The 2007 season was one that was plagued with injury and loss of players through emigration, which set the senior team on a roller-coaster ride that drew them deep into the relegation zone for most of the year says secretary Mark O'Rourke. We had an indifferent season both in the league and championship. From the outset we had injury problems and with a number of our more high profile players relegated to viewing the games rather than participating and with others not available either through college commitments or travelling abroad, I feel that our manager, Gerry O'Rourke did a wonderful job in getting his decimated squad to pull together and avoid the drop into Division 2," said Mark. "It took some great performances from players like Barry McCrudden, Colm O'Reilly, James Brady, and John Donohoe to help steer the club out of the choppy waters of relegation to safety. With a long line of injury worries throughout the entire season and the loss of players like Adrian O'Rourke, Jarlath Moran, Ali Pickett and Sean McCormack who travelled abroad for the summer, surviving in Division One became a priority. It was vital that the club maintain its topflight status as with the tremendous work being done at juvenile level and with its inherent success, the calibre of players coming on stream to senior ranks should provide the club with that added impetus of winning trophies at senior level in the not too distant future. Presently we have a some very good minor players who surprised everyone by holding their own in Division 1, just losing out for a play-off position in the league. Amalgamated with neighbours, Redhills for the championship, they proved to be a formidable combination and were unlucky to lose out the eventual winners, Cavan Gaels in a pulsating first round tie. "The club will be looking to the future with minor players of the calibre of Mark Brennan, Shane Briody and David Duggan who will no doubt make an impression at senior level in the coming seasons," stated Mark. Mark who has been secretary for the past four years is still a playing member at the club and has lined out on a number of occasions throughout the year with both the senior and the second teams. According to Mark: "The relegation of our second team from Division 4 down to Division 5 was a great disappointment. When you look at the injury problems and loss of players from the first team, the knock-on effect of having to draft players from the second team into the first team had its own pitfalls. The fact that we will be playing our senior football in Division One and our second team playing in Division 5 this year, will in itself provide a logistic problem. We have enough players at our disposal but the fact that both teams could be playing in different venues on the same day will cause a problem. We will be looking to players like Martin Tackney, Declan Reilly, Gavin Smith, Mark O'Rourke, Darragh O'Rourke and Stephen Rooney to held guide back to Division 4." Mark said he would like to give praise to the great work done by the present team manager, Gerry O'Rourke who worked against the odds and that through his belief and commmitment the club players responded with sterling performances at the back end of the season to avoid relegation. "Gerry never lost faith in the players and was rewarded with the club avoiding relegation. I know I speak for all at Ballyhaise when I thank him for that," stated Mark O'Rourke. Development While the club have solidified their position in Division 1 the development projects at Annalee Park are ongoing with the present committee in the process of having negotiations with Teagasc regarding the purchasing of an extra parcel of land. "Presently we are in discussions with Teagasc and we are hopeful that we can acquire enough land at the grounds to enable us to install a second playing area. If talks are successfully completed between the two parties, it would be envisaged that work should start sometime in 2008," stated the club secretary. Juvenile Club While the senior club are holding their own in Division One, the work put in at juvenile level is begining to reap its just rewards with both the Under 16s and 14s making their way to the final stages of their respective competitions. This achievement must be aligned to a far seeing policy which was implemented and put in place some time back and todate under the stewardship of the excellent coaching staff, the fruits of their Saturday morning training sessions is now visible. Former county player and club stalwart, Barry Tierney, now chairman of the Juvenile section is justifiably proud at what has been achieved over the past number of years. "We have put in place a structure of coaching which involves the skills of playing gaelic football and with the calibre of coaches and dedication from all those involved over the years, the club is beginning to see some great progress. We are competiting at the highest level and we are more than capable of holding our own. So the signs for the future of the club are promising. Indeed for the first time in the club's history, the U-16 team captured the Division 1 league title when they overcame Kingscourt Stars," stated Barry. U-14s The club's U-14 side who were competing in Roinn A lost out to Bailieboro Shamrocks in a pulsating final played at Kingspan Breifni Park on a scoreline of Bailieboro 4-14 Castletara 3-7. Two goals and two points in the space of two minutes did the damage and allowed the winners the necessary composure to go on and take this title. While Bailieboro held a 1-9 to 0-4 lead at the interval, Castletara got off to a great start at the beginning of the second half when Stephen Conaty blasted his shot to the back of the Bailieboro net to reduce the arrears. Points from Francis Moore and Shane McKiernan left just two points between the sides after eigtheen minutes. With Castletara chasing the game, a 2-2 blitz by the Shamrocks put their seal on victory. Castletara failed to lie down and a final penalty conversion by Francis Moore capped a fine individual performance. U-16s Whatever else this group of young players achieve, the fact that they won the club's first ever U-16 Division 1 league final will be ingrained in the club's history forever. An impressive performance by Ballyhaise saw them overcome the challenge of Kingscourt Stars at Hughie O'Reilly Park, Cootehill on a scoreline of 0-15 to 2-5. Despite an early setback when Kingscourt got through for an opportunist goal, Ballyhaise failed to lose their composure and with Kevin Tierney on form with some great points confidence was never in any doubt. Neil Rooney chipped in for another point which saw his side take a three point lead 0-6 to 1-0. A resurgent Kingscourt ensured that the game was there to be played for they managed to pull back the lead and end the first half on equal terms 1-4 to 0-7. Twelve minutes into the second half the east Cavan side once again found the Ballyhaise net to put them two points up but two great points from Stephen Rooney allowed Ballyhaise to gain control once again. With the game entering the closing minutes, points from Shane McKiernan, Tierney and Rooney ensured that they would not be caught. Ballyhaise: Darragh Prior, Aidan Moran, Francis McConnell, Donal McGoldrick, Paul Dunne, Francis Moore, Niall Conaty, Adam Boyle, Cian Tierney, Stephen Colwell, Neil Rooney (0-4), Darren Reilly, Christopher Reilly, Kevin Tierney (0-10), Shane McKiernan (0-1). Championship A gallant display by the Ballyhaise U-16 squad saw them lose in the Division 1 championship final played at Kingspan Breifni Park when they conceded victory to 'old' rivals Bailieboro Shamrocks on a scoreline of 1-10 to 2-10. In a nervous opening first half, both sides failed to produce the quality of football that the large crowd expected. Bailieboro got off to the better start and had pierced the Ballyhaise rearguard just after ninety seconds when Graham McCabe gave the Shamrocks and early lead. Undaunted by this setback, Ballyhaise came right back into the game but a superb strike from Stephen Colwell was deflected off the upright to safety. Kevin Tierney opened the scoring for his side with a well taken point. Tierney was on hand again when he chipped in with two further points to reduce the arrears to one point 1-1 to 0-3 and ensure that the east Cavan side did not get a hold on proceedings. Throughout the first half the greater physical presence of the Bailieboro side gave them a major advantage as they pushed their lead out to three points by the eigtheenth minute 1-3 to 0-3. Ballyhaise fought hard to keep the interval lead to a manageable proportions of 1-5 to 0-3 and with their star player, Kevin Tierney on form, they were always going to be in contention. Tierney got his side off the mark early in the second half with a point but the Bailieboro response was quick and a matching winning one when they raced up field to register their second goal of the game and give them a comfortable 2-5 to 0-4 lead. While the east Cavan side looked to be on their way to the winners podium, two further points from Tierney reduced the Bailieboro lead before Shane McKiernan found team-mate Tierney on the edge of the square who made no mistake when he blasted the ball to the back of the Bailieboro net. With just ten minutes remaining Ballyhaise were now back in the game 2-5 to 1-6. Five minutes later Tierney had another point to leave just one between the sides but the impressive Shamrocks forty yard man, Niall Kelly, had the final say when he slotted over two more scores. Ballyhaise: Darragh Prior, Donal McGoldrick, Francis McConnell, Aidan Moran, Shane McKiernan, Paul Dunne, Francis Moore, Adam Boyle, Cian Tierney, Niall Conaty, Kevin Tierney (1-9), John McCabe, Christopher Reilly, Stephen Colwell, Neil Rooney (0-1). Sub used: Owen McGovern. With the U-14 and U-16s squads acquitting themselves at the topflight of their respective competitions, the work now being put in at U-8 to U-12 is something that has drawn great pride and enthusiasm within the Ballyhaise structure. The sterling work being put in by all the coaching staff from U-8 right up to minor level is showing positive signs of improvement. The more junior members of the juvenile club have also acquitted themselves with great displays in a number of blitz competitions both at the club and with outside clubs. Ladies Football A superb second half performance against favourites Mullahoran saw Ballyhaise Ladies capture their first ever Under 12 B Championship trophy at New Inns, Lavey. Ballyhaise ran out convincing winners on a scoreline of 4-8 to 1-4 From as early as the tenth minute of the first half, Ballyhaise pierced the Mullahoran rearguard when Natalie Hennessy fired home her side's first goal. This was instantly cancelled out when a superb solo effort from Milissa Comiskey found the back of the Ballyhaise net. With the sides exchanging points, and the game tied, it was Karen Delaney who set her side on the road to victory when she slotted home Ballyhaise's second goal after twenty minutes. Ballyhaise held a half-time lead of 2-2 to 1-4 but their slender one point margin was to be handsomely increased as they completely dominated the exchanges in the second half. Mullahoran had no answer to the strike force of Natalie Hennessy and Karen Delaney who between them scored 2-5 to ensure an historic victory for their club. Ballyhaise: Darina Fitzpatrick, Emily Brady, Aisling Tierney, Muireann Conaty, Sandra Smith, Niamh Fitzsimons, Karen Delaney, Courtney Donohoe, Emer Reilly, Natalie Hennessy, Denise Smith. Camogie Once the kingpins of camogie in the county, Castletara had to resign themselves to playing second fiddle to the new kids on the block, Lacken. Lacken who eventually shifted the balance of power away from the Castletara girls back in 2006 were in once again to hamper the efforts of the local ladies in both league and championship in 2007. In the championship encounter, Lacken ran out winners by 2-9 to 1-2 and thus retained their second consecutive senior title. A powered packed opening ten minutes saw the holders run into a four point lead and it was evident that Castetara had an uphill battle on their hands. Some good work by Aisling Reilly, Brid Boylan and Colette Smith failed to register their sides opening score which when it did come was registered by captain Majella Smith with a point from a free. Lacken got the better of the starts in the second half with a point in the opening minute. Resolute determination and good team work saw the Castletara ladies reduce arrears and put themselves in contention when Grainne Smith found the back of the champions net to reduce Lacken's lead to just three points. It took a Rose Mulligan goal with five minutes remaining to ensure that the champions could put daylight between them and Castletara and retain their championship crown. Castletara: Pauline Reilly, Geraldine Mulvanny, Elaine Reilly, Aileen Smith, Lorraine Crudden, Anne Donnellan, Mairead McCabe, Brid Boylan, Aisling Reilly, Grainne Smith, Michelle McDermott, Katie O'Gorman, Majella Prior, Glenda Fitzpatrick, Colette Smith. Subs used: Marie McPhillips and Colette McCaul. Once again it was Lacken and Castletara who met to decide the destination of the senior league title but this time unlike the the championship tie, it was a close and evenly contested game with Lacken edging out Castletara by 1-7 to 2-7. The loss of Castetara's talented full forward, Brid Boylan with a head injury was a severe setback to the ambitions of the local girls. A spirited display by the Castletara ladies bolstered with great individual performances from goalkeeper, Pauline Reilly, Majella Smith and Colette Smith just failed to wrestle the senior league title from the Lacken side. Tweet

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