This season the Masonite senior football championship took on a new format with a record sixteen clubs vying for the Fenagh Perpetual Cup. For the first time a round robin system came into operation in the opening round, with the sixteen teams participating divided into four groups of four. The groups were competitive with Aughavas, Melvin Gaels, Allen Gaels and Gortletter-agh qualifying for the semi-finals.

In the opening semi-final, Aughavas proved their true worth with an impressive win over a strong North Leitrim side, Melvin Gaels which included in their ranks such outstanding players as the Phelan brothers, Garret Foley, Colin Regan and the Tiffoney’s all members of the Leitrim senior county panel.

Allen Gaels were expected to come through in the second semi-final against Gort-letteragh, and indeed were installed as favourites to win the competition outright.

However, Gortletteragh had other ideas on this occasion, and produced one of their best championship displays ever to completely dominate the Drumshanbo side, and ran out convincing winners in the end.

On this display, few teams in the county would live with them, as they looked the complete side in far from ideal conditions. Their side with a nice mixture of youth and experience seems to have gelled well together over this championship run, and young players such as Mark Heslin, the Kellegher brot-hers, Padraig McGarry, Michael Dorrigan and Conan Clarke seemed to have found their feet in senior ranks, and on current form are enjoying the experience.

They are also blessed in having in their ranks some of the most experienced clubmen in the county in former county stars, Frank Flynn and Shane Heslin, while others like Sean Colreavy and Thomas McGovern have worked hard over the years in search of championship glory, and are determined to finish this season with championship honours.

hurling in the county

Few will forget the tremendous contribution of the Doorigans to both hurling and football in club and county over the years, and indeed one of the Doorigan brothers, Joe is currently a selector with the senior team.

They have also been equally successful on the football front winning five senior championship titles, four senior leagues and one Winter League, their last senior title coming in 1987.

Their best-known player at present is current Leitrim senior county team captain, Seamus Quinn, who won an All-Star award in 1994 at full-back on the Leitrim senior team that won Connacht S.F.C. honours that season. He was recently honoured with selection on the Irish team who played Australia in two tests in the Compromise Rules Series which were played at Croke Park.

According to team-manager Aiden Kellegher the Gortlet-teragh side have improved in every game this season, and have impressed many with the quality of their play. Winning games regularly has improved the consistency of the team, and now they are looking forward to Sunday’s county final with a fair degree of confidence.

They are expecting a tough competitive game from their opponents, Aughavas on this Sunday, and Kellegher feels there won’t be a lot between the sides in the end.

“It will all depend on which side rises to the occasion,’’ added Aiden, “and he has confidence in his players that they have the ability to finish the job this Sunday.’’

At the commencement of the championship few gave the current Aughavas side any hope of reaching the final. They were grouped in a division that included reigning senior champions, Glencar-Manorhamilton, Kiltubrid and Mohill, and weren’t expected to gain one of the two places to the knock-out stages of the competition.

However, under a new management structure and greater effort and commitment to training and preparations by the players they surprised many, and remained unbeaten in their group, taking the prize scalps of Mohill, champions Glencar/Manor-hamilton and Kiltubrid along the way.

In the quarter-final they were paired against their ‘bogey side’ Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins in Cloone, and once again they showed their battling qualities by winning through by a narrow margin. This was the Aughavas clubs first senior championship win over the famed O’Heslin in over forty years, and the win and the way it was achieved was a great confidence booster all round.

Melvin Gaels surprise con-querors of last seasons beaten finalists, Fenagh stood between Aughavas and a place in the decider. This was a game that was expected to go ‘down to the wire’ as both teams seemed evenly matched. And this prediction was to prove correct as the teams battled for supremacy over the hour, with the greater accuracy and scoring power of the Aughavas side the real difference in the end.

Now Aughavas were back in a senior decider once again, determined to erase the memories of their disappointing display in the ‘97 decider when Allen Gaels proved too strong and experienced for them. Incidentally, the team on that occasion was managed by former Fermanagh and Ulster star, Peter McGinnity who went on to manage the Leitrim county side for a short time after-wards.

Aughavas are a small rural club bordering counties Cavan and Longford, and the nearest town is Carrigallen. They too, have a proud football tradition winning eight senior championships in all, the last being in 1966. They have also won the senior league twice, intermediate championship three times and the intermediate league on three occasions also.

The best-known players of the current squad are current county player, Fintan McBrien who is the captain of the side; Adrian Charles who although only 22 years has played with distinction with the county at all levels from under-16 right up to senior ranks.

However, the player that has epitomised all that is best about Aughavas football down the years is the team’s current vice-captain, Padraig McLoughlin. A former member of the Leitrim senior county team, and one of the heroes of the Connacht championship winning side of ‘94, McLoughlin has been playing some of his best football ever this season, and along with Fintan McBrien has been the sides main marksman in this championship campaign.

Others who have figured prominently over the season for the club include defenders Seamus Colreavy, Enda McNamara and Barry McKiernan, while in midfielder, Damien Smyth they have a player who has the ability to be a match-winner on his day. Up front, players such as Colin McKiernan, Seamus and Raymond McBrien and Kevin Keegan have the ability to unlock the best of defences on their day.

Interestingly, there are a number of brothers involved with the present Aughavas squad. Pride of place goes to the five McBriens – Fintan, Seamus, Peter, Raymond and Noel; the Charles’ Adrian and Philip; the McLoughlin’s Padraig and Tomas; the Mc-Kiernan’s Barry and Colin, and the Bohan’s, David, Ciaran and Martin, and few teams in the country could point to having so many brothers in their ranks.

According to their team-manager, and a man well versed in Leitrim football, P. J. Carroll his charges have worked hard and long over the season, and are getting their just rewards for the efforts put in by all since last February 14th, when they commenced training. He was more than pleased with their commitment and effort over the season, and he has confidence they will do themselves justice on Sunday.

Carroll was quick to point out the effort put in by his fellow selectors, Charlie McCabe and well-known inter-county referee, Sean McCartin. He added: “It is very much a team effort from all concerned – management, players and indeed, the club committee especially their Club Chairman, Pat Charles.’’

“There is a great pride in representing the club at county final stage, and everyone has contributed to the success so far attained,’’ said the Cavanman Carroll.

On the actual outcome of the game on Sunday, Carroll was of the opinion it was a hard one to call. “Both teams have been impressive all the way to this final, and while Gort-letteragh were convincing winners in their semi-final game with Allen Gaels, which will make them favourites on Sunday, the outcome could well depend on which team settles first and takes their scoring opportunities.’’

“The weather conditions will also have a vital bearing on the outcome, as the physically stronger Gortletteragh side would be much more at home in the heavy conditions,’’ he added.

He was expecting a good game of football, weather conditions prevailing, as both sides have a healthy respect for each other. On the day players such as Seamus Quinn, Mark Heslin or the experienced Frank Flynn could prove the difference for Gortletteragh, but they in Aughavas have their own potential match-winners in Fintan McBrien, Padraig McLoughlin, Diarmuid Smith or Adrian Charles among others.

The sides have already met this season in the senior league at the Aughavas venue, and on that occasion Gortletteragh were leading entering the second-half by seven points, but were pipped in the end by a late goal from Colin McKiernan.

“I would settle for a similar result on Sunday,’’ added Carroll, “but Aiden Kellegher and his team no doubt, will have something to say about that.’’

This year’s Masonite senior football championship apart from the introduction of a round-robin system for the first time ever, will be particularly memorable as it marks the first championship of the new millennium, and a prize that will cap a memorable season for either Aughavas or Gortletteragh.

IT was a fairytale ending for the small parish of Aughavas on the Borders of Cavan and Longford when they bridged a 34-year gap when comprehensively capturing the Leitrim senior football title at wind-swept Pairc Sean MacDiarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon on Sunday last. It was the clubs ninth senior title, and the first since way back in 1966, and the excitement amongst their large following, some of whom travelled from as far away as United States and England showed how much it meant to them that the ‘Fenagh Cup’ was back again in a former Leitrim football stronghold.

It was a clinical performance from the Aughavas side, especially in the second-half when they outplayed their Gortletteragh opponents, who had high hopes of taking the honours, especially after holding their opponents to a single point lead at the ‘break’, 0-4 to 0-3.

Leitrim S.F.C. Final, 2000 for Aughavas. Thirty-four year gap ended in style

However, pre-match favour-ites Gortletteragh failed to score during the second-half although they had the advantage of a strong wind – as Aughavas inspired by ‘man of the match’ Padraig McLough-lin, team-captain, Fintan McBrien and towering full-back, Adrian Charles completely dominated the exchanges.

It was definitely not a day conducive to good open football, with the pitch cutting up after the minor decider which was the curtain-raiser. Despite this, both teams were determined to make it a special day, and to their credit they produced a game that despite the one-sidedness of the score-line was competitive right to the very end.

Being a local derby clash there was keen interest in the outcome not alone in the respective parishes but throughout the county and further afield. Indeed, it was a tribute to both clubs that they could command such a good support on such an atrocious day for football, and it must question the wisdom of the Leitrim Co. Board playing their ‘blue riband’ fixture so late in the season. No doubt, they will have learned from this experience, as on a better day weather-wise there definitely would have been a much larger attendance at this decider.

Aughavas won the toss, and decided to play with the advantage of a strong wind in the opening half. It took some minutes before both sides settled down, although in the early stages as expected the Aughavas side were dominating the exchanges.

However, the Gortletteragh side stuck to a defensive game plan with their half-forwards dropping back deep, and helping out their defence. It curtailed the supply of good ball going into the Aughavas dangerman, Fintan McBrien, and forced them to come outfield for the ball. The opening scores of the game were an exchange of points from Fintan McBrien and Frank Flynn. Indeed, in the tenth minute after an interception around midfield, Gortletteragh’s full-forward Terry Kelleher almost got through for a goal – a score that could well have put a different complexion on the game.

As the half progressed Gort-letteragh – who were expec-ted to dominate the midfield sector through the towering presence of former All-Star Seamus Quinn – failed to control this vital sector as Damien Smith and Eamonn Heslin held sway, while full-back, Adrin Charles was outstanding in defence.

And still Aughavas continued to dominate the half, but this dominance was not showing on the scoreboard, and it was a worried team-manager P. J. Carroll and his side who trooped off at the interval with their side only leading by a single point – 0-4 to 0-3 and with it all to play for in the second-half.

Gortletteragh for their part were delighted with their efforts in that opening half. Their plan of containment worked a treat, and they also capitalised on defensive mistakes and breakaways to put three points on the board from Mark Heslin and Padraig McGarry.

Few, other than their loyal supporters gave Aughavas much hope of eventual success going into the second-half. All the ‘plusses’ were with the Gortletteragh side, and this second-half was down to a test of character for the Aughavas side. They had a similar experience in their last county senior final in ‘97, but on that occasion against a talented Allen Gaels side they were found wanting.

This was the rallying call in the dressing-room at the interval, and when Gortletteragh expected them to go on the defensive, the Aughavas did the opposite and took the game to their opponents. They played more possession football in the opening minutes of the second-half, and with Padraig McLoughlin and the McBrien brothers, Fintan and Seamus running at the Gotletteragh defence the scores began to flow. Two tremendous points from McLoughlin and Damien Smith within two minutes of the restart signalled the Aughavas sides intentions, and even at this early stage in the half the Gortletteragh side were clearly unsettled.

With a cushion of a three points lead, the Aughavas side grew in confidence, and try as they might Gortletteragh just couldn’t get a grip on the game. The Gortletteragh mentors ‘threw caution to the wind’ and introduced a number of substitutes to disrupt the Aughavas supremacy with team-captain and former Leitrim county star, Shane Heslin coming in to bolster the midfield sector. For a five minute period midway through the half they put the winners defence under the kosh, but with Adrian Charles, Willie Casey and Seamus Colreavy in outstanding form, there was no way through the Aughavas defence on this occasion for a morale-boosting goal.

Indeed, some of the high-fielding and overall defensive play of Aughavas full-back, Adrian Charles was a treat to watch and his mighty clearance were an inspiration to his colleagues.

As the match drifted into the final quarter, Aughavas got on top again, and sensing victory they added further points from Damien Smith, Kevin Keegan and Padraig McLoughlin (2) to run out comfortable winners in the end.

A great team performance was the verdict on this Aughavas success. In goals, Diarmuid Brady was cool under pressure, and his kick-outs especially against the wind was of the highest order. As already stated, Adrian Charles had a fine game at full-back while corner-backs, Seamus Colreavy and Enda McNamara were never found wanting, with Colreavy blotting out the Gortletteragh dangerman, Mark Heslin. After an unsteady opening half, all three half-backs Barry Kiernan, Willie Casey and Philip Charles turned in excellent performances, with Casey in the centre making some great clearances.

The real bonus for the winners was the excellent form of midfielder, Eamonn Heslin and Damien Smith. Smith dominated the area for long periods and contributed 2 points to the winners tally. Heslin on the otherhand, was pitted against former All-Star Seamus Quinn and surprised many with the quality of his performance.

In attack, Padraig McLough-lin and Fintan McBrien were the key men, as has been the case all season, but on this occasion they were greatly helped by Seamus McBrien having his best game of the season, Raymond McBrien, Colin McKiernan and Kevin Keegan. Indeed, sub, Tomas McLoughlin also did his part when introduced for the in-jured Raymond McBrien late in the game.

Gortletteragh to their credit battled right to the end, and came away from this final with a lot of credit. On the day they were beaten by a stronger all-round side, al-though players such a Derek Kellegher, Padraig McGarry and Stephen Reilly tried hard in defence. Seamus Quinn had his moments at midfield , while in attack only Michael Doorigan, Sean Colreavy (especially in the opening half) and Terry Kelleher caused any real threat to a confident Aughavas defence.

Team-captain, Shane Heslin when introduced into the fray early in the second-half tried to rally his troops, but on this occasion it wasn’t to be.

Aughavas – D. Brady; S. Colreavy, A. Charles, E. McNamara; Barry McKiernan Willie Casey, P. Charles; D. Smith, E. Heslin; Seamus Mc-Brien, Padraig McLoughlin, Kevin Keegan; Raymond McBrien, Fintan McBrien, C. McKiernan.

Sub: Tomas McLoughlin for Raymond McBrien (injured).

Gortletteragh – C. Clarke; D. Mitchell, Derek Kelleher, S. Reilly; Martin Duffy, Padraig McGarry, Colm Mitchell; S. Quinn, Michael Dorrigan, M. Quinn; Frank Flynn, Terry Kelleher, Mark Heslin.

Subs used: Shane Heslin for Martin Quinn; S. Dorrigan for Mark Heslin; D. Duignan for Frank Flynn and C. McDonnell for David Mitchell.