Redhills G.F.C. will look back on the 2006 season with pride and satisfaction. Pride in the achievement of one their members, Orla Reilly being appointed as Assistant Secretary to the Cavan Co. Board G.A.A and satisfaction with the knowledge that their work at underage level is paying a rich dividend. While the senior team failed to reach the dizzy heights of 2005 they nonetheless managed to secure their position in Intermediate football with a mid table league finish and also retained their status in the Intermediate football championship. The ladies of the club have also surrounded themselves in their own piece of glory with the girls U-14 camogie team capturing the Division 2 title. A great run at U-16 level, reaching both the league and championship finals in Division 1 and a superb minor victory in Division 4 all bodes well for the club. New County Assistant Secretary Quiet and polite, and always efficient, it was really no surprise to the members of Redhills that Orla O'Reilly was appointed as assistant secretary to the Cavan Co. Board G.A.A. Orla, who had been secretary of her own club from 2002 to 2006, first took up an executive position with Redhills when she was appointed Asst. Secretary in 2001. Coming from a family deeply immersed in Gaelic games, her mother, Mary acted as first aid officer to Redhills for over ten years while her brothers, Kevin and Fintan played with the club. Indeed, Fintan, who plays in goal, was a former Cavan senior player and is presently recognised as one of the best 'keepers' in Cavan at present. While Orla herself only ever played camogie at school level, her passion for football was fanned by the great commitment to the Redhills club by her family. During her term as club secretary, Orla said: "I had great assistance when I first took up my position with former chairman, Martin Brady, ever helpful. When Martin stepped down, the current holder of the position Michael Reilly, was equally as helpful. Indeed it was Michael who prompted the idea that I should run for the position of Cavan Co. Board Asst. Secretary. While my initial response was one of incredulity, I was further tempted when a number of clubs contacted me to go forward. However, my final decision was not made until I was sure that the club could get a willing and efficient person to fill my vacancy. This was achieved when juvenile secretary and assistant secretary, Geraldine West, was enticed to take over. Geraldine has always held Redhills close to her heart and with two sons, Ciaran and Pearse, both playing members of the senior squad, she reluctantly said yes. She has shown in the past her capabilities, especially in the area of juvenile football where her work was of the greatest importance and of the highest standard. We are a small club and have always worked closely with one another and while I have stepped down as secretary, I still continue as a committee member of the club." When Orla was asked what would be her memories of her years as secretary at the club she quickly responds: "There have been so many good memories. The quality of people I have worked with was always a paramount. During my time as secretary I was fortunate to see the club go through a great spell of winning. We won titles at U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16 and minor, a junior championship and league, all of which provided me with great joy and pride as a Redhills woman. As for the future of the club, the great work put in over the years by those working at underage level, is beginning to pay a rich dividend. We have a great crop of young players now coming on stream and this can only augur well for the club. The senior team is a relatively young side, with the oldest player just having turned thirty. So I can see the outlook for Redhills as bright." Orla who one of a handful of females to be appointed to the executive table at county board level has no fears of what her status entails: "I came in on the back of a new regime and so far, people like Liam McCabe and Noel Rodgers have been extremely helpful. With new rule changes now coming into effect, many of us are in the same position of learning as we go along. When the football starts, then it will be a lot busier. I am looking forward to the challenge at county level and have no doubt that I can fulfill my function." This is something that anyone who has had met Orla well knows. She is efficient and courteous and whatever the position of Asst. Secretary at the Co. Board throws at her, it will not phase her in the least. Team Management Once again, former Cavan county footballer, Ollie Leddy will head the management team of Philip Brides, Peter Reilly (selectors) and team coach, Owen McPhillips. This combination led the club to glory back in 2005 and the hope is that they can make a bold bid for Intermediate honours in 2007. A big push is underway to try and instil the winning formula back into the squad and with players of the calibre of Brendan Leddy, Pearse and Ciaran West, Fintan Reilly, Rocky Reilly, Paddy Gumley, Rory Dunne and Mark Smith they have the backbone of a team that take on the best in Division 2. When speaking of the coming season trainer Owen McPhillips is a realist: "We have the potential to make an impact but this is really down to the players. It will take a big commitment from all involved to do so but we feel that we are now more focused this year than we were last year. The loss of Michael Brides who has taken time out to return to study is a tremendous loss. Michael was a great player who gave it everything when playing. All at the club wish him well in his studies," stated the team coach. Impressive Minors An impressive display saw Redhills minors capture the Cavan Minor football league Division Four title when they overcame Laragh on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-7. Right from the start, Laragh were under pressure as a rampant Rory Dunne set the tone of this game. Try as they may Laragh were unable to cope with the dominating Dunne who set up many of his sides scores. Goals from Joe Callan and Rory Dunne just prior to half-time sealed this game as a contest and left no one in any doubt as to the destination of this title. The half-time score of 2-5 to 0-6 in favour of Redhills was a mountain too big for Laragh to climb. While Dunne was instrumental in the final outcome, Redhills had many stars on the night especially in a defence that sealed off the Laragh threat. Goalkeeper, James Brady handled anything that Laragh threw at him while, Oisin Minagh, Fergal McDermott, Ciaran Smith and Niall Caffrey made up a water-tight defence. At midfield, Rory Dunne and David Faulkner held the upper-hand for the entire game while in a free scoring forward division, Mark Kelly, Gary Kelly, Joe Callan and Mark Maguire all performed well. Redhills: J. Brady, F. McDermott, C. Smith, N. Caffrey, O. Minagh (0-2), R. Dunne (1-1), D. Faulkner, G. Kelly (0-2), J. Callan (1-0), M. Kelly (0-7), M. Maguire. Subs: Packie Leddy for M. Maguire, Dessie Gumley for J. Callan and Eoin McDonald for N. Caffrey. Retained Intermediate Championship status A poor championship run saw Redhills plunged into the dreaded play-off section in an effort to secure their position in the IFC in 2007. The final game threw up 'the old' rivals, Butlersbridge in what was expected to be a tough, uncompromising battle for the honouring of retaining Intermedate championship football status. The relegation play-off was a game that neither of these teams wanted as they had met on numerous occasions in the past with the 'Bridge edging them out in a 2004 in a replay of the Junior football championship. Being near neighbours also added to the tension and rivalry already associated with this tie. Redhills showed that they had the mettle and determination to succeed when they overcame the Bridge by 2-11 to 2-7 at Milltown. U16s Proud Display A talented U16 team took on the might of Cavan Gaels in the Division 1 championship played at St. Felim's Park, Drumalee. The sides had previously met in the league final which proved to be a close encounter with the Gaels eventually winning out in the end. Many pundits felt that the "David and Goliath" contest on this occasion could swing in favour of Redhills. However, the 'all powerful' town side had other ideas and they produced their best performance of the season. A whirlwind start unsettled Redhills and they never really recovered and ended up on the end of a 4-12 to 0-5 defeat. Despite the heavy defeat, Redhills have much to be proud of. Playing in Division 1 and contesting two finals at this level against the strongest unit in the county is an achievement that all those involved at underage football can justifiably feel proud. The great work put in over the years has paid a rich dividend and while there was no silverware at the end of this exciting league and championship campaigns this small club showed just what can be achieved when you put your mind to it. Redhills U-16s - James Brady, Francis Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Smith, Owen McDonnell; Fergal McDermott, Niall McCaffrey, Martin Brady; Oisin Minagh, Niall Greenan, Turlough Mooney, Joe Callan (0-2), Mark Kelly (0-2), Martin Walsh, Packie Leddy (0-1), Shane Jenkins. Subs: Dermot Gilsenan, Geoff Elliott, Niall McCaffrey. New club crest The club proudly launched a new crest at the beginning of the 2007 season. Designed by club member Kieran Smith, it was presented to the executive members at a function which has held to honour the great run by the U-16s and the successes of minors who won the Division 4 championship and 9 - a - side county titles in 2006. Kieran was a member of the U-16 squad and based his design on Redhills. The crest sports a map of Redhills with a St. Brigid's cross to signify the name of the school and the hills of the area painted in red framing the bottom section. Tweet

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