A mid-table finish in the league and a battle for survival in the championship was not what was expected of Denn in 2007. For a club blessed with so many talented players, it is of little comfort to all involved - players, officials and spectators - that they have not achieved what they promise. The championship proved a pool of turmoil as they lost out to Mullahoran in the first round only to be forced into the relegation play-offs where they also lost out to Cuchullains, thus pitting them in a survival battle to retain their senior championship status. It was during this backs to wall contest that Denn showed just what a threat they would be if they could harness their collective talents over a prolonged and sustained season. They easily outclassed Drumalee in a relegation play-off, scoring 1-9 to 1-2, in a game where they kicked seventeen wides and totally dominated the exchanges throughout. When Denn look back at 2007 they will be hoping to look for the kind of improvement and displays that they know they are capable of and hopefully put them in a position to be contesting all senior competitions during the final stages. This is something that they are quite capable of and no doubt, level heads at the club will try and focus this talent into a winning combination. The club's second team, who were playing their football in Division 4 also finished in a mid table position with eleven points while they too lost out in the first round of their championhip to Kingscourt. While the senior squads were finding it difficult to make inroads in their respective competitions this was not the case for their younger counterparts in the juvenile section where the minors were edged out at the quarter final stage by Lavey by a single point. The U-16s could deem themselves unlucky to lose out to Shercock in the Division 3 championship final while the U-14s had mixed fortune as they lost the Roinn B championship final to by a single point to Drumalee but won the Roinn C league final when they overcame old rivals, Killygarry by ten points. According to club chairman: Barry Smith: "While we may not have set the football scene alight at senior level we certainly did have a good season at underage level. This was just reward for all those people who have put in tremendous work and time to help shape the future of the Denn club. As a Denn man, I feel that as a club we have the players at senior level to make an impact in Cavan football. We have very talented players in the Hubert Smith, Adrian and Martin Cahill, Padraig McGovern, Owenie McPhillips, Thomas Farrelly and David McKiernan to mention but a few. What we need is a concerted effort from all involved to take the next step and committ ourselves to 2008 with the right enthusiasm and drive to help produce the kind of results that the talent at the club can provide. We have a good management structure in place. David McDonnell is back again as team manager and this year he is bringing in Gary Farrelly as team trainer. Gary was manager of Ramor United for the past two years so he comes with a wealth of experience. If the players can bond and instill the necessary commitment as a unit needed to produce winning results then we have the ability to challenge for league honours. In 2007, a few poor results against teams that we should be capable of beating probably cost us a place in the league final. While no one at the club would make excuses for our championship exit, that result alone should be sufficient to drive the players on the produce a display that is worthy of taking them out of a relegation battle in the championship. I feel that if we can negotiate successfully the first round of the senior championship, then we are capable of going a long way in that competition," stated the Chairman. As a chairman, Barry is a dedicated Denn man whose love and passion for this club is evident when you talk to him. His belief in the players is unwavering. "We have the players at our disposal to be a major influence in the outcome of any senior competition, and with the right dedication and a bit of luck, we should not be in a position of fighting relegation in the championship in 2008 and should be capable of making it to the play-offs in the league," stated the club chairman. Juveniles Like all other clubs, a great deal of time, commitment and dedication is invested in the juvenile section of the Denn club. This commitment saw tangible results during the 2007 season with the minors, U-16s and U-14s all making headway in their respective grades. The minors made it to the quarter finals where they lost out to Lavey by a single point. The U-16s made it all the way to the final of the Division 3 championship where they took on Shercock at Kingspan Breffni Park. While Denn lost out by five points 2-9 to 2-13 some excellent performances were produced on day when with a little bit of luck things might have been a lot different. Denn got off to a great start and Dean Hyland the ball in the back of the Sherock net just after eight minutes. Denn's forward line looked creative and capable of causing Shercock's rearguard problems. Denn had to work hard and employing a direct style of play could easily have had increased their 1-5 to 0-5 lead by the twentieth minute but for some desparate defending by Shercock. An opportunist Shercock goal just four minutes of the first half tied the game at 1-5 apiece but it was Denn who reacted best and tagged on a further two points to give them a half-time lead of 1-7 to 1-5. Denn suffered a severe back at the start of the second-half when Shercock got through for their second goal to put them in the lead for the first time in this final. Denn's reply was swift when Dean Hyland fired over a point in response to the Shercock goal. Try as they may, Denn were unable to pull back the Shercock lead and when Fergal Farrelly's fisted effort rattled the Shercock crossbar on the hour, it looked certain that Shercock were going to be crowned as champions. Denn U-16s: David Smith; Harry Thompson, Killian Brady, Christopher Cahill, Shane McGinnell, Thomas Jordan, Shaun Conaty (0-1), Fergal Farrelly (1-0), Noel Crowe, Sean Lawless (0-2), Alan Tierney (0-2), Cian McCann (0-3), Dean Hyland (1-1). Sub: Brian McGivney for Christopher Cahill. U14s steal spotlight Trailing by eight points at the interval, Denn's U-14s produced one of the most dramatic and exciting second half performances to overhaul a classy Killygarry side in the Roinn C football league final at Kingspan Breffni Park. Down 2-9 to 0-7 at half-time, the Crosskeys side went on a second-half scoring spree, notching up 2-10 to their opponents one point to produce a final tally of 3-17 to 2-10. This game was played with great spirit and no shortage of skill as both sides endeavoured to eek out a winning formula. It was Killygarry who looked a bookies certainty when they amassed a first half tally of 2-9 to 0-7. While Killygarry had what seemed to be an unassailable lead, Denn had created some excellent chances in the first half and but for some great saves from Colm Smith, the Killgarry keeper, the half time lead would not have been so pronounced. Good work from Dean Hyland and Noel Crowe ensured that Denn would remain within a fighting chance of their opponents. A resurgent Denn team opened the second-half in blistering pace and had slotted over three points through Thomas Jordan, Stephen McConnell and Alan Tierney in the opening four minutes. This start set the standard for Denn. Denn upped the tempo and goals from Bracken McGibney (two) and Dean Hyland (one), sent Killygarry reeling from which they could find no way back. Denn ran out deserved winners in this thrilling final where both teams provided a spectacle of gaelic football in all its grandeur and pulsating drama. Denn: Aaron Galligan, John McCabe, Thomas Reilly, Stephen Smith, Christopher Cahill, Ciaran Conaty, Thomas Jordan (0-2), Noel Crowe (0-3), Alan Tierney (0-6), Niall Smith, Kevin McSherry (0-1), Dean Hyland (1-4). Subs used: Darren Caffrey, Bracken McGibney (2-0), Stephen McConnell (0-1). Having captured the Roinn C league title, Denn's U-14 stepped up a Division when they entered the Cavan U-14 Roinn B championship. Denn powered their to another final and could on this occasion deem themselves unlucky to loose out to Drumalee by a single point on a scoreline of 4-6 to 2-11. Denn set the pace and had Drumalee in all sorts of trouble in the opening twenty minutes. Dean Hyland had Denn three points up in the opening four minutes. Four points up by the fifth minute it looked as if Denn would overrun their opponents. A goal against the run of play brought Drumalee back into the game but their relief was short lived as Stephen McConnell latched on to a high pass from Kevin McSherry and slotted to the back of the Drumalee net to put his side 1-6 to 1-0 in front. Dean Hyland increased the Denn lead on the eighteenth minute with a superbly struck goal. With just a minute to half time Denn enjoyed an eight point lead, 2-8 to 1-3 but Drumalee delivered a warning when they found the back of the Denn net in the dying seconds of the first half to reduce the lead to manageable proportions 2-8 to 2-3. The second half started in a blistering pace with both sides exchanging points. Drumalee hauled themselves into contention by the fourth minute of the second half with a well taken goal. This goal inspired Drumalee who pushed forward in waves and put Denn under pressure where goalkeeper, Aaron Galligan proved to a star with some great saves and clearances. However, the Drumalee momentum was to pay dividends when once again Conor Fagan bagged his third goal to level the scores 4-5 to 2-11. Now the game was up for grabs and with time running out Drumalee struck with the killer point to edge Denn out and end any chance of a double. Denn: Aaron Galligan, John McCabe, Thomas Reilly, Niall Smith, Johann Lynch,, Christopher Cahill, Ciaran Conaty, Thomas Jordan, Harry Thompson, Noel Crowe, Alan Tierney (0-1), Declan Treacy, Kevin McSherry, Stephen McConnell (1-2), Dean Hyland (1-8). Sub used: Stephen Smith. Development Denn are a club who have always had a progressive outlook when it came to development. The club have recently purchased a land adjacent to St. Matthews Park in Crosskeys with the intention of developing a new football field. The project will also see the provision of new changing rooms and a state of the art gym. The club have worked hard over the past number of seasons with fund raising and are grateful to all the people who supported their fund-raising efforts which raised in the region of ?300,000. According to the club secretary: Geraldine McSherry: The work and dedication put by all involved at the club and the response to our fund-raising was indeed gratifying. We are a small parish and the task ahead is an enormous project. We have no doubt that when it is finally completed we will have insitu one of the county's finest club facilities." Camogie Camogie at Denn which has been in existence for seven years is alive and well. In 2007 Denn amalgamated with Crosserlough to form a formidable team that made it to the senior B championship final. The Denn Crosserlough side emerged victorious on the day against a very strong Drumgoon. Denn were represented on the team by Siobhan Lynch, Carmel Galligan and Orla Galligan. Denn went it alone in the Novice championship which was played on a round-robin basis over three weekends. After narrow defeats at the hands of Lacken, Crosserlough and Castletara, Denn regrouped and were victorious over Lacken and Laragh. This two wins on the last weekend of the competition was enough to put Denn into the final of the Shield in the Novice Championship. Denn faced a very experienced Lacken side in the final and in a closely contested game Lacken emerged winners by the slenderest of margins, one point. This was a pulsating affair as the teams were deadlocked with time running out when Lacken struck with decisive point in the dying moments of this final. Denn: Linda Clarke, Rachel Clarke (sisters), Elaine Galligan, Orla Galligan (sisters), Carmel Galligan. and Paula Galligan (sisters), Siobhan Lynch, Sharon Lynch, Andrea Lynch (sisters), Nathalie Brady and Martina Fitzsimons Tweet

Most Read Stories