Jim Reilly (Kingscourt Stars) Cavan's Football Ambassador by PJ Carroll Over the past ten years or more, the most prominent figure to wear the 'blue and white' of Cavan on the inter-county scene has been Jim Reilly (Kingscourt Stars). From his very first appearance in a Cavan jersey, it was evident that a football star was born. He has gone on to play regularly for his county, and also to captain Ulster in the Railway Cup competitions, and he is acknowledged throughout the land as a cultured footballer and a top-class sportsman in his own right. Born in November 1958, brought up on the family farm, four miles from Kingscourt and Bailieborough on the scenic 'Lough an Lea'. He was educated at Edengully and Ballinamoney National School. It was at Edengully that he came under the guiding hand of Peter Connolly, a man renowned for his knowledge and great ability to coach and train underage football in the area. At that time, Kingscourt juvenile football was booming due to unlimited talent as that provided by the Faulkner bros, Tierney, Reilly, Farrelly brothers as well as Joe Dillon, Kevin Smith, Sean Barrett and Sean Gaynor, many of whom went on to represent Cavan in all the grades from under 16 upwards on the inter-county scene. It was a time of progress on the underage football scene for Kingscourt, and many under 12 and under 14 titles were won by this group of players. In 1972, Jim entered the home of Cavan football 'Saint Patrick's College, Cavan', which had won the Hogan Cup that very same year. During his stay in the college, Jim began to come to the fore of the gaelic football scene, and made his place on the College team. In 1976, he won an intermediate championship medal with Kingscourt Stars, playing in the half forward line, and incidentally this side laid the stepping stones for further success in the club at senior level right up to the present day. Many of the present Kingscourt Stars senior team, current holders of the county senior championship title, came to the fore in 1979, when on a cold, snowy Christmas week in Bailieborough, Kingscourt Stars defeated Laragh Utd. to become under 21 county champions. Jim was beginning to make his mark on the club scene in the county, and that same year he was drafted into the senior county panel for the National Football League. He made his competitive inter-county debut against Roscommon in Hyde Park, Roscommon and although a member of a young and inexperienced side, Jim had an outstanding game against All Star John O'Connor, and his display caught the notice of the national media on that occasion. That same year, Jim was a member of the Cavan side that defeated Kerry in the opening of the new stand at Breffni Park, and his display on that occasion was highly praised by no less a man than the legendary Joe Keohane (RIP), who labelled him a 'star of the future'. In the eighties Jim went from strength to strength on the club and inter-county scene, winning numerous county senior titles with Kingscourt Stars, and being a member of a number of successful Ulster Railway Cup sides. Among the highlights of the eighties for Jim, was being a member of the Cavan team which reached the Ulster Final for the first time since 1976 in 1983, and although disappointment was his lot on that occasion, Donegal went on to win a closely-fought final, the Kingscourt player had an outstanding championship season. In 1984, Cavan reached the semi-final of the Centenary Cup, only to lose to Meath at Croke Park, and again Jim was a member of that side. He also gained another Railway Cup medal with Ulster, and had the honour of helping his province defeat the touring Australian side in the first international series. Right up to the present day, Jim had been a permanent fixture on the county side, captaining it for many years, and proving his versatility as a player by playing with distinction in defence, midfield and in attack. 1986 looked promising for Cavan and Jim Reilly as regards championship honours and after defeating reigning champions Monaghan in an epic game in Breffni Park - a game in which the bould Jim was selected man of the match - Cavan went out to Derry in a semi-final replay. Still the honours came his way on the club scene, and in 1987 he helped his club reach the Ulster Club Final, only to lose to Burren narrowly in Pearse Park, Ballybay. Incidentally, last season Kingscourt Stars reached the Ulster club decider, only to lose to the Derry champions Lavey, who went on to take the All-Ireland club title. In 1987, Jim turned in some outstanding displays for club and county and he along with Stephen King were selected as members of the Irish team to compete against the touring Australians in the international test series. Jim played in the series, and indeed was among the better players on the Irish side. In 1989, Cavan had a great run in the National Football League, reaching the semi final, only to lose narrowly to Dublin in Croke Park. In that game, Jim looked at home in headquarters, and turned in an impressive display. However, in recent times Cavan have had disappointing period both in championship and league competitions, but instead of 'calling it a day', Jim is more involved than ever, taking up the added responsibility of assisting team manager, Eamonn Curley in coaching and tactics with the county team. He also had the distinction of captaining Ulster to Railway Cup success in recent seasons. No doubt, like all great footballers down the years, Jim would dearly love to add an All-Ireland senior championship medal to his collection, and will be striving with all his worth to get Cavan of to a winning start in the forthcoming Ulster senior championship clash with Donegal in Ballybofey. What can one say about Jim Reilly and his football prowess, only that he is a very talented footballer, a true sportsman and a man dedicated to the improvement of Cavan football fortunes. His dedication and commitment to the game he loves, have made him a household name not alone in Cavan, but throughout the land. All true Gaels will be hoping that this season, will see him capture the elusive Ulster championship medal, and hopefully, propel his beloved Cavan back into intercounty limelight ... Without doubt, Jim has been Cavan's best player over the past ten years on the intercounty scene, and now coming to the twilight of a brilliant career, the Kingscourt clubman is as positive and determined as every in Cavan's efforts to regain championship honours. Maybe, Ballybofey could be the stage for another Reilly virtuoso performance in the coming weeks, that could inspire his team mates to greater heights, and cause one of the biggest upsets in Ulster championship football in recent times. All Cavan supporters will be hoping that will be the case - and it would be a fitting way to end what has been a memorable football career for the likeable Kingscourt Stars clubman ... Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 31 May 1991 Tweet

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