The crowning glory for Redhills football club last year, culminated on a sunny September evening at Kingspan Breifni Park, when they captured the Junior football championship title for 2005 at the expense of Shannon Gaels on a scoreline of Redhills 2-8 Shannon Gaels 1-10. The previous year, the border club, suffered the heartbreak of having lost the junior title after a replay against neighbours, Butlersbridge but on this occasion despite a nervous display they always looked the better side. This momentous victory helped the club bridge a gap of sixty years. The club won their only other junior title back in 1945 when they were then called Annagh when they accounted for Munterconnacht. It took another twenty-one years before they contested the junior final again in 1966 as Redhills G.F.C. when they lost to Virginia Blues in a replay. After moving up to intermediate grade, Redhills won two championship titles in the space of seven days in 1973 - a senior title under the Annagh banner in an amalgamation with Belturbet and capturing the intermediate crown as Redhills GFC. While the club saw many lean years in the interim periods, good work at underage level was always to the fore and was instrumental in shaping many of the players that fielded in this historic win over Shannon Gaels. According to Chairman Michael O'Reilly, Shannon Gaels had proved to be a nemesis for Redhills having already defeated them in the group stages of the championship. "We met in round two where a win for Redhills would have given us qualification to the quarter-finals but Shannon Gaels emerged winners by three points. So we were aware that they would always be a threat even though we were tagged as favourites. I always felt that under the management team of Ollie Leddy, Owen McPhillips, Philip Brides and Peter O'Reilly that the team was well prepared both physically and mentally. Having lost in the replay last year, that in itself was going to be a motivating factor." Path to final With four games to be played in the championship it was not going to be an easy passage for the last year's beaten finalists. Redhills had a difficult first round when they accounted for Kildallan on a scoreline: Redhills 1-11 Kildallan 0-7. With expectations high after their first round victory, Redhills were to suffer a shock defeat when they played Shannon Gaels in the next round going under to the West Cavan side. Redhills 1-10, Shannon Gaels 3-7. Having to win their final round game, Redhills had to face a rejuvenated Killeshandra side but had the edge at the final whistle. Killeshandra 1-8, Redhills 1-11. This victory ensured them a semi-final spot where they took on old rivals Shercock. As is always in the case when these two clubs meet, the game was played at a fast and furious pace. Redhills shook the East Cavan side with three superbly taken goals which were to prove decisive. Redhills 3-8 Shercock 0-8; Historic final With a number of players carrying injuries into the game, Redhills had a major setback at their final training session, when their influential midfielder Brendan Leddy was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The reshuffing of the side saw county under 16 star, Rory Dunne take on the mantle of midfielder where he accompanied the talented Pierce West. This mobile combination proved vital, especially during a ten minute period of the second half when Redhills opened up and showed what they were capable of. With Dunne and West controlling the vital midfield sector, Paddy Gumley at full-forward exploded into life and hit a number of great scores to help pave the way for final victory. Redhills had a dream start to this final with two goals in the space of the opening eight minutes through Adrian Fitzpatrick and Alan Dunne respectively. Colin 'Rocky' Reilly came close to scoring a third goal but his powerful shot whistled wide of the left-hand post. Redhills showed their best form in the early stages of the second half when Shannon Gaels levelled matters at 2-1 to 0-7 but this was only the impetus for Redhills to step up and put clear daylight between the sides. Inspite of a spirted revival from Shannon Gaels, Redhills managed to hold on and record their historic although slender one point victory 2-8 to 1-10. County senior player, Michael Brides was the worthy recipient of 'Man of the Match' award as he commanded the centre half back berth to perfection. In a defence that were never put under any real pressure, goalkeeper, Fintan O'Reilly had little to do and while caught with a snap-shot from Shannon Gaels dangerman Eamon O'Reilly, it would be fair to say that he was unsighted as his defence rushed to close down the Shannon Gaels player. Mark Smith at fullback was in commanding form and had able support from his corner backs, captain, Alan Brady and James Smith. Brides at centre half back lived up to the challenge of final day and his role was pivotal in helping Redhills secure this victory. Both his wing backs, Conor McMahon and Michael Brides proved to be hard-working and effective in helping to curtail the Shannon Gaels threat. The lightly built midfield of Pierce West and Rory Dunne, proved to be a mobile combination and overall gained the vital edge when it mattered most. West led by example and worked tirelessly while Dunne showed little sign of inexperience as he battled more seasoned players. While Redhills forward unit had been their strong point in previous games, some wayward shooting allowed Shannon Gaels remain in contention for most of this game. On the forty Andy McMahon tried hard while the reliable and influential Rocky O'Reilly worked hard throughout. Adrian Fitzpatrick who was carrying a minor knock and had to come into replace the injured Brendan Leddy played a vital role. The full forward line of Alan Dunne, Paddy Gumley and Ciaran West always looked dangerous when in possession. Gumley at full forward, was the player to put daylight between the sides in the second half when Shannon Gaels drew level 2-1 to 0-7. His work-rate and point taking inspired his side. Alan Dunne and Ciaran West were proving to be a handful for the opposition and allowed Gumley the space needed to weave his magical left foot. According to team manager, Ollie Leddy: "This victory must go down as one of the great moments in the club's history. Credit must be attributed to all who helped shape this team from their underage mentors to the present set-up, but it was the players' day and rightfully so. This victory was achieved by them and they should receive the credit. This victory has meant a great deal to the entire parish and the future of the club. Now we must set our minds to maintaining our recently promoted intermediate status and focus also on the upcoming Ulster Junior club championship where we face Monaghan Harps in a difficult first round". Team trainer Owen McPhillips who came in for special praise during captain, Andy Brady's victory speech was magnanimous in victory: "Credit must be given to the players, they forged a victory in this final while not at their best, that surely is a sign of a good team. Having lost last year, I felt that this bunch of players had the character to come back and make it an historic occasion. Last year we showed great character in coming from the disappointment of a championship final defeat to go on an win the Junior league final last December in great style on a wet Sunday evening in Cootehilll. While this championship victory will go into the annals of the club's history it would be worthwhile noting that the displays of the entire squad over a two year period helped produce this final result. Many of the squad had come through a well organised underage structure where credit most go to all those involved over the years." Redhills - Fintan Reilly; James Smith, Mark Smith, Alan Brady; Conor McMahon, Michael Brides, Declan Brides; Pierce West (0-1), Adrian Fitzpatrick (1-0); Ciaran West, Andrew McMahon, Colin Reilly (0-3); Alan Dunne (1-0), Patrick Gumley (0-4), Rory Dunne. League With a number of league games outstanding the club will be looking to solidify their position in Division 2. They should have the edge over many of their rivals who have only the remnants of league football to play while Redhills are currently preparing for the Ulster Club Junior football championship. Underage The future of Redhills would seemed to be moving in the right direction with both their under-16 squad and minor teams producing notable results. The minor team under the guidance of veteran star, Mickey Rudden, John Kelly and Kevin Smith, joined forces with neighbours, Ballyhaise, and took the scalp of eight times county champions, Cavan Gaels, in a pulsating game played at Max McGrath Park, Redhills. With championship favourites Castlerahan their next opponents, the combination side produced a great display only to see their efforts fall short. U-16s crowned county champions Redhills season of champagne football was again to the fore with their talented U-16 squad capturing Division Three Championship title at Kingspan/Breffni Park on a scoreline of Redhills 5-13 Dernacrieve 3-7. Redhills who had lost to the same opposition in the league made no mistake on final day and were full value for their victory. While exchanges for the most part of the first half were evenly contested the border club did have the advantage going into the interval when they held a commanding lead of 3-5 to 1-4. This game will be remembered for its sportsmanship and open football. The losers got off to the better start with a goal just after seven minutes by the Redhills side never showed any signs of panic. The inspirational play of Rory Dunne and Mark Kelly saw their side over this early setback. By the twentieth minute of the first half, Joe Callan latched onto a rebound of the crossbar to shoot Redhills opening goal. Seven minutes later county U-16 star, Rory Dunne burst through to net his side' second goal. To make matters worse for the West Cavan side, David Faulkner was on hand to fist to the net for his Redhills third goal. With an impressive half-time lead, Redhills were rocked back on their heels as Dernacrieve opened the more lively and had the ball in the back of their opponents net just after the restart of the second half. The Redhills response was maturity beyond their years, as Mark Kelly shot two points in two minutes to halt the West Cavan run. Redhills had restored the balance of power by the tenth minute of the second half when leading 2-4 to 3-9. The losers battled bravely and made a fight of it but goals from Rory Dunne (49th) and Mark Kelly (51st) put an end to this game as a contest. Redhills - James Brady; Turlach Mooney, Ciaran Smith; Fergal McDermott, Niall McCaffrey, Eoin McDonald; Rory Dunne (2-1), David Faulkner (1-0); Niall Greenan (0-1), Oisin Minagh, Packie Leddy (0-3); Mark Kelly (1-7), Joe Callan (1-1). Subs - Francis Fitzpatrick for Niall Greenan; Martin Walsh for David Faulkner. Joint manager, Mickey Rudden stated the feeling of his fellow selectors when he said: "This is a very talented group of young players. Of the side that won this U-16 final, there is only two overage for next season's competition. We feel that as a club, if we can hold onto these young players then the future of Redhills football looks promising. We have also had good success at Og Sport where our club won the county 7-a-side. We were pipped in the Ulster final by a single point by the Antrim champions. So we have also a number of talented players coming from that age group. Mickey who is still a present member of the senior squad praised the great work put in by his fellow selectors, John Kelly and Kevin Smith. The veteran player turned team mentor was quick to praise the long time efforts at underage football of Paddy Minagh, who according to Mickey is very much part of the entire fabric of underage football in the club". Optimistic Outlook Chairman, Mickey Reilly feels that the outlook for the border club is promising. "We had a very successful year on the playing fields and we are hoping to match this progress with an ambitious building plan. Presently we are in processing of trying to acquire an extra six acres beside our pitch. If negotiations are successful, we would hope to upgrade the present pitch and build a second one for training with floodlights. The resiting of the stand and the construction of new dressingrooms is something that will also be under review. The present entrance to our ground is quite narrow so that is an area we would be hoping to look at and rectify in the future also," stated the Redhills chairman. Tweet

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