A poor start to the 2005 football season ended on a note of hope as the Ballymachugh footballers, began to put together a string of victories which enabled them to salvage what looked like a dismal season into what should be a much brighter future. According to the club PRO, Richard Fitzsimons: "We may not have won very much silverware in '05 but nonetheless we retained our status in all competitions. The Division 2 league was probably the toughest and most evenly contested of all the leagues in the Cavan. The closeness of the teams saw one team being automatically relegated and a further four staring at relegation in the face, as they all shared the same number of points. In the resultant relegation playoffs, from a Ballymachugh point of view, this matter was settled on Saturday 3rd December where the Sheelin men pulled out a very hard fought victory over a battling and courageous Drumlane team. Conditions were heavy and the going tough as might be expected for such an affair but the Hugh's ended up with a mere two point winning margin which ensured their safety in Division 2." Poor Start "Having come off the back of poor results for the previous number of years, the 2005 season was a replica of previous years as we commenced our season with four straight defeats in the league. We had the good fortune to have acquired the services as team manager of the experienced Gowna man, Gerry Brady, who helped steady affairs. With the break in the league campaign, we managed to win a couple of league and challenge games which set us up for the championship. Confidence was now beginning to ebb back into the team and the future looked bright." New found confidence With the championship looming and one of the favourites, Lavey, providing the first stern obstacle, the new found confidence was certainly going to be put to the test. This was the game that really showed us as a club that we had the ability and confidence to win and do so coming from behind. We expected a tough encounter, and this we got, as Lavey dominated for much of the game. We refused to surrender and the blend of youth and experience was beginning to show its rewards. We were down five points at half-time but never gave up the belief that we could win, and this we did, with a superb second-half performance, which saw us edge out the formidable Lavey side by a single point, on a scoreline of Ballymachugh 3-08 Lavey 2-10. We had a narrow victory over Laragh in the next round in a low scoring affair where once again we showed we could seek out a win in tight situations. Another one point victory saw us progress to the final group game against a high flying Kill side. Kill were in top gear in their Division and had won both their championship group games. In a clash for 'top dog' in the group, we showed that we could also handle the extra pressure of playing for top stakes and had five points to spare at the end of the game. "Our new found confidence was hard won but well merited as we had now fused our younger players into a winning side. The younger players all showed that they had what it takes to win and with James Kiernan, James Fitzsimons, Barry Kiernan, Padraig Galligan and Padraig Kelly all showing signs of promise and maturity, helped to bring about a rejuvenated approach from their more senior counter-parts, like Gavin Smith, the Donohoe brothers, Liam, Philip and Brian and Padraig and Philip Sheridan who had all backboned the team over the years. "We went into the quarter-finals of the championship against Ballyhaise, who were now playing their league football in Division 1 and were strong favourites to win. While we did not reach our potential as a team on the day, it took a rather fortunate second half goal to give Ballyhaise their victory. The disappointment which followed our exit was very evident on players, mentors and supporters alike and was another sign that the club means business for the future", said Richard. Prolific Scorer The club had a further boost when they surveyed their championship run and saw that star forward James T. Kiernan had amassed a personal tally of 4 goals and 20 points during the club's four championship games. The youthful James was further rewarded with a call into the senior county team where he has played a number of inter-county games in both the McKenna Cup and Allianz NFL. His experience at this level will certainly benefit the club in the future. Strong management The management organisation of Gerry Brady at the helm, ably assisted by Dan O'Reilly and Eugene Kiernan were very effective and efficient and remain unchanged for the coming year. The work put by the the management team began to show good results in the second part of the season with some notable wins. It is hoped to build on last year and hopefully take things one or two steps further in the coming season! Success at underage Football A superb display by the U-13s earned them a place in the club's history when they accounted for Cornafean in the final of Bord Peil na nOg U-13 championship on a scoreline of Ballymachugh 2-14 Cornafean 1-12. This was a scintillating game which saw a sterling final quarter give the winners the edge over a very determined and gritty Cornafean side. Ballymachugh had shown great form on their march into the final and needed every bit of that self belief to finally end the challenge of Cornafean and thus earn the right to be called champions. Stephen Harten got Ballymachugh off to the perfect start when he found the back of the Cornafean net and a point by Killian Goldrick put them in front by 1-1 to 0-0. Cornafean showed that they meant business and a couple of quick points had them back in the game. Points from Diarmaid Reilly and Brendan Kelly helped to keep Ballymachugh ahead but their lead was severely threatened when in the seventeenth minute of the first half, Cornafean's Pauric Woods hit his side's only goal to leave the half-time score Ballymachugh 1-6 Cornafean 1-3. Cornafean stole the initiative after the restart and had a brace of points to ensure that this was going to a tight affair. Now trailing by a single point, Ballymachugh refused to panic and once again Stephen Harten came to the rescue when he netted his second goal. Further points from Rachel Reilly, Laura Galligan and Diarmaid Reilly helped point the way to victory. The final minutes proved to be a tense affair as Cornafean tried valiantly to get that all important elusive goal, but a strong and resilient Ballymachugh defence refused to be pierced. Ballymachugh: D. Lynch, John Dennehy, Kieran Goldrick, Noel Denenehy, Cormac Mangan, Anthony Baxter, Liam Goldrick, Laura Galligan (0-1), Killian Goldrick (0-5), Pauric Kelly (0-2), Diarmaid Reilly (0-2), Stephen Harten (2-1), Brendan Kelly (0-2). Underage football in Ballymachugh, like in any other parish, was a hive of activity in 2005. At U12 level Killygarry stood in the way of success, defeating Ballymachugh by a couple of points. At U14 level Knockbride proved to be the stumbling block at the quarter final stage putting an end to the Hugh's championship campaign. Men such as Tommy Smith and Michael Tynan provided excellent coaches for all players involved. At U16 and minor level Ballymachugh amalgamated with near neighbours Lacken, which proved very successful and useful for both parishes as player numbers were at a premium in both areas. The U16's were eventually overcome at the semi-final stage in the Championship by near neighbours Crosserlough. The minors on the other hand reached the league final after a duo of encounters with Cuchullains (following a nail biting drawn game on the first occasion) and faced Ballinagh in the final. The final, played in Cornafean, turned out to be too great of an ask for the Ballymachugh-Lacken amalgamation, as Ballinagh proved too strong and took the honours. The minor championship resulted in the duo of neighbours losing out by a solitary point in the first round to a well-trained Shercock side. The U21 team won their first round in the championship but met a very talented Drumalee side in the second round and were duly dispatched from this competition. A great deal of credit for all the hard work put into coaching and managing the juvenile teams must go to their mentors and in particular to men like Eugene Kiernan. No doubt the benefits of their great work will be rewarded with future glory for the club. Hurling Hurling in Cavan has seen a huge boost in popularity over the last four or five years and in no parish more so than Ballymachugh. This is largely due to individuals like Brendan Sweeney (club and inter-county referee), Tom Michael Hill and Tom Jenkins. With men like these all age groups are catered for and rigorously trained throughout the year. Shield Success Early on in April the senior team got off to winning ways by claiming the deferred 2004 senior league Shield beating Woodford Gaels in a mid-week fixture which was played at Killeshandra. Team captain Michael Hill was the proud recipient of the Hurling shield on behalf of his entire squad. In the A championship Ramor fell victim to a good solid display by the Hugh's in their home turf of Virginia. However, the final against near neighbours and rivals Mullahoran proved to be an entirely different kettle of fish. On this occasion in Breffni Park, the Mullahoran side proved to be to strong and won by an eight point margin. The end of the year, however, mirrored the start with Ballymachugh retaining their league title, on this occasion at the hands of Ramor, much to the enjoyment of all and sundry. Promising player A star for the future in the form of Stephen Harten had the club's support when he was chosen to represent Cavan in the mini sevens in Croke Park where he played at half time in the Cork v Clare All Ireland Hurling semi final. In the U12 and U14 league and shield respectively saw the Ballyheelan side pitched against Gowna and unfortunately on both occasions the Gowna lads took the honours. The U12 team also had the privilege of being picked to play at half time in Croke Park during the Leinster Final - a day that will always stick out in their minds long into the future. Indeed the future looks good for hurling when you see the Hugh's so competitive in so many categories. Ladies Football Ballymachugh Ladies GFC was revived in 2001 under the driving force of Anne Kelly. In 2005 teams were fielded at all grades, a notable achievement for a very small playing base. The senior girls reached the 9 a side Division 3 final in August only to go under to a Killinkere. The club provided several players to the county underage teams and promising players to watch out for in the future include Deirdre Kelly, Laura Galligan and Nicole Smith. Brian Donohoe will continue as ladies coach in 2006 and is also newly elected Club Chairperson. The future looks bright for the Lough Sheelin based ladies but the club will only grow and be successful with increased cooperation and commitment from players, mentors and parents alike. The club's main nursery, Ballynarry National School had a very successful sporting year. Ballymachugh's parish school completed the quite remarkable achievement of winning six consecutive Division Two girl's titles. Captained by Ciara Quealy the girls defeated a gallant Gowna N.S in Kingspan Breffni Park in early June 2005. Strong committee No club could survive without good leadership and this couldn't be more true than it is around Ballyheelan HQ where these days under the watchful eye of club chairman, Tony Tierney, the club has continued to build and foster new and upcoming talent. As everyone knows clubs don't run on fresh air, especially with larger facilities to be up -kept and more and more teams to nurture. Under the leadership of Tony new vigour and drive has been provided with very successful fundraising events like an annual horseracing fund raiser on St Stephen's night and a weekly lotto. Backed by a hard working committee and stalwarts like Packie Smith, Paddy Gill and Jim Fitzsimons, things around Ballyheelan can only get better with time. Appreciation Club PRO Richard Fitzsimons feels that; "Credit has also to be given to the tenacious leadership both on and off the field of captain John Fox - the dashing ginger wing half back! John managed to both ignite and finish a move resulting in brilliant and timely goal in the first round game against Lavey to fuel a classic comeback. John is at present enjoying sunnier climates south of the equator and upon leaving on his sojourn made the kind gesture of three footballs to the club. His return will be sorely awaited for the next year's campaign". Tweet

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