The task of promoting hurling in Cavan could be rightly described as a labour of love. The platform from which the Hurling Board works, is small, with just four senior clubs making up the competitive base from which the county panel is assembled. It is difficult to comprehend that before the foundation of the G.A.A. the game of hurling was played in practically every parish in the county. However, with the introduction of football, the demise of the game of hurling in the Breffni County was moved to the outer reaches of commitment to sport. The first hurling club in Cavan was formed by the Belturbet branch of the National Foresters in 1908 with the first recorded hurling game taking place just outside Cavan town at Killymooney where Belturbet beat a Cavan town selection. In 1909 Cavan had the unique distinction of playing Dublin in an All Ireland hurling semi-final but lost out the Leinster champions. From that lofty perch, the game in Cavan went into a cycle of decline and recovery, from which it has never fully recovered. Trojan work has been taken over the past two decades to ensure that a bedrock of clubs will keep the game alive in Cavan. With just four senior clubs participating in the county championship, Mullahoran St. Josephs, Woodford Gaels, Cavan Gaels and Ballymachugh, the task of fielding a senior and U-21 county squad is indeed a logistical nightmare at times. According to the Hurling Board's, affable Secretary and PRO, Tom Mortell: "We have also nine juvenile clubs which we hope will help offset a new resurgence in hurling. We now have the game played in Cootehill, Drumlane, Kingscourt, Gowna and Lacken along with juvenile clubs from the four senior sides. The interest at this level has been very encouraging and while it may not look very impressive at the moment, I feel that we are heading in the right direction. In my own area, I have set up the juvenile section under the banner of Lacken/St. Felim's taking in a number of parishes, reaching out to as many juveniles as possible." Senior Squad Cavan play in Division 3B of the Allianz NHL where they compete against, Armagh, Longford, Fermanagh and Tyrone. They played four games this year and failed to register a point, Secretary Tom Mortell feels that it is not as bleak as it appears. "While we may have lost all of four games in the league, we did produce some good displays and would be hopeful we would make a better impression in the 2007 season." Nicky Rackard Cup The summer season was to prove no less intimidating for the Cavan hurlers as they entered the fray of the Nicky Rackard Cup. The perennial problems of lack of skill reared its head again as the Breffni side tried valiantly in their attempts against both Armagh and Louth only to suffer two heavy defeats. New manager Ahead of the new season looming, the Cavan Hurling Board appointed a new manager with the announcement that former Parnell's Dubin clubman, Jim Styles, who is now resident in Virginia would be taking over the county squads. With his appointment came new hope and a belief that good start to the league could benefit the county players as a unit. This was not to be the case as they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of neighbours, Longford in their opening encounter at Ballyconnell First Ulster Park when they went down by sixteen points, 3-13 to 0-6. A further heavy defeat at the hands of Tyrone in the second round, rooted Cavan firmly at the bottom of the Division 3B table. On this occasion, Cavan had to contend with the absence of a number of key players and while they tried valiantly they inevitable outcome was on the cards from an early stage. While the new management team were on the end of two bruising defeats so early on in their inaugural campaign the commitment and work-rate of the players was heartening. A positive attitude from team manager, Jim Styles seems to have the desired effect as Cavan took on neighbours Fermanagh and produced a display of true grit and no small amount of skill but once again had to endure the tag of losers going under by a mere two points. While victory eluded them, the passion and skill displayed on the day was heartening for all those involved. A final defeat at home at the hands of Armagh saw the Breffni side firmly rooted at the bottom of the division. According to the new man at the helm: "We approached the new season with a number of very young inexperienced players. We fielded a number of our talented minor side, Anthony Sheridan, Edward Dalton and Jim Styles, who will only benefit from their exposure at this level. I know it may be hard to see where Cavan hurling is going after such a hard opening season, but the work that is being carried out at underage level will have tremendous benefits for the county when it comes on stream in about four to five years from now. I have taken charge of squads from under 12, 14, 16, minor and U-21 this season and have witnessed some excellent skillful hurlers in Cavan. It is unfortunate that we have to accede to the lure of football with many of the talented hurlers having to opt to play for their local teams. I would dearly love to see clubs encourage these players to stick at both codes and try to work out a formula what would benefit both football and the fledging hurling talents of these young players," he added. Positive Approach According to the open and frank approach of the new team manager his love of the game of hurling is paramount. "I have a deep rooted love for the game and have a tremendous positive nature when it comes to hurling. That positivity is easily enforced with the knowledge that there are many fine talented and skillful hurlers in Cavan. The work being done at underage level is trojan and with clubs like Gowna and Kingscourt now joining the hurling fraternity the net is becoming that bit wider. We are fortunate to have the services of a dedicated and hard-working Hurling Games Promotion Officer in Brendan Sweeney. Brendan along with Chairman, Peadar Neary, Vice Chairman, Peter Brady, Secretary, Tom Mortell and Treasurer, John Duffy have all worked extremely hard for the cause that is Cavan hurling. My job has been made much easier with calibre of men that constitute my backroom team. Selectors, Paddy Neary (Woodford), Michael Wall, P. J. Kelly (Cavan Gaels) and Eamon Dalton (Mullahoran) along with an excellent phsyio, Philip McDonald share my positive approach and love for the game." Biggest Disappointment At underage level, Jim was excited with the talent at his disposal. While the minor side did not enter the Ulster league which was played on a Saturday making it difficult for the Cavan players to get time off work, they nevertheless participated in the North Leinster league. Cavan got off to a good start when they accounted for Longford but had to concede defeat to Louth and to a very strong Meath side. It was however at U-21 level that Jim suffered his most disappointing defeat. "We played Monaghan in the first round of the Ulster U-21 championship and with high hopes of a victory, we never really got into our pattern and suffered what I could only say was a shock defeat. This was a talented side, that unfortunately, failed to produce their best on the day. However, I have no doubt that they will benefit from this, and move on better things in the coming seasons. That defeat was the biggest disappointment I suffered this past season." U-20s The Cavan manager is quick to point out that work with an U-20 group has been ongoing. This development squad is aimed at players within the county who have not the benefit of playing hurling at college. Hope for future A vibrant underage structure is now place within Cavan. The response to the county board's Pirmary schools indoor hurling competition proved to be a tremendous success. According to Secretary Tom Mortell: "We were heartened not just by the numbers involved but by the skill level of many of the competitors. Ballyconnell proved to be the strong side of the competition winning but the U-12 and U-10 section. There was heartening displays from Arva and Mullahoran who were runners up in the U-12 and U-10 respectively. We had over 450 children taking part." An indoor competition was also staged for first year students of secondary schools in the county. Most the schools participated with Cootehill emerging winners over St. Pat's Cavan after a very exciting and skilful final. The County Board run competitions for juveniles and also run a development squad which trains at Kingspan-Breffni Park, Cavan on Monday nights. Tom is quick to point that no effort is being spared to try and bring the skill levels of those involved up to a higher standard: "We ran a very successful Foundation Hurling course recently which was attended by twenty four people. These twenty four coaches will now be able to impart their new learned skills to their clubs with the emphasis on raising the skill levels." Tweet

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