While Lacken won the silverware, they will feel aggrieved that they just missed out on promotion back to Hot on their success in the Intermediate football championship in 2004, Lacken Celtic continued on their winning ways in 2005 when they overcame a spirited Ballinagh at Cornafean, on the first Sunday of December to capture the Division 2 League title. Division 1 and top flight football. They will justifiably feel that they could have made it back to Division One having won nine and drawn two of their thirteen league encounters. The club amassed a total of 20 league points but failed to make the final cut as their 'old rivals' and neighbours, Ballinagh, topped the Division by just three points with Drumalee in second place with twenty-two points. It is ironic that the Lacken accounted for both these clubs in the knock-out stages of the league, defeating Drumalee in the semi-final and Ballinagh in the final. The final proved that Lacken have the stomach for competitive football, when they eeked out a hard-earned victory in a closely fought final decider. The tension generated by local derbies was evident in this game, but it was Lacken who handled the pressure better and had the final say. The evidence of the Lacken maturity was evident when the favourites, Ballinagh raced into a three point lead but a well struck free from ace free-tacker, Finbar O'Reilly began the comeback. According to Danny Brady, PRO for Lacken: "At this stage we began to get some momentum and had levelled the scores just coming up to the half-way mark. Ballinagh managed to edge in front just on the stroke of half-time and held 0-4 to 0-3 interval lead. "Tensions rose a little in the second half but the dismissal of players only added to the climax and when Lacken levelled matters after nineteen minutes from a Trevor Crowe point, I felt that we just needed one extra push to put us in the driving seat. It took a wonderful free from Finbar O'Reilly to edge us in front and this was to prove to be the last score of the game and the winning one." Lacken - Shane Sheridan; Shane Reilly, Paul Brady, Terry Hyland; James Moynagh, Trevor Crowe (0-1), Eddie Sheridan (0-1); Joe Crowe, Raymond Galligan; Martin Brady, Frankie Mulligan, Ollie McKiernan; Colm Sheridan, Finbar Reilly (0-3), Joe Shanaghy. The consistency of the team has been highlighted by the fact that over the last five games, no substitutes were needed, which according to Danny is a sign of a side that is blending well together. "Our Junior team too also had a good season. The team is made up of very talented youngster from the minor squad. Players of the calibre of Johnny Sheridan and versatile James Cullen helped them make it to the semi-final in both the league and championship where we lost out on each occasion to Knockbride," said Danny Brady. Outlook The shrewd heads in the club will look at the overall picture and focus their attention to the areas that will help bring them back to Division 1 next season, mainly a strong and talented U-21 side, many of whom are already playing on the senior team. According to club PRO, Danny Brady: "While we were disappointed in not gaining promotion to the Division One, we nevertheless had a very good year in football terms. Our strong run in the league culminating in winning the Division Two title was a great boost to the club. Having won the Intermediate championship last season, we played our championship football in Division One this year and made our exit at the quarter-final stages. It is the general feeling that on that day, if we had have the services of free-taken, Finbar O'Reilly, we certainly could have beaten Kingscourt Stars and made it into the semi-final. We feel that the experience of playing our championship in the higher division will benefit many of the younger players when we start back next season with the aim of gaining promotion from Division 2 back into the top flight." Danny is quick to point out that many of the side that won the Division 2 trophy also played on the successful U-21, team, approx. twelve of the senior panel in total. Team Manager While success is rightfully that of those who play, it should nevertheless be recognised the enormous contribution put in by the team management. According to Danny: "In Lacken we have been lucky to have the guidance of local man, Ben Corr. Ben, who over the years has worked hard at underage level, proved a successful steward of the senior squad and under his guidance we have won the Intermediate championship and the Division 2 title. The continued growth of the club and possible promotion back to the topflight will be hopefully guided by the energetic Ben and his selectors. Ben has given a great deal of him time to the senior team over the past two years and while he is looking for a successor, the club are still hopeful of availing of his services. If we have to look for an outside manager, a great deal of thought will go into the calibre of man that will replace him. We will need someone who can take us another step in the right direction and help bring us back to Division 1. Gaining promotion to the top flight would seem to be within our grasp and will be the expectation of all those involved at the club next season. It will not be an easy ride but with experienced gained this year for the younger players and a backbone of great seasoned campaigners in Joe and Trevor Crowe, Frankie Mulligan, Finbar O'Reilly we can surely make that final step." Pitch Development The great strides made on the playing field are being equally matched by the development plans at Joe Crowe Park. To-date on-going development has seen a new car park and a new railing surrounding the playing field. "We have a training pitch which allowed the playing field to be in good condition throughout the season as it was only used for competitive games. The enormous use of the facilities by all those concerned from underage, ladies football, camogie and the senior squad has been well managed by the committee and the use of the training area has proven to be a real winner for the club. The club have received a grant from the Lottery funds and are embarking on an ambitious development plan of creating a new clubhouse. This development will house, a gym, a meeting rooms, dressing rooms and shower rooms. The present structure, which houses the old dressingrooms will be retained for the possible purpose of providing accommodation for ladies football and camogie. We hope to be able to start on this new project early next season as plans are already in place. The total cost of this new proposed development will be in the region of 400,000 euro." Underage At underage level, Lacken amalgamated with neighbours, Ballymachugh for the U-16 championship but failed to win any trophies while at U-14 level they also fared poorly. However, a bright future looks in prospect as both the U-12 and U-13 made it to their respective finals. "At U-12 the powerful Castlerahan club beat us in the final while a very strong and well drilled Lavey side beat us in the U-13 league final," stated Danny. With such a strong showing in both the U-13 and U-12, the future for the club would seem to be heading in the right direction. Ladies Football While their male counterparts were making great strides on the football front, the ladies too were not to be denied their strong showing in their respective competitions. According to Tom Moore, manager of the the very talented and successful U-16 team believes that "the strength of the ladies club lies with the great work done by their Chairperson, Patricia King and hard-working and efficient secretary, Lily O'Reilly. The calibre of team managers at all levels was also a tribute to the progress shown throughout the season. At U-14 level, team manager, Davy Donohoe saw his charges make it all the way to the Feile final and had a great run in the championship making it all the way to final only to lose out at the last hurdle; while the minor squad under the direction of Declan Beard lost in the league final to one of the county's strongest combinations, Knockbride. Declan also steered the ladies senior team to the league final but on ce again had to take second place as Knockbride proved too strong on the day. The composition of the senior team is made up mainly of players from the U-16 and minor teams and augurs well for the future of ladies football at senior level." Tom, was himself manager of the U-16 team who took pride of place in the ladies club when they won the U-16 championship when they beat Lavey at Killygarry. This was their second year to win this competition having already captured it back in 2004. "This was a sweet victory for us as we had already met Lavey in the 9-a-side final and lost out on that occasion. We had some tremendous performances throughout the season from players like Shona King, Ann Marie Moynagh, the Keaney twins, Emma and Edel, Shona Donohoe and Lauren Costello. Also great credit must attributed to Lauren Costello who took up the mantle as goalkeeper when county player, Ursula Cadden was sidelined with a long-term injury and proved to be a great find for the squad," stated Tom. All in all the season will be viewed as one of success and the future of the club looks to be bright, with so many talented young players now edging their way into the senior squad. Camogie The season of 2005 proved once again to be a successful one for the Lacken camogie club. Under the guidance of Chairperson, Marie Brady the club contested finals from U-14, 16, Novice, Junior and Senior with mixed success. "The great tradition of camogie in the club was again evident this season where tremendous work was carried out by Marie Brady (who is presently Vice Chairperson of the Co. Cavan Camogie Board), and team trainers, Con O'Keeffe, James Lynch and Thomas Smith, all of whom gave unwavering attention to game of camogie," stated Chairperson Marie Brady. According to Marie: "At senior level we had to settle for second place as we once again gave way to Castletara in the senior final. However, with some of our younger players on the senior squad, Lisa Bennett, Roisin O'Keeffe (both U-16), Niamh Brady (17) and Oniosa Sorohan (18) all performing well, the future at this level does look promising. The U-16 team reversed the senior result when they overcame the challenge of 'old' rivals Castletara to capture the championship crown. We had good runs in the Novice championship where we beat Denn in the final. Our Junior team also made it to the final but the 'jinx' of Castletara proved alive and well at this grade while our U-14s made it to the B final where they lost to neighbours, Ballinagh in a local derby. The club was further honoured when Rosemary Crowe along with Castletara's Elaine O'Reilly were selected to play for Ireland against Scotland in a Shinty international which the Irish girls triumphed in." There was also encouraging signs for the club with a great showing at Community Games where the U-14s were pipped at the final whistle in the Ulster final when Monaghan scored the vital goal to give them victory. Bruskey National School which is a feeder to the Lacken club, also fared well when they won the Cumann na mBun Scoil Division 2 U-13 title when they accounted for Crubany. "While we had mixed success we reached many finals this year and this in itself is promising. Our aim for next season will be to take the next step and win finals. We have the talent and backroom drive to achieve this ambition," stated Marie Brady. Lacken Celtic are deserving U21 Division 1 champions Lacken Celtic are the 2005 Cavan U-21 football champions after they defeated St. Finbarrs on a scoreline of 1-4 to 0-5. This was a close, hard-fought game from start to finish with very little between two sides who literally cancelled each other out. In the end the greater accuracy of the Lacken attack proved the difference in a game that was riddled with poor shooting from both sides, especially the St. Finbarr's team who had a total of seventeen wides over the hour - nine of these in the second-half when the game was very much in the balance. Both sides got it hard to settle down in the opening half, and after a half that promised much in the opening minutes slowly deteriorated with the sides level at the break on three points apiece. Indeed, the deciding score of the contest came in the opening minutes of the second-half when Lacken full-forward Colm Sheridan found a gap in the St. Finbarr's defence and slotted the ball home to leave his side ahead by 1-3 to 0-3. For the remainder of the game St. Finbarr's tried to force the pace and get back into the game. As the game entered its closing stages the amalgamation side got over-anxious especially in front of goal, and missed many clear-cut chances. In the end, Lacken held their nerve and won through by two points, but they would be first to admit that their opponents squandered too many chances over the hour to win the title. It was a great win for the Lacken Celtic club and their retiring team-manager Ben Corr. The former defender has done a great job with the club in recent times at senior and U-21 levels, and has left them in a very healthy state to approach the future with plenty of optimism. On the day, St. Finbarr's didn't do themselves justice, and they will be kicking themselves for literally kicking away the title. To their credit they battled to the final whistle, but it just wasn't to be on this occasion. Lacken Celtic - Shane Sheridan; Danny Brady, Paul Brady, Johnny Sheridan; Kevin Shanaghy, Shane Reilly, Eddie Sheridan; Raymond Galligan, James Moynagh; Brian McCusker, Joe Shanaghy, Sean Shanaghy; Donal Shanaghy, Colm Sheridan (1-3), Philip Moynagh (0-1). Sub - Michael Shanaghy for Donal Shanaghy. Tweet

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