A pragmatic outlook and refreshing approach is what Maghera Mac Finns chairman Derek Dunne brings to this famous old club. When you hear Derek speak about the Mac Finns you realise that it is not just a football club, it is a way of life. The club, which is the second oldest in Cavan, was formed back in 1885 with the Dunne name providing a prominent input to the fledgling team when Mrs Dunne, provided them with a playing field. Capturing the very first Cavan senior championship back in 1888, they went on to be a force in Cavan football during the seventies when they won the junior title in 1973 and the Intermediate championship crown in 1974. However, since then, factors beyond the control of the club have helped create the downward spiral that has persisted to the present day. While many football followers would feel it was time to lift tents and embark on new adventures, not so the men of Maghera whose pride and commitment in the club still runs strong in their life blood. It is with such commitment over the many seasons from their last victory in 1974 that has earmarked this club as one that will not fold. While team manager Derek Dunne's family history is intrinsically intertwined with the existence of the Maghera Mac Finns it is not sentiment that is the driving force but a pragmatic response to the difficulties encountered by the East Cavan club. "Yes my family have always been deeply involved with Maghera right from the very beginning to the present day. My father Peter is a former playing member and was a member of the 1973 junior championship team. He is presently active with the club and is the current team manager of our second team. Both my brothers, Adrian, (now living in London) and Ciaran played with the club, Ciaran plays at half-forward on the present team. Both my grandparents, Nellie Dunne and her husband were presidents of the club. My sister, Louis has also been involved over the years and designed the website for the club. This is an area we will be looking at for the coming year and will have it updated on a regular basis. Anyone wishing to contact us or find out any information can do so by visiting our website on www.magheramacfinns.com. While the history of the club is important it is vital that we take stock of what the future holds and it is with this outlook that the present crop of players and officials have taken a long-term view for activities both on and off the field" stated Derek. Derek who took over as chairman for 2007 has shown that he is equal to the job and although he lives in Dublin and having been recently married is not deterred by the many trips necessary to officiate at club level. "The present crop of players and officials have a very positive outlook and while we may not be setting the football world alight we are nevertheless making progress both on and off the field. The existence of Maghera Mac Finns is evidence of the determination of the many people who have contributed since its existence and the present crop of club members are equally determined to ensure that the name of Maghera Mac Finns will not just live on but will hopefully regain some of the football honours of the past. The work put in by a dedicated bunch of volunteers which included players and officials have seen a lot of development work being carried out at the club's grounds throughout 2007. The erection of a fence which surrounds the playing area was necessary if we wished to avail of any finals and this we successfully achieved when in early December we hosted the Division 5 league final between Bailieboro Shamrocks and Killygarry. This game was played in atrocious weather conditions which had prevailed for a number of days prior to the final but the playing surface at Maghera was in excellent condition and withstood the hours football and torrential rain which lashed down during that final. We also worked hard at providing floodlights which are now in place and have already played a number of games under lights. Plans for further development of our dressing rooms with the installation of a gym and extension of the existing building is something that will be done in the near future. The clubrooms are presently used on a nightly basis by many of the community groups and the new extension should be an added bonus to help attract new members to the club. With the influx of new families having settled in the locality we are sending out a flier outlining the assets which are available at the club. We hope that we can attract both parents and their offspring to come along and enjoy the benefits of a club life in a small rural community," stated Derek Football making progress In spite of having to fight a rear-guard action in a relegation league battle against Templeport, Maghera MacFinns showed the kind of mettle that once provided this proud club with a winning formula. Imbued with the burning desire not to drop down from Division 3, Maghera showed just the right commitment and enthusiasm and indeed no shortage of footballing skill when they reversed the earlier league result against the same opposition and in doing so sealed the fate of the West Cavan club, Templeport to Division 4. When you look at the league table the Mac Finns played twelve league games, winning two and drawing two giving them a total of six points. If viewed merely as points won and lost it does not give a true reflection of where the club is at present. "If you look at the points, it shows us with just six, but what it does not show is the vast improvement the team has made in 2007. Throughout the league we proved a match for all the teams except the top two, Cavan Gaels and Killeshandra, who both won promotion. When you delve into the league games and look to see where we can improve and what it is that separates us from some of the title chasing teams it boils down to a number of small errors in a couple of games that had significant effect on our season," stated Derek. "In 2007 I would have seen the aim of the club was that of retaining its status in Division 3. This was achieved but not in the manner that we would have hoped for. In a number of games we were holding a slender lead with the clock running down only to be caught at the final whistle. Overall, I felt that as a team we had become much more competitive in 2007 and with a bit of luck in a number of games could easily have finished mid table. While this will be the first step in the coming season, we know that we can now compete with any of the teams in Division 3, and should, if we can manage to get a few early wins under our belts, possibly have a say in the destination of the promotion title. The commitment from the players this year and also from our team management of George Plunkett and selectors Myles Geraghty and Phil Yore was exemplary. Throughout the entire footballing year all involved with the team did not shrink from their respective duties and deserved a much better return for their commitment. The true spirit of the Maghera club is easily identified when you see a player of the calibre of Brian McHugh travelling from Cork to Corlough for a game and then making his way to Shannon where he was set to fly out to Europe for work commitments. When we sit back and pragmatically take a look at our overall league performance we will see that we lost out in a number of games with a sucker goal in the dying minutes. This is something that we will be working on to eradicate and if successful we can pose a threat in 2008 in both league and championship. "I would also hope that we can reverse what has now become a bad trend in the championship and get back to winning. Over the past number of seasons we have failed to get past the first round of the championship. I would feel that the present structure of running the championship should be addressed as many of the players are on annual leave when the championship begins. This has been a problem for us at Maghera for the past few seasons. While we lost out to both Arva and Corlough we had to face into the championship short a number of regular players who had booked their annual leave. I feel the county board could address this particular situation and possibly look at starting the championship much earlier," stated Derek. Team manager The club who had the experienced Ballinacree man, George Plunkett last season as their team manager, have obtained the services of a new man for 2008. "George was not available to give us the commitment for the coming year and we would see ourselves as very fortunate to have been able to persuade former Cavan senior goalkeeper Paul O'Dowd to take over at Maghera for the coming year. Paul was a playing member of Bailieboro Shamrocks for many years as well as being first choice for the county team. He has vast experience of football at the highest level. He worked with us on a number of occasions during 2007 and we felt was an inspiration to the players. Paul will be hoping to make an impact in the league and with a sustained good run under his belt, he would be in a position to reverse the trend of losing out in the first round of the junior championship. With a panel of over thirty-six players with the average age around 25, he will be working with a squad who have experience. I feel that he is the right man for the job and with a bit of luck, if we can get a good start to the league, then I know that we are as good as any team in Division 3," stated the chairman. Appreciation While Derek as chairman has put in a great deal of work, he is only too aware of the volume of work being put in by others. He is highly praiseworthy of all the executive, the volunteers who worked on the upgrading of the playing field and to those who tirelessly work at selling the club's blotto. Derek felt that enormous effort put in by fellow clubman, Dan Daly whose work with the blotto should be recognised. Paul also wished to congratulate the four Blotto winners during the year. His praise for the players is fulsome. Without people like this, it would be extremely difficult to maintain a club. It is through the work of all at the club past and present that Maghera is still a vibrant Gaelic football club," stated Derek. Paul Fitzsimons Derek said he would like to pay tribute to the club's president, Paul Fitzsimons who was honoured during 2007 for his services to the GAA in Cavan and to the in GAA his own locality. "Paul's contribution to football has been enormous and historic. An All Ireland winner with Cavan, he serviced the club both as a player and official. His dedicated work is greatly appreciated by all here. To the committee of Friends of Paul Fitzsimons, I would like to convey a heartfelt appreciation for organizing the gala night to honour one of our club's and county's finest Gaelic footballers," stated Derek. Tweet

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