When Killeshandra Leaguers look back on their 2006 campaign they can reflect on a year as one that has given them a realistic hope for 2007. While the club did not win any silverware, the performances of the team showed much promise and were in general a great improvement on previous years. A slow start to the league campaign was followed by a 'golden' spell of five victories on the trot, over Corlough, Arva, Maghera, Mountnugent and Shercock. A strong finish to the league saw the club finish in fifth position which was quite heartening for the all those involved. An epic league semi-final battle of three games and a postponed match against neighbours and 'old rivals', Cornafean, saw Leaguers pipped in extra time in the third game. A quarter final place in the championship also gave birth to the belief that the club was moving in the right direction and had the capability of taking this to higher level in 2007. The general feeling among players and management alike is that the progress shown in 2006 heralds an expectation that the Leaguers can compete and indeed gain promotion in the league in 2007. Underage The juvenile club which is spearheaded by Peter Brady, Chairman, caters from U-10s right up to U-14 and from U-16 to U-21 are joined with Cornafean to form Parnells. In the younger age groups, the U-10 took part in a number of blitz competitions organised by Cavan Co. Board. The U-12s and 14s compete in Roinn B of the county league, with the U-12s having taken part in a number of club tournaments. Encouraging signs were provided when the U-12s beat holders Ballinagh in the Packie Phair Memorial Cup. A strong showing in the Killygarry tournament ended in a narrow defeat by Drumgoon in the final. Despite the setback of the losing to Drumgoon in the final, this resilient bunch of young Leaguers were soon back in the winners' enclosure when they defeated Dernacrieve in a thrilling final in the Corlough tournament. At U-13 level the club participated in the league throughout the summer. When speaking of underage football at the club Tom McKiernan, trainer of the U-13 and 14s, paid special tribute to the juvenile committee of Peter Brady, chairman, Declan O'Hanlon, youth officer and Secretary, Blaithin Higgins who have all done Trojan work. "Presently we are competing in Roinn B at U-13 and U-14 level and have been in this division for the past twenty four years. While we can win a number of games we never are in a position to compete for honours as the other clubs are much too strong for us. We would hope that the Co. Board would allow us to regrade to Roinn C where players could be in an environment where they would make much better progress and have a chance of competing for honours. I feel if we could achieve this status then it would be a much better proposition for the club." Parnells At both U-16, minor and U-21 level, Killeshandra joined forces with 'old rivals', Cornafean to form a formidable threat in these grades. As Parnells, the parish team showed they were a test for the best in Cavan. At U-16 the club had mixed fortunes in the league and failed to qualify for the semi-finals while a two point defeat at the hands of Castlerahan spelled the end of the road in the championship. The minor team proved that they could indeed compete with the best when they took the Division 2 league title when defeating Belturbet Rory O'Moore's in convincing style by nine points, 3-15 to 3-6 in an exciting final played at Bawnboy. The Rory's who got off to the perfect start when they led 1-1 to 0-1 just after five minutes had to sustain a first half bombardment which saw Parnell's 2-11 to 1-1 ahead at the break. To their credit Belturbet made a fight of it in the second-half but the outcome was never in doubt as Parnell's had too many options and ran out comfortable winners in the end. Parnells: Danny Flynn, Darragh Tighe, Damian Higgins, Justin McDermott, Shane Murphy, Thomas Reilly, Rory Braiden, Adrian Martin, Ciaran Duignan, Fergus Reilly, Declan McKiernan, Kyle Duffy, Mark Shannon, P. J. Brady, Cyril Duffy. Sub used: Killian Reilly. U-21s At U-21 level, Parnells were so close to capturing the Division 1 football crown when they lost out to Castlerahan at Kingspan Breffni Park by 1-8 to 0-8. Castlerahan, who were strong favourites, had to overcome a spirited Parnell's performance. Parnells suffered an early setback as the favourites ran into to a 1-1 to 0-0 lead after fifteen minutes. Castlerahan ended the half with a 1-5 to 0-2 advantage and looked set to take the crown with ease. A spirited second-half performance from Parnells ensured that that was not to be as they pegged back the deficit and with just five minutes remaining were a mere two points behind - 1-7 to 0-8, but Cian Mackey's late injury time point ended a great comeback. According to Parnell's selector, Junior McKiernan: "We showed too much respect to Castlerahan in the first half which gave them the perfect start notching up 1-2 to no score. We had some good opportunities in the first half and our commitment in the second-half almost paid off for us." Parnells: Andrew Smith, Cillian O'Reilly, Gary Sheridan, Ciaran Owens, Tomas O'Reilly, Austin Fitzpatrick, Mark Johnston, Cormac Geoghegan, Daniel Luby, Fergus O'Reilly, Damien Higgins, Gordon Morrow, Adrian Martin, Liam Duignan (0-8), Richard Keith. Subs: Rory Braiden, for Fergus O'Reilly, Shane Murphy for Gerry Sheridan, Dara Tighe for Gordon Morrow. New Development Club chairman Pat McGearty was buoyed with the progress on and off the pitch during last season and like the rest of the Leaguers is excited about the coming season. "We hope to start a major development this coming year. It is intended to develop the playing surface of football field, upgrade the dressing rooms and provide a training facility. Under the direction of the club's joint treasurers, Tom McKiernan and Cathal O'Rourke a fund-raiser project has been put in place where it is hoped to raise the much needed capital. At the club we have had the goodwill of many people from parents to committee members. Special mention must be attributed to Sean Magaraghan and Tom Lubey who have taken such great care of the facilities and grounds. The great work on and off field throughout 2006 has given us the belief that we can now go forward and with a bit of luck and compete and win trophies in our grade," stated Pat. Retired "One of the club's leading lights for many years is Thomas McDermott. A Leaguer through and through, Thomas was in the past a well known renowned inter-county referee. Thomas was a member of Cavan G.A.C. for over twenty six years and has taken the step of retiring from this post. His great work with the senior team last year should herald better prospects for 2007," stated Pat McGearty. New Team Management Having produced some fine displays during the 2006 season, this young Killeshandra team, have been given an added boost with the introduction of a high powered management team to guide the fortunes of the club over the 2007 season. Taking charge is former star player, Tom Downes. Tom is a native of Clare but his commitment to the Leaguers has always been total and no doubt his vast experience and motivational qualities is just what this crop of talented young players need. He will be joined by former Cavan senior player and life-long Leaguer, Stephen King and equally renowned Killeshandra stalwart, Junior McKiernan. Together this triumvirate have the material to work with and aligned with their combined experience should pose a threat in the coming season. Ladies Football When you talk to Blaithin O'Reilly, you immediately sense the excitement in her voice when she talks about the prospects of the Killeshandra ladies football team. "Killeshandra, who were formed back in 1996, were soon into their stride and winning ways. In their early years they won two championships and were runners-up in another. Since then things have been quiet on the winning front. We felt as a club that we needed to infuse new enthusiasm into ladies football and to ensure that we recaptured our winning ways. We made a concerted effort to put in a place a youth policy. To this end great work has been done and we are now beginning to see the some of the results of the great work." Hard working secretary, Blaithin points out that: "The aim was to encourage as many young girls as possible to take up football so that the club would have an increasing flow of talent over the years. Under the stewardship of Chairperson Siobhan Sweeney a structure has been in place for the past three years and improvements are obvious. Our U-12 and U-14s reached semi-final stages in the championship while the U-16s and senior ladies are all making good progress. Last season was one of our best years for a long time. We were in a position to enter teams at good levels of competition. "We have a good team management structure with excellent coaches in Sean Feeney, John Mulligan, Cillian O'Reilly and Pat McGearty who will be focusing the 2007 season with one eye on retaining former glories. Their task should be made that much easier as the club can boost a number of top class young players in Emma Mulligan and current county minor star, Melissa King. Melissa is daughter of former Cavan inter-county player, Stephen King. The feeling at the club is one of expectation for the coming season." Tweet

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