Denn, who had proved to be the form team in Cavan over the past two seasons, were expected to make a serious impact at senior level last summer after having reached the league final and championship semi-finals in 2004. This was not to be the case as the senior team floundered in what proved to be a disappointing year for all concerned. Denn who had been so impressive in the Cavan ACF senior league in 2004 found the going tough in 2005. Due to a set of circumstances beyond anyone's control, the club who had high expectations at the beginning of the season were set for an league of inconsistent performances that pushed them into the relegation zone. It was during this later period of the league when things looked bleak that the players and management fused together and some timely wins helped steer them clear of the drop back into Division 2. Having made good their escape from relegation they will no doubt look to the coming season of 2006 as a new opportunity to bring them back into contention for a crack at senior honours. A poor run in the senior football championship was also the 'order of the day'. Narrow defeats to Gowna 4-9 to 4-7 and a one point loss to Mullahoran (county finalists), 0-9 to 0-8 left them needing a win in their final group encounter against fellow strugglers, Killygarry. A draw was to be the outcome of this game Killygarry 1-7 Denn 1-7 and that sent the club into the spiralling relegation play-offs. It was during this turbulent time that Denn squad showed their true determination and after an epic battle with Killygarry where they drew on two occasions only to lose out in the third replay by the narrowest of margins, they did however, manage to secure their senior status when they overcame Ramor Utd. with a convincing win 3-11 to 2-7. New Team Manager Having secured their place in the senior ranks for another season, hard working and committed team manager, Vincent Kelly called it a day citing work commitments as his reason for his departure. Vincent gave two years of dedicated work to the Denn club and they would like to convey their gratitude to him for his hard work and commitment. The club have secured the services of Lacken man Terry Hyland to help guide the team over the coming year. Terry who worked as a selector on the Cavan senior team with then manager Val Andrews also served in a similar capacity with Andrews when he was in charge of the Louth senior football team. He managed Ballyhaise for two years where he proved to be a dedicated and committed mentor. Terry will have the assistance of last year's selectors, Tommy Smyth, Tommy Kiernan and Cathal Reilly. According to club PRO: Helen Keogan: "All three selectors have a great interest in the club and their contribution in helping ease Terry Hyland into his new position will be of tremendous value. The club feel that some form of continuity is essential and to this end the inclusion of the three selectors from last year is an added bonus." Success for Underage Squads Denn will look back on the season of 2005 with some satisfaction when they review the results of the hard work and commitment generated by those involved with underage football. Club PRO Helen Keogan stated: "Great credit at this level must be levied towards Martin Cahill and Sean Treacy. For most clubs to see an underage team make it to final stages of any competition is success in itself but Denn can look at their success in a different light. "The U-12s made it to the league final where they lost out to Drumalee while the Minor squad proved triumphant in Division 4 championship with a great victory over Butlersbridge. "The U-14s also had a good run but lost out in the quarter-final of the league and could deem themselves unlucky to go out at the semi-final stages of the championship." U-12's spirited performance The spirit of the Denn club was evident for all to see when the U-12s proved to be an exciting and determined outfit as they produced some great football to reach the final of the Bord Peile na nOg final. After having come through a tough group stage where they played Ballymachugh, Knockbride, Mountnugent, Munterconnaught and Cuchullains they met and beat Kill in the quarter-finals. A semi-final spot against one of the favourites of the competition, Killygarry, saw them win through to meet Drumalee in the final. A spirited performance by the club's U-12 team just was not enough when they went under to a strong Drumalee side in the Bord Peil na nOg U-12 final on a scoreline of 8-2 to 2-4. Denn were rocked in the first minute of the game when Drumalee opened their account with a goal. The young Denn side although shocked by this setback proved valiant battlers and hit back at the town side and but for two great saves by the Drumalee goalkeeper, could easily have taken the lead. Some excellent Drumalee defensive play hampered an eager and willing Denn side who were caught out with two counter-attack goals and a point. The Denn side now struggled and Drumalee took full advantage tagging on a brace of further scores. Denn, showed admirable qualities as they fought back against the Drumalee onslaught and a brilliant individual goal from Alan Tierney gave some hope at the interval. Drumalee added two more goals in the second half but Denn true to form never capitulated and were duly rewarded with another goal. The spirit and determination displayed by this side will go a long way in helping them win trophies in future competitions. Denn U-12s: K. Cahill, S. McConnell, A. Galligan, N. Smith, C. Cahill, R. McCabe, N. Crowe, C. Conaty, D. Treacy, A. Treacy, R. Smith, D. Hyland, S. Keogan. U-14s Playing in a strong section of the league, victories over Templeport, Corlough and Drumalee and a draw against Belturbet saw them qualify for the play-offs where they defeated Shercock to reach the quarter-finals against Gowna. Gowna emerged winners by four points after an exciting game. Hopes were high for a better run in the championship and after having accounted for Drung in the preliminary round they met and defeated Arva in the quarter-final after extra time. Having already beaten Shercock in the league, many expected this side to come through and make it to the final but this was not be the case as they could deem themselves very unlucky to lose out by just two points. U-16s A good run in the league ended at the semi-final stage where eventual winners of the tournament, Mountnugent, emerged victorious. A semi-final spot was also reached in the championship but Butlersbridge emerged victorious from this after a replay. The 'Bridge went on to win the competition. Minor League Playing their league football in Division 3 the minor team were to find the going tough. The absence of a number of key players for this competition was also a telling factor in the fortunes of the team and with star player, Martin Kiernan out of action for the great part of the league, hopes of advancing to the knockout stages were bleak. The minor championship was a totally different prospect as the team were regraded to Division 4. The opening game saw a win over Knockbride and a place in the semi-final where they accounted for east Cavan side, Shannon Gaels. A spirited performance against a much fancied Butlersbridge outfit was enough to see them emerge worthy winners to take the Division 4 minor football championship title. This was a great victory and boost for the club and much of the credit must go the team manager, Gerry Brady and his fellow selectors. Denn: Seamus Connolly, Alan Smith, Shane McGinnell, James Smith, Darren McKiernan, Martin Kiernan, Stephen Smith, Darren Costello, Raphael Gismondie, Damien McCann, Niall Sheridan, Finbar Tierney, Damien Cooney, Shane Cooney, Sean Conaty. Subs - Fergus Tighe, Stephen McPartland, Darren Crowe, Damien Callaghan, Stephen Cooke. Division 3A final Denn were seeking to capture the Division 3A league title when they met Mountnugent in the final. The game provided a spectacle of good open fast flowing football which saw, Mountnugent emerge winners on a scoreline of 2-5 to 0-5. Denn had their opponents on pressure for long spells in this opening half but failed to register enough scores to put daylight between them and Mountnugent. As is often the case they were caught when a swift counter-attack saw the winners strike for their first goal of the game and a half-time lead of 1-2 to 0-3. From the restart it was the winners who got off to the better start and had registered three points before Denn came with a late surge. With a gripping finish in prospect, it was Mountnugent who showed that quick ball from their back line was to prove to be the match clincher when they breached the Denn defence for their second goal. Denn tried valiantly in the dying minutes to salvage the game but time ran out for them. Denn;Gareth Rothwell; Darragh Kiernan, Paddy Gaffney, Paddy Donohoe; Danny Reilly (0-1), Paul Hyland, Owen McPhillips; Martin Kiernan, Aidan Rothwell; Paul Donohoe (0-2), Thomas Smith (0-2), Sean McGibney; Raymond Smith (1-2), Kenneth Rothwell (1-3), Darren Hewitt. Subs; Adrian Hyland for McGibney; Stephen Smith for Darragh Kiernan; Ciaran Brady for Paddy Gaffney; Gary Martin for Raymond Smith. Veterans on the move With the Ireland veterans team set to make the long trip to Australia this coming summer, Denn will have three prominent members of their club in the squad. Three former stalwarts of the club, Martin Cahill, Paddy Gaffney and Donal Keogan are expected to travel to the land of Oz. Keogan is taking a break from inter-county football management, having managed the Cavan minor team for the past two years. During his tenure, he could deem himself unlucky to have lost out in 2005 to a talented Down side in a replay of the Ulster semi-final. Down went on to the win the All Ireland minor crown. Development Having had a very successful Corporate night in 2004, Denn continued its fundraising in 2005 with another equally successful car draw. A players' gym has just been completed and the club can look forward to more notable improvements to the grounds over the coming years. Much of the credit for this development drive is the down to the hard-working chairman, Kieran Callaghan. Tweet

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