When wise heads, players and spectators of Killygarry look back on 2007 they will do so with great and justifiable pride at what the club achieved throughout that season. On the football front there was promotion back to Division one at the first attempt after victory in the Division 2 League final while their second team moved up from Division 5 to 4 and also contested their respective league decider. Not to be outdone, the ladies also carved out their own piece of history with a magnificent victory in the Cavan Ladies junior football championship followed by an equally enthralling win in the girls U-12 championship. Having made the drop back into Division 2 at the end of the 2006 season, little was left to chance as the youthful Killygarry side set its aims for a quick return to the topflight of Cavan football. This was a journey with many pitfalls as clubs like Knockbride, Drumgoom, Lavey and Redhills were also keen to register their mark and gain promotion. Team manager, Tony Dunne and his fellow selectors, Andreas McGovern and Mel Doherty can feel proud at what their charges achieved in gaining promotion at the first attempt. The charge back to Division One according to team manager, Tony Dunne, began in earnest back in November 2006 when after losing out to Mullahoran in the championship semi-final replay and just being edged out by Drumalee in a relegation play-off, the decision to help physically build up many of the younger players was introduced and a weights programme put in place. Under the instruction of player, Damien Keaney, and Justin Ryan, (now manager of the Wexford senior football team) an enthusiastic approach was taken on by all the players which team captain, Andy McGovern, took up the challenge and led by example. The work put in over six months was evident throughout the league campaign with many of the players who undertook the weight regime producing performances of the highest calibre. "Throughout the months of November, December, January and February the response was great, with selectors and players all attending the sessions. It was during these sessions that a strong bond was forged by the squad," stated team manager, Tony Dunne. "Much of what unfolded during the 2007 season was a carry-on from a hard fought league and championship campaign of 2006. The players were that bit older and having had such a good run in the 2006 championship, they now had a belief that they could compete with the best. The side was also complimented with the skill and experience from the more senior members of the squad. Players of the calibre of Damien Keaney, Raymond Galligan and Seanie Malone, all of whom made huge contributions to the progress of the team in 2007. Throughout the entire season, the response for both training and playing was something that was a credit to all the squad. Enthusiasm and commitment was handsomely rewarded with promotion for both first and seconds," stated Tony. With both the first and second teams gaining promotion and making it into their respective league finals, it would be important not to loose sight of the great work done by the third team manager, Andreas McGovern and his selector, Mel Doherty. Working with such a young group of players, injuries early on in the league campaign cost them the chance to defend a title they won back in 2005. A spirited and enthusiastic group displayed no small measure of commitment and towards the end of the saw the emergence of such talented rising stars as Paddy Lynch, Barry McHugh, Matthew King and goalkeeper, Barry Cahill all coming through the minor ranks. Australia bound While the club were still enjoying the sweet smell of success three of its more prominent senior players took their leave and departed to Australia. The loss of team captain, Andy McGovern, his brother Michael and the club's outstanding fullback, Eoin Smith will indeed be a difficult void to fill. The McGovern brothers, who over the past two years produced some of the best displays seen at the club for many a year and while Eoin Smith suffered from a debilitating injury, his willingness on the big day to commit and play for his club was always commendable. Their loss for will provide the incoming management with an unwanted headace. Division 2 League Title For the senior panel who had gained promotion back to Division 1 at their first attempt, the season's high was capped with a determined and committed display in a league final played at Ramor Park, Virginia, against a equally bouyant Lavey side who also had earned promotion to Division 1. Lavey, who had proved their worth during their league campaign, were set to provide a stiff challenge and with conditions on the day anything but suitable for free flowing football, the game as a contest was always going to be close. This was to be case and as the final scoreline of 0-8 to 0-7 suggests there was very little between the sides for most the hour. From the start, Killygarry seemed to have the better of the exchanges but a resolute and well marshalled Lavey defence, denied the Killygarry forwards time on the ball with the result that a number of chances were shut out. While Killygarry pressed on with an excellent point from midfielder, Raymond Galligan, after a great move, Lavey's response was immediate and Finbar Jordan levelled the score with a superbly struck '45'. The game was hampered with the strong wind blowing off Lough Ramor and Lavey used this to their advantage in the first half with some great long distance clearances. While Lavey's defence was working overtime curtailing the Killygarry attack, their counterpart's, especially the fullback line of Daryl McKenna, Declan Gallen and fullback Eoin Smith were in superb form. The halfback line of team captain, Andy McGovern, Michael McGovern and 'man of the match' Pauric Cahill were causing the Lavey side problems when they broke quickly to set up incisive attacking forays. It was at midfield that Killygarry held sway with Raymond Galligan and Donal Thomas working tirelessly throughout to give their side that extra advantage. Lavey were in no mood to allow Killygarry dictate the outcome of this final and were full value for the 0-4 to 0-4 half-time score. A more determined Killygarry opened their second-half account with Seanie Maloney, coming to the fore and his workrate helped set up the Cavan town side for their victory. With Thomas Leonard showing well at full-forward, and Stephen McGovern and Stephen McHugh, causing many problems for the Lavey rearguard, it was not long before Killygarry edged themselves in front. Young Enda Gallen whose running and work-rate was opening up inroads for his fellow forwards and with Martin Reilly lobbing up a long range point suddenly the lead was extended to two points. Reilly who was giving another fine performance then switched with Donal Thomas. Lavey lived up to their reputation and battled hard but were unable to penetrate a strong Killygarry rearguard. The introduction of the more experienced Cathal Keaney for the young Enda Gallen paid its reward as he laid off a superb pass to Donal Thomas whose run through the Lavey defence ended with the same player slotting over a superb point. Now three points up, Killygarry had the chance to kill of the game but Stephen McGovern saw the Lavey keeper make a great reflex save as the ball headed towards the corner of the Lavey goal. This save spurred on Lavey and with three unanswered points had the match back to one point game with time on the clock running out. Lavey tried gallantly to secure that much needed but elusive point to draw the game but found themselves facing an uncompromising Killygarry side who were in no mood to give out early Christmas presents and doggedly resisted whatever Lavey had to throw at them. Credit must be given to Lavey who made a contest of this final which was played in unsuitable conditions this late in the season. This was a team performance from the super cool and level headed goal-keeping of Paddy Galligan right through to the youngest man on the field Enda Gallen. Team captain, Andy McGovern said: "This was a sweet victory which crowned our promotion back to Division 1. On behalf of all the players, I would like to pay tribute to the magnificent work put in by our manager, Tony Dunne, who always had great belief in us and never allowed us to drop our heads even when we lost. Our two selectors, Andreas McGovern and Mel Doherty led by example, hardly missing a night either. The entire team management, was visible throughout the entire training regime, whether it was in the gym or on the park. They helped make this drive, especially as they treated all the players with great respect and infused great confidence in them and the pride of Killygarry club. Ladies football A great deal of credit for the success of ladies football at the club should be attributed to the dedicated coaching staff who have given much of their time in pursuit of a winning formula. In this context the work put in by Mark Greaney and Declan Gilsenan was handsomely rewarded when the Killygarry ladies made their own small piece of history, capturing the Cavan Ladies JFC title for the first time in the club's existence. The game which was played in front of a large crowd at Our Lady of Lourdes Park, Mullahoran saw, Killygarry's Grainne Smith set the seal on victory when she bagged three goals to give her side a handsome 4-10 to 0-6 win over Arva. This was by no means a one player victory as the entire side contributed to this comprehensive display. It was a fitting epitaph to this final that Grainne Smith earned the "player of the match" her goal scoring exploits. This victory qualified the Cavan ladies for a tilt at the Ulster JFC title where a first round victory over Down champions Rostrevor pitted against a very strong St. Gall's from Antrim where the dream died. A number of factors on the day against the Antrim champions, were contingent on the final result being negative for the Killygarry ladies who no doubt will have garnered valuable experience for the coming season. Killygarry: E. Walsh, C. Keane, C. McArdle, K. King, S. Lynch, N. Fortune, E. Egan, A. McCormick, B. Boylan (1-2), N. Cosgrave, T. Lyng, M. Grogan, L. Galligan (0-1), L. Smith (0-3), G. Smith (3-4). U12s victorious Just one day after their more senior counterparts captured a county title, it was now the turn of the U12s to further increase the feel good factor at the club when they accounted for reigning champions, Templeport in the U-12 championship on a scoreline of 2-3 to 2-2. This victory also ensured that the U-12s also wrote themselves into the club's history as this the first time that a team won this particular championship. The manner in which Killygarry earned this victory was indeed commendable as Templeport got off to a whirlwind start and had bagged 2-1 and looked set to retain their title and make it three-in-a-row. An inspirational piece of football from Courtney Rapple McDowell saw her slot the ball to the back of the Templeport net and reinstate Killygarry as contenders for the title. A point from Niamh O'Shea ensured that Templeport's early lead was now reduced to manageable proportions of 1-1 to 2-1, as the half-time whistle sounded. In a see-saw second half the sides exchanged points with Killygarry at this point chasing the game. Once again, Rapple McDowell produced another inspirational goal to put her side on level terms. Just as the game seemed to be heading for a draw up popped substitute, Leanne Sheridan who fired over the winning point and victory for Killygarry. Once again this was a team performance with all playing their hearts out. The display of this young side owes much of its success to the dedication of their coaches Stephen Fitzpatrick, Brendan Bartley, John O'Shea and Bernie McGarrity. Killygarry U-12s: Isobel Moore, Kate Barley, Eleanor Brady, Gemma Cullen, Emer Connolly, Lauren Keady, Yvonne Brady, Emer Gallen, Courtney Rapple McDowell, Niamh O'Shea, Annie Brady, Leanne Sheridan, Hollie Fitzpatrick, Paige Conroy, Savanah Donohoe, Emer Bartley, Emer Kelly, Annabelle Fitzpatrick, Laura Tierney. Juveniles As a club, juvenile football is something that is taken with great pride and a detail to the finest aspects of Gaelic football. Just take a look at any of the Killygarry teams, from senior down to the youngest juvenile side, and the one common denominator is that they all are willing to play an entertaining open brand of football. This is due in the main to the expert coaching of the people involved who also instill at a young age, the importance of fair play in a environment of physical contact sport. New team management With team manger, Tony Dunne stepping down, the club wasted no time in appointing a new management structure. The appointment of local publican, Declan Sheridan as the new team management hopefully will bring the team onto the next level and a senior championship title. Tweet

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