In an exciting and fiercely contested Division 2 league, Knockbride, could deem themselves unlucky not to have made it back to Division 1, after a campaign where they produced some of the club's best football for many years. The final league table tells its own story with the two teams gaining promotion, Killygarry and Lavey on nineteen points each while Knockbride were back in fourth spot on 18 just behind long term leaders and Drumgoon who also had 19 points. The club who had acquired the services of Meath senior football team selector, Dudley Farrell who seemed to provide an new impetus and a fresh approach which saw the rejuvenated Larry Reilly produce some of best forward displays in the county during 2007. So tight was the promotion battle for the top two places that it was not until the final game that Knockbride saw their chances of elevation back to the top flight evaporate. When you talk to club Chairman, Eugene Carolan you sense a man with a pragmatic vein and a realistic approach to football for the east Cavan club. Eugene who is in his first term as chairman, was a former player back in the '70s and since hanging up his boots has worked at committee level since then. It is indeed what may be termed as an active 'retirement'. "When we look back at the 2007 season we will no doubt be disappointed that we did not get promotion back to Division 1. We had a good run in the league where the players put in a tremendous effort throughout the entire year and it was difficult to lose out in the last game of the league. While we as a club would be disappointed that we did not get back to the top division we nevertheless did hold onto our status in the senior championship. We lost out to Killygarry in the first round and found ourselves in the relegation zone where we were beaten by Gowna before overcoming Drumalee to secure our senior championship status. We would have faced a problem if we had secured promotion back to Division 1 in that our second team would have been playing their football in Division 5 and at another venue. This in itself would have created major difficulties trying to field two separate teams at different venues," stated a practical speaking chairman. Eugene said he would like to pay tribute to Dudley Farrell for his work throughout the year. "We had Dudley Farrell as our team manager in 2007. He was also a selector with the Meath senior team where he worked alongside Colm Coyle and with Meath having such a good run in the championship his task at the club was that much more difficult with his inter-county commitments. His wealth of experience was an invaluable asset to the club," stated Eugene. Juvenile football Club chairman Eugene Carolan says that the work being put in at the club at underage level is totally commendable and with the enthusiasm and commitment of all those involved the life blood for such a small club as Knockbride looks set to continue well into the future. "The club caters for all underage teams from U-12 to minor and have competed with some degree of success. Our U-13 side made it to the Roinn D Championship while the U-14s reached the Roinn D league final. This side also made it to the quarter-final of their championship but lost out to Cootehill while the U-16s made it to the quarter-final of the championship losing out to Denn. They also made it to the league semi-final but lost out to Arva. This U-16 side has a great deal of potential and should be able to provide the club with some talented players in the near future," stated Eugene. U14 Final In an exciting closely contested Roinn D league final played at Kingspan Breffni Park, Knockbride were pipped at the final whistle by Templeport in a high scoring and entertaining game by a single point 4-15 to 5-11. Knockbride who were powered on by Raymond O'Brien and Kevin McCabe, who between them amassed a final tally of 4-10, should have at least earned a draw for the manner in which the entire team worked throughout this final. Indeed if Raymond O'Brien's shot which struck the upright had just edged over then a draw would have been a fitting result. Knockbride U-14s: Darren McCabe, James Christie, Ryan Rodgers, Stephen Higgins, Shane McGee, Oliver Cooney, Ben Clarke (0-1), Patrick Carolan, Oisin Carolan, Kevin McCabe (3-3), Rory Traynor, Raymond O'Brien (1-7), Ciaran McCabe (1-0). U13 Final A blistering first half onslaught by the winners, Ballymachugh gave the young hopefuls from Knockbride far too much to do in this U-13 Roinn D championship final at Kingspan Breffni Park. The final scoreline of Ballymachugh 8-12 Knockbride 3-10 does not do justice to the display of the Knockbride lads who found themselves trailing by eighteen points at half-time 4-9 to 0-3. While most other teams would have accepted defeat and failed to produce a second-half rally, this was not the case for Knockbride. In a display of bravery, Knockbride took every opportunity available to attack and counter-attack their opponents and with Ryan Meehan and Kevin McCabe dominating, the opening ten minutes of the half belonged completely to the east Cavan club. Points from Ben Clarke, Andrew Parr and Kevin McCabe now saw Knockbride beginning to make in-roads into Ballymachugh's lead. A goal by Oisin Carolan further reduced the Ballymachugh lead and with the game now being contested at high velocity, it was the winners who managed to eek out the vital scores to ensure that the comeback was not to unsettle the destination of the cup. Knockbride can feel proud of they way the approached the second-half where they showed an approach and a spirit well beyond their years. Knockbride U-13s: Aiden Steel, James Christie, Cian Carolan, Mark Magee, Ryan Rogers, Ryan Meehan, Ben Clarke (0-4), Kevin McCabe (1-1), Ciaran McCabe (1-1), Oisin Carolan (1-1), Stephen Nulty, Rory Traynor (0-1), Daniel McGuinness. Sub used: Andrew Parr (0-1), Patrick Smith (0-1). Ladies football Championship final Once again the ladies of the club showed that they are a force in Cavan ladies football contesting three finals in 2007. Their failure to secure any silverware in these three outings will no doubt be a motivation for the ladies at the club to drive on and return to their winning ways of 2006. Knockbride ladies, who were Cavan senior championship title holders, took on Lacken in the 2007 final and in a game that proved to be in every sense of the word a thriller, Knockbride went under to a five goal tally from the would be champions. The final scoreline 5-6 to 2-11 tells its own story as both sides produced a display of skill, commitment and a will to win that kept the large crowd on the edge of their seats for the entire game. Knockbride got off to the best possible start when Daena Clerkin blasted the ball to the back of the Lacken net just three minutes into the game. With just fifteen minutes of the first half gone, the champions of 2006 were 1-3 to 0-2 in front and looked to be coasting when Lacken struck for their first goal to give them some parity. The defending champions were undaunted by this setback and Elaine Costin settled matters with a well taken point and when Emma Scanlon added a further two and Carmel McCabe tagged on a further point it looked like Knockbride were on their way to a three-in-a-row as the half-time whistle sounded. Lacken showed their intent when they pierced the Knocbride defence in the opening minute to hit their second goal. A minute later they were on equal terms for the first time in this final. Now playing with more conviction, last year's beaten finalists Lacken tried to pull away but Knockbride showed their championship mettle and did not allow them any real opportunity to pull away. Just as it seemed that the double champions had weathered the Lacken upsurge, an opportunist goal by Lacken's Roisin O'Keeffe put her side in front for the first time in this final. Knockbride were further rattled when Lacken had the ball in the net for their fourth goal minutes later and now had stretched their lead to a seven point margin. Stunned but not overawed, Knockbride showed just why they had won two senior championship titles back to back and struck back with a well taken goal by Daena Clerkin. Further points from Aisling Traynor and Emma Scanlon had reduced Lacken's lead to just two points with less than ten minutes remaining. This final was heading for a cliffhanger climax. Lacken got their fifth goal in the dying minutes but had to endure a Knockbride backlash as the two time champions tried valiantly to get the necessary score to make it three-in-a-row but time was not on their side and Lacken emerged victorious in this epic and pulsating final. Knockbride: M. Dolan, N. Clarke, D. Dolan, P. Keaskin, A. Clarke, E. Farrelly, L. McCabe, C. McCabe (0-1), L. McCabe, M. Donohoe, A. Traynor (0-4), E. Costin (0-2), D. Clerkin (2-0), E. Scanlon (0-5), A. Clarke. Ladies League Final Just like the championship final, Knockbride as defending champions took on Lacken in this league final. Lacken made sure of victory with a goal in the dying minutes to ensure that there would be no late comeback from the champions as they ran out winners by six points Lacken 3-10 Knockbride 2-7. A converted penalty kick early in the first half gave Lacken the platform to launch a serious bid to wrench this title away from Knockbride and give them a double of championship and league titles. Buoyed on by this score, Lacken tagged on a further four points to give them a seven point lead before Knockbride took stock of the situation and began to claw back this lead. Points from Daena Clerkin and Aisling Traynor saw Lacken's lead reduced to a one goal lead 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time. Aisling Traynor had the sides on level terms just after the restart when she found the back of the Lacken net. Spurred on by this goal, Knockbride began to play like champions and served notice that they were not intent in giving up their league crown without a battle. The champions were rocked by an eighth minute goal which saw Lacken wrestle the advantage from the champions. Just when it seemed that Lacken now had a firm grip on this final, up stepped Daena Clerkin, and with just over five minutes remaining slotted home her sides second goal. Lacken's response to this setback was to sweep upfield and crash their fourth goal to the back of the Knockbride net and with it any chance of a comeback from the reigning champions. U16 League final Knockbride's young hopefuls took on reigning champions Mullahoran in this U-16 league final at Crowe Park, Lacken and while losing out on a scoreline of 5-15 to 2-6 produced a battling performance, which is not reflected in the final score. Down 3-6 to 0-2 at half-time, Knockbride battled on gamely and in a second half where they scored 2-4 and missed a penalty they showed enough commitment and skill to suggest that will be a force in the future. Knockbride panel: Maria Dolan, Lisa Regan, Grace Reilly, Denise Smith, Nicole Clarke, Sarah Regan, Danika McIntyre, Daena Clerkin, Emma Scanlon, Leanne Reilly, Sinead Clarke, Stephanie Rehill, Sharon Argue, Oonagh McCabe, Tina Reilly, Aine Collins, Aisling McGuire, Shauna Reilly. Development While the season has ended the work at the club continues and the development of the club grounds is an ongoing development project. "At Knockbride we have a very strong and hard-working development committee where the work put in by people like Peter Reilly, who is also treasurer of the club and former club chairman, Noel Rogers is incalculable. Presently we are building four new dressingrooms which we hope will be completed for the 2008 season. It is further envisaged that work in the future will encompass a new stand and car park," stated the club chairman, Eugene Carolan. Deaths When reflecting on the 2007 season club chairman Eugene Carolan said that a number of people involved with the club had suffered bereavements. "As chairman of the club and on behalf of all those involved with the club at Knockbride we would like to extend our sympathy to families of those who suffered bereavements during 2007. We lost our vice chairman, Gerry Carolan who was also a selector with the team management. Gerry's son, Brendan is a playing member of the senior team. Our goalkeeper, Ronan Keaskin, also suffered a sad bereavement during 2007 when his mother, Ann died; as did the Reilly brothers, Peter, Michael and Larry whose mother, Theresa (Tessie) passed away. The death also occurred of Michael Clarke whose son, Ben is a playing member of the juvenile squads U-13s and 14s," stated Eugene. Tweet

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