At the start of the 2005, not many would have given Drumalee a chance of making it through to the Intermediate Championship final where they met Cuchullains. Sporting a young side, new manager, Gerry O'Rourke worked on their confidence, ability and determination to mould together one of the strongest sides in the Intermediate grade. While most would have fancied Ballinagh and Ballyhaise to be serious championship contenders, it was the youthful Drumalee outfit that ended the aspirations of both clubs. The road to the final commenced with a nervous start and did not bode well for the Cavan town based club as they suffered an injury time defeat by two points to Killinkere. With championship favourites, Ballinagh next on the list, it did not look promising.  Just like any true championship, this was not to be the case as the youthful side from Drumalee failed to read the script. In a powered packed display, they easily accounted for their more fancied opponents where they showed that their brand of open fast football would be a threat to the best in this championship. It was probably this convincing victory on a scoreline of 0-4 to 0-14 that helped propel them on their way to a championship final. The semi-final clash against another senior league side, Ballyhaise was expected to run the way of the favourites but once again, a display of committed championship endeavour along with an equally determined Ballyhaise provided the spectators on a cold Saturday evening at Kingspan Breffni Park with one of the best displays of entertaining free-flowing championship football seen at the Cavan headquarters for a long time. The game flowed and ebbed and the introduction veteran star, Mickey Lee, by manager O Rourke was what was needed to separate these sides. Lee showed all his experience as he read the long-ball situation better than his opponents and latched on the broken play from the Ballyhaise defence to coolly force the goalkeeper, to make the first move before slotting his shot into the back of the net. With just minutes remaining Ballyhaise were now down three points but a surging effort in the final four minutes saw them tag on two points to reduce the arrears to the minimum and ensure a nail biting injury climax. Ballyhaise did have the chance to level the game with a free kick which was to prove to be final act of the game but failed to convert it and so Drumalee deservedly marched on to the final 2-11 to 2-10. This display by the town based club was powered by their midfielder duo of Michael Brennan and Shane Donohoe.  Centre-half back, Jonathan Higgins and Gary Ferncombe were in magnificent form while the forward play of  Darragh Gaffney, Gerard Reilly, Gary Malone, Bernard Young, Shane Downey all proved to be a factor in the final result. Final Drumalee, who last won the title back in 1969, were expected to take their second title after a thirty six year lapse. The preparations on the field were matched by those of the field as the entire Drumalee area swung into the atmosphere of the occasion. The impact of the club reaching the final brought a renewed sense of  purpose and with many of the former club players in attendance on final weekend a victory would have completed the occasion. The final played at Kingspan Breffni Park before an attendance of over 2000 provided a nervous affair with both sides failing to live up to their pre-final displays. The East Cavan side just edged the proceedings on a scoreline of Cuchulainns 1-6 Drumalee 0-7.  Drumalee had the brighter start and looked sharper but their inability to register scores was to come back to haunt them. This was a game where the outcome was in doubt right  up to the final whistle and while Cuchullains got the vital goal nineteen minutes into the second half when minor star, Adrian Taite was on the end of the good move to give goalkeeper, James Heffernan very little chance, the Drumalee side did have their chances to at least snatch a draw It was expected that the midfield battle would have a decided outcome on this game and with Michael Brennan and Shane Donoghue having produced top form in the earlier rounds it was expected that the town side could get the upper-hand in this vital sector. Brennan, was not to produce his best form in this game as he carried in a leg injury sustained during a training session the week of the final. Drumalee had the upper-hand for most the first half but the half-time scoreline of 0-3 to 0-2 told its own story Drumalee had the opening score of the game from a Daragh Gaffney free in the fifth minute before Seamus Clarke responded for Cuchullains. Daragh Gaffney restored Drumalee's lead from play in the seventh minute. There was a gap of eleven minutes without a score before Gaffney from all of fifty metres converted a free to put his side two points ahead 0-3 to 0-1. Drumalee had a golden opportunity to put this game out of reach with just two minutes of the first half remaining when full-forward, Bernard Young found himself in space only to see his pile-driver saved by an in-form Cuchullains keeper, Colm Anderson. Changes Manager Gerry O'Rourke made a number of changes to his side for the second half to try and maximise on their scoring power, moving Darragh Gaffney from the forty to the full-forward berth with Bernard Young trading places to the forty. Drumalee opened the scoring three minutes  into the second half with a pointed free from Gaffney. Drumalee then introduced the hero of the semi-final, veteran star, Mickey Lee for the youthful Shane Downey. With Cuchullains beginning to get more control around midfield the Drumalee defence was under pressure but solid performances from Enda McCormick, Kevin Donohoe, Gary Ferncombe and centre-half back, Johnathan Higgins help keep the threat of the East Cavan side under control. After twelve minutes of the second half the sides were level at four points apiece Still failing to make an impact in the forward line, Finbarr Donoghue  was introduced to help reshape and revitalise the attack with Bernard Young making way. With Drumalee working hard to try and get the vital scores to set them on their way, they were caught with a quick counter-attack by Cuchullains.  It was from this that Adrian Taite found himself at the end of a great move to score the game's only goal leaving Drumalee trailing by 1-5 to 0-5. This score seemed to spur Drumalee into action and while they managed to register two more points they could not manage the vital goal they were seeking to put the game beyond the reach of the East Cavan side. The best chance of the second half for Drumalee fell to sub Finbarr Donohoe whose close range shot from an acute angle was well saved by Cuchullains keeper, Colm Anderson. While Drumalee were disappointed with the outcome of the game, they have youth on their side.  A total of ten players from the final starting line-up are U-21.  This side have shown that they can play good attractive open football and should be capable of testing the best in even at the top level. While final day nerves took its toll on many of the younger players the experience, while disappointing, will only be of benefit to them for the future. Drumalee - James Heffernan; Sean Lee, Kevin Donohoe (0-1), Enda McCormack; Brendan Smith, Jonathan Higgins, Gary Ferncombe; Michael Brennan, Shane Donoghoe; Trevor Molloy, Daragh Gaffney (0-4), Gerard Reilly; Gary Malone, Bernard Young, Shane Downey. Subs. Micheal Lee (0-1) for Shane Downey (36m), Finbar Donoghue (0-1) for Bernard Young (43m), Brian Dolan for Trevor Molloy (47m). Division 2 Reserve Championship Having lost the IFC final the previous week the club finally removed any trace of  self-pity when their Division 2 side earned a worthy victory over Redhills at Butlersbridge on an impressive scoreline of 4-16 to 0-4 to reach the final. Chairman On reflecting over a year of progress, the ambitious outlook of the club chairman, Adrian Dempsey was evident as he proudly pointed out that the achievements of the club which were now coming into fruition was something to be proud of. "This is the first full season we have used our new playing grounds and we can rightly say that it is one of the best in the county. The date for the official opening of the grounds will be announced at a later date and will probably take place early next year. The great work done at club level by all the mentors at underage levels has produced great results and while we may have lost out in the final the occasion will not be lost on this young group of players. Our league form has also been impressive and it is envisaged that we should be capable of gaining promotion into the Division 1 for next season. The club have a great workers, with people like club secretary John Denning and treasurer, Tommy Lyons providing a great platform for a solid and consistent running of club affairs." Underage According to Mickey Fitzpatrick (PRO) who is now in his fifteenth year in the job: The urban sprawl that has suddenly developed around the Drumalee area will only help enhance the prospect of the club. To-date, the enormous growth in underage participation has blossomed. The work at this level from U-8 up to U-18 will see the present mentors needing the assistance of new members to help cope with the large numbers now attending. The work by people like John O'Gorman and referee Tommy Lyons, Michael Lyons and John Costello, Andrew McCarthy, Micky Lee, Bernard Young, Stephen Smith, Damien Brady, Finbar Donohoe, John Lynch, Brendan and Peter Donohoe and Damien Lynch has all helped to shape the present set-up. The present underage set-up is being constantly reviewed under the guidance of Chairman and former player, Cyril O Keeffe who sees the future prospects of the club as promising. U-12 While success at underage level this season has been scarce, the U-12 side under the tutelage of Damien Donohoe and selectors, Kevin Donohoe and Brendan Smith won the Roinn D Division 3 league title. Ladies Football With the expansion of the Drumalee area now being urbanized it was only a matter of time that they would embark on forming their own Ladies section. This has now occurred with the Drumalee ladies under the guidance of goalkeeper, James Hefferenan in their first year in competitive fare. This is an area of the club that it is hoped will blossom in the future. Scor The club under the guidance of local resident, Sean Woods founded Scor just over three years ago. Now under the direction of John Mohan, have proved very successful at having recently won the best club in the county at Scor na nOg level. The club have won many titles at county level at both senior and Scor na nOg grades but as yet have failed to win a provincial title. According to Scor director, John Mohan: "I feel that this season we could be very strong contenders in the Irish dancing category. Hopefully, we will progress in this discipline. It would be a great reward to our founder Sean Woods and to all those who have worked hard in keeping this end of the club active." Tweet

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