Cavan Féile Peile na nÓg 2014
The 2014 Div.1 Cavan Féile Peile na nÓg competition took place in Virginia at the Ramor United club grounds on Sunday 4th of May. This is a competition where the best young U14 talent in the county face off against each other over one day; with the prize of representing their club and county at National Feile up for grabs.
The competition is notable for the quick 10 minute halves, so a good start is vital and taking opportunities is a must if your team is to win or qualify for the next round. So with so much at stake and the speed of thought needed to manage these games we again had an enthralling day with twists and turns with heartache and joy all mixed into an appreciation of the skill levels these youngsters produced all day. Mark O'Rourke ran off the games with great efficiency and must be commended for his handling of the games over the two pitches in this venue in addition to managing the Div.2 tournament taking place in other venues.
Ramor United opened proceedings with a win over Annalee Gaels, the Gaels gave as good as they got but the clinical finishing of Seanie Keogan was the difference. A good finisher however needs a good team to present the opportunities and some quick thinking made some great scores particularly involving a Ben Smith 45 who took it short to lead to a fine point. Ramor in the end Ran out 2-3 to 0-1 winners.
Next up was Crosserlough and Templeport in the first of the group 2 games Strong performances from Patrick and Mick Smith with Brandon Boylan showing how to score with both feet. Peter Devine and Mickedy McKiernan, who would go on to have a great tournament, kept troubling the Crosserlough side it was however Crosserlough's ability to finish off moves with scores that set them apart from Templeport. Crosserlough won the game 2-10 to 0-2.
Meanwhile Cavan gaels took on Annalee Gaels in group 1 this was a cracker and the game was in the melting pot until a great goal by man of the match Bradley Okaidje pushed Cavan Gaels into an unassailable lead Cavan Gaels 2-6 Analee Gaels 0-3.
Crosserlough then took on Laragh in their next match, it was Laragh that got off to the better start and really put it up to the favourites but Crosserlough wore the favourites tag with ease and powered on to win again taking their chances with Smith and Boylan again impressing.
Ramor and Cavan Gaels played the final match of Group 1 and Ramor were to take this one with Seanie scoring a hat trick but Conor Nulty's goal from a rebound from the upright after a great effort for a point from Niall Preston was the major talking point. Ramor and Cavan Gaels qualified from group 1
It was all to play for when Laragh and Templeport met in the last match of group 2 with Templeport just edging it to make the semi final draw. The semi final draw had Cavan gaels and Ramor meeting again and Templeport meeting Crosserlough. Cavan Gaels dug deep in their semi final and took their scores well to leave Ramor chasing the game early on and at this competition you cant afford to be chasing because time is always against you, the Gaels ran out deserving winners Michael Veale, Joshua McDermott and Darren Walshe impressing along with Goal machine Bradley Okaidje.
Crosserlough didn't have it all their own way in the early exchanges with Templeport James Murphy really came in to his own in this match but with the constant running and support play of Crosserlough they eventually wore down this gallant Templeport side and booked their place in the final.
Cavan Feile 2014 Div. 1 Final Crosserlough V Cavan Gaels
This final began at breakneck speed, where Cavan Gaels were hit by early scores from Crosserlough which left them in an almost impossible position from early on, in a 2 minute spell Crosserlough scored two points from Mick lynch goals from Patrick Lynch, Brandon Boylan and Nathan Gilligan. To the Gaels credit they never gave up, never dropped the heads and kept battling. Crosserlough started off the second half like the first and a goal and three points without reply was to copper fasten the Kilnaleck's side grip on this tie. Crosserlough wrapped up the game with a couple of Boylan points. The game was memorable from Crosserlough's superb play, their support running and score taking. It was great to see some good individual performances as well, with great scores from Patrick Lynch, who scored 2-2 in the final and we saw him surge from the 45 meter line to take a fine point. This Crosserlough team is well coached and is packed with excellent players and they will represent their club well at the national Feile Finals in June.
Cavan Gaels were rewarded for their fine campaign with qualification to represent their club and county in the Ulster county, this team grew as the tournament went on and will be in even better shape to engage the other qualifiers in Ulster also in June.
Photo: Nathan Galligan Crosserlough Captain Recieves the cup From Mark O'Rourke
PG
