Castlerahan win 1991 Junior Championship

From the archive

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Junior Championship finals in Cavan tended to be low-scoring, close affairs. In 1985, Swanlinbar won the final by 1-3 to 0-3 against Belturbet, Kill scored 1-9 to win in '86, Castlerahan got 1-8 in '87, Mountnugent 3-4 in '89, Shannon Gaels 1-9 the year after, Killygarry 0-13 in 1990 and Mountnugent 3-3 in '92.

The 1991 final followed a similar pattern, with Castlerahan defeating Killinkere in a real battle by 0-12 to 2-5 at HQ.

“Castlerahan achieved fame and glory when they lifted the Cavan JFC title for the first time since 1987 and only the fifth time in the club’s history when they held off a late challenge from KLillinkere in an entertaining final at Breffni Park on Sunday last,” began the report on these pages.

“Castlerahan fully deserved to regain the title and to follow the great teams of 1951, ’59, ’65 and ’87.

“However, in gaining their success they were given a tough battle by Killinkere who fought back in the second half with a goal from full-forward Thomas Smith in the fifth minute to put them into the lead for the one and only time.

“Castlerahan recovered from this setback and proceeded to dominate but their lead of three points was scant justice for their efforts. They were almost made to pay dearly for this narrow lead as Killinkere battled back to cut the deficit to one point with three minutes remaining. “

Killinkere were seeking to bridge a 19-year gap to their last junior win and a nine-year gap to their intermediate success in 1982, when coincidentally they had also faced Castlerahan in the final.

“This had the makings of a fascinating contest with distinctive styles of play,” reckoned the Celt, painting a picture of Killinkere as the more seasoned, experienced outfit while describing Castlerahan’s “fast, flowing football”.

The winners, under Vincent Maguire, Barney Mulvey and former Ramor Utd player Andy Brady, “were sharp and incisive in their moves and, above all, decisive in front of goal when the opportunities arose. They had also had the valuable experience of Harry O’Reilly in attack, where the former Cavan U21 player had a fine game and finished top scorer with six points, four from frees.”

Castlerahan led by 0-3 to 0-0 after six minutes, two of those coming from “talented forward” John Caffrey. Gerry Cooney had a shot blocked from Killinkere’s first notable attack before Edward Flynn got them off the mark with a free.

A 45 from centre-back Fintan McEnroe helped ease Castlerahan into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead but they were dealt a blow when full-back Gerry Doherty went off with a suspected fractured collar bone after 18 minutes, with McEnroe switching to the number three spot.

“The hiatus unsettled Castlerahan for a brief period and almost as soon as play had resumed, Killinkere struck.

“Right corner-forward Gerry Cooney’s shot went past an unsighted Richard Carolan and Killinkere were back in serious contention after 20 minutes.

This score lifted Killinkere’s spirits visibly and it also coincided with the exchanges being fiercelt contested, so much so that referee Aidan Elliott had cause to book a couple of defenders.”

Ronan and Darragh McCabe hit back with points for the Ballyjamesduff men as they went in at half-time ahead by 0-8 to 1-1, having dominated most of the first half.

Killinkere were slightly lucky to still be in touch and they responded well at the start of the second half, bagging 1-2 to take the lead with points from Flynn and a well-taken goal from Thomas Smith.

“Now the game was set alight in real earnest,” noted the report.

Castlerahan immediately countered through a Harry Reilly free and he subsequently gave them the lead from play after 40 minutes and added tow more points as they kept their noses in front.

A fine one-handed diving save from Richard Carolan was one of the highlights as Killinkere missed some chances on the run-in, Flynn adding a free and a 45 to make it a one-point game late on.

“This was a fine win for Castlerahan and in particular for full-back Gerry Doherty, until injured, and Fintan McEnroe at centre-half.

“But the defence as a whole, allowing for those early second-half lapses, played steadily. Paul Staunton and Joe Gardiner worked hard at midfield with beneficial results and the pick of the forwards were Harry Reilly and John Caffrey.

“Killinkere battled bravely”, the report said, with Stephen Cooney, Eugene Farrelly, Edward Flynn and Thomas Smith coming in for praise.

Interestingly, Aidan Elliott was mentioned as the match referee in the report but Martin Brady (Ballinagh) was the man named alongside the teams and scorers at the bottom of the page.

Elsewhere in the paper, Castlerahan’s performance was described as “really good”, with young players like Brian Smith, Fintan McEnroe, Paul Staunton, the McCabe brothers, John Caffrey and Harry Reilly “coming of age”.

“Killinkere won many friends by their sportsmanship in defeat and their team captain Eugene Farrelly gave an excellent address,” the unnamed writer added.

It was noted also that the two teams were due to meet in the Junior League final a few weeks later but the record books show that Killinkere actually defeated Kill in that decider – perhaps some reader can shed some light on what happened there.

Castlerahan: Richard Carolan, Brian Smith, Gerry Doherty, Noel Keoghan, Paddy Carthy, Fintan McEnroe, Michael Duffy, Paul Staunton, Joe Gardiner, Darragh McCabe, Ronan McCabe (capt.), John Caffrey, Paddy Sheanon, Gary Cronin, Harry O’Reilly

Subs: Paul Brady for Doherty, Gabriel Brady for Sheanon, John Maguire for Cronin, Peter McSherry, John Boylan, John Cusack, Pat Condon

Killinkere: Paddy Carroll, Stephen Cooney, Damien O’Reilly, Martin McGovern, Tom McCabe, Terry Smith, Noel Cooney, Philip Caldwell, Eugene Farrelly (capt.), Eddie McGuinness, Edward Flynn, Ciaran Cooney, Gerry Cooney, Thomas Smith, Martin Ledwich

Subs: Pauric Sheridan for N Cooney, Michael Cooney for P Sheridan, Michael Router for M Ledwich

Main photo: Back (from left): Breen McInerney, Paddy Sheanon, Joe Gardiner, Richard Carolan, Mickey Duffy, Noel Keogan, Gary Cronin, Paul Staunton, Fintan McEnroe. Middle row: Pat Condon, Paddy Carthy, Gerry Doherty, Ciaran Doherty (mascot), Ronan McCabe, Harry Reilly, Brian Smith (RIP), Darragh McCabe, John Caffrey. Front row: Peter McSherry, John Maguire, Paul Brady,John Boylan, John Cusack.