Laragh, once the proud kingpins of Cavan GAA, found themselves in the season 2005 under severe pressure to maintain their standing in Division 2 of the ACFL. While the club's premier side were struggling there was some signs of hope as the less vaunted junior side showed enterprise and commitment and went on to win Cathal Brady Division 2A league final in an exciting contest against neighbours, Killinkere on a scoreline of 0-10 to 1-5. In a rejuvenated underage section all teams competed well and while they did not manage to acquire any silverware in the major competitions, they nonetheless, gave the club some great hope for the future The year 2005 wasn't a great one for Laragh United G.F.C. but there were some glimmers of hope throughout the season that things may be turning for the better. Early in the year the club's senior team struggled against most of the opposing teams in Division 2 of the ACF league and this indifferent form continued into the championship where defeats to Kill, Lavey and Ballymachugh left them in dire straits. Concerted effort With disaster looming ahead, a concerted effort by club chairman, Thomas McKenna, backed by senior team management of John Brady, Dermot King, Eddie Mc Entee and Maurice Brady eventually managed to turn things around. The players responded to the task ahead and while they had suffered a number of defeats along the way, they eventually managed to get their focus and steer the rocking ship through the treacherous waters of demotion both from their league and championship status. This rejuvenated spirit would indeed give hope for the coming season and if the players can manage to come to grips with the early part of the league then life in Division 2 could be a great deal more satisfying. One of the turning points for the senior side was when their championship status was under severe threat but they responded manfully with a very good performance and victory in Ballyconnell over Drumlane which saw them secure their championship status for next year. All the hard work had begun to pay off in the league also, and hard-earned draws against Ballymachugh and Lavey followed by great victories over Redhills and Cootehill in particular saw them round off the season on a relatively high note. Great credit is due to all concerned for rescuing a bleak-looking situation and showing some of the pride and determination which had made former Laragh teams such formidable opposition in the past. "Player of the Year" Award While things looked bleak the determination and commitment of one player in particular was very much in evidence. The work ethic and belief of Eugene Brady was an inspiration to all those involved and for his Herculean efforts was justifiably rewarded with the accolade of senior 'Player of the Year' for 2005. Division 2A Winners Unlike the seniors, the less-heralded and talked-about junior team performed very well throughout the year. The championship crown eluded them but they kept their focus and beat neighbours Killinkere in a tense and exciting League final in Bailieboro to bring home the first trophy at adult level since 1994, when the club won the Intermediate Championship. This victory which was eeked out in a pulsating contest against Killinkere in this local derby final saw a spirited finish by Laragh when they tagged on two points in the final minutes of the second half to emerge worthy winners on a scoreline of 0-10 to 1-5. In fairness to Killinkere, this game could have gone either way. As a contest, it proved to be close throughout the entire sixty minutes plus and the destination was in doubt right up to the final whistle. The game was played at a hectic pace throughout. Laragh's determination saw them the more dominant side in the opening half and with the defence on top they restricted the best efforts of Killinkere during this period. A slender half-time lead of 0-4 to 0-2 was a poor return for Laragh's hard work-rate. Killinkere came out a more rejuvenated side in the second-half but it was Laragh who registered the first score of this half with a point from Ciaran Clarke. The Killinkere response came in the second minute with a point and with their forwards beginning to make some inroads into what had up to now been totally dominant Laragh defence, the game was now on and the destination of the cup was to be in doubt up to the final whistle. Laragh's Matt Duffy helped steady nerves with a well taken point in the tenth minute. Killinkere seemed to have delivered the fatal blow to Laragh's hopes in the twelfth minute of the second half when they blasted to the back of the Laragh net to give them a one point lead, 1-4 to 0-6. Inspired with this score they tagged on a superb point in the fifteenth minute to put them two in front. With the gaming slipping away, Laragh responded in gallant fashion, and a point from super sub Alan Brady began the fightback. The same player had the sides on level terms with another point. With just three minutes remaining, David Reilly edged Laragh in front with a superbly struck 45 metre free. Killinkere tried to wrestle the advantage from Laragh but a great individual score from Brian Carolan, closed out the game on Killinkere and set Laragh up for their first senior victory since 1994. The jubilation was evident on the face of team manager, Dermot King and when presented with the cup team captain, Jarlath Johnston was magnanimous in his victory speech: "Credit to Killinkere for making a great contest out this game. Great credit is due to the entire squad. We worked very hard all season and only lost two games in the league. The work put in by team manager, Dermot King and his backroom team was also instrumental in our success." There were great scenes of jubilation when captain Jarlath Johnson lifted the cup, and hopefully this victory will act as a catalyst for further successes in the near future. A jubilant team manager, Dermot King was expected overjoyed and having been part of the glory years at the club hopes that this victory will help guide the club back in the direction of senior football status. "This is the first adult title we have won since the intermediate championship back in 1994 and hopefully this will be the start for a much brighter future for Laragh," stated Dermot. Laragh Utd.: Stephen Hand, Barry Cullivan, Jarleth Johnston (captain), Martin Smith, Gary Cooney, Derek Hand, Sean O'Connell, Mark Johnston, Raymond Clarke, Matt Duffy (0-1), Noel Smith (0-1), Robbie Brady, Ciaran Clarke (0-1), Brian Carolan (0-2), David Reilly (0-3). Subs: Alan Brady (0-2) for Robbie Brady, Pauric Cooney for Gary Cooney, Gerry Murray for Ciaran Clarke, Patrick Carolan for Matt Duffy. Underage According to club PRO, Brian Rahill: "Over the past number of seasons we have made a concerted effort to try and restablish ourselves among the elite at underage level. To this end we have a number of very dedicated people who have been working extremely hard and while at present we have not been rewarded with any of the major trophies, we feel that we are now going in the right direction. Our under 10s under the guidance of team trainers, Brian and Patrick Carolan, Dessie O'Rourke and Garry O'Connell were rewarded for their time and commitment when their side emerged victorious in the Kadona Wholesale tournament played at P. J. Duke Park, Stradone. At minor level we made it to the final of the Division 4 league only to lose out in an entertaining tie against a stronger Mountnugent side. I would feel that these are just some of the signs that we are moving in the right direction," stated, Brian Rahill. Minor League Final Laragh will deem themselves unlucky not to have captured the Minor League Division 4 title when they had to give way to a stronger Mountnugent side when they met in the final played in trying conditions at Crosskeys. The final scoreline Mountnugent 1-6 Laragh Utd. 1-3 revealed little of the quality of football produced under such adverse conditions. The winners were much stronger in vital areas of the field but their failure to capitalize in front of goal allowed Laragh to remain in contention and when the sides ended the first half with just one point between Mountnugent 0-3 Laragh 0-2, hopes had to be high in the Laragh dressingroom. The winners started the second half brightly with a brace of points but the nature of this contest did not allow any side to totally dominate proceedings. Laragh never gave up and with the game running towards finality Mountnugent struck for a well taken goal and with just over a minute remaining were leading by 1-6 to 0-3. Laragh showed a great fighting spirit and got some reward for their valiant effort when Gerry Murray converted a late penalty to leave three points between the sides, 1-6 to 1-3. It was a vital score that came too late to have any real bearing on the destination of the trophy. Laragh Utd: M. Smith, Chris McBreen, Paddy King, Philip Cullivan, Enda Clarke, Darragh Brady (0-1), Paraic Cooney, Gerry Murray (1-1), Ronan Smith (0-1), Laurence Brady, Philip Fitzsimons. Sub: Adrian Cooney for Ronan Smith. The club's under-age teams competed well at all levels without actually winning anything; but Laragh National School's impressive victory in the boys Division1 final of Cumann na mBunscol went some way to make up for this and show that rumours of Laragh's demise as a footballing-stronghold may be somewhat premature. Tweet

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