While Knockbride failed to win any silverware at senior level during the 2006 season, it was nonetheless a year that had its highs as the ladies football team produced scintillating form to capture the senior football championship and two weeks later completed the double when they were crowned Division 1 league champions. Success did not end with the ladies as the club's U14 side proved worthy winners of the Bord Peile na nOg Roinn D football championship when they accounted for Denn in the final. By Tony Dunne. A mid table league finish and a tough championship campaign was the end result of a demanding football year for the senior squad. Knockbride, who have over the past ten years, produced such notably football names as Peter Reilly, Larry Reilly, Ronan Keaskin, John Tierney and Raphael Rogers, all of whom graced the Cavan jersey, have done so having to pick from a small population base. Spurred on by the success at underage level and the great work put by the ladies teams, the club now look forward to the future and have ambitious plans for development at their grounds. When you speak to Knockbride G.F.C. PRO, John Clarke, he is quick to point out that the club is hampered with a small population and the numbers game is something that cannot be dismissed. "We are lodged between Cootehill, Bailieboro and Shercock with a small population. We still however, have successfully managed to field two senior teams for the most part of 2006. We had a tough championship run having been drawn in a four man group with Drumgoon, Mullahoran (eventual winners), and Castlerahan. We secured a draw in our first outing against Drumgoon but lost to both Mullahoran and Castlerahan. Drumgoon found themselves with similar results and ensured that we both met again to decide who would retain their senior championship status. Fortunately for us we emerged victorious and so copper fastened our place in the SFC." Co. Vice Chairman Noel Rogers who acted as chairman of the club for the 2006 brought further recognition to the club when he was nominated and won the position for Vice Chairman of Cavan Co. Board at the convention which held at the end of 2006. Noel has been involved with Knockbride all his life and his great love of football will stand him in good faith in his newly appointed position. Noel is also one of the members of the fixture committee at the Co. Board. Development As a club, Knockbride are no strangers to progress and with one eye on the future, the forward thinking minds at the club embarked on a major fund-raising drive in 2006. This comes hot on the heels of the opening of their playing arena in 2005 and Knockbride hope that the money raised will be used to develop the infrastructure at the grounds. Having raised over 70,000 euros it is hoped to build new dressing rooms, install a running track and erect a purpose built stand. Underage football Club PRO John McCabe recognises the tremendous effort and great work that is being done at the club. "Like most clubs in the county we have organised sessions for all the underage groups on Saturday mornings and twice weekly during the summer season. While we cater for all the competitive age groups, special emphasis has been placed on a structure to include the U-8s and U-10s. A committed voluntary effort from people like, John McCabe, Michael Meehan, Philip Smith, Oliver McBreen, Gerry Sheanon and Michael J. Reilly is greatly appreciated by all of us at the club." The hardwork put in over the years may not have yielded the results in silverware but the progress at all age levels is evident. With the opening of a new pitch back in 2005 the club can now cater for the large numbers using the playing facilities. The U-12s made it to the play-offs and exited at the semi-final of the league against Templeport, while the U-16 lost out to a fancied Dernacrieve side also at the quarter-final stage of the championship. "Our U-14s took it a step further when they reached the Roinn D championship final which was played under lights at Kingspan - Breffni Park. On that occasion Denn provided the opposition. Knockbride proved worthy winners running out comfortable victors with a 5-16 to 3-4 scoreline. We also made it to the league final but lost out to Drumalee in a replay by 5-16 to 4-1. While we failed to secure the double, it was nonetheless a tremendous achievement for not just the players but for the joint management team of Terence McCabe and Hugo O'Reilly," stated the club PRO, John McCabe. John is keen to point out that winning of this title was down to the squad of twenty players, all of whom made a valuable contribution; Knockbride U-14 squad: Kevin McCabe, Garry O'Connell, Oliver Cooney, Nigel Farrelly, Sean Rogers, Ciaran McCabe, Rory Traynor, Oisin Carolan, James Christie, Patrick Carolan, Sean Meehan, Shane McGee, Ben Clarke, Hugo O'Reilly, Darren McCabe, Kevin Traynor, Ryan Meehan, Raymond O'Brien, Enda Nulty. At both minor and U-21 level Knockbride formed amalgamations. At minor level they teamed up with Bailieboro and Shercock to form Killann Gaels. In an enthralling encounter, eventual champions, Cavan Gaels just got the edge with a one point victory 1-11 to 2-7. The U-21s teamed up with Laragh and as St. Brigid's had to give at the quarter final to a rampant Killygarry side. New Manager Former Cavan inter-county star, Fintan Cahill and his selectors, Michael Sheanon and Michael J. Reilly who managed Knockbride for the past two seasons stepped down at the end of 2006. The club have filled the void with the appointment with highly rated Dudley Farrell, Dudley has been involved in team management for many years and managed Monaghan senior side, Magheracloone and the Meath minors. Dudley will be expecting to achieve a high ranking finish and some silverware for the coming season. Faithful servants of the senior squad, like Declan O'Reilly, Michael Clarke, Ollie Mulvey and the three county minor panellists, Niall and Shane O'Reilly and Brendan Carroll will give their new manager, the opportunity to put the club back in the top flight. Ladies football When it comes to ladies football, Knockbride have in the recent past been a strong force in Cavan competition. The season of 2006 will be one that will not be forgotten and was just reward for all those involved with the sport since its inception at the club. Capturing their third championship in a span of four years shows just how vibrant the game is at the East Cavan club. Taking both the league and championship double at senior level is justifiable credit for the hard-working players, coaches and committee members who have produced a winning formula. It was a final display of masterful football, especially in the second-half, that saw the Knockbride ladies, overcome a determined challenge from Lacken. Knockbride emerged winners with a staggering fifteen point margin, 4-15 to 2-6. Lacken started brightly but rapid fire points from Nuala Rodgers, Ashling Traynor and Arlene Clarke set the tone and outlook of the Knockbride challenge. A quick thinking move by 'player of the match', Elaine Costin set up Claire Murtagh for Knockbride's opening goal. Joy was short lived as Lacken responded immediately with their own goal. Lacken struck for a second goal but the Knockbride ladies refused to panic and a superb goal from Elaine Costin gave her side a comfortable half-time lead of 2-9 to 2-2. The second half was to prove to be an outstanding display from Knockbride as they stifled Lacken and tagged on a further two goals and six points to Lacken's four points. While this was a great team performance from Knockbride, the display of the half-forward line of Claire Murtagh, Aisling Traynor and Emma Scanlon did much to ensure victory was going to East Cavan. Knockbride: E. Traynor, P. Keaskin, D. Dolan, E. Farrelly, A. Clarke, J. McNally, E. Meehan, C. Rodgers, L. McCabe, C. Murtagh, A. Traynor, E. Scanlon, A. Clarke, E. Costin, N. Rodgers. Subs: Emer Dolan, Christine Reegan, Geraldine Reilly, Aishling Reilly, Louise McCabe. Double Just two weeks after their convincing senior championship success the Knockbride ladies secured the double when they captured the Division 1 league title with a convincing 4-11 to 1-8 victory over Lurgan. Right from the start, Knockbride took the lead which they held for the entire duration but it was their second half performance that ended any challenge from Lurgan. Knockbride held a four point half time lead 1-7 to 1-3. The opening exchanges of the second half were evenly contested as the sides swapped points but it was Emma Scanlon that set the seal on victory when she found the back of the Lurgan net to put daylight between the sides. Two quick points from Aishling Traynor and the killer goal from Elaine Costin ended any hopes of an upset by Lurgan. Player of the match, Emma Scanlon ended the game on a high note when she bagged her second goal to close out the scoring and the game. Knockbride had good performances from Edel Farrelly, Lisa McCabe, Aishling Traynor, Deirdre Dolan, Arlene Clarke and Carmel Rodgers. Knockbride: E. Traynor, P. Keaskin, D. Dolan, E. Farrelly, A. Clarke, J. McNally, E. Meehan, C. Rodgers, L. McCabe, C. Murtagh, A. Traynor, E. Costin, A. Clarke, E. Scanlon, N. Rodgers. Subs: Maria Dolan, Emer Dolan, Geraldine Reilly. Knockbride showed their dominance in ladies football when they captured their third title with victory in a high scoring Division 4 league final against Arva 3-12 to 2-9 at Fay Park, Ballyjamesduff. This victory was down in the main to a blend of youth and experience which forged this highly commendable result. A powerful display from the youthful, Deana Clerkin and Emma Scanlon who bagged most their side's tally, were backed by the skills of Christine Reagan, Louise McCabe, Geraldine Reilly and Aggie Clarke. Knockbride: M. Dolan, G. Reilly, L, McCabe, D. Smith, M. Smith, D. McIntyre, A. Clarke, N. Clarke, A. Reilly, N. Rodgers, C. Reagan, D. Clerkin, E. Scanlon. Subs: Breege Smith, Sarah Reagan, Laura Carolan. Tweet

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