Bannon Construction is playing an important role in Ballyconnell and Cavan GAA through its housing project in the area writes Cian O Raghallaigh. Cavan could be regarded as one of the sleeping giants of Gaelic football. Not since 1952 have the Breffini boys won the All-Ireland title and it is ten years ago this summer since they last annexed the Ulster championship. There is, however, always optimism when a new man enters the fold. Donal Keoghan, along with former Armagh assistant Paul Grimley, will be trying to recapture the glory days of yesteryear this season. It is early days though, and Grimley has already said that it will take time for the county to become successful again. While Keoghan and Grimley are managing the current crop of senior players, a construction company in the county is indirectly contributing to the long-term future of the game in the county. Bannon Construction is in the middle of an important housing development in the Ballyconnell area of the county. So by investing in the area, the company, under managing director Martin Bannon and his wife Caroline, will help the development of Cavan football. Managing Director Martin Bannon was formerly involved with Templeport. His brother Gareth still plays at full-back for the club. A junior club, they will be hoping that they can build on previous successes: the club has won several intermediate and junior championships in its history. Noel Doonan is working as quantity surveyor in the company. Originally from Carrigallen, he plays Gaelic football both for both Carrigallen and Leitrim. His club team has had a highly-successful season. Having been relegated from senior level in 2005, they quickly bounced back to form, winning the Intermediate championship this season. Not only that, they went as far as the Connacht club final, where they lost at the hands of Mayo champions Tourmakeady. All things told, then, Noel has had a successful year on the club front. Carrigallen achieved their aim of making their senior return and while they are still waiting to play last year's Division 2 league final, it's a small price to pay for a triumphant year. Although he is working in Cavan, Noel has played with Leitrim for several years at senior level. Under Dessie Dolan, Leitrim have moved forward in the last few years. They reached the Tommy Murphy Cup final where they were overcome by an impressive Louth side. Earlier in the championship, they were unfortunate in losing to Mayo. He admits, jokingly, that being unlucky has been "the story" of Leitrim football. Still, perhaps they can take some solace from it all. Mayo went all the way to the All-Ireland final last year so a one-point defeat is hardly a disgrace. In any case, he's enjoyed it though he admits it is a difficult commitment. "It's a demanding thing. It can be hard as it involves a lot of late evenings but it's also what you strive for when you are playing." He also has other things going for him. His uncle Joe Doonan was Catherina McKiernan's running coach as well as being involved with Crosserlough. From time to time, he gave his nephew a word or two of advice. A "whisper in the ear" was never far away. Banter between counties is part and parcel of the GAA. Given the proximity between Cavan and Leitrim, it is inevitable that there will be some kind of rivalry between them. Meetings between these two counties were a rare occurrence under the old championship format but with a second opportunity awaiting beaten first round teams, perhaps it is a possibility at some stage in the future. Noel, in any case, doesn't escape the taunting in his own county but he is relaxed about it. "There are the usual jives at work, the usual slagging," he says laughing. "You don't get away with too much but I have a few Leitrim people working with me." Prior to his commitments playing the game at both club and county level, he won a Sigerson Cup medal with Sligo IT. At the moment, the work in Ballyconnell involves building 50 apartments in the area. As quantity surveyor, Noel's work involves pricing jobs and keeping an eye on what is going on at the site. Although the job is demanding, the building work is going well. At the time of writing, they were hoping to have the scheme finished by March and some of the apartments have already been sold. "There are five blocks of apartments. Four have been sold and released. The company did do one block of six apartments in early 2004 in Ballyconnell beside the site. "We also did work in the national school in Gregrahan and Cootehill as well as this job," he says. Bannon Construction has only become known in the last few years. In that space of time, though, they have served the surrounding areas well. With several apartments on the Ballyconnell project already sold, the company can be justifiably proud of their contribution to the area in the last number of years. Tweet

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