Top teams are built on a different type of determination and never-say-die spirit. When it comes to the crunch the best team always stand up in the last ten minutes. Rarely is an underage side made up of these qualities, but this was the case when it came to the Bective U14 team in 2006. By Marcus Brennan. Last year the senior side won the Div. 5 league and the U14 side emulated the seniors in 2006 by capturing the U14 Div.6 league title after some battling display's throughout the year. These qualities came up trumps for Paddy McConnell's side in the final as a power packed finish saw them run out three point winners after trailing their opponents by two with only five minutes to go. The youngsters showed maturity way beyond their years as they never panicked in a frantic final few minutes. The Bective/Cannistown outfit doesn't have a huge selection so it's all that bit better that this talented team beat the likes of Ballivor and Gaeil Colmcille on their way to victory. The team has a sprinkling of talented footballers that are part of Meath U14 development panel but they are well supported by other players who have come on a leaps and bounds over the past 12 months. The season didn't get off to a good note as Bective lost their first game to eventual finalists Ballivor. The squad grew and things started to fall in to place for McConnell as the his side disposed of Rathkenny, Kilmainhamwood, Ballinabrakey, Kildalkey and Gaeil Colmcille on their way to the final. They impressed many on their way, as most of those games ended up very close and that experience stood to them in the decider. Manager Paddy McConnell was delighted with his team's efforts and explains how the year went. "A gradual increase in numbers from twelve in February to twenty in June helped to create a competitive team. We only had twelve for our first challenge against Blackhall Gaels, so we knew we had some work to do. "Mark O'Brien, Ciaran McConnell and Dean O'Reilly where part of the Meath panel and this showed in their performances for the club. The rest of the lads worked really hard in training and their was a great team spirit amongst them. We had six U12 players on the panel and they put in a solid effort so it was a real team effort from day one," says McConnell, who won intermediate honours as a player with Castletown before helping Bective to an historic JFC success nine years ago. "They deserve a lot of credit and it was great to see them enjoy themselves afterwards. We are delighted with the win and credit must go to a lot of people. Juvenile chairperson Mary McConnell did superb work the whole year round. I must acknowledge the input Dessie O'Brien and Anthony O'Reilly had in the team. Their help and advice was imperative throughout. We would be lost without the support of Eamon O'Brien, Maura Larkin, Bernie Nannery, Mickey Killion and Vincent Keating. When transport was needed they where always there. So their was many involved in the set-up and credit must go to them people." When asked about his role in the club and the effort he put in he explained most times it's worth it all. "Like all small clubs and most rural clubs it will always be a challenge to provide the numbers to field competitive teams in underage groups. My role is to strive to have every player of appropriate age available for each game and then blend them into a team. I enjoy working with these bunch of lads and they deserve a lot of credit for the work they put in throughout the year. They won some tight games and it clearly benefited them when it came to the final against Ballivor. Players benefit most from playing in their own age group and deserve to be part of the most competitive team available. It may have required over 400 phone calls during the league, but it was well worth it," explained a delighted McConnell. Bective went in as underdogs in the final as Ballivor had already beaten them in the group stages. The previous result hadn't much bearing on McConnell's charges, as finals are always a different matter to the round robin stages. The game was played in perfect conditions in Summerhill on June 7th. Both sets of management knew their opposition well from previous matches and a thrilling encounter was on the cards. There was little between the two sides as both teams traded scores in the first half. Bective had a little edge in defence and they led by two points at half-time. Ballivor came out fighting in the second half and a well worked move saw them with their first goal of the match and a two point lead with just five minutes remaining. Top teams and players never panic when the chips are down. The experience of winning tight matches previously came to full use and their full array of skills came to prominence in the final few minutes. Their battling effort was rewarded with a superb goal from man-of-the match Mark O'Brien. Having regained the lead they added another few points to leave the final scoreline 2-7 to 1-7. O'Brien, Andrew Keating and Paul McCabe had a storming 60 minutes for Bective and where aided by strong second half performances from captain Ciaran McConnell, Dean O'Reilly, Ian Donnelly, Ian O'Brien, Kelvin Ledwith, Killian Sharpe and Rian Wogan. Michael McMahon and Peter Byrne presented a delighted Ciaran McConnell with the cup. This was an overall superb team performance from the Bective/Cannistown outfit with so many players working hard for each other over the full 60 minutes. From the full back line to the full forward line their was a real sense of work-rate and team work as all players put in a huge effort on the day. They played an attractive style of football and many from this part of the county will be hopeful these players stick at it and have more success in the near future. Bective squad: Ciaran McConnell, Dean O'Reilly, Ian Donnelly, Ian O'Brien, Kelvin Ledwith, Killian Sharpe, Rian Wogan, Andrew Keating, Paul McCabe, Mark O'Brien, Paul McEntaggert, Pauric McConnell, Thomas Roche, Dale Larkin, Mark Geraghty, Stephen Keelan, Shane Farrell, Gary Killion, Ryan Keating, Thomas Tiernan. Tweet

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