Castlerahan G.F.C Club History
By Andy Brady, Taken from the booklet which marked the official opening of Fay Park on 25th May 1991.
The Early Years
The present Castlerahan Club was founded in 1961, prior to then, Ballyjamesduff and Castlerahan fielded separate teams, although they had at various times in the previous thirty years joined forces with some success especially 1951 when they won the Junior Championship. Both areas had been active on the G.A.A. scene from the early years of this century. As far back as 1905 Ballyjamesduff Independents and Castlerahan Sarsfields were frequent contributors to G.A.A. columns in the Anglo-Celt, it was then common for a club or district team to challenge their neighbours to a match by putting a notice in the widely read Celt. In the February 4th, 1905 issue of the Celt the following paragraph appeared; 'Ballyjamesduff Junior Independents are now fully prepared to play a football match with any Junior team in the county on or before March 19th, (P. West, Captain)'. The following week the challenge was accepted by Denn Dan O'Connells providing the town team travel to Crosskeys on March 19th. The March 12th issue carried the following notice; 'We Denn Dan O'Connell's having accepted the challenge of Ballyjamesduff Independents travelled to their grounds to play them but they failed to turn up. We then challenged them to our grounds on the 5th March and again the cowards failed to turn up. The referee awarded the match to O'Connells, I must say their is very little independence about Ballyjamesduff if that is the way they play their matches, ( P. Smith, Captain)'. It is quite obvious football in those days was a very serious business. With rivalry between local sides very strong, however a lot of goodwill existed between neighbouring sides as this excerpt from the Anglo-Celt will show; 'We the members and Committee of Crosserlough Emmetts G.F.C. having heard with regret of the departure of J. Sheridan, a former player with our team who emigrated to America wish to join in sympathy with his family and friends and also the newly formed Ballyjamesduff Independents at the loss they have sustained and we wish him good luck and long life, signed M. McCabe (Captain), Patrick Heerey (Secretary)'. In the same edition, the following notice appeared; an exciting tussle is expected at Leehary tomorrow between Crosserlough Young Irelands and Ballyjamesduff Junior Independents. Ballyjamesduff team: Eugene O'Reilly, West, Conaty, Lynch, Rourke, Mackey, Maguire, Fitzsimons, Slowey, Reilly, McCabe, McManus; match at 2.30 sharp. Around the same time Castlerahan Sarsfields were on the receiving end of some unfavourable comments from Mountnugent Red Hands, it was as follows; the Mountnugent Red Hands wish to contradict a statement made by Castlerahan Sarsfields in last weeks issue in connection with a match played on 12 inst. The reporter who ever he might be was ashamed to sign his name, stated the match was played on our grounds, this statement was false. The game was played in Castlerahan parish and the score was 1-6 -0-1 in favour of Mountnugent. Later that year 1905 Sarsfields challenged Bailieborough to play a match at Garryross on Sunday 17th, the Castlerahan men who are raising funds have decided to charge an admission of 2d. The previous week Ballyjamesduff had travelled to Sarsfields and beaten them 1-1 - 0-3 and were anxious for a return game in Ballyjamesduff .No record of affiliation to county board for either Ballyjamesduff or Sarsfields is available and it would appear that while both sides played football it was purely on non official basis. Around 1912 the following names were prominent in Sarsfields games; Tom, Jim, Frank Brady, (Jimmie Little, John Reilly) Patrick William Reilly, John Cullen.
James Reilly, (Carnin) a former County Junior and Senior player and now approaching his 80th birthday said he remembered playing football with some other boys on Christmas Day around 1920 when they were approached by an aged neighbour John Brady who informed them they should have small side posts, this reference may be a throw back to what we see in Australian rules and which was probably taken there by Irish emigrants.
The Castlerahan playing field in 1922 was convenient to the Priests House and was the property of McEnroe family, around this time a split developed between the Kildorough members and the remainder and Kildorough continued to play many challenge games while other players perhaps played for Mountnugent or other groups in the region. This situation continued until late 1929 or early 1930 when a meeting was held in Castlerahan Hall under the chairmanship of H. B. O'Donoghue, Virginia, and a new club was formed. The first Secretary of the new club was J. Nugent and other founding members included, Peter Flynn, Paddy Flynn, Bartle Flynn, Tommy Brady, Paddy Brady, Paddy Dolan, John McLoughlin, H. Wright, Charlie Smith, J. Caffrey, J. Reilly. The new club was named Castlerahan St. Mary's. By coincidence Ballyjamesduff after some time in the doldrums decided to have a go at affiliating a junior tem. A meeting was held in the courthouse and a committee was formed. Among its first members were Jackie Reilly, Johnnie Soden, Jim Reilly, N. West, Jimmy Smith, Andy Lynch, J. Sheridan, J. Flood, C. O'Hara.
The formative years were rather bleak for both sides but Castlerahan football received a tremendous boost in 1933 when Paddy (Johnie) Brady was a member of the Cavan team that beat Galway 2-5- 1-4 in Croke Park on Sunday, September 24th. Although he didn't actually play in the final the young lads were greatly inspired by his bringing home an All Ireland medal and some excellent material was emerging in the club at this time. Two years later when Cavan again took the Sam Maguire Cup, Terry Dolan was in the right half back position and so became the first man from the parish to play in an All Ireland final. In the meantime Ballyjamesduff were plodding along, the highlight of their season usually being when they played Castlerahan whom they met at least twice a year. Many of those games were tempestuous affairs and unfortunately some times the ball seemed to be only of secondary importance. Terry Dolan and Paddy Brady were familiar figures to the youth of Ballyjamesduff who despite the obvious agro between the clubs greatly admired the two heroes. The arrival in town of Tom McNicholas a prominent Mayo and Connaught footballer and a teacher by profession also gave the town team a much needed shot in the arm. 1936 arrived with neither of the parish teams having won anything. At the A.G.M. of the Ballyjamesduff Club in the courthouse on Sunday 12th January the following committee were appointed, Chairman, B. Brady, Latoon; Vice- Chairman, John Reilly; Secretary, Jim Reilly; Treasurer, Louis Tighe; Team Captain, E. Flanagan.
The Junior Championship of 1936 was a long drawn out affair with the final not being played until December 13th. The early rounds of the Championship were played on a league basis and Ballyjamesduff had overcome several useful sides including near neighbours Castlerahan at divisional level. Crubany were their victims in the semi final and Drumlane were providing the opposition in the final. On the day of the final heavy rain fell all morning and continued right up to match time, the underfoot conditions were deplorable, the ball was wet and heavy and a stiff breeze blew from goal to goal. Drumlane dominated the first half play and led at the interval 2-0- 0-3. In the second half with the elements in their favour Ballyjamesduff inspired by a rampant McNicholas gradually got on top, forwards Donal Brady, Benny Farrell and Robert Lee made good use of ,a lot of possession and Ballyjamesduff edged in front to capture the Junior Crown. Final score Ballyjamesduff 1-5, Drumlane 2-1. At the final whistle the Ballyjamesduff supporters in the attendance of about 200 carried their heroes shoulder high from the field, the Ballyjamesduff team lined out as follows: Jimmy Smith, Frank Murray, Ned Flanagan, P. Reilly, Tommy Flanagan, Terry Reilly, Tom McNicholas, P. Coleman, Donal Brady, Benny Farrell, Larry Briody, Eddie Reilly, Robert Lee.
Playing in Senior Football in 1937 proved too much for the previous years Junior Champions and they failed to make any impact. A number of outstanding young players were emerging in Ballyjamesduff area and D. Brady who had won an All Ireland minor medal with Louth in '36 had a repeat win with Cavan in 1937. Kevin O'Reilly took yet another minor medal in 1938. During the war years a number of players either emigrated or joined the Defence Forces and were not always available. This may have been the main reason for the amalgamation of the Castlerahan and Ballyjamesduff Clubs in the early forties. In 1938 also James Reilly (Carnin) and Nicholas Cunningham were selected to play for Cavan in the Ulster Junior Championship. Donald Brady and Kevin O'Reilly likewise in the early 40's.
In 1944 Mountnugent were defeated 1-6- 1-4 having in their side a number of Ballyjamesduff players. 1946 saw Mountnugent take the senior title and once again Ballyjamesduff had a strong representation in their team including Tony Tighe, Paddy Brooks, P. Campbell, Cyril Soden. After the amalgamation broke up around 1943. Castlerahan continued to field a Junior team but they were unable to make the breakthrough they sought. Emigration and disagreement played a big part in preventing success. As in Ballyjamesduff some of their best players were playing for other clubs such as Mountnugent and Lattoon. In 1951 the two clubs got together again this time with success, on Sunday 14th October, 1951 they met and beat Cootehill in Virginia, on a score line of 3-4 - 0-7. Outstanding for the winners were substitute goalkeeper Larry Brady and McBreen and Keogan in defence. Joe Reilly and Tony Tighe at midfield and Rothwell and T. Keogan in attack. The team lined out as follows. Castlerahan: J. J. Reilly, J. Heeray, J. McBreen, P. Caffrey, S. Keogan, F. Tighe, J. Farrelly, Joe Reilly, T. Tighe ( Captain) , Connie Lynch, T. Keogan, S. Soden, J. Rothwell, P. J. Heerey, D. Soden, Sub. L. Brady, J. J. O'Reilly, Cootehill, P. O'Donnelly, P. McGuinness. P. McCoy, 0. Fay, J. McGrath, A. McCabe, P. Coyle, B. Keyes, J. J. Tierney (Captain), E. Fay, B. Gallagher, J. McEnroe, H. O'Reilly, A. Kellegher .
Although Castlerahan were producing outstanding players of County calibre in the thirties the standard of Junior football was very high and it was always difficult to win in a division that usually included Mountnugent and Ballyjamesduff and there were still splinter groups playing games among themselves, the following match result from the early thirties is an indication that all was not well in Castlerahan as far as unification was concerned. Mullamore win. Mullamore team travelled to Eighter on Sunday last where they engaged the locals in a challenge match before a large attendance. It ended in a win for Mullamore 2-0- 0-1. J. McLoughlin was in charge of the whistle and the teams lined out as follows- Mullamore: W. Reilly, Captain; P. Reilly (goal), J. Lynch, M. Reilly, H. Lynch, T. Reilly, P. Reilly, J. Monahan. Eighter: K. Keogan, Captain; J. Flynn, C. Farrelly, T. Hetherton, P. Colwell, P. Cullen, K. Farrell, P. Hetherton. Off course many of the players just mentioned were later to become back bone members of the Club and it may be that they were only juveniles when this match took place.
In 1934 the following committee were appointed at the A.G.M. in Castlerahan Hall. President, James Keerey; Vice-President, P. Flynn; Treasurer, Paddy Flynn; Secretary, J. H. Brady. Rep. to County Committee, J. Nugent, Capt. P. Brady, other members included, P. J. Brady, P. Clarke, H. Dolan, P. Gaynor, J. Timmins, T. Nugent, T. Callen, C. Smith, P. Smith, P. Gerrity, N.T. and J. Lynch. Mr. P. Clarke on behalf of the committee complimented the Secretary, James Brady for his hard work throughout the year. In May 1934 the following notice appeared in the Anglo Celt under the heading New Park for Ballyjamesduff. Mr . James Brady has come to the rescue of the local Gaels by setting them a suitable field which will be converted into one of the best pitches in the county, the footballers are giving their spare time in the work of preparation. Some weeks later the following match report appeared in the Anglo Celt. Castlerahan's Close Call. At the new park, Ballyjamesduff on Sunday last a large crowd witnessed an exciting game between the home team and Castlerahan, the result was a win for the visitors 1-4- 1-3. It was most appropriate that the two clubs who are now one played the first game on what has since then been the Ballyjamesduff ground and since 1961 is regarded as Castlerahan's home ground.
Following Ballyjamesduff's victory in 1936 Castlerahan strove hard to equal their neighbours success, however they did not reach a county final until 1940 when they appeared in the Junior Final against Mullahoran. The Anglo Celt reporting on the match state: Mullahoran proved their right to the title and trophy by defeating Castlerahan in a game which was marked by the splendid sporting spirit of every player taking part and by their supporters who assembled in large numbers to witness the final test of this competition. The failure of the Castlerahan forwards to avail of their chances was the deciding factor between two sides who were evenly matched and gave it everything they had. The final score was; Mullahoran 2- 7, Castlerahan 1-4.
The teams lined out as follows -Mullahoran; V. Gannon, H. Beglin, A. Ward, Brian Reilly, P. Smith, Jas Reilly, H. P. Briody, Tom Halton, Willy Halton, Tom Reilly, (Drumcorr), Tommy Reilly (Captain), Paul Briody, Jas Maguire, Willy, Danny Brady. Castlerahan: E. Flanagan, J. Monahan, Pat Brady (Captain), N. Cahil, P. Heerey, P. Conaty, C. Smith, Paddy Brady, Tommy Reilly, Eddy McKiernan, P. Dolan, Nick Cunningham, Jim Reilly, J. P. Reilly, P. Coleman.
The remaining war years were as noticeable for the success of the county senior teams as they were for the failure of the Castlerahan and Ballyjamesduff Clubs and the only thing to excite football followers was the arrival to the county panel of the very youthful Tony Tighe. Tighe was a Ballyjamesduff man who had made the county senior team when still a boy and was on the panel when Roscommon beat Cavan in the 1944 semi final. Scoreline, Roscommon 5-8, Cavan 1-5. This was his first semi final but he later played in the semi finals and finals of' 45, ' 47, ' 48, '49, '52, winning three All Ireland medals in the process. 1947 was an exciting time for those privileged to be living in or around Ballyjamesduff at the time, when the Ulster Championship of that year commenced two local lads were holding their positions on the county team, Tony Tighe and Norbert Reilly. When Cavan reached the Ulster final they decided to get in some full time training and chose Byers Imperial Hotel, Ballyjamesduff as their base. Having disposed of holders Antrim in the Ulster final they returned to Ballyjamesduff to prepare for the semi-final and another tilt at Roscommon. Roscommon had a very experienced side the bulk of which had contested the '43, '44 and '46 finals. The Connaught champions must have been very confident having beaten Cavan in their two previous championship meetings. However there was more at stake than a place in the All Ireland final. Central Council had in the spring of that year acceded to a request from New York G.A.A. to play that years final in The Polo Grounds, New York. So in the Semi Finals that year the teams were actually playing for their passage to America. It is generally agreed that the deciding score of the game came in the twenty eighth minute of the second half when with Cavan leading by a single point Ballyjamesduff's most famous footballer, "Tighe" soloed through from midfield before unleashing a rocket-like shot from thirty yards out to the corner of the Roscommon net. Actually the ball hit the stanchion and rebounded into play. Luckily for Cavan the umpire had seen what happened and raised the goal flag, so the boys in blue had their passage booked for America. Victory in the Polo Grounds and the defeat of Mayo the following year caught the imagination of the young boys around the town of Ballyjamesduff .Every young lad knew the county player and spent hours watching the twice daily training sessions in the local field as well as keeping a high profile around the hotel corner, every street and every town land had a team of school boys and many games were played on the barrack field where St. Joseph's Hall now stands. Many fine young players emerged as a direct result of all the practising and playing, amongst the better prospects were Michael West, James Rothwell, Joe Lynch, James Flanagan, Paddy McBreen, Sean and Dessie Soden, Jjm Murphy, Noel Dolan, Thomas Dolan, Paul and Tony Clerkin, Paddy Gormley, Patsy Lynch, Sean and Ken Duncan. Unfortunately Ballyjamesduff in the early fifties was not an easy place to gain employment with the result that many fine young players left for England. Some young lads did find jobs and were loyal to the home club and continued to play for Ballyjamesduff right up to 1960 the last year before the present club was founded. Many students of our games believe the loss of James Rothwell, Michael West, James Flanagan and the Dolan brothers were a severe loss not only to the club but probably to the county as well. Rothwell had already made his name as a brilliant county minor in 1951 and West was regarded at sixteen as comparable to Tighe at that age. He had a fine physique, brilliant speed plus an ability to shoot with either foot. Once again the split came and the two areas went back to field junior teams without much success until 1959 when Mountnugent failed to affiliate a team and a number of their players joined with Castlerahan. The arrival of players like Tom Lynch and Barney Garry were just what the doctor ordered. On June 24th, 1959, Castlerahan met and beat their traditional rivals from Ballyjamesduff in the divisional final on a score line of 1-5- 0-2. In the semi-finals Cootehill were their victims, final score Castlerahan 2-7, Cootehill 1-9. As in 1936 when Ballyjamesduff took the title Drumlane had qualified for the final by beating a Cavan Gaels team in the other semi-final, final score Drumlane 2-8, Cavan Gaels 2-2. In the final Castlerahan took their chances and brilliant play by Batty McEnroe at full forward created the opening of S. Heerey and P. Brennan and Castlerahan led at half time 3-3 -1-1. Although Drumlane tightened up considerably in the second half Castlerahan maintained their eight points advantage almost to the end when the scoreboard read Castlerahan 3-6, Drumlane 2-2. The teams lined out as follows, Castlerahan: Kit Brady, J. Smith, V. Cahill, P. Lynch, T. Carroll, P. Smith, Sean Keogan, Noel Smith, Jim Farrelly (Captain), Patsy Brennan, Tom Lynch, Barney Garry, S. Heerey, Bat tie McEnroe, Gerry Brady. Drumlane: D. Long, Tony Brady, H. Sheridan, F. McKiernan, S. McConnell, S. Flood, W. Murphy, G. Cassidy, B. Sheridan, Sean Guider, Frank Kennedy, A. Corrigan, M. Gorman, S. O'Reilly, J. J. Galligan, Pat Sheridan.
Both Castlerahan and Ballyjamesduff had their final flings as separate identities in 1960 when amongst the players for Ballyjamesduff were, A. Brady, Norbert Reilly, Hugh Doherty, Andy Rothwell, Joe Doherty, Dessie Soden, Sean Soden, Connie Colwell, Kevin Mullen, Paul Clerkin, Michael Reilly, Eugene Reilly. In 1961 the present club was formed under the chairmanship of Father Michael O'Reilly who continued as chairman until 1973. It is a tribute to Fr. O'Reilly's leadership that the two factions were kept together but although success was slow enough to come the prospects always seemed good. Fr. O'Reilly was a great supporter of schools football and continuously brought teams from the parish to the final stages of the U-14 league. Cavan De la Salle were the kingpins of school football in those days and defeat was often the lot of the local boys. The first breakthrough came in 1964 when a very strong 'U-16' team took the county title when they defeated Killeshandra 2-4 -2-2. J. Dwyer 1-4 and J. J. Hetherton 1-0 scored for Castlerahan who lined out as follows: Eugene Brady, Owen Tighe, Michael Tighe, Jack Hetherton, Tommy Gormley, P. Farrelly, Norbert Coyle, Jimmy Fay (Captain), J. Heary, P. Gilson, John Dwyer, N. Reilly, J. J. Hetherton, Liam Murray, V. Smith. Subs S. Boylan for Smith, T. Rothwell for Murray, Smith for Boylan. In 1964 Junior championship, Mountnugent beat Castlerahan on their way to winning the title. Then towards the end of the year John Nallen took up a position in the local branch of The Ulster Bank. The arrival of Nallen had the same effect on the youth of the area as had Tom McNicholas thirty years earlier. A player of vast experience having played inter-county with Galway and Meath as well as his native Mayo, John soon had the youthful Castlerahan squad practising and when Ballyjamesduff won the tidy towns competition in 1965 the influx of industry to the town as a result helped greatly in reducing emigration. Seamus McMahon took up employment in the West End Garage and when Norta Wallpaper opened their factory Cathal Flynn, a well known Leitrim and Connaught footballer, was part of the management there. As the 1965 football season progressed the local team found themselves in strong contention for Junior Championship honours. In the semi-final they met Butlersbridge at Breffni Park and after a shaky first half display, were being led at half time 1-3- 0-2. The bridge midfield collapsed in the second half and with Nallen 1-5 McMahon and J. Dwyer in top form Castlerahan ran out easy winners 1-7 -1-3. Apart from the above mentioned: Noel Smith, Noel McCabe, Tony Cahill, Des Cahill, Sean Flynn, Joe Boylan were outstanding for the winners.
The teams lined out as follows -Castlerahan: Searl Soden, Paddy Sweeney, Tony Cahill, Sean Flynn, Joe Boylan, Dessie Cahill, Gerry Brady, Noel Smith, Noel McCabe, Seamus McMahon, Michael Smith, P. Wright, P. Lynch, John Nallen, J. Dwyer. Butlersbridge: P. Dunne, L. Smith, T. Smith, J. Sheanon, M. Reilly, F. Reilly, S. Brogan, B. Myles, R. Dunne, T. Sheridan, C. Smith, T. Smith, J. Cusack, K. Browne, E. O'Reilly.
On Sunday October 10th, Castlerahan met Killinkere who were contesting their third Junior final in succession. Castlerahan served up a fast and intelligent brand of football and while the forwards missed a number of scoring chances in the first half they made amends in the last quarter with Nallen the main architect of a good fight back. During the hour the tackling was rough and in the second half Killinkere had a player sent off after a dangerous tackle. The half time score was three points each. Nallen 2 and Wright scoring for Castlerahan in the second half, two goals from J. Dwyer and points from Nallen 2, McMahon 2, Wright 1 and Smith 2, left the full time score Castlerahan 2-10, Killinkere 0-8. The winners lined out as follows: J. Boylan, N. Smith, P. Wright, S. McMahon, N. McCabe, M. Smith, J. Dwyer, J. Nallen (Captain), J. Fay. Killinkere line out: T. Sharkey, J. Smith, K. Trainor, J. Ledwith, P. Smith, E. Sheridan, N. Smith, M. Sexton, J. Stafford, J. Kerr, P. Sharkey, M. Lynch (Captain), J. Smith, Jimmy Smith, John Smith. There were great celebrations in Ballyjamesduff where a huge bonfire blazed on the town square and supporters sang and danced on the streets. At the county convention in 1966 it was decided to start a championship for the strong junior teams and weak senior teams, it was to be called the intermediate championship. When it came to Intermediate final time that year, Castlerahan were there and their opponents were Arva. The Anglo Celt report on the match states, although Arva put up a determined challenge the result was never in doubt and the experience and all round balance of the Castlerahan team was very much in evidence especially when Arva threatened. Although Castlerahan were short five of their normal team once they settled they set a brisk pace and led at half time by nine points. Arva came more strongly for a while in the second half but Nallen roused his team again and they eventually won by ten points 1-14 -0- 7.
Castlerahan line out: S. Soden, P. Sweeney, T. Cahill, S. Flynn, P. Lynch, D. Cahill, J. Boylan, J. Fay, J. Brady, S. McMahon, J. Dwyer, M. Smith, E. Tighe, J. Nallen, J. J. Hetherton. 1967 saw Castlerahan back in Senior Ranks but they failed to make an impact but in 1968 they went all the way to the Senior Championship Final where they met their great rivals and neighbours Crosserlough who were going for three in a row. The final was played on the 10th October and Castlerahan dominated the game for long periods but a failure to get the necessary scores kept the game close and in the final quarter the champions pulled out and completed their hat trick of Senior titles amongst the stars for Crosserlough that day were Crotty and Donohue in defence, Byers and O'Hara had their moments at midfield while J. J. O'Reilly, the Cusack brothers and P. Boyle were always dangerous in attack. For the losers, Boylan, Flynn, Brady, Fay and J. Reilly were in top form in defence, Smith and Wright won enough possession to take the title but Smith was badly off the mark with a number of scoring attempts which in the long run was the deciding factor. The Castlerahan selectors were blamed for losing the game as they had a strong panel of subs but failed to use even one of them. Following the 1968 final a move was made to establish a Junior team in Munterconnaught whose players had been involved with the Castlerahan club for a number of years indeed without the Castlerahan involvement it is extremely doubtful if they would have had the makings of a team at all but Fr. Michael 0' Reilly the Castlerahan chairman made it a point to bring their school boys to play for what was then a parish team and in 1968 they eventually won a schoolboys title, in that team there were at least four from the Munterconnaught school area including team captain Gerry Hetherton. The resulting loss to Castlerahan was immense as a number of Senior players were forced to leave to play for the new club formed in 1969.
However Castlerahan continued to field a team in Senior ranks for the next four or five years but they were always beaten in the Championship by Crosserlough who went on to take seven Senior titles in a row. In 1969 the Senior league was not finished until 1970 and Castlerahan qualified to meet Lacken in the final which was played on Sunday, May 9th. On the previous Sunday Castlerahan failed in a 1970 league match in Ballyjamesduff against St.Joseph's, that result did not augur well for their prospects in the league final but on a wet miserable day in Breffni Park, Castlerahan played extremely well and ran-out easy winners, 3-8 -1-6. The team that day was Gerry Brady, J. Boylan (Capt.), T. Cahill, S. Flynn, J. Reilly, J. Fay, D. Cahill, P. Wright, M. Smith, Shem Reilly, J. Brady, 0. Brady, J. J. Hetherton, Fintan Cronin, J. Dwyer. That was the end of the glory days for Castlerahan by 1974 they had dropped to Intermediate. They qualified for the final of this group in 1978 and again in 1982 but were beaten by Mullahoran and Killinkere respectively. They were also runners up to Drumalee in 1978 division 2 league. Around 1973 County board allowed neighbouring clubs to amalgamate for senior Championship. Munterconnaught joined forces with Castlerahan in 1975 for this purpose and were defeated by Cuchullains in 1976 they took the competition by storm defeating Annagh and Drumalee on their way to the Semi Final where they once again met Crosserlough. Crosserlough started as if they were once again going to come out on top but once the amalgamated side (St. Mary's) clicked into action they strode to a clear victory on a score line 2-11 -1-6. The final was fixed for the following Sunday against Ballyhaise who dominated for a good part of the game but an inspired substitution which brought Matt Galligan into midfield for the final ten minutes swung the game St. Mary's way and they finally won 0-12- 0-9. St. Mary's lined out as follows: Oliver Dwyer, Michael Doherty, Jack Hetherton, Michael Hetherton, Johnnie Kerrigan, Michael Plunkett, Seamus Kiernan, Mat tie Hetherton, Jack Stanley, Sean Brady, J . Dwyer, Tony Brady, Gerry Hetherton, Dessie Cahill, Shane Moynagh, Matie Cahill. St. Mary's were again prominent in '77 when they went all the way to the final but on this occasion Cavan Gaels proved too sharp for them. Through the later seventies and early eighties the Castlerahan flag was kept flying at county level by Tony Brady who was a regular member of the County Senior panel for six or seven years and played in two Ulster finals. A feature of Castlerahan football has been the amount of top class under age teams it has produced over the years. Titles have been won in every grade with the exception of the minor championship. After the victory of the 'U 16' in 1964, the U-14s won the county title in 1968 and 1969 and the same players contested the under 16 finals of 1970 and 1971 winning in 1971 having lost to a strong Oliver Plunketts side in 1970. The following players were involved in most of the games over that period: Oliver Doherty, Paddy Colgan, Gerry Hetherton, P. Keogan, Philip Brady, Tony Brady. In 1975 they won their first Minor League, beating Cavan Gaels 2-7- 0-3. This was a very strong Minor team and no less than five of them were in the Senior panel that won the following years Senior Championship, included in the seventy five line out were Gerry and Michael Doherty, Tony and Noel Brady, Peter and Leo Tuite, Dermot Flaherty , Philip Magee, Noel Flanagan, Ronnie Smith, P. D. Gilsenan, J. Boylan. In 1978 a strong Kingscourt team were favourites to win the under 12 title but a Castlerahan team featuring Thomas Smith, Donagh Shaffrey and team captain Darren Brady R.I.,P., out shone the stars and took another cup to Ballyjamesduff.
In '82 the under fourteen squad took the first championship run by the schools board having lost the league final to Bailieborough. The 'U 16' won the '82 league and were unlucky not to repeat the win in centenary year '84 when they lost to Lurgan in the final. 1987 was the greatest in the club's history. A fine under 12 side beat Killeshandra to take the Roinn B title. The under 16 team did likewise beating Crosserlough in a fine league final 1-9- 1-8 and two senior teams also took titles. The Junior Championship was won by beating Killygarry in the final, while the Junior B team won the league title Division 3 A by beating Cornafean in the final. Another Minor League title was won in 1988 when once again St. Mary's beat Crosserlough in an under age final. However Crosserlough seem to have the indian sign on them as far as the Minor Championship is concerned and St. Mary's failed to the same opposition in 1988 and 1989. Crosserlough taking the title on both occasions. 1990 saw Castlerahan contest the finals of both the League and Championship in under 16 Roinn C. Losing the League final by a single point to Belturbet but defeating Cuchullains in the Championship decider, if one can judge those young lads on the basis of the skill shown then, players like John Flynn, Jimmy Reilly, Brian Mulvey, Andy Lynch and others the future of Castlerahan is assured. So far things are shaping up well.
The League and Championship team in 1987 were the following: Junior Final, Castlerahan, 1-8, Killygarry 0-7: Morgan O'Flaherty, Michael Farrelly, Gerry Doherty, Sean Cusack, Liam McCabe, Michael Doherty, Andrew Farrelly, Gabriel Brady ( Captain) , Finbarr Brady, Donagh Shaffrey, Tony Brady, Sean Brady, Kevin Delaney, Shem ReilIy, Harry Reilly. Subs: Ronan McCabe and Andrew Brady.
The 1988 Minor League winning team was as follows: Ciaran O'Rourke, Peter McSherry, Brian Smith (Captain) RIP, Pat Lynch, David Rudden, Fintan McEnroe, Declan Hetherton, Daragh McCabe, Enda Yore, Kevin Delaney, Mark Carroll, Paul Staunton, Brian Mclnerney, Gerry Cronin, Fintan Reilly. Subs., Declan Cahill, Gerry Fitzpatrick, Danny DaIy.
The strong showing of the Castlerahan Club in under-age competitions can be attributed to the hard work of teachers Morgan O'Flaherty and Paddy Sweeney especially in the sixties and seventies, and more recently to Fintan Cronin, Vincent Maguire, Larry Clarke, Kit McBride.
To be continued ….