Butlersbridge can look back on the 2007 season as one of what might have been. A tantalising two points halted their promotion efforts as they were pipped by the divisional favourites Cavan Gaels and a resurgent Killeshandra Leaguers. With the appointment of a Mick Mulvey as chairman for the season it was obvious from the outset that the new man was about to set a pace for the club that would propel it into the future with a development plan for on and off the playing field. When you talk to Mick Mulvey it would be easy to assume that this quietly spoken man was laid back but this impression belies an official with a dedicated approach, a commitment to get the job done and the vision to execute it. Mick, who is a native of Carrick-on-Shannon moved along with his wife Mary to the 'Bridge when he was posted as a Garda in Cavan Town. He and his three sons, Lorcan, Michael and Diarmuid and his daughter Caroline are deeply immersed in the fabric of the village with Mick having over those years been involved in many community based activities. Mick's three sons are playing members of Butlersbridge, with Lorcan, also a member of the Cavan senior football team. His work as Garda juvenile liaision officer for Cavan gives him a perspective on young people which is invaluable and along with his long-standing commitment to many locally based community projects provides him with excellent credentials to run a football club. According to Mick: "I must say that when I was first approached to take over the chair, I felt honoured and with the calibre of people I am working with, secretary, Louise Henry, joint treasurers, Michael Reynolds and Helen Flynn and assistant secretary, Margaret McGovern my task was to be made that much easier." When speaking about the future of the club, it is obvious that Mick has a broader outlook, not just looking at the incoming season but a projected outlook for the future of Butlersbridge as a club, that will provide a focal point for all the community with state of the art facilities. "When I first took over, I looked at the entire club and the immediate task was to ensure that the players were well prepared for the incoming season. We were very fortunate to secure the services of Brendan Nelligan as team manager and his enthusiasm and dedication was instrumental in getting the players into the right state of mind for the 2007 season. It was unfortunate that as the season was about to begin three of our players, Pauric McGearty, Paul Murphy and Seamus Brady set off for a sojourn in Australia. When you look at Butlersbridge as a football club and the geographical position it is in, situated at the end of the parish with such strong clubs like Cavan Gaels, Killygarry and Drumalee all looking for players it is a difficult task for such a small area to amass a large pool of players. However, with the recent expansion of the village, and the influx of many new families the future of the club should be secure. "Our 2007 season suffered a further setback when Michael Mulvey, broke his leg and Coen Busshotts broke his collar bone. With a limited pool of players our progress in the league was hampered and the loss of these players at a crucial period during the league probably cost us promotion. The work done by Brendan was indeed commendable and hopefully, he will be able to call on a full and fit panel for the 2008 season. He has a very professional outlook and is able to bring all the players with him which is essential," stated Mick. With the club presently in the process of major development, they have gained an extra portion of land running adjacent to the their training area alongside the Annalee river. It is hoped that with the extra piece of real estate acquired that the training area will be of sufficient size to enable all pre-season training to take place. "We will continue the all weather facility out to the new section which should be approx. three quarters the size of the playing field and this will allow the pitch to be used primarily for football games. We also hope to upgrade the playing surface and thus when all development is done, have a top class facility and training area for all. While it is important to have up-to-date facilities we will not lose sight of the fact that we will be trying to strengthen our football teams and go one once again and win silverware, something that this club have done over its long and illustrious 119 year history," stated the Chairman. Development It is when Mick talks about the future development at the club that you can see that he is a visionary with the belief that the club can and will be in a position to provide a modern state of the art facility for the entire community to use. "Prior to the by-pass being completed, there was no planning permission for Butlersbridge but now that is not applicable and as is evident for all to see the village is fast developing with many new houses and private housing estates dotted around the locality. We now have a greater influx of people and through our development drive we would hope to be able to include many of the new residents to participate in the future development of our club. The present population growth spurt has necessitated the enlargement of the national school and it is here that we will see the first real tangible signs of our player pool coming to fruition in the future," stated Mick. "Presently we are in the process of a major development plan with construction well underway with the new complex facilities at Emmet Park, Butlersbridge. We have drawn up a projected outlook for continual development over a five year period from 2007 to 2112. To this end we have compiled a booklet outlining our proposals and the financial undertaking to complete this project. The proposed cost of the new development will run in the region of over ?500,000. When completed the new development will provide new clubrooms, shower facilities, toilets, and four state of the art dressing rooms. It will also house a conference room, a gymnasium and indoor training arena and a defibrillator and first aid room. There will also be facilities for the match referee. The entire complex will allow access for the disabled. It is also envisaged that the footpall field and training areas will be upgraded to provide top-class facilities for all our teams. To help offset the funding required for this project, the club will be holding a limited draw, confined to three hundred members where the top prize of five cars will be on offer along with eighty prizes of ?300. Todate we have received grant funding from the Lottery, Clár and Ulster council and it is anticipated that the club will make the necessary shortfall through our fundraising draw," stated Mick. No doubt the Bridge are aware of the calibre of chairman they have acquired and no doubt will be anxious to keep insitu for at least the next five years or longer. However, as Chairman, Mick was quick to point out that he is just one individual and that the work being carried out has been made that much more fluid by the great work put in by both the executive and the members at the club. Ladies football Mick is also quietly confident that the 'Bridge can re-start their ladies football programme and is hopeful that with the football talent in the locality they could provide a meaningful challenge. "A number of our ladies are already playing with other clubs and we would hope that we can kick-start this growing part of gaelic games and get a ladies team off the ground. We already cater for boys and girls. All you have to do is go down Páirc Emmet on any Saturday morning to see the juveniles and you realise that the young girls get as much enjoyment out of the game as the boys. Indeed, some of the skills displayed by these young hopefuls is top class." stated Mick. Juveniles This is an area in which Butlersbridge are aiming to create an environment that will attract all the new families into the locality to come along and participate in underage football. This section fo the club is spearheaded by Harry Conaty where he is assisted by a very dedicated band of coaches in Paddy Greenan, Paddy Leddy, Michael Leddy and Terry Leddy. "Terry who is also the local school principal has provided great coaching skills to many of the players over his long term commitment to schools football," stated Harry Conaty. The club cater for all the underage teams and actively encourage both boys and girls to participate. Because of lack of numbers, the boys at U16 amalgamated with Redhills to form Redbridge for their respective championship. "The great work being done at juvenile level saw its own tangible reward when the clubs U13 side made it to the final of Roinn C championship only to loose out to Killeshandra Leaguers," statted Harry. U13s in final Kingspan Breffni Park provided a fitting venue for this Roinn C U13 football between Butlersbridge and Killeshandra Leaguers on a bright summer evening. While Killeshandra ran out winners 5-13 to 1-8 this was by no means a rout for the young Bridge hopefuls battled with a determination and a pride that could have yielded a more realistic final scoreline. The Bridge were dealt an early setback when their influential midfielder, Jonathan Leddy, suffered an injury and had to move into the full forward position. The loss of his ball winning capacity was to haunt the Bridge for the entire game. Trailing 2-4 to 0-1, the Bridge fought back and but for some heroic defending by the Leaguers, the gap could have easily been reduced. Good defending and accurate shooting on the other end of the park, saw Killeshandra take a 2-7 to 0-1 lead. The second-half was an uphill battle for the Bridge and with Killeshandra taking the early initiative, it was evident at this stage that the cup was destined for the Leaguers. To their credit, Butlersbridge battled against enormous odds and never gave. Butlersbridge U-13s: Mark McInerney, Garret Henry, Liam Connolly, Helen McDermott, Dylan Barley (0-1), John Fitzpatrick, Shane O'Rourke, Jonathan Leddy (0-2), Caoimghin O'Reilly (0-3), Liam Canning, Kevin Leddy, Niall Conroy, John Fitzpatrick (0-3). Subs used: Rebecca Thompson, Salo Cantero, Orlaith McGovern, Niamh Sheilds. Tweet

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