With upwards of forty clubs participating in Cavan football, there can only be a handful who will earn the spoils of victory at the end of the season and to this regard, Killinkere can look back on the 2006 season with satisfaction in the knowledge that they captured two of those trophies. Success was achieved when they won the Division 2 Reserve championship and went on to the capture the Division 2A league crown. In securing both these trophies, Killinkere made it two-in-a-row as they also achieved the double back in 2005. These victories will help offset a mid-table finish for the senior team -and will have given the club the belief that they can compete and win trophies. To this end Killinkere should be a force to be reckoned with when the Cavan ACFL commences early in March. According to Brian Clarke: "We certainly have the playing numbers and quite a few talented young players who should be capable of making the step-up this coming year. We feel at the club that if we can match our commitment and youthful talent then we can certainly challenge for honours. We also have been blessed at the club with the quality of officers and people that have invested their time to cause of Killinkere football. As well as winning two trophies in Division 2A, our Division 3A team exited at the semi-final of the league in a thrilling game against eventual league winners, Killygarry by the narrowest of margins." Killinkere have always been progressive in their outlook and to this end they have been consistent in trying to put in place facilities that will rival that of the best club grounds around. With the completion of their new stand, which will cater for over 1,000 spectators and a new pitch which was finished last year, work has now begun on their old playing area to upgrade it. Plans are also in the pipeline for new lighting system on the training grounds and an all weather training arena. The club is presently working on a fund-raising campaign which will be announced sometime later this year. Division 2 Success Killinkere's Division 2 team once again showed that they were the real threat as they set out in determined fashion to defend both league and championship crowns that they had captured back in 2005. In a competitive Division 2 Reserve championship, Killinkere took on the challenge of Drung in the final which was played at St. Felim's Park, Drumalee last October. The strength in depth in the club was evident as they produced a much superior performance than their opponents and ran out convincing winners by nine points 1-14 to 1-5. The game which was evenly contested for the first half was played in gusting wind and heavy showers that did little to dampen the approach and will to win of Killinkere and with Brendan Stafford in particularly fine form the outcome was clearly marked by half-time as the winners went in 0-7 to 0-3 in front. Drung who made a spirited start to the second-half had the wind taken out of their sails by a rampant Killinkere forward line and leading 1-10 to 0-5 with just ten minutes remaining, they never looked like conceding this winning advantage. To their credit Drung's spirit was rewarded when they found the back of the net, but it was too little too late. Killinkere: Simon Delaney, Colm Smith, Stephen Smith, Finbarr Smith, Ollie Sharkey, David Owens, Breen Cooney (0-1), Kevin Clarke (0-2), Shane Donnelly (0-1), Tommie Clarke, Edward Flynn (0-3), Padraig Denning, Sean Sharkey, Brendan Stafford (1-4), Francis Sheridan (0-2). Subs: Ciaran Sexton (0-1) for Padraig Denning, John B. Smith for Sean Sharkey, Pat Clarke for Francis Sheridan. Division 2A League Final Killinkere made it a double when they captured the Division 2A league final when they overcame neighbours, Lavey by 2-7 to 0-8 in a high tempo game played at Virginia. The gusting winds did little to dampen the hectic pace of this tie and with precious little separating them throughout it was always going to be down to whoever got the goal that would secure the destination of this crown. Little was given and less expected as both these rivals fought tooth and nail to gain the upperhand and while Killinkere led 0-5 to 0-3 at the end of the first half this game was far from over. Lavey produced a spirited start to the second-half it was Killinkere who managed to gain the upperhand when Gavin Fitzsimons rattled the back of the Lavey net to give Killinkere the edge. With time running out, John B. Smith settled the issue when he recorded Killinkere's second goal to put an end to the Lavey challenge. Killinkere: Simon Delaney, Colm Smith, Stephen Smith, John Smith, Paddy Carroll, David Owens, Michael Duff, Kevin Clarke, Shane Donnelly, Edward Flynn (0-5), Gavin Fitzsimons (1-1), Declan Sharkey, John Clarke, Brendan Stafford (0-1), Damien Sexton. Subs: John B. Smith (1-0) for Declan Sharkey, Kieran Sexton for Damien Sexton, Ollie Sharkey for Michael Duff, Brian Cooney for Paddy Carroll. Underage Football At underage level the 2006 season was crowned when a talented U-14 school side completed a championship and league double in impressive fashion. Overcoming 'old rivals' Lavey in the league final by 1-16 to 3-9 they were equally impressive in the B Championship final where they accounted for Cootehill in a high scoring game 5-19 to 4-6. The club have always maintained a strong underage structure catering for all grades from U-8 right through to U-21. When talking about underage football at the club, Michael McMahon said: "Killinkere have always had a good structure in place for the youth of the area. Presently we are catering for all teams and have been fortunate to have had a crop of very good young players especially at U-14 level. We reached the U-14 Roinn C league final where we lost out to neighbours, Shercock by just two points, 2-14 to 3-9. The game which was played at Kingspan Breffni Park in ideal conditions and proved to be a thriller. Shercock, who looked like they might wrap the game up on several occasions, were always pulled back by a gritty and determined display from the Killinkere lads. One of our heroes on the night was captain Laura Clarke who worked tirelessly throughout at midfield. A gallant display of attacking football had Shercock on the defensive in the final five minutes but to their credit Shercock withstood the onslaught and were relieved to hear the final whistle". Killinkere U-14: C. Smith, B. Smith, M. Smith, L. Traynor, M. Higgins, J. Tackney, L. Clarke, P. Clarke, K. McCabe, E. Fitzsimons, P. McCabe, N. Higgins, A. McGovern. Sub used: J. Lynch. Future prospects Michael feels that the club have in their possession some very talented young players at underage level. "We have players of the calibre of Darren Smith, Emmet Fitzsimons, Kevin McCabe, Gary Dinnen, Eoin McMahon, Conor Lynch, Peter McCabe and James Tackney, all of whom should be providing the backbone for the club in years to come. At U-16 we reached the championship semi-final but lost out to a strong Mullahoran team by just two points. Our minors were up against it while our U-21s lost out to neighbours Lavey at the quarter-final. Much of this good work at underage level can be contributed to people like Gerry Fitzsimons, Tom McCabe, Padraig Sheridan, Owen Cooney, Pat McCabe, Michael McMahon, Joe Delaney and Patrick Smith. Throughout the year we were fortunate to have had a great medical back-up where Mary Fitzsimons was constantly on hand to look after the welfare of the players." Ladies Killinkere ladies, who in the past would have had a strong tradition in football, had to face the 2006 with many of their more experienced players absent for a variety of reasons. According to Oliver Fitzsimons manager of the girls U-14 squad in 2006: "We had a reasonably good run back in 2005 but with so of our players retiring and others out through maternity leave we had to introduce many novices. It was always going to be a difficult year but we did see some progress as the Girls U-14 side had a good run in the B Championship where they made it to the final. A strong Laragh squad proved a hurdle too high for our young team but the experience gained will be invaluable for this coming year. While we lost heavily in the end our first half display was very impressive. Great credit is due to this young set of players." Killinkere U-14 B Championship finalists: C. O'Connell, S. Farrelly, K. Smith, P. Cooney, M. Denning, C. Fitzsimons, M. Clarke, L. Clarke, A. Sexton, J. Sharkey, P. Clarke, R. Cusack, J. Strong. Oliver is very enthusiastic about this coming season as the club have managed to reverse the trend of 2006 having encouraged some of the 'retired' players back into competitive football. With the return of players from maternity leave Killinkere should be able to push for honours. "We have some very talented players at the club and have had two of club members play for Cavan. Laura Clarke and Sinead Denning have donned the blue of Cavan at U-14 and U-16 respectively. Our good showing last season at U-14 has given us hope that we can build on this and along with my joint team manager, Ciaran McCabe and selector, Tommy Smith, we would be hoping to mould this squad into a position to challenge once again for honours. P. J. Clarke and Orla O'Sullivan will take charge of the U-14s this coming season," stated Oliver Fitzsimons. New management structure With the present crop of players at the club's disposal there is a big push on this season to try and make an impact in the Intermediate football championship. A three man management team from within the club's own structure has been put in place to try and affect the result that is felt by many long overdue. The triumvirate of Tom Duff, Pat Clarke and Pat Donnelly will be hoping to get the commitment needed to succeed at this level. Tribute The clubs joint PRO Brian Clarke said the GAA season in Killinkere was tinged with sadness at the death of Tom Flynn which took place on December 18th 2006. Brian in paying tribute to Tom said: "When you speak of Tom Flynn, you speak of Killinkere. Tom was a great lover of Gaelic games and football and although he was living in Nobber for many years Killinkere was always dear to his heart. His contribution to Cavan and particularly his own club of Killinkere over the years was immense. He played underage and club football with Killinkere and won an Intermediate championship medal in 1982 along with a number of junior league medals. As an administrator he had no equal and contributed in many official capacities at club level. His work as secretary in Killinkere is legend. At county level, his contribution was equally important and his input at county board was always taken seriously. Tom had a great love of coaching and was one of the first people to earn a coaching qualification back in 1989. His contribution to the underage structure in Killinkere was immense. He will be greatly missed not just by Killinkere but wider GAA family in Cavan. On behalf of the Killinkere club I would like to extend our sincere sympathy to his wife, Louise, daughters, Sarah and Ellen and to his son, Patrick, as well as his mother Brid, brothers, Padraig and Edward and sisters Betty and Mary. Joint PRO Brian was magnanimous in his praise for his joint PRO, Bernard Sheridan. "In Bernard, Killinkere have found a real gem. Bernard is what clubs are really all about. He lines out for the third team when requested, works with all committees and is always there to give a hand when needed. Without people like Bernard, the world of the GAA would be less rich." Tweet

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