2005 didn't deliver what the doctor ordered for Drung but club Secretary Padraig Cusack says the talent is available to turn things around. Padraig Cusack is a self-confessed rookie in terms of his involvement in GAA administration but, for Drung's sake, it is hoped that he hangs around for some time to come. The fact is the outgoing Secretary' and PRO has proven himself to be a trojan worker for the Dalcassians and few of his ilk appear on the GAA landscape every season. Padraig first dipped his toe in the maelstrom of GAA administration affairs in Drung in 2004 and ever since has rolled up his sleeves in an inspirational and laudable manner. However as someone who has been immersed in Gaelic football matters right from his formative years, the 29-year old knows only too well how fickle the sport can be. "Sometimes things go well on and off the field and sometimes nothing goes right but in 2005 things weren't too bad for the club," Padraig concludes. The flame-haired gael is one of a new but, sadly, increasing rare breed of younger club officials who are currently putting the shoulders to the wheel at units around Cavan. Interestingly, he acknowledges that in his short spell as a member of Drung's executive committee, he's had his eyes opened to the rigours and vagaries of GAA matters. "I've learned a fair bit in the couple of years that I've been an officer of the club and I'll probably learn another few things in the coming year," the popular clubman confirms. "When I got involved on the committee, I set out to try and do some big things but things didn't always fall into place because of a variety of reasons," Padraig adds. As someone who clearly calls it as he sees it, the hard-working Engineer believes that Drung's troubles on the field of play are largely of their own making. He believes the players' commitment in 2005 left a bit to be desired and a bigger effort all-round will be required if this coming year is to see greater progress being made. "I think the players would know themselves what was missing last year but, in fairness, poor communication between the players and the committee mightn't have helped. "Improving the way the players and the committee communicate is something that I'd like to see addressed this year, for everyone's benefit. "I'd like to see a players' representative being appointed or selected and he would be able to represent the players' view to the committee on any matter that might arise. "Communication in football terms isn't much different than, say, a building site where the workers' interests would be relayed to the foreman or company management." A member of the Drung reserve senior side in the past number of years, Padraig is obviously very genuine in his concern about the way forward for the rural-based club. He regrets to have to say that the commitment asked of the players in 2005 by team-manager Brian Maguire wasn't totally forthcoming, especially for training sessions. And yet, the past year promised so much following Drung's success in reaching the 2004 intermediate championship decider when, yet again, luck deserted the club. "Expectations were high at the start of 2005 and rightly so because of how the lads did the previous year but I think losing to Lacken disheartened the lads in a big way. "From what I remember we were five points up at half-time and were expected to go on and win but Lacken came back and won which was a huge blow to the club." One supposes though that there was a renewed determination among everyone in Drung at the start of 2005 to put the defeat in the previous county decider behind them? "Yeh, everyone was hoping that we could go a step forward last year and the players were determined to do well but we weren't helped by draw we got in the championship. "Playing against two division one teams, Ballyhaise and Cuchullains, was never going to be easy and Drumlane have a good championship pedigree too. "We beat Drumlane in our first game and things looked on course but didn't do the business against the other two teams which left us going into a play-off. "I thought the lads had a good chance though of staying in the race by beating Cuchullains in the play-off but that game was a bit of a disaster. "They controlled the first half but then we got back into the game in the second half without ever really looking like we could pull it off," the Bunnoe, Lisboduff resident avers. Padraig isn't one for making excuses but he doesn't believe that Drung - for some inexplicable reason - have got to grips with playing in crunch games at Breffni Park. But it's not as if he feels that some jinx envelops Drung's play once posted to headquarters. Far from it. "At the end of the day, the players have to put in the work and that didn't happen in 2005, especially when it came to training because attendances weren't good enough. "The team had a bad start to the season and lost ground that they always struggled to make up even though the team-management did their best to turn things around. "There's a good few of the players who are away-based and it was sometimes difficult to get everyone together for training and slowly things unravelled during the year." But despite his blunt assessment of the club's travails over the past 12 months, Padraig is upbeat about the club's future prospects because of the young talent present. He cites the great flip the club got last Summer as leading lights James Reilly and Ciaran Galligan made a big impression on the senior inter-county stage. In addition, he remarks how well other young guns like Aidan McCaul, Barry Watters and Killian Monaghan lit up matters for Drung in an otherwise pretty forgettable year. "When you look at the panel overall there's no question about the talent that's there and what they should be capable of achieving," the stalwart clubman opines. "There's a lot of ability there and the potential to do well this year and I wouldn't be surprised if the team surprised a few of the favourites this year. "Hopefully Karl O'Rourke's return from Australia will strengthen up the defence and if Ronan Crowe can give it his full commitment this year, things could take off. "We need Finbar (Crowe) to hang in for another year too because his power and experience will help the young lads like Mickey McEntee fulfill their potential. "Overall, the older players need to play to the best of their ability and to show a lot more leadership this year if the team is to be successful," Padraig warns. Padraig is known as someone who is sincere and forthright in his views and he vehemently believes that Drung needs everyone to work as a team on and off the field. In this regard, he insists the club's senior players must all be treated fairly and equally and he reckons, in that regard, the senior reserve squad ought to be kept in mind. "There has to be a lot more emphasis on looking after the Division 2A panel and I'd like to see a manager appointed to look after them otherwise they'll be ignored. "The work was put in with the reserves three years ago and we ended up winning the Division 2A title so it shows that the rewards are there if the effort is made. "There's loads of young fellas mad to get playing senior football but unless they're looked after they'll be lost to the club and who knows what that'll mean in the long-term. "There's at least thirty players willing and able to play senior football in Drung right now but it's very important that everyone of them get a chance to play." Meanwhile in the sphere of development work at the club's Bunnoe ground, Padraig is keen that the goodwill of as many people as possible is harnessed. The club aims to develop a training pitch and planning permission has already been approved for the project which will also include new floodlights and dressing-rooms. "Our ambition is to have the new training pitch in place by this September and further down the line we'd like to have a juvenile pitch put in place too and a scoreboard." But with wedding plans (to girlfriend Elena) ahead, work on the building of a new house plus his work as Secretary and his participation as a player to tie into the equation, Padraig knows time will be of the essence. "Like every club, a greater effort from everyone involved in the club is needed but hopefully that'll happen, starting with the auction we've planned in the coming weeks." Our year St. Finbarr's Under 14/Under 16 Girls and Junior Ladies had mixed fortunes in their recent Roinn B Championships and League finals. As this club completed their Roinn B championships runs recently at Under 14, Under 16 levels and Division 4 League Junior Ladies, it has been a great year of football, learning skills, team work, experience and of making new friends along the way. The teams served up some excellent football against formidable opposition with all teams reaching their respective finals. Ladies/Girls football has been improving nationally and numbers growing every year and includes Ulster, Cavan and finally at the club scene. Firstly, St. Finbarr's Under 14 Girls played their Roinn B Championship Final against Cornafean in Breffni Park (a wonderful stadium where every youngster wants to play) on Saturday 17th September, winning out in the end after a very exciting and trilling encounter. On their journey they defeated Cuchullains and Gowna. This panel who were defeated in the final in 2004 and whom the St. Finbarr's supporters, parents and management would like to thank for their commitment during this past year are: Aine Smith, Laura Fitzpatrick, Ciara Moore, Denise Reilly, Catherine Donohue, Sinead McEntee, Aisling Moore, Michelle Mannering, Kathleen Smith, Rachael Johnston, Ruth Fannin, Michelle O'Hare, Laura Reilly, Denise O'Reilly, Tanya Reilly, Christina Tully, Siobhan Fay and Karen O'Hare. Secondly St. Finbarr's Under 16 Girls played their Roinn B Championship Final against Inny Gaels in Killinkere on Saturday 24th September after an enthralling encounter with both sides performing the finer skills of ladies football and all that is good in football. St Finbarr's were second best on the day but had no regrets after having a wonderful campaign winning over Woodford Gaels and Killeshandra enroute. This panel whom the St. Finbarr's supporters, parents and team managers who would like to thank for their commitment and dedication during this year are: Michelle O'Hare, Aisling Moore, Stacey Donohue, Sarah Reilly, Angela Brady, Laura Fitzpatrick, Louise O'Reilly, Sarah McCaul, Noleen Reilly, Ciara Moore, Karen McMenamin, Denise O'Reilly, Kathleen Smith, Laura Reilly, Karen O'Hare, Donna Sheridan, Aideen Fitzpatrick, Cathy Dempsey and Sinead Galligan. Team trainer and manager is Patsy Fitzpatrick for both panels of players and Juvenile Club Chairman P.J. Moore thanked all parents, committee and sponsors for their commitment and support during 2005 and look forward to 2006 in confidence. St. Finbarr's Junior Ladies had a very successful leagues campaign. This team had a good mixture of youth and experience led by County Senior player Pamela Crowe. During their year they provided some thrilling moments and produced all the finer art of this improving and increasing ladies football within our county. Keeping the large band of loyal supporters on the edge of their seats at times as they held out to win some games by the narrowest of margins. Success does not come without hard work and preparation, as the saying goes "No Pain, No Gain" and this was down to the Team management of Conor Lennon, Paddy McCabe and Clive Pierce. Tweet

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