What a year! It was a roller coster of emotions, two senior finals - with the cruellest of a one point defeat on both occasions, promotion to the Division One of the Cavan A.C.F.L. and an end of season triumph, a deserved U-21 title to crown off the year in style. For all followers of gaelic football in County Cavan, few would begrudge Lavey their success. Club P.R.O. Pauric Owens explains what was the catalyst for this year's performances, the mixed emotions of losing out in the Intermediate football championship final, the ecstacy of gaining promotion to the top flight of Cavan football and the superb victory for the U-21s in the Division 2 championship final. When Pauric recollects the events of 2007 it is difficult not to notice the emotion and pride in his voice as he talks what was the catalyst for such an eventful season. To credit the club's successes this season to one factor would be wrong as I feel there would have been a number of events in the chain that contributed to Lavey's success. We were fortunate to have a very committed and dedicated chairman, John Joe Maguire. John Joe, to put it mildly, breathes, sleeps and eats, Lavey football. His enthusiasm and the introduction of Brian Comiskey as our new team manager blended well with great results. Brian brought with him an energy that he imparted to the squad. His ability to make the players believe in themselves and to set their goals high was an integral part of this success story," stated Pauric. "Brian's approach of self belief soon rubbed off and the players responded accordingly. We had a tremendous run in the league and championship. We could feel unfortunate to have lost out in the Intermediate football final by the slenderest and cruellest of margins - one point - to Ballinagh 1-7 to 0-9. Ballinagh, who were firm favourites to take the title having lost to Drumalee in the Intermediate football final of 2006 and who won the Division 1 senior football league title in 2006, seemed to be the safe bet for this title. However, this was not to be the case as Lavey showed great battling qualities in a never - say - die display that almost earned them a replay. In a fairly evenly contested first half, Ballinagh had a one point half-time lead 0-4 to 0-5 but it was during the early stages of the second-half that Ballinagh got the 'killer' score, a goal which was to set them up for victory. Going into the final quarter, Ballinagh had a five point advantage and looked to be set of victory. Kevin Brady and Sean Maguire helped reduce arrears and with three minutes remaining just two points separated the sides. When veteran star, Seamus Donohoe pointed, the game was now down to the heart-stopping one point lead but the fairytale comeback was cut short as Lavey ran out of time," stated Pauric. "While we were devastated by this defeat and not having any silverware after such a hard fought championship campaign, it did not take long before Brian Comiskey had the team back in positive mood and chasing promotion to Division 1. It was ironic that the team we battled so hard against in the championship, Drumgoon, was also to pose the main obstacle to us getting promotion in the league. Drumgoon who had been long time leaders in Division 2 were forced into a play-off against Lavey in a do or die tie to see who would gain promotion. Having met already on a number of occasions in both championship and league, we were confident that we could progress through this tie breaker. We knew that like the previous encounters against Drumgoon that there would be very little between us in this game. A penalty conversion by Sean Maguire in the twenty-third minute set us up for a realistic hope of promotion and when Darren Jordan pounced on a Lavey free in the dying minutes of the first half to drill his shot past Drumgoon keeper, John McDonald, it was now always going to be a difficult challenge for Drumgoon. While the second half was evenly contested it was the tigerish display by the Lavey defence that made sure that this was one final encouner that would not evade their grasp," said club PRO Pauric Owens. "We then went on to play the already promoted Killygarry in the Division 2 final and like the I.F.C. final this too proved to be a close contest. Conditions on the day proved less that favourable for both teams as a gale force wind and driving wind had the biggest influence on the game. Killygarry managed to edge us out by just a single point 0-8 to 0-7. Once more the emotional rollercoaster of Lavey players and supporters was on the down but this was not set to last too long as the U-21s won the Division 2 championship crown in dramatic fashion in a pulsating finish at Kingspan Breffni Park when they overcame favourites, Ballinagh by 1-11 to 2-7, a one point victory, thus reversing the result of the IFC against the same oppostion. "This victory and the manner in which it was achieved displayed the true battling qualities of the Lavey players as it seemed a lost cause with just over a minute remaining, Ballinagh held a three point lead 2-7 to 0-10 lead. "As the game climaxed to a pulsating finale, a Finbar Jordan free kick was clinically punched to the Ballinagh net by Kevin Brady to level the scores. Just as it seemed that this final would go to a replay, the drama intensified as Darren Jordan was fouled by Ballinagh's centre-half back Derick Hatchett, who received his marching orders for a second bookable offence. As tensions grew around him, Kevin Brady, displayed a coolness beyond his years as he stepped up to slot over the crucial point and victory for Lavey," stated Pauric. "This victory ended a magnificent season and the manner in which it was achieved will long live in the memory of the gaels of Lavey. Having contested both the IFC final, the Division 2 senior league final and having lost out by a single point on this occasion, the dramatic one point win for the U-21s was a fitting way to end a great season," stated the proud club PRO. Lavey U21s -Steven King; Fergal Smith, Darren King, Declan Conroy; Stephen Jordan, Fionnbharr Jordan, Terence Ferguson; Damien Smith, Mark Brady; Kevin Brady (1-7), John Higgins, Darren Jordan (0-3); Gavin Walsh, Paul Tierney (0-1), Oliver Smith. Subs. James Tierney for John Higgins (half-time), Barry Tierney for Gavin Walsh (53). Pauric Owens added: "We now face into 2008 with great expectations and feel we are well enough equipped to hold our own. I would see Division 2 league football as a more competitive league than Division 1 and after having battled our way out with many tight games under our belts, we should be able to take the strains of the higher level. Also the fact that we will be playing our league football at a higher grade, it should give us a better chance of getting back to the IFC final in 2008. Juvenile Football For a club that have always put a great deal of emphasis on coaching at underage level, Lavey, had the satisfaction of seeing a very competent and skillful U-16 side overcome the challenge of a strong amalgamated side, Redbridge, in the U-16 Division 2 championship final by two points 2-10 to 2-8 at Kingspan Breifni Park. This was a game that was nerve tingling for the manner in which the final outcome was played out, two goals in added on time, created a pulsating climax to this final encounter. Nerves seemed to play a big part for both sides in the opening half as each team failed to find a fluidity that would give them a winning edge. The paucity of scoring throughout the first half was reflected in the half-time score, Lavey 0-4 Redbridge 0-5. Lavey set the pace for the second-half and Redbridge keeper, Gavin Ganning was alert to early pressure from Shane Tierney. Tierney opened Lavey's second half account with a point in the thirty-third minute to level matters but it was losers who had a two point lead by the fortieth minute. While it looked that the amalgamated side might just shade the outcome, Shane Tierney had other ideas as he set up Christopher Conroy for a point. Karl Duke levelled matters with another Lavey point. A solid Lavey performance saw them edge two points in front 0-9 to 0-7 with just over ten minutes left. The destination of this title seemed all but wrapped up when Gerard Smith hit the back of the Redbridge net with just seven minutes remaining. Now leading 1-9 to 0-7 Lavey seemed set for victory but Redbridge's outstanding player Packie Leddy slotted past the impressive Lavey keeper, Finbar Smith to pull this game back from the brink. With the sides exchanging points, the game was set for a nerve-tingling finale when Redbridge levelled matters two minutes into injury time with a goal. Just as it seemed that this game was set for a replay, up stepped that never - say - die Lavey attitude when a long range free from Christopher Conroy sailed all the way to the back of the Redbridge net. Lavey: Finbar Smith, Ronan Smith, Aaron Smith, Shane Conaty, Darren Monaghan, Gavin Lynch, Enda Brady, Karl Duke (0-2), Paul Crowe, Gabriel Sheridan, Christopher Conroy (1-3), Shane McGonagle (0-1), Gerard Smith (1-0), Shane Tierney (0-4), Killian Conaty. Subs: Gareth Tierney for Killian Conaty; James Cunningham for Shane McGonagle. Division 3 Minor Championship Final Lavey who had made an unexpected exit at the semi-final stage of the league got just reward for a year in which they looked capable of taking all before when they emerged victorious in the Division 3 minor championship final. This final proved to be an exciting encounter between two evenly matched teams with Denn emerging worthy winners over a gallant Lacken team on a scoreline of 2-8 to 3-9. This was closely contested affair throughout and at half-time just a single point separated the sides, Lavey 1-6 Lacken 1-5. The opening quarter of the second-half saw both teams exchange scores and with the game entering the closing stages Lavey had a two point lead 2-9 to 2-7. With exchanges evenly contested Lacken were deemed to have fouled Ronan Smith in the penalty area and up stepped Christopher Conroy who cooly slooted the spot kick to the back of the Lacken net to put the issue beyond doubt. Lavey: Conor Martin, Aaron Smith, Fergal Smith, Gavin Lynch, Patrick Monaghan, Declan Conroy, Karl Duke (1-3), Oliver Smith, Paul Crowe (1-1), Christopher Conroy (1-4), Brendan Walsh, Ronan Smith (0-1), Shane Tierney. Subs used: Barry Tierney for Brendan Walsh; Gabriel Sheridan for Paul Crowe. Ladies football It was also a case of déjà vu for the ladies of the club when their U-16 side lost out in a thrilling encounter to Lurgan in the B championship final on a scoreline of 4-10 to 4-6. Lurgan came in as defending champions, but the display produced by Lavey nearly caused the upset of the season. Early nerves allowed the champions to get off to a dream start with two early points. It took the Lavey girls the best part of ten minutes to come to terms with the pace of the game but this they did when Deirdre Jordan opened their account and minutes later Helen Cunningham had the sides level. Lurgan piled on the pressure and had soon amassed a five point lead. Lavey's never-say-die attitude began to show and two points from Sharon Monaghan helped reduce arrears. With the momentum on their side Lavey's Allison Reilly netted Lavey's first goal. With the sides exchanging points Lurgan found themselves at half-time with a slender two point lead 1-6 to 1-4. Lurgan set the pace of the second-half and had found the back of the Lavey net in the opening minutes. Lavey's reply came with a point from Allison Reilly. Showing great determination, Lavey had the game back in the melting pot when Reilly was on hand to score her second goal. The tension and drama was building to a crescendo and when Reilly hit her third goal, Lavey suddenly found themselves in front for the first time. Lavey's one point lead was short-lived as Lurgan levelled. Lurgan forged ahead with a goal from Edel Barkley in the twenty-fifth minute. It now seemed that the champions had finally wrestled the life out of the determined Lavey side but this was not to be the case. Displaying a will to win Lavey were awarded a penalty which Sharon Monaghan expertly netted to leave the sides level with just four minutes remaining. Lurgan's experience saw them manufature the lead score when Elenor Orminston hit a point to put the champions one up. With time running out, the fight was finally knocked out of the Lavey girls when Orminston got Lurgan's fourth goal and ensured that the trophy remained with the champions. Lavey can look back on this thrilling encounter with pride and will draw solace from the fact that they made the champions pull out all the stops to secure victory. Lavey - A. Kiernan, A. Reilly, K. Reilly, A. Conaty, L. Tierney, L. Conaty, H. Cunningham, D. Jordan, C. Tierney, S. Monaghan, L. Tierney, S. Monaghan, L. Tierney, S. Ferguson, N. Galligan. Development While on field success was growing apace the new resurgent self belief, the development work at the club was moving in a parallel tandem alongside the football juggernaut. "The development of a new training pitch at the grounds will be of great benefit and should take some of the pressure of the main field. While the new field will not be capable of catering for senior football games, it will be of sufficient size to host some of the underage games. The acquisition of an astro pitch has also proved to be a successful commodity. The work put in by the Golf Classic committee and our ongoing draw which was linked to the premiership proved to be very successful" stated Pauric. All in all, a very successful season both on and off the playing field for the progressive Lavey club. Tweet

Most Read Stories