The rise and fall of Drumlane G.F.C. to and from the top flight of Cavan football is not all negative. The wise heads at the club have taken a pragmatic view of what was a difficult sojourn in Division 1. While the league table makes bleak reading, it is like all statistics, when viewed without all the facts, incomplete. To appreciate the full facts you just have to listern to former joint team manager, Paul Fitzpatrick. Paul is fortright and honest in his assessment of what were in his opinion the reasons for the team's quick return to Division 2. The Drumlane clubman does not shrink away from honesty in his analysis and offers no soft excuses but rather takes a more philosphical and analytical approach to the year and the hopes for the 2008 season. Paul, who has been associated with the Drumlane Sons of Connell all his life, began his team management career back in 1996 when he took over the U-12 team at the club. He has been in team management since then acting as joint team manager along with Phelim Plunkett during their great run in Division 2 in 2006 when they gained promotion to the top flight of Breifni football. He and his fellow team manager were also insitu for the turbulent 2007 and while things did not go their way, Paul makes no excuses but rather offers a more practical reason for the club's sudden downturn from Division 1. "Like all teams that struggle there is not one defining reason for the lack of form but rather a plethora of events that help contribute to this situation. When we gained promotion in 2006 our main target would have been to solidify ourselves in Division 1 and take it from there. We are a very young team with just three of the players over 24 years. We knew with this type of age profile and having to play against the top teams in the county it was always going to be difficult. I do feel that we have the talent at the club and if we could have survived that first season I feel we would have been there for the long haul," stated Paul. "When you look at the league table and see that we only won two games, it is not as negative as it appears. While I do not offer injuries as an excuse, it did play a part in our downfall. For most of the games we lost we were in were in contention for the most part and with a bit of luck on a number of occasions could have won some of them. Having been in a winning mode in 2006 and suddenly after the euphoria of promotion the sequence of losing games in 2007 also had an effect on us. While it did not create a negative downturn, it was a cycle that was difficult to break. We were capable of competing with most of the teams but our failure to register enough scores came back to haunt to us. We lost three of our games by a single point and it is my belief that with even the smallest bit of luck we could have won those games which would have helped us avoid relegation," stated Paul. "When we commenced our league campaign in Division 1 we had to contend with the pace of the game. This is something that all teams have to do when they come up from Division 2. At this level is vitally important that teams take their chances as chances are more limited at this level. While we were in Division 2 we were capable of winning close games but we found to our cost, that in the topflight it is not as easy to manufacture results in tight situations, especially for those newly promoted. I also found that as a young team, our physical presence was also a problem at this level. In fairness to the squad, they did adopt and it is a pity that we could not retain our position there as I feel that with the calibre of players at our disposal at Drumlane we certainly could have been there for a while," stated the former team manager. When Paul was asked how he viewed the prospects for the 2008 season he was equally fortright and honest in his answers. "Well every new season brings hope and aspirations with it. For us at Drumlane we will be hoping to make a quick return to Division 1. Having said that, we are under no illusions at the task placed before. Our stay in Division 1, although brief, should have provided valuable experience to the team and this should be of benefit to the experience and confidence of the players. Having said that, the calibre of teams chasing promotion in Division 2 will ensure that this division will be fiercely competitive. You have Drumgoon, who led the league for most the 2007 season only to see their chances of promotion fail at the final hurdle. Add to that teams like Knockbride, Cootehill , Ramor United and Redhills, all of whom were strong contenders last year then you have an idea of just how difficult it will be. You also have to take into account the other team that was relegated from Division 1, Kingscourt Stars. When you look at the history of Kingscourt you know that they will be well organised and determined to redress the balance of relegation with a quick return to the topflight. They must surely start as firm favourites to be one of the two teams to gain promotion. You also have the two teams that gained promotion from Division 3 who in their own right will be looking to continue their winning sequences. The promotion of Killeshandra Leaguers and Cavan Gaels second team will also pose further obstacles to the promotion race. It will take a team in consitant form and injury free to put themselves in a position to gain promotion. If you wish to be involved in the promotion race in this division it will be detrimental to your hopes if you lose more than three games in the entire league campaign," stated Paul. "I feel that we are well equipped to make a serious challenge for promotion and we will be looking to the leadership qualities of players like Barry Corrigan, Barry Cunningham, goalkeeper, Darren Murphy, Dave and John Dowd along with a supreme effort from the younger players in the squad," said Paul. "We have the added impetus of having acquired a new team manager. With Phelim and myself standing down the club have acquired the services of former Monaghan senior footballer, Noel Marron. Noel has vast experience at management level, having already coached his own club, Donaghmoyne and Emyvale for a number of years. Noel also acted as a selector with the Monaghan senior team when former Meath star, Colm Coyle was in charge. On Noel's request, I have come back into the management group this time as a selector. It was the new manager's wish that there be some continuity from the previous season and this I can provide having been involved with many of these players from underage level right through to the senior ranks," stated Paul. Championship According to Paul the club will be looking to be the breakthrough at championship level having made it to the semi-final stages over the last two years. "Last year we lost out to Lavey by a single point at the semi-final stage and we would hope that our experience of making it to the final stages of the Intermediate football championship would give us a vital edge over our opponents. At Drumlane we would be focusing on making it to the final this year. It is something that I feel we are capable of. With a little bit of luck I feel that we can do that," stated Paul. Division 4 The club also field a team in Division 4 and Paul feels now that the first team has been relegated to Division 2 it will see teams playing on alternate weekends. This he feels is not a great idea and like many other clubs in this situation are holding their counsel to see how it ultimately affects the playing rota at the club. Juvenile football Juvenile football is something that has always been taking seriously at Drumlane Sons of Connell. The club field teams from U-8 up to U-21 with the U-12s making it to their respective final only to lose out to fellow west Cavan side, Templeport. Under the guidance of chairman, Brian Seagrave and coach Vincent Connolly and the backroom team, the life-line for football at the club is in a healthy state. Magnificent new stadium Having opened their new pitch in 2006 Drumlane has become a much sought after venue for many clubs to play their championship games at. It is a venue which is in high demand from clubs looking to play challenge games on this magnificent surface. To this end Drumlane have appointed clubman, Seamus McConnell as co-ordinator with sole responsibility of providing Drumlane as a venue to those that seek to use it. "This is an excellent way of dealing with the many requests we have for the use of the field and with Seamus taking charge of this task, the club will have a more streamlined account of requests. Seamus is an excellent official and an efficient administrator," stated Paul. Tweet

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