Having been promoted to the Division 1 of the Cavan senior football league last season, Ballyhaise, under the management of Phelim Plunkett, acquitted themselves well for their first season in the premier division. The club held their senior status with a mid - table finish and had a good run in the Intermediate championship, where many felt they were unlucky to exit at the semi-final stage to Drumalee in what could only be described as the best championship game seen in County Cavan this year. At underage level, the club had some morale boosting wins when their U-14s won the Roinn B league title and their minor team accounted for Lavey in the Division 3 league final. Victories at this level will give the club hope for the future and with the 'village' now attracting many new families to the area, the future indeed looks bright for Ballyhaise. Having gained promotion to Division 1 of the senior league in 2005, Ballyhaise were quick to ensure that undecided future of manager Phelim Plunkett was secured and with Plunkett back at helm the club set about ensuring that their return to top flight football would not be short-term. The South Ulster league provided the opening competition for the club with an early season start and while Ballyhaise did not progress to the knockout stages, they did have some good results with many of their players getting the experience of playing against teams from higher divisions. The first tentatives step in their return to senior league status saw the club facing the worst start to new season with an away game against double senior county champions Cavan Gaels. This game proved to be a real 'cracker' with the newly promoted side just losing out by a mere point. Ballyhaise could deem themselves unlucky not to have taken both points in this opening game but soon proved that they were capable of matching the best in the senior league with good wins over Cuchullains, Denn, Ramor Utd and Belturbet before the opening of the phase of championship football. The exiting from the championship at the semi-final stage took its toll on the team as they failed to gain the early momentum of their league form and dropped points to Bailieboro, Castlerahan and Mullahoran. In a tight league table, Ballyhaise needed to secure at least one win out of their last two games and this they deservedly did when they overcame Crosserlough away by 1-8 to 0-6. This victory guaranteed the club the right to compete in the premier division again next season. Intermediate Championship Now playing in the top flight of senior league football, Ballyhaise had realistic ambitions of winning the Intermediate title. In an opening round group of Cuchullains, Drumlane and Drung, Ballyhaise had drawn what many described as the 'group of death'. The opening tie against another senior league side, Cuchullains (who went on to win the title), saw Ballyhaise repeat their league win and run out winners by five points 0-13 to 0-8. Drumlane proved another tough test but some sterling performances from players like Barry Lynch, Barry McCrudden, Colm Reilly, Conor Lyons and Barry Kelly proved to be the difference and set up a crunch local derby encounter against Drung. A victory over Drung would ensure Ballyhaise's progress into the quarter-finals. This was not to be the case as Drung edged out Ballyhaise and forced the group into a three-way play-off. Cuchullains defeated Drung which meant that a replay of the local derby was now on the cards but this time Ballyhaise proved superior despite conceding two goals and ran out winners in the end by 0-12 to 2-4. The quarter-final against Ballymachugh was arguably our most physical game of the year. The team showed good battling qualities to come out with a win (2-10 to 1-10) following superb goals from Stephen Smith and Ali Pickett. With a place in the final looking a real possibility now, Ballyhaise geared up for a tilt against other Intermediate title contenders, Drumalee. This game proved to be one of the best championship games played at Kingspan Breffni Park last season with the town club, just edging out Ballyhaise by the narrowest of margins. The crucial and defining score coming in the dying minutes of the game when Drumalee breached the Ballyhaise and scored the all-important final goal. While many neutrals were treated to an exhibition of top class championship fare, Ballyhaise while disappointed should look to the fact that they have a crop of very young and talented players. According to club Secretary Mark O'Rourke: "While the game itself was a great spectacle for neutrals and Drumalee fans, it left us shocked and dispirited. However, we have a good crop of young players like Ali Pickett, Ray Cullivan, Fergal Slowey, Brendan Lyons, Eamon Costelloe, Conor Lyons along with talented 'veterans' in Barry Lynch, Barry Kelly, Eamon Reilly, Michael Rooney to mention just a few, so we see the future as hopeful. We had great service over the years from players of the calibre of James Brady, Gerry McCrudden, Adrian Delaney and Mark O'Rourke and hopefully we can encourage all these players to give it another year." "Our Reserve team proved to be a platform for many of younger players to gain experience of football at a higher level and to this end they acquitted themselves well with a league mid-table finish. They produced some excellent performances against the likes of Gowna, Cuchullains, Ramor Utd and Drumgoon. In the opening game of the Reserve Division 1 championship we were unlucky to lose out to Ramor Utd., who went on to contest the final, by one point." History Making Mark was proud of the club's achievement of being able to field three teams this year and was quick to point out that: "Our third team made their own piece of history when they competed in Division 3 Reserve championship. Wins against Arva and Killygarry ensured them a final placing against Templeport. Conditions on the day proved an obstacle to good football but the heavy rain on the day failed to dampen the Ballyhaise enthusiasm as they recorded a two point win 0-6 to 0-4. The side was anchored by former senior Cavan player, Aidan Watters who lined out at fullback to help the club achieve this historic moment. Ballyhaise: Pat McCabe, Jimmy Leonard, Aidan Watters, Enda Fay, Kevin Lynch, Gavin Smith, Barry Reilly (0-1), Kevin Costello, Sean McCormack, John Fay, Cathal Buggy (0-1), Martin Costello, Adrian McKiernan, Paul Prior, Jarlath Moran. Subs: John C. Brady (0-2), for Adrian McKiernan, P. J. Brady for John Fay, John Fay for Barry Reilly. A proud Club Secretary Mark Rourke points out: With almost sixty players at our disposal this competition gave us the scope to provide football for all those involved. This year we saw fifty four players lining out in championship football. That is something to be proud of." New Team Manager The loss of team manager, Phelim Plunkett who proved a great success at his local club, will indeed by a great loss. Plunkett guided the club back into Division 1 and could be deemed very unlucky not have at least made it to the Intermediate championship final. According to Phelim: "I feel that I have gone as far as possible with the club and I think that a new face and approach might bring them that little bit further. I had a number of great years here and had great assistance from Pat Duggan, Barry Tierney, Enda McGowan and Sean Rehill who were more than giving of their time. I feel that Ballyhaise, can make an impact once again in the Intermediate championship, hopefully this time making it all the way to the final and winning." Juvenile Football 2005 was once again a successful year on the juvenile front. Victories for both the U-14s and Minors augurs well for the future of the club. The U-14s showed their class with a scintillating performance against Drumgoon in the Roinn B League final. The minor team won the Division 3 League beating Lavey in a thrilling encounter. Ballyhaise opened as the more positive side and produced a first half performance that left their challengers floating aimlessly in their wake. So commanding were the Ballyhaise boys in this half that the held a half-time lead of 2-6 to 0-2. The goals coming from Jarlath Moran and John Fitzpatrick. The script for the second half was rewritten at half-time, as Lavey, true to their form battled back. Lavey chipped away at the Ballyhaise lead with points and by the 43rd minute had found the back of the Ballyhaise net to ensure that victory was going to be hard-earned. By the 52nd minute, Ballyhaise now saw their ten point interval lead wiped out as the sides drew level at 1-9 to 2-6. The introduction of Kevin Tierney, gave Ballyhaise an added impetus and they had regained their lead by the 57th minute. A re-awakened Ballyhaise were now being driven on by Kevin Lynch, Ray Cullivan and the inspirational Jarlath Moran and Kevin Tierney and closed out the Lavey challenge with a brace of points to seal victory 2-11 to 1-9. Ballyhaise: Hugh Fitzpatrick, Kevin Lynch, Enda Fay, Kevin Rooney, Sean McCormack, Christopher Brady, Raymond Cullivan (0-4), Keith Costello, John Fitzpatrick (1-0), Stephen Kelly (0-1), Kurt Bravendar, Paul Fitzpatrick, Jarlath Moran (1-6). Subs: Shane Briody for John Fitzpatrick, Kevin Tierney for Paul Fitzpatrick. Mark feels that the club is gaining in numbers and commitment from a large influx of newcomers to the area and states: "The future of our club indeed looks secure with upwards of fifty u-10s training each Saturday morning. The enthusiasm shown by all our players is matched with a high degree of skill by all those involved. The work put in by all the those coaching on Saturday mornings is the very much appreciated by the club and is the legacy for future victories." "Our Under 12 team gave some great performances in reaching the League semi-final and the Under 13s just lost out in the semi-final to eventual winners, Lavey. Dessie Reilly and his team can be very proud of the manner in which they have moulded the Under 14 side and their skill and determination are excellent. After winning the Roinn B League they proceeded to reach the Roinn A Championship final, narrowly losing to Kingscourt with a gallant effort." "Our Under 16s, led by Barry Tierney and Martin Rooney, also performed very well with most of the team available for next year. Louis Lyons took charge of the successful Minor winning side. The Championship saw an amalgamation with Redhills to form Annalee Gaels. They recorded a fantastic victory against Cavan Gaels who were chasing their eighth title in a row. Annalee lost out in the semi final to eventual winners Castlerahan." Sponsorship Mark also paid tribute to the club sponsors who gave generously and thanked Timmy Duggan who was the main sponsor for 2005. "We also had significant sponsorship from Pete Reilly of Erne Motors and Pat Brady". Ladies Football The ladies footballers had an exceptional year in 2005. They won the Division 2 Shield final beating Gowna. They gained promotion to Division 1 in the League and contested the final against Erne Gaels. They were beaten by Arva in the Division, 9-a-side and narrowly lost the semi-final of the Intermediate Championship to Mullahoran after a replay. In fact, they were only beaten on three occasions, all in the latter stages of competition. The team was managed former senior team manager, Dessie O'Reilly who feels that this young side has a great deal of potential and should be capable of capturing further silverware in the coming seasons. Camogie Chairperson of the Castletara camogie club; Maura McGurren can feel justifiably proud of the achievements of the parish team as they recorded victories at all levels. The senior team proved to be once again the strong force in Cavan camogie and won the senior championship final beating Lacken and the senior league final where once again they accounted for Lacken. A spirited performance in the mid Ulster league saw them emerge as winners over Armagh side, Granemore; while at Junior B level they defeated old rivals Lacken in the final. In the Novice grade they won a league title when they beat Ballinagh and a good win over Drumgoon in the Shield final ensured another piece of silverware for the club. According to Maura there was a number of other great occasions for the club: "We had a number of historic events during the year that would need to be recorded. In the senior final, we had an historic occasion with a mother and two daughters playing on the same team. The family making this piece of history was Pauline O'Reilly (mother) and daughters, Elaine and Aishling. Elaine was also the captain of the side. "Another piece of history for the club was the selection of Elaine O'Reilly to represent Ireland against Scotland in a Shinty game in Scotland which Ireland won. All these events have made it a magnificent year and considering that the club will be playing camogie non-stop for the past forty years, is in itself a great credit to all those involved down the years. Without the help of people like, Majella Smith (treasurer), Susan Smith, (vice-chairperson), Carmel Prior (first aid), team trainers, Tom Downes and Rory Donnellan and the enormous commitment put in by secretary Frances Fay much of what happened this year would not be possible". Crest & Website The club have designed a new crest and setup a website. The crest features the Annalee River and bridge and the finger stones in Castletara. The website was setup and is maintained by Declan O'Reilly and can be viewed at www.ballyhaisegfc.com Defibrillator "The club have organised a defibrillator for the community. Twenty-four people have been trained to do CPR and use the machine. We are the first community in the north-east region with one. Huge gratitude must go to Sean Prior and it is probably our single most important achievement in 2005," stated secretary Mark O'Rourke. Tweet

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