to the Ballyjamesduff-based lads though. They regrouped and proceeded to play with a unity of purpose and a spirit which was not be stymied. In the 25th minute the maroon and whites' cause received a real lift when the outstanding Cian Mackey careered through to nick a point to leave his side just 0-4 to 1-3 adrift. Better was to come though for Mackey and Co. two minutes later when Ronan Flanagan produced a goal out of nothing with a swing of his left foot. Suddenly Castlerahan led (1-4 to 1-3) for the first time in the match but with obvious ambition and pride, the leaders proceeded to stretch their advantage at the interval as Loughlan Egan's fisted effort in the 32nd minute eased Castlerahan into a 2-5 to 1-3 lead. The second half was to be no less a claustrophobic and stimulating affair. Inside the opening four minutes, a fired-up Crosserlough has bagged their second goal of the game to leave just two points between the combatants. There was still two between them when the jet-propelled Mackey sprinted through the heart of the Crosserlough defence before placing the unmarked Ronan Brady for a cracking goal which left the would-be winners 3-6 to 2-4 to the good after 12 minutes. The game continued to career forward at an unrelenting pace and a second Crosserlough goal in the 19th minute left just the minimum between the sides. It was now very definitely a case of game-on! By the 22nd minute, the scores were tied at 3-6 apiece and the spoils were well and truly in the melting pot. Neither side seemed able to nick a significant foothold in the match for any worthwhile period of time while neither team remained on the backfoot for anything other than fleeting moments. Crosserlough then edged into a one point lead with 23 minutes played and suddenly the odds shortened considerably on the cup heading Kilnaleck way. And even though Cian Mackey had a goal crossed off after Packie Smith deemed he had been found en route to goal - Mackey subsequently converted the free - the Castlerahan lads remained focussed on reaching the winners' enclosure ahead of their rivals. Mackey put his side's nose in front with a fine point from play in the 29th minute and it was the flame-haired speedster's pass to sub Ronan Brady on the half-hour mark which served to tag on that visual insurance point for the Ballyjamesduff-based side. It was nothing less than the Castlerahan lads deserved. The first of a magnificent underage summer double had been bagged! The following is the Castlerahan team, subs and scorers, that overcame Crosserlough in last June's exciting county under 16 decider; Brian Coleman, Michael Smith, Pauric Reilly, Shane Boylan, Barry Cusack, Fiachra Cork, Sean Fitzpatrick, Ronan Flanagan (1-0), Pauric Smith, Paul Cusack, Cian Mackey (0-6), Gavin Cunningham, Damien Farrelly, Thomas Tracey, Loughlan Egan (1-1) Subs: Fergal Flanagan (0-1) for Damien Farrelly, Jason Conaty for Gavin Cunningham, Ronan Brady 1-1 for Conaty. Fast forward the tape to early October and the opportunity of adding the Division One championship title to their league triumph dangled in front of the all-conquering Castlerahan lads. Continuing their league title form into the championship arena, Castlerahan impressed in careering to a convincing victory over old rivals Lurgan in the semi-finals. Showing the sort of teamwork and camaraderie all year that comes with playing together since under 12 grade, Castlerahan entered the championship final against Cavan Gaels as the 'form' favourities to lift the title. In the event, it was goals that counted, big-time, as the would-be double winners hit the jackpot against the county town side to emerge deserving winners. And, for once, the final scoreline of 4-8 to 1-11 fairly reflected the difference in potency between the sides over the hour. Playing arguably their most incisive, most constructive and polished football of 2003, Castlerahan tore at their opponents with unrelenting gusto and, in the end, managed to all but overwhelm the blue and whites. All four goals scored by the winners-elect were of the textbook variety. In each case, Castlerahan's slick teamwork and fine ball skills were to the fore in the setting up of Daniel Lynch, Cian Mackey (on the double) and majestic midfielder Ronan Flanagan. In a nip and tuck first half, Castlerahan had to play catch up on three separate occasions as their opponents opened up with plenty of passion and no little spirit. The maroon and whites were workmanlike rather than totally efficient in their approach work and finishing in front of goals as the first half gathered pace. That said fine points by Ronan Flanagan and Daniel Lynch posted notice of Castlerahan's intentions to match their opponents punch for punch as the league champions trailed by just the odd point in seven after 22 minutes. Castlerahan always looked the more classy, composed outfit in the last third of the field and the incisiveness that would form the hallmark of their outstanding win came to the fore in a big way not long before the half-time whistle. In one of the most fluid moves of the game, Cian Mackey received a pass in full flight from the ever-alert Daniel Lynch and promptly fired the ball in devastating style to the back of the Gaels' net. Even better was to come for Castlerahan minutes later through as the aforementioned Mackey soloed the ball some 50 metres and drew the Cavan Gaels' defenders before setting up Daniel Lynch for another cracking major. Although the Gaels hit back in similar fashion just on the stroke of half-time, it was the Castlerahan lads who undoubtedly had the psychological advantage though as they headed into the dressing room, 2-3 to 1-4 to the good. The second half began with Castlerahan again showing the sort of hunger and grit that characterised all their sorties in 2003. Daniel Lynch underpinned Castlerahan's surge to the winning post with a classy point barely two minutes after the restart. Moments later the leaders stretched the gap between the sides when a foul on Cian Mackey allowed Daniel Lynch to subsequently rifle over the resultant free. It was simply brilliant stuff from Castlerahan in this period and the Gaels didn't really know what hit them as the second half gained momentum. The momentum, in truth, though was all Castlerahan's though. In the 6th minute, livewire Mackey careered forward and fed the in-running Daniel Lynch. Cavan Gaels retreated en masse but too late to prevent Lynch off-loading the ball to Ronan Flanagan and yet again the umpire was brought into action as Castlerahan's vocal backing celebrated one more fine point. It continued to be one-way traffic thereafter with Mackey tagging on another point which helped catapult his side into a 2-8 to 1-8 lead just inside the final quarter. With just one score separating the sides, the issue was far from done and dusted - despite Castlerahan's patent domination of open play. However in the 19th minute, the bottom fell out of the Gaels' cause, right and proper. Again it was a slick, well-engineered move up the field which served to slice the Gaels' defence open and when Cian Mackey found the supporting Ronan Flanagan in front of goal, the last-named made absolutely no mistake in rattling the county town side's net. Castlerahan were now cock-a-hoop and had the scent of victory. For their part, Cavan Gaels needed a goal badly and quickly. The Gaels' major wouldn't materialise though as their opponents rearguarded proceeded to stand up to all sorts of scrutiny by their opposite numbers. In this respect, Castlerhan's backs showed their mettle in the 21st minute when a fast-flowing Gaels attack had potential written all over it. However, after a fine four man move, the Gaels attack came to nothing. Castlerahan would not be moved. The celebration of a dream double could begin. Lord knows what the seeds of that achievement will deliver in the next five years or thereabouts. Tweet

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