All Ireland glory for Killygarry

Killygarry Under 14s won the All Ireland Féile Peil na nÓg Division 6 title held in Co Kildare over the weekend. The boys came through their group stages undefeated. The first game was against host team Kildangan. Friday evening saw the team travel to Newbridge to take part in the Parade through Newbridge which was officially opened by President Mary McAleese. Saturday morning saw the boys up early and playing two games against Na Fianna and Naas. Both games were won in a comprehensive manner. The level of blocking and tackling was even more impressive than the winning scorelines. From the full forward line all the way back through the team every player gave total commitment in the tackle and the opposition sides got no space to play. In the semi finals they defeated Carragh from Kildare 1-14 to 2-03 before taking on Fenagh from Carlow in the final. Carragh played with a very strong wind in the first half and made good use of it in scoring two goals. However the Cavan boys never panicked as they knew they could handle the sustained pressure and upped their workrate playing into the wind. As half time approached they got through for a goal and two points. Once they switched sides they camped out in the Carragh half during the second period and fired over twelve points without reply. The scenes at the end when they knew an All Ireland Final was their reward will live ling with all who were there. After the game the boys returned to their host families and were brought out to a disco which was attended by clubs from Kildare and London. The spirit of Féile was embodied in this evening where young players took time out from competition to make new friends. The final was played in St Conleth"s Park, Newbridge at 9.45 Sunday morning against Fenagh from Carlow. Despite a strong wind blowing down the pitch and playing against a taller, more physical Carlow team the young Killygarry men dug deep and showed tremendous work rate, skill and desire to come out victorious on a score line of 2-08 to 1-03. Even though the scoreline showed an eight point win at then end it did not reflect how tight this game was all the way through. Yet again the Killygarry lads" work rate and attitude won through. Never stopping, always tackling and forever tracking their men the boys put the foot down with five minutes to go and scored a goal and three points without reply. What a sight at 10.26am when the final whistle went. Cheers, hugs and tears could be seen everywhere. Parents hugged their sons, coaches hugged each other, lifted their young players high and stood proud as Conor Bates received the All Ireland cup from GAA President Christy Cooney. The journey home was one of joy. Stopping for dinner in Dunshaughlin, walking the All Ireland trophy back across the county boundary at Whitegate, strolling along the banks of Lough Ramor in Virginia, driving through Cavan town before arriving back at Killygarry Athletic Grounds to a massive crowd.  Bailieboro Shamrocks Under 14 boys and Crosserlough Under 14 girls also took part and represented Cavan proudly. Bailieboro were unlucky in only losing out on a semi final place by the odd goal in a couple of matches that could have gone either way. The Crosserlough girls only suffered one defeat to a strong Cahir team from Tipperary who went on to contest the final. Congratulations to all who travelled to Kildare to represent Cavan, especially the Killygarry boys on returning home as All Ireland Champions. It is fantastic to see an All Ireland title come back to County Cavan. Killygarry Under 14 squad: Conor Bates (Capt), Brian Bogue, Emmett Blaney, Padraig Burns, Kieran Burns, Sean Dunne, Emmanuel Galligan, Darragh Gannon, Matthew McKenna, Conor Mulvany, Breifne O"Brien, Blaine O"Callaghan, Luke O"Dea, Sean Keady, Brian Sheanon, Ronan Smith, Shane Smith, Arthurs Timofejevs, Conor Walker. Coaches: Simon Fay, Declan Gilsenan, Padraig Gannon, Enda Mulvany