Castlerahan's minor footballers created their own piece of history when they won the Cavan Minor A football championship for the first time as they accounted for neighbours, Crosserlough 0-8 to 0-3 at Kingspan Breffni Park. It took a replay to separate these sides as the previous week they had remained deadlocked at the final whistle. On that occasion it looked as if Castlerahan were home and dry with a point victory with time running out but a last minute free sent this final to a replay. The excitement and joy experienced at the final whistle was justifiable. This win must give great hope to a club that has promised much since its return to senior ranks back in 2003. Youth is something that this club is not short off but the journey to experience will take its time. A victory like this, at minor level, will only help move this group of talented footballers in the right direction. Castlerahan are probably one of the few clubs in Co. Cavan who pose a serious threat to the dominance of Cavan Gaels at underage level. This year was no exception as their minor squad captured the county's premier title when they accounted for Crosserlough in a replay at Kingspan Breffni Park. In a side bristling with talent and with Cian Mackey and Ronan Flanagan both members of the Ireland International Youth Squad, it was always likely that the destination of the minor title would be heading back to the land of "Paddy O'Reilly". The club who have over the years put great emphasis on their underage structures are hoping that the next few seasons will see a welcome return at senior level. There is little doubt that as a club, they have the talent and with a little bit of luck should a force to be reckoned with at senior championship level over the coming seasons. As a club, they emerged back into senior ranks just two seasons ago when they played senior championship football for the first time in three decades in 2003. While no-one expected a major impact to be registered by the Ballyjamesduff club, the patience and belief of its committee members should be rewarded in the coming years as they have amassed a small but talented pool of players who are capable of stamping their name on the destination of senior honours. Evidence of their ability at this level was the manner in which they took up the challenge of Cavan Gaels in the SFC quarter-final this season, where many pundits expected the Ballyjamesduff side, who were struggling in the league, to be dismissed out-of-hand by the champions. This was not to be the case, as a side, backboned by many of its minor stars almost completed the shock of the championship as they put their more vaunted opponents through a gruelling hour before narrowly losing out. When the club look back over this season they will do so with great hope, having seen their minor team capture the championship title after a replay against Crosserlough. Minor title The words of Secretary, Seamus Greene, probably sums up this victory more than anything else when he said: "This is a group of very talented young players. With a bit of luck, and good guidance these same players can mature into a very strong unit at senior level. We have a great crop of players with many of our more 'senior' players still in their early twenties. The present senior team has a number of experienced players who are still very much in the early twenties. Players who have given great service to the club such as Ooray McBride, Nigel Duignan, Mark Brady who has returned from injury, John Clarke and Charlie Clerkin who are still only in their twenties. These players can help bring on our younger players and hopefully we will over the next two to three seasons become a force to be reckoned with in Cavan senior football". This minor final saw neighbours Crosserlough provide a stern test for Castlerahan and it was always going to be a close call. Having been denied victory with a dying minute free, Castlerahan were determined not to let this game get away from them. While the game as a contest was always going to be close, the eventual winners had the vital edge throughout with Cian Mackey playing at midfield prompting his side at every move. While a low-scoring affair the game produced some great championship football from both teams and kept the large attendance on the edge of their seats. Cian Mackey set his side on course with a point just after two minutes. Castlerahan had a number of chances to increase their lead but failed to do so. With nine minutes of the first half, Crosserlough had levelled matters with midfielder Stephen Denneny pointing. It took until the twentieth minute for Castlerahan to put some daylight between themselves and Crosserlough when they held a 0-3 to 0-1 lead. Ronan Flanagan made 0-4 to 0-1 as half-time approached but Crosserlough had the final say of this half a point from Thomas McEvoy. The second-half saw a much more confident Castlerahan team and a superbly struck kick from out on the wing by Cian Mackey just two minutes after the restart spelled danger for Crosserlough. Enda Gaffney tried in vain to pull his side back into contention and his and Crosserlough's only score of the second half in the 41st minute was too little to make any indent to the destination of the title. Crosserlough who lost their goalkeeper with a red card in the first half saw another one of their players getting his marching orders towards the end of the game and with Cian Mackey converting a late free, the spirit seemed to ebb out of Crosserlough. Castlerahan: Brian Coleman, Shane Boylan, Paudie O'Reilly, Fergal Flanagan, Tommy Tracey, Ronan Flanagan (0-2), Barry Cusack, Cian Mackey (0-3), Pauric Smith, Gavin Cunningham, Ronan Brady (0-1), Sean Fitzpatrick, Daniel Lynch (0-1), Fiachra Cork (0-1), Lochlann Egan. Subs: Paul Cusack for Sean Fitzpatrick (injured); Enda O'Connell for Lochlann Egan; Michael Smith for Gavin Cunningham, Jason Conaty for Ronan Brady. Underage progress The club have a very strong underage structure with great work being put in by many of its members from U-8 to minor level. With upwards of 100 children being catered for on a weekly basis on Saturday mornings from April to October, with the aid of eleven adult coaches, the club put great emphasis on participation, fun and learning the skills of the game. Both the U-8 and U-10 sides took part in the development games organised by the Co. Board and also in Community Games. U-12s Win Roinn B League title With a panel of 35 players the club were quietly confident of making it through the final stages of the Roinn B League campaign and this confidence was justifiably rewarded when they emerged as champions after an eight game campaign. In the league stages, they accounted for Belturbet, Castletara, Lavey, Killeshandra, Cootehill and Redhills. Riding on the crest of a winning wave, they met Castletara in the semi-final. With a deserved victory under their belts they met a strong Lacken team in the final. This game was to prove to be a thriller with just two points edging out Lacken at the final whistle. While the presentation of U-12 medals by All Ireland winning manager, Tyrone's Mickey Harte which was made at special function was a highlight, the club also stuck to their principles of involving their own youthful talent. With this in mind Harte was ably assisted on the night by three of Castlerahan's county minor stars, Pauric Reilly, Ronan Flanagan and Cian Mackey. At U-14 level the club reached the semi-finals of both the league and championship. Playing in a very competitive Roinn B U-14 league, Castlerahan defeated, Lacken, Lavey, Killeshandra, Swanlinbar and Cootehill to put them into the semi-final. Castlerahan produced some exciting and skilfull football against a strong Drumgoon team but a narrow two point margin defeat saw them make their exit from the competition. In the championship the team were to lose out to Cootehill in the semi-final after a very close and exciting game. It was Cootehill's ability to score goals at vital stages of the game that caused Castlerahan to exit from the competition. The U-16 side performed gallantly off in the Roinn B league where they emerged from a play- against Laragh and Ballinagh to take-on a very strong Kingscourt Stars side. Kingscourt were to prove too strong for the Castlerahan challenge and thus ended the hopes of league glory. At championship level, the side had to contend with the loss of a number of players and subsequently paid the price when they went out in the first round to Mullahoran. Coaching With strong emphasis being put on the structure of underage level, the club had 11 members who during the year successfully completed the Fundamental Coaching Level course organised by the County Board. It is hoped that these same coaches will now take their skills to a higher level and under the guidance of coaching officer, Paul Greely, who organised a number of events during the season the emphasis will be on continued improvement. Ladies Football The aim of the club for season 2005 was to retain their position in Division 2 and help bring on the younger players. To this end, the aims of the club were achieved. All in all in it was a bit of a curate's egg of a season for the amalgamated side of Castlerahan - Denn as they showed great promise at U-14 level, but suffered an early exit in the minor competition. At senior level Castlerahan played Mullahoran in the championship but lost out by just four points. Mullahoran went on to win the title. In the Shield competition the team made it to the semi-final stage before exiting. The best performance of the season came from the U-14 team. With just the bare number of players this team produced some of the best football seen at the club this year. Playing in Division 1, they gave an outstanding performance against Knockbride in the quarter-final before losing out. Knockbride then went on to win the title. At U-16 level, they joined up with neighbours, Crosserlough to form Inny Gaels. A strong showing in the early round of the competition saw them beat a much fancied St. Finbarrs by two points to win U-16 B championship. At minor level the loss of a number of players due to holidays left this team understrength and it was no surprise that they made their exit at the beginning of the competition. According to Aidan O'Reilly: "Victory at U-16 level was the highlight of the year and great credit must go to all of the girls who gave one hundred per cent throughout the year. They trained very hard and they worked as team. This is what it took to win the U-16 championship. They helped each other, fought for each other and encouraged each other. For me, this is what won them the title. Each member of the panel all played their part and all I can say at this stage is, keep up the good work and build on this success and hopefully more successful years will come along." Ongoing Club Development In keeping with the structural needs of a fast developing and expanding GAA club, successive committees of the club have been very active and diligent in ensuring that the increasing number of players active at club level have at their disposal good and up-date facilities. On an ongoing basis since the club established itself at Granard St., Ballyjamesduff there have been many improvements both the playing surface, lighting, and the acquisition of extra land to provide a training area. As far back as 2001 under the chairmanship of Gerry Brady a development programme was set in place with work commencing in 2002. Since then successive chairmen, Denis Lynch and John McGinn have embraced this ethos with great vigour which has now culminated in what is now regarded as a fine complex. Recent drainage work on the pitch, the installation of a verti-drain system, has ensured that the playing surface was playable in all reasonable weather conditions. Development committee member, Michael Smith, a contractor with experience in lighting advised the club on the purchasing and with his help installed a system that is both cost effective and adequate for the needs of the club. This new lighting system has given a whole new dimension to training and coaching session within the club. The club also acquired a parcel of land at the town end of the playing field and using the same verti-drain system constructed a training area which help take some pressure off the use of the main playing area. Having secured planning permission the club set about refurbishing their dressing room complex. This work which commenced in January 2005, saw a complete revamp of the present building, with the two existing dressing being fully refurbished, shower and toilet facilities brought up to state of the art and the entire complex was rewired and re-plumbed. The club also included wheelchair accessibility to their public toilets. A new referee's purpose built room was also constructed. The month of May saw the club continue with their development of the. An extension was added to the existing building and includes a "fully fitted" dressing room, a kitchen area which can double as a small meeting room and a large general purpose room which can be used to hold meetings, small functions or can act as a fourth dressing room if needed. The entire project which was overseen by Michael Smith and his staff came in on time and cost effective. The club members at Castlerahan can justifiably feel proud about their on and off field progress and according to Secretary, Seamus Greene, can approach the 21st century with greater confidence. Castlerahan volcano Team stalwart Sean Fitzpatrick compares Castlerahan to a volcano that's about to erupt. On the evidence of what we witnessed in '05, he may not be too far wrong. The Maroons stormed to a historic first-ever county minor football championship and pushed mighty Cavan Gaels all the way with a hungry young side in the latter stages of the SFC. The future looks bright; pass the shades. The dust is long since settled on what was a memorable year for Castlerahan's footballers. They rewrote the history books at minor level in '05 and also made quite an impression in the senior championship. There exists just cause for approaching the current year in optimistic mood. This year, the Maroons find themselves in Group C of the Cavan senior football championship. Herein, they will face Mullahoran, Knockbride and Drumgoon. It's a tough looking section, with little separating the four hopefuls on paper at least, but Castlerahan's excellent quarter-final effort of 2005 must surely give them heart. In the last eight on Sunday September 4 last, Castlerahan came up against a Cavan Gaels side en route to its third blue riband title on the trot. With a fearless disregard for reputation, their brazen young team gave the county kingpins the fright of their lives, pushing them all the way before the town side stumbled across the winning line on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-14. At minor level, the Ballyjamesduff club fared even better, defeating Lurgan, Annalee Gaels and neighbours Crosserlough (after a replayed county final) to claim their breakthrough Cavan MFC success. Six minors were on duty against Gaels in the aforementioned SFC quarter-final and the club also garnered an U12 Roinn B title in '05, so Sean Fitzpatrick's contention that Castlerahan are an emerging force would seem valid. Since famously capturing the intermediate championship and Division Three double in 2001, Castlerahan have continued to make impressive strides. Now firmly established as a top-table entity, they have abundant cause for confidence in '06. Having said that, they're not about to start taking matters for granted and Sean concedes that Group C of this year's SFC presents plenty of challenges: "It's a tough enough group and we know we won't get anything easy, but we're up for the fight. This year we are going all out to win the senior championship. I would describe the club as a volcano that's about to erupt. We're well able to match any team in Cavan and we'll be putting everything into it this year. If we play to our ability in the group, then we'll go through to the knockout stage. It's been 30 years now since Castlerahan [as St Mary's] won the senior championship but we feel we're ready to compete at that level now and we'll give it our best shot." With the likes of Ronan Flanagan, Cian Mackey and Sean Brady making their marks in the intercounty arena, Castlerahan appear well placed to challenge the traditional bug guns in the Breffni County. Would it be fair to say that things have rarely looked better for the club? Veteran campaigner Fitzpatrick agrees with this assertion: "It's good at the minute. We have a nice blend and some very good footballers. We still have twelve of the team that gained promotion to senior football in the first place back in 2001 and all those lads have worked hard on developing themselves as senior footballers. "I think the fact that we've all had to work so hard to get to where we are today has stood to us. Nobody takes anything for granted. After we went senior, we tested out the waters for the first couple of years and we were determined not to go back down to intermediate. We've hung in there and the spirit in the team is strong now. "There's a lot of hunger and conviction in the club. We built on our first-team performances with an excellent minor win in 2005 and we also had a strong U21 side [which was, unfortunately, eliminated from the championship on a technicality]. To win the minor championship for the first time ever is a big boost. That same group of players also won all the way through at U12, U14 and U16 levels. They know what it takes to win and they have a great desire for success. The hunger is there and we won't be satisfied until we win the senior championship." With the 2001 IFC-winning side mostly intact and the 2005 minors snapping at their heels for starting positions in the first XV, Castlerahan can't complain about lack of talent or a shortness of enthusiasm. Sean Fitzpatrick says he wouldn't have it any other way: "There's great competition for places and that's a very healthy state to be in. Some of the minors were brought through onto the senior team last year and they proved a great addition to the team. They gave the manager better options and the team is all the stronger for it. "Every player is fighting for his place. They all want to play because everyone realises we are capable of going places. Everybody in Castlerahan wants to be part of a SFC-winning team. There's an unbelievable desire to win a SFC. We all want a medal and that's spurring all of us on." Lack of motivation isn't going to be a factor in the Castlerahan equation in 2006, so! Sean has been playing football with the club for about 19 years now. He broke onto the first team when he was 18 and has been a regular fixture there for about twelve seasons now. In 2006, he will double up as manager of the minor team as Castlerahan bid for back-to-back county titles. Regarding that particular side, he notes: "They're a good young team and they're going well. They're learning all the time. They are keen and determined and it's a real pleasure to work with them. Their attitude is very good and I think they'll go well. "We have twelve left over from the 2005 panel and, even though some of them are very young, they all got great experience from being involved in the successful campaign last year and they definitely know the sort of commitment that's needed to win a minor championship." As for the senior team, Tony Brady will take charge again in 2006, with assistance from John Caffrey, Seamus Greene and Barney Mulvey. Sean believes Castlerahan are blessed to have a manager with the ability of Brady, pointing out: "He's a great manager and a lot of clubs in Cavan would love to have a manager like him. "But Tony played his football in Castlerahan and his heart is here. He took us from junior to senior and he is as eager as the players to win a senior championship. He won one as a player in 1976 and he'd love to win another as manager of Castlerahan. If we could pick any manager, we'd choose Tony, so we're very lucky." Lava could start flowing in the Castlerahan area this summer… Tweet

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