Once the pride of the Breffni County, the Kingscourt Stars throughout the 1980s were a sure bet to win the Cavan senior football championship. 2007 will provide a footnote in the club's history as one that could be a catalyst to the players to redeem former glories and stake their claim as one of the county's strong clubs. A number of factors throughout the 2007 season were to compound a downward spiral for the Stars as they struggled in the Division 1 league. An unprecedented run of injuries left the side with depleted forces for most of the entire league and while the club struggled to gain form and win games, the injury list just lengthened. It was not until towards the end of the season that this proud club began to see the return of some of its more established players. "The late run to win games nearly worked as they managed to eek out a play-off against Lacken who were also finding the going tough in Division 1. In a tense relegation play-off it was Lacken who survived and ensured that the famous east Cavan club would now be relegated to Division 2. There is little doubt among the Gaels of Cavan that Kingscourt possess the firepower to lift themselves out of Division 2 and back to top flight status. It is a task that will not be underestimated and the approach and method of gaining promotion is something that team manager, Paddy Bates will be only be all too aware of. The pitfalls associated with trying to make it back up to Division 1 at the first attempt are well documented with teams like Drumgoon and Ramor Utd. failing to make the required leap. As a club, Kingscourt Star would rank right up there as one of the top club's in the county and the drop to Division 2 would be viewed as a chastening experience for all involved. Since gaining senior status many years ago, Kingscourt have never been relegated until now. To get a view on how the drop down the divisions was received at the this famous club, club chairman, Jim McGovern is open and frank in his assessments. Jim who is a native of Hollymount in Mayo has been a member of the club for over twenty-five years having held nearly all titles at exectuive level. Indeed he is the only man to have been chairman of the handball club, juvenile and senior clubs. "When you look at the Kingscourt club you realise that it is without doubt one of the big name clubs in Cavan. It is a proud club with a great tradition in Cavan football with many household names associated with the Breffni county for many seasons. When you view our disappointment at losing out at the end of 2007 in a relegation battle with Lacken it would be I think the general feeling throughout the Stars is that this relegation will have marked a watershed for the present crop of players. Without seeming to offer excuses, we did have a bad run on injuries over the year and it did not help our cause. We just have to look at what happened to Killygarry back in 2006 when they were ravaged with injuries and suffered a similar fate. Their drive and commitment showed that a quick return to the top echelon of Cavan football is feasible. With a number of the squad involved in shiftwork, the interuption to training is a fact of life for the club. If the injury list had not been as pronounced then the shiftwork scenario would hardly have been noticeable. Such was the situation that many factors contributed to our erratic run in Division 1. "We played a total of fourteen league games with depleted sides and lost five of those games by the narrowest of margins. We also got a relatively good run in the senior championship drawing with neighbours, Cuchullains in the first game and then beating them in a replay where we went on to play Mullahoran once again in a quarter-final. This too ended in a draw but Mullahoran edged us out in the replay. I would feel if you take all our results into context, then you can see that we are not too far away from the most teams in the Division 1," stated Jim. A pragmatic Jim has already taken an indepth look at what dangers in Division 2 lie ahead and was quick to point out that many of the games that Kingscourt play will be 'local' derbies. "If you look at the constitution of the Division 2 as it stands for 2008 and you will see that many of the teams are based in east Cavan. You have Bailieboro, Sherock, Ramor, Killinkere and Knockbride - all games that will bring their own piece of tension to the field. No doubt, all of these clubs will be anxious to put one over their neighbours and should make for an interesting and competitive league. We also have to face long term leaders of last year, Drumgoon, who just missed out on promotion and here in itself a different dynamic is in place as our current team manager, Paddy Bates, has family involved with Drumgoon. We are only too aware of the pitfalls of the year ahead but I feel as a club we have the talent to make a go of it. I have no doubt, that the present crop of players have the ability and commitment to make the drive back to Division 1. Players like Alan Clarke, Philip Smith, Daragh Gunne, Padraig Crosbie, Ryan McCormack just to mention a few will no doubt approach the coming year in a determined and positive fashion. It will take a commitment from all involved at the club and especially the players to ensure that we put ourselves in a position to gain promotion. It will be a sustained and committed effort against the backdrop of a difficult campaign that will be the ingredients needed to put us in the position to gain re-entry into the top flight. This is probably the biggest challenge the club has faced and it should ensure that we all at the club focus and embrace the challenge ahead as a solid unit with a focus and determined approach to 2008," stated Jim. Division 4 With the senior team having been relegated, the club's second team held its status in Division 4. This effectively means that a possibility may arise with both teams playing on the same day at different venues. "While it is a possibility, I think that the fixtures committee will have taken into consideration the logistic problems of having two teams from the one club at different venues on the same day. I would imagine that the division 2 game will be played on one day and the division 4 possibly the following day or even the following weekend," stated Jim. Team management Kingscourt Stars have retained the same team manager for the coming season. Once again, former Monaghan minor team manager, Paddy Bates takes on the tricky task of guiding his charges through the highly competitive division 2 league. Paddy, who worked with Drumgoon and helped bring them to the top flight of Cavan football, will be well versed in what is needed to win out in the Division. During 2007 he was assisted by one of the club's greatest stalwarts, Joe Dillon. The third man of the management team in 2007 was Raymond Cunningham. While the task is indeed a difficult one, it would be generally felt that if the Stars have a relatively injury free run through their league campaign then they know that they have the players who can steer them out of Division 2. Juveniles When Jim talks about the juvenile club he is quick to point out that the magnificent work being carried out at underage level is a tribute to those people who give of their time selflessly. "Former player and club stalwart, Pat Faulkner is chairman of the juvenile club where he is ably assited by Dr. John McMahon, Peter McKeon, Michael Farrelly and Simon Sheanon. The club cater for players from as young as eight years old right through the grades up to minor. At U-13, U-14 and minor we made it to the semi-finals stages while our U-16s contested the Division 1A league final against Ballyhaise." U16s make it to final Ballyhaise and Kingscourt Stars met at Hughie O'Reilly Park Cootehill in the U-16 Division 1 league final. Ballyhaise opened the livelier and had registered a point in the opening minute. Kingscourt showed great composure as Ballyhaise exerted great pressure on the Stars' defence but it was the Kingscourt side that drew next blood when Kevin Rogers broke through the Ballyhaise defence to crack home a well taken goal. Ballyhaise's reply was swift and brutal as they tagged on five unanswered points to give them a three point lead. Kingscourt with Michael Flood beginning to dominate the midfield exchanges began registering vital scores through full-forward Gerry O'Sullivan (2) and Finian Farrelly. With just five minutes of the half remaining, Brendan Farrelly put Kingscourt in front when he shot over a point but it was Ballyhaise who had the final say of the half with a point to leave the sides level going in at half-time 0-7 to 1-4. Once again Ballyhaise opened the scoring with a point and a great save by Barry Reilly denied Kevin Tierney of putting his side further ahead. Kingscourt found themselves back in front by the twelfth minute when substitute, Ruaidhri O'Rourke cracked the Stars second goal to the back of the Ballyhaise net. This score saw Kingscourt take a two point lead. With the game entering the final quarter Ballyhaise had pulled back the Kingscourt lead and had edged in front despite the battling performance of the young Stars. Try as they might, Kingscourt were unable to contain the final thrust put by Ballyhaise and conceded victory by four points. Kingscourt Stars: James Farrelly, Niall Roe, Padraig Clarke, Aidan Smith, Darren McCabe, Thomas Rogers, Paul Woods, Barry Reilly, Michael Flood, Finian Farrelly (0-1), Terry Reilly, Brendan Farrelly (0-1), Kevin Rogers (1-0), Gerry O'Sullivan (0-3), Joe Dillon. Sub: Ruaidhri O'Rourke (1-0). Club structure According to the club chairman, Jim McGovern: "Kingscourt is a big club with many strings to it bow. Credit for the rich history of the club must go to the people who have committed themselves past and present to the cause of Gaelic games in the Kingscourt area. "For me it is a singular honour to be given the task of acting as chairman of this great club for the past couple of years. When you look at the diversity of facilities now in place at O'Raghallaigh Park, you appreciate the effort put down the many years of the club's existence. A vibrant handball club is in existence for many years with Michael Finnegan leading the way with his national and international titles. Michael is a recognised handballer of repute both at home and abroad. He is a product of the handball structure at Kingscourt and a great ambassador of the club. "Racquet ball is another facility provided by the club and this year, the world racquetball championships will be staged at handball complex. This is wonderful recognition and a tribute to the work put in by all the people who have helped bring this prestigious tournament to the Kingscourt area. "Kingscourt are forever looking at ways to be all inclusive in Gaelic games and to this end have formed a juvenile hurling team. Under the guidance of former Ashbourne resident, Willie Gaughan, the Stars saw their first juvenile teams emerge during 2006. GAA president, Nickey Brennan attended a gala evening at the club and paid particular tribute to the work being done with juvenile hurling. Credit to the work being put in by Willie was justified when a number of his squad were included in the county development squad. "We also have a very up-to-date club website. The work on this website is carried out by Niall O'Reilly and Conor McMahon who constantly update the site," stated Jim. Phil Smith Jim said that another fabric in the rich tapestry of the club's history was the appointment of one of its great stalwarts and workers, Phil Smith, who was elected Chairman of the Cavan Co. Cavan Board G.A.A. in 2007. It is a honour that is fitting for Phil, who has not only the interest of football in Kingscourt at his heart but that of the county at large. Phil also acted as chairman of the Cavan Minor Board for a number of years. Sponsors The club chairman, Jim McGovern is fullsome in his praise for the commitment and continuous sponsorship from Kingspan. The Murtagh family who have had a long association with the Kingscourt club have been generous benefactors to the Stars for many years. Molly Martin The club chairman said that he would like to pay tribute to Molly Martin who died at the end of 2007. "Molly was foremost a lady and an avid supporter of both Kingscourt and Cavan football. Born at Corrygarry Hill where the present football field is situated, she dedicated an entire life to a labour of love with her beloved Kingscourt Stars. Molly was a president of Kingscourt Stars and probably one its greatest ever supporters. Indeed, in her illness, Molly attended the relegation play-off between the Stars and Lacken. Her love for the game was universal and with both her grandsons involved with the club, Kevin Martin and current senior player Darragh Gunne, her memory will live long in the life of the Kingscourt club. Molly truly was a star. On behalf of the club I would like to extend my sympathy to her entire family," stated Jim. 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