They say a week is a long time in politics, but for East Cavan unit, Cuchullains G.F.C. the week of October second to ninth will long be remembered in the annals of the club's history as they recorded two great football championship wins. The first taste of victory came when the club's senior side won the Intermediate title while the young guns of the club repeated the success the following Sunday when they too showed that they had what it takes to win championships, accounting for the amalgamated side from Cornafean/Killeshandra to win the Division 2 Minor championship final on an impressive scoreline of Cuchullains 5-7 Cornafean/Killeshandra 1-9. The club nearly made it a treble of victories the following week when their U-16 squad took on the might of Cavan Gaels in the Division 1 final only to lose out to their more experienced opponents. When the club look back on this year the words of team captain Martin Lynch, will stay with them. "We trained for this day since last January in the sleet and snow and we were a team all year. Last year we got to the semi-final and our manager Owen (Farrelly) promised that he'd get us to the final this year and fair play to him he did that. I told our players at a meeting on Saturday night before the final that they had a chance to make history. It was never done in our club that we won back-to-back cups. We won the Division 2 league title last year and now we have added the Intermediate championship this year." Path to the final The commencement of the IFC did not start on a hopeful note when Cuchullains went under to Ballyhaise who were among the favourites to win this title losing out to them on a scoreline: Cuchullains 0-8 Ballyhaise 0-13. Drung, who are something of championship specialists were the next hurdle. This game also threatened to be a tough encounter and a proverbial banana skin. This was not to be case as Cuchullains were convincing winners accounting for Drung 0-5 to Cuchullains 1-10. On a winning momentum, Drumlane were next on the championship ladder. A power-packed display from the club ensured a comprehensive victory Cuchullains 2-14 Drumlane 1-6. This put Cuchullains into a play-off to see who would progress to the quarter-finals. Drung were to be their opponents and once again a convincing performance ensure a five point victory - Cuchullains 0-11 Drung 1-3. Now into the knock-out stages the quarter-final opponents Kill were a tougher task with the East Cavan side shading matters by two points - Cuchullains 0-11 Kill 0-9. The semi-final saw them pitted against neighbours, Killinkere. Killinkere, who were showing good league form, were to prove to be a tough nut to crack. The game which never really got out of the blocks did see Cuchullains worthy winners at the final whistle. Cuchullains 2-10 Killinkere 1-9. Final Cuchullains captured the Cavan Intermediate football championship title for the third time in the club's history when they accounted for Drumalee in the final at Kingspan Breffni Park - Cuchullains 1-6 Drumalee 0-7. This final which many expected to be an open game proved to be a nervous tense affair with the deciding score coming in the nineteenth minute of the second-half when minor star Adrian Taite was on the end of a great move to slot home the team's decisive score. Cuchullains, who are playing their league football in Division 1, showed their experience when for the most of the first half they were under pressure from a lively Drumalee side. Just prior to the throw-in Cuchullains made a number of changes to the side selected bringing in Adrian Taite at left back and Seamus Clarke at left-corner forward. Taite's decisive goal and Clarke's strong running were to prove to decisive factors in helping their side capture the title. Low scoring Drumalee had the opening score of the game from a Daragh Gaffney free in the fifth minute before Seamus Clarke responded one minute later when he burst through the town team's defence after a great run from deep inside his own half. Daragh Gaffney restored Drumalee's lead from play in the seventh and was on target with a free from fifty metres to give Drumalee a lead of 0-3 to 0-1. Cuchullains fought back and a point from Patrick Murtagh left just the minimum between the sides. With just three minutes of the first half remaining, Colm Anderson was called into action in the Cuchullains goal when he saved from a Bernard Young rasper. With both sides missing frees the half-time score of 0-3 to 0-2 in favour of Drumalee must have given heart to Cuchullains who had for the most part been under pressure for this first half. With Terry Farrelly and Paul Taite beginning exert more influence in the middle of the park, and Martin Callaghan, Gavin Daly, Barry Smith and team captain, Martin Lynch all coming more into the game the balance began to shift more to Cuchullains. While Drumalee got the brighter start to the half with a point from a Gaffney free it was Cuchullains who began to dictate the play with Callaghan brothers, Martin and Alan beginning to create problems for the Cavan town based outfit. Full forward, Tommy Reilly began to find his shooting boots and reduced the arrears 0-3 to 0-4. Drumalee tried to gain the initiative and a point from sub. Finbar Donohoe gave them a cushion of two points 0-5 to 0-3. Tommy Reilly converted two frees to level the scores at 0-5 each by the forty-seventh minute. Two minutes later came Cuchullains crucial score when Martin Callaghan and Patrick Murtagh combined to put Adrian Taite through for the all-important goal and a 1-5 to 0-5 lead. Drumalee made a concerted effort to reclaim the advantage but once again goalkeeper, Colm Anderson was up to the task as he made another brilliant save from Finbar Donohoe. As Drumalee pressed forward for a lifeline score, it was Alan Callaghan who sealed matters with just two minutes remaining when he slotted over a well taken point. Drumalee had a point from fullback Kevin Donohoe, but it was insufficient to stop the trophy going to a well deserved Cuchullains side. Micheal Lee shot a point for Drumalee in the second minute of injury time but by this stage the celebrations were already underway. Team performance While this was a team performance special mention should be afforded to corner back, John Flanagan who must have pushed team captain, Martin Lynch close for the title 'man of the match'. Colm Anderson in goal was superb when called on and Barry Smith at fullback was sound. Gavin Daly, and Martin Lynch were prominent in the half back line. Midfield of Terry Farrelly and Paul Taite eventually won the upperhand and helped lay the foundation for the team's success while in a forward division the Callaghan brothers, Martin and Alan, proved to be more than effective during the crucial second half performance. Seamus Clarke, Patrick Murtagh and Tommy Reilly all provided crucial inputs to this victory. The introduction of both Shane Smith and Niall Lynch was also to prove decisive as both players caused problems for the Drumalee defence. This was a victory to a team performance, and with young players in the side like, Paul Tully, Killian Lynch and Adrian Taite the prospect of this team challenging for further honours is very much a reality. Cuchullains - Colm Anderson; John Flanagan, Barry Smith, Adrian Tate; Gavin Daly, Terry Farrelly, Martin Lynch; Paul Taite, Paul Tully; Alan Callaghan, Martin Callaghan, Patrick Murtagh; Killian Lynch, Thomas O'Reilly, Seamus Clarke. Subs. Shane Smith for Paul Tully (36m) and Niall Lynch for Killian Lynch (43m). Division 2 Minor title Making a return trip to Kingspan Breffni Park just a week after their senior counter-parts had successfully secured the IFC crown it was now the turn of the minors when they took on the amalgamated side of Cornafean/Killeshandra. This game was played as a curtain-raiser to the senior county final and saw the East Cavan side being tagged as underdogs. This was a tag which the media pundits had labelled wrongly as this well coached squad under the guidance of joint managers Niall Lynch and Martin Quinn were to prove to have too much power fire for their opponents. Having impressed on their march to the final where they accounted for Cootehill in their opening game and then dismissed the challenge of Shercock in the semi-final, they would prove to be potent force in the final. Backboned by Fr. Manning Cup stars, Killian Farrelly, Christopher Tully and hero of the IFC victory, Adrian Taite, along with former county underage stars, Eugene Keating, Killian Lynch and Terry Keating, the task on hand for the defending champions Cornafean/Killeshandra combination was going to be difficult. Right from the start of this game, Cuchullains set the rules of engagement with a top class clinical display which rightfully earned this Division 2 Minor football championship title. This game proved to be one of the most entertaining games at underage level played at Kingspan Breffni Park for a long time. Credit must be accorded to Cornafean/Killeshandra who made Cuchullains fight to end before finally giving up their title. Cuchullains had to play the final twenty minutes with fourteen men when start player, Eugene Keating was sent to the sideline after receiving a second yellow card. This was a close contest throughout but the ability of Cuchullains to find the net was what ultimately separated these sides at the final whistle. They made sure of victory in the final two minutes when they netted two goals. It was Cuchullains who found themselves under pressure early on as the wind-backed Cornafean/Killeshandra combination strode into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after six minutes. Cuchullains always looked threatening though and by the eighth minute the impressive Conor Smith lashed the ball into the net to level the scores, 1-1 to 0-4. A further point from Christopher Tully gave them the lead and one minute later Conor Smith saw his shot beat the Cornafean/Killeshandra keeper to put them 2-5 to 0-4 in front at the interval. The second-half started with a concerted effort from Cornafean/Killeshandra when they registered a point just after thirty-five seconds. This revival was to be short lived as an inspirational display from fullback Adrian Taite and the Cuchullains half-back line of Diarmuid Foxe, Killian Farrelly and Killian Murphy began putting the pressure back on the opposition. It was during this period that Keating received his second yellow, but instead of inspiring the losers it spurred on the East Cavan side who brought out the best of Braiden the Cornafean/Killeshandra goalkeeper. With the game now in the final quarter, the losers were to get the boost they needed when Declan McKiernan was on hand to finish to the Cuchullains net to leave just a goal between the sides, 2-7 to 1-7. Whatever hopes the losers had of reducing this deficit was well and truly ended just forty-one second later when Gary Daly was at the end of a great move to register Cuchullains third goal. Cornafean/Killeshandra did manage to tag on a further two points but it was Cuchullains that finished the stronger netting two goals in the final two minutes from Killian Murphy and Terry Keating. Teams and scorers Cuchullains - Mark Clarke; Michael O'Reilly, Adrian Taite, Kevin O'Connell; Diarmuid Foxe (0-1), Killian Farrelly (0-1), Killian Murphy (1-0); Eugene Keating (0-3, all frees), Killian Lynch (0-1); Terry Keating (1-0), Donnacha Dunne, Peter Fox; Gary Daly (1-0), Conor Smith (2-0), Christopher Tully (0-1). Sub - Owen McGarrell for Killian Murphy. Cuchullains joint-managers Martin Lynch and Martin Quinn both were fulsome in their praise for the players: "Things didn't look that good at half-time because we weren't that sure that we had built up enough of a lead with the wind behind us. But the players stood up and were counted and showed the sort of team-work and confidence that goes with playing together since they were under 12s." Jimmy O'Reilly (Cuchullains team trainer) said: "I felt that when we played the ball quickly we had the upper hand. I was concerned when we lost such an influential player as Eugene Keating who I felt was very unfortunate to be sent off. The players showed their determination and team spirit and regrouped to make this another famous victory." U16's lost out Cuchullains could deem themselves unlucky when they failed to capture the Division 1 U-16 football championship when going under to arguably the strongest club in the county, Cavan Gaels, on a scoreline of: Cavan Gaels 1-17 Cuchullains 2-6. This was the club's third trip to Kingspan Breffni Park in as many week, having previously won the IFC and Division 2 Minor title. Cuchullains suffered a hammer blow just three minutes into the game when the Gaels hammered home a goal which was to set them on their way. While the Gaels were favourites and after getting a dream start, the Cuchullains lads showed plenty of spirit, commitment and no shortage of good football as they set about to recapture the initiative. The East Cavan side proved worthy opponents in this impressive first half but suffered a severe setback just two minutes to half-time when they lost through injury, their influential star player, midfielder, Eugene Keating. The Gaels had registered a 1-2 to 0-0 lead before Cuchullains came back into the contest with a fantastic goal in the 10th minute. It was from a Christopher Tully free kick which found Conor Smith who managed to beat off the challenge of two opponents to gain possession and when he fisted the ball to the supporting Darren Daly who blasted the ball to the back of the Gaels net for an inspiring goal. With Cuchullains now well in contention disaster was to befall them when their playmaker, Eugene Keating had to retire through injury just after having converted a free which left just four points between the sides 1-8 to 1-4 at the interval. Cuchullains opened the second-half in spirited fashion and dangerman, Conor Smith set up Ciaran O'Connell, whose shot was smothered by the Gael's defence. At the other end, the Gaels tagged on two further points to give them a six point lead. Cuchullains were undeterred and a brilliant individual goal from Conor Smith looked to have the Gaels in trouble. The town team were put under further pressure when Damien Kelleher got his marching orders with just sixteen minutes remaining. Cuchullains threw caution to the wind but but were unable to overturn the Gaels advantage. Cuchullains - Mark Clarke; Kevin O'Connell, Killian Murphy, Conor Keating; Sean Hunkin, Christopher Tully, Diarmuid Fox; Eugene Keating (0-4), Terry Keating; Luke O'Brien, Gary Daly (0-1), Owen McGarrell (0-1); Thomas Reilly, Conor Smith (1-0), Darren Daly (1-0). Subs - Ciaran O'Connell for Eugene Keating (inj); Aoghan Daly for Sean Hunkin Underage It was club PRO Jimmy O'Reilly who put the successes into perspective when he paid tribute to the mentors of underage football over the years who had put and still put so much effort into the young boys and girls of the area on Saturday mornings. "Their enthusiasm and an unselfish patience in coaching the youngsters of the area is the main building block to our club. It is the work of people like Fergal Kenny, Paul Gilsenan, Peter Cooney, Angela Gaffney, Sean O'Connell, Martin and Niall Lynch, Eamon Carolan, Sean O'Connell and Peter Magee who have contributed so much. We also have the services of former county star, Ronan Carolan along with Brian Daly who look after the U-12s, while Mickey Farrelly and James Fitzgerald have toiled tirelessly with the U-14s. The U-16 have already won the Division 2 League title accounting for Kingscourt. This group of players are managed by senior player Patrick Murtagh and Jimmy O'Reilly". According to the PRO, it would be only right when talking about underage football to mention the great work done over the years of Sean Smith. Ladies football Cuchullains were for many seasons were one of the leading lights of Cavan ladies football, are now in the throes of rebuilding. Having lost a number of key players during the season, the club is presently looking to the young girls to come and fill the void left by their more experienced counter-parts. According to the ladies' manager, Charlie Doughty: "We lost a number of our more experienced players throughout the year, notably, Eileen O'Connor and Una Murphy. Both girls found the travelling difficult commuting from Dublin. At present we are trying to rebuild the side and have had some limited success this season. We reached the semi-final of the county 9-a-side and gave a good account of ourselves. It was a game that we should have won, but the experience will stand to this side. We have a very promising young player in county U-16 star, Elenor Orminston who looks to be a bright prospect for the future." Pitch Development While success has manifested on the playing field, the club have embarked on an ambitious project of developing their grounds at Cross. A capital investment thought to be in the region of 100,000 euros is earmarked for the development. It is envisaged that the playing field will be upgraded with lights and new dressingrooms provided. While this is a work in progress a major development is also earmarked for the community playing field in Mullagh. Tweet

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