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 Match Reports 2000 & 2001

2001 Cornafean v Killeshandra    Cornafean v Drumalee   Cornafean v Lavey Cornafean v Castlerahan

The Cornafean footballers concluded their 2001 Intermediate Championship campaign on a winning note when they overcame neighbours Killeshandra in a tightly-contested relegation playoff . The final score was Cornafean 2-8 Killeshandra 0-12. This was a vital win for Cornafean as it means that they have now retained their place in the Intermediate Championship next year.

The decisive scores in this game were a brace of Cornafean goals in the first half. The first came in the 14th minute when Thanasie Kaldanis collected a high incoming ball at the edge of the square, evaded his marker and shot to the back of the net from a very tight angle. 

This goal, Thanasie's fourth in as many championship games this year, came at a vital stage of the game for Cornafean, as they trailed by four points to no score. Aided by the breeze, Killeshandra had made all the running in the opening stages. Niall Corcoran opened their account on their first attack after 2 minutes and Justin Hayes followed this with a point from a close-in free, after Cornafean had missed a couple of chances at the other end. J. Sorohan extended Killeshandra's lead with two well-taken points in quick succession.

Referee Packie Smith (Killygarry

The Cornafean footballers failed in their bid for a place in the quarter-finals of the Cavan Intermediate Championship when they went down by 0-15 to 1-10 to Drumalee in a game played in Ballinagh.

This was an immensely frustrating defeat for Cornafean. The game was won and lost in the first twenty minutes as Cornafean meekly let a young Drumalee side dominate proceedings. After Ciaran O'Reilly (one of Cornafean's best players on the day) opened the Reds' account in the 2nd minute of  play, Cornafean failed to score for another 18 minutes, when Thanasie Kaldanis found the target. In the meantime a rampant Drumalee had scored seven points, and a minor Cornafean comeback before the interval yielded no tangible reward as the opposition led by 0-11 to 0-4 at the break.

Cornafean were revitalised on the restart. Points from Ciaran O'Reilly, Cathal Sheridan and Ciaran McSeain quickly reduced the deficit to four points. Drumalee held their nerve to extend their lead back to six but they were rocked by a great Cornafean goal by Val Sheridan, who fisted an incoming ball from Art McSeain into the Drumalee net on 12 minutes. 

The game was now well within Cornafean's grasp but the story of the last twenty minutes makes depressing reading from a Cornafean viewpoint. During this time, the game degenerated into something of a mess, as Drumalee got the benefit of the doubt in what seemed to be a litany of key refereeing decisions from Ballymachugh middleman Brendan Swee

Angered by several instances of what they viewed as harsh treatment by the referee, too many  Cornafean players appeared to lose confidence and concentration, despite the irony that the game was always well within their reach. Indeed but for a couple of bad wides, the Reds could have been ahead in the latter stages. With normal time ebbing away, the game was held up for a few precious minutes by a couple of instances of minor but pointless theatrics. Cornafean had ample reason to rue the time lost because of these distractions when the final whistle blew with the scoreline reading Drumalee 0-15 Cornafean 1-10.

Cornafean's best displays on this occasion came from Liam Young and Eamon Gaffney in defence, Brian Doyle at centrefield and Ciaran O'Reilly and Thanasie Kaldanis in attack. 

Another long-serving stalwart who made a fine contribution was substitute Seamus Doyle. In the absence of the injured Rory McSeain, Seamus was drafted into the defence for the second half and played well. This was his 20th Championship campaign for Cornafean since he made his first appearance for the clun in 1982 and his contribution to the club, both on and off the field, in the meantime has been immense.

A remarkable three-goal comeback by Cornafean, during which they recovered from an eight point deficit in the last nine minutes was the main talking point among the large attendance at the end of this thrilling Intermediate Championship game played in Plunkett Park, Kilnaleck on Sunday afternoon. With the game entering the closing stages, Lavey seemed set for victory as they led by 3-8 to 0-9, but Cornafean had other ideas and in a brave resurgence, their inventive full-forward line proved much too strong for the Lavey defence. Two goals from Thanasie Kaldanis and another from Val Sheridan dramatically put Cornafean into an unlikely injury-time lead but Lavey stormed back into the game in a grandstand finale with an equalising point from Seamus Donohoe.

Earlier Lavey appeared to hold all the aces as they took control of the game midway through the second half with two goals within three minutes. With matters poised delicately at 1-6 to 0-8, Seamus Donohoe evaded full-back Rory McSeain to set up a gilt-edged goal chance and his strong shot easily beat Cornafean keeper Padraig Smith. Although Cornafean responded almost immediately with a point from Thanasie Kaldanis, Lavey’s Joey Jordan put six points between the sides when took advantage of some loose marking to shoot to the net. Lavey extended their lead with a well-taken point from Sean Donohoe, before Cornafean lost Art McSeain through injury, and the “Hoops” seemed to have the game wrapped up in the 21^st minute when Cathal Donohoe extended their lead to eight points. 

The first half was an evenly-contested affair. Former county star Seamus Donohoe was the inspiration behind two early Lavey moves which yielded points for James Smith and midfielder Sean Maguire, who had a fine game throughout. Art McSeain opened Cornafean’s account from a free on 5 minutes and this heralded a period of sustained Cornafean pressure which yielded a fine point from Val Sheridan and another converted free from McSeain. Seamus Donohoe pointed for Lavey in the 13^th minute only for Val  Sheridan to respond almost immediately at the other end after taking a good pass from his namesake Cathal. Sean Maguire scored a great long-range point for Lavey to leave the scores even at 0-4 each before a period of scrappy play ended with an Art McSeain point for Cornafean on 20 minutes.

Then came the defining moment of the first half.  Seamus Donohoe took a long-range free for Lavey from almost fifty yards out. The ball seemed set to go over the bar but dipped below as it entered the Cornafean square and sailed behind the last line  of Cornafean defence into the net. Lavey failed to capitalise on this break as their forwards were held scoreless in the last eight minutes before the interval. At the other end, points from Val Sheridan and Art McSeain restored Cornafean to parity, with the half-time scoreline reading Lavey 1-4 Cornafean 0-7

Seamus Donohoe edged Lavey ahead again just after the resumption and Art McSeain brought Cornafean level on nine minutes only for Sean Maguire to respond almost immediately after making full use of a great cross from Seamus Donohoe. Lavey now led by 1-6 to 0-8 and they outscored the opposition by 2-2 to 0-1 in a seven-minute purple patch before Cornafean responded magnificently with their three late goals, and ultimately a draw was a fair result in a game that neither side deserved to lose. Ironically, this was the third draw between Cornafean and Lavey in four championship meetings since 1995.

Teams and Scorers

Cornafean

Padraig Smith, Liam Young, Rory McSeain, Eamon Gaffney, Eamon O’Reilly, Michael McGibney, Brian Doyle, Ciaran McSeain, Ciaran O’Reilly, Cathal Sheridan, Val Sheridan (1-3), Thanasie Kaldanis (2-1), Art McSeain (0-5), Rory Geoghegan.

Subs Used Philip Wilson, Brian McCaffrey

 Lavey

James Carolan, Martin Smith, Darren Smith, Declan Smith, Kevin Donohoe, John Dunne, Shane Maguire, David Walsh, Sean Maguire (0-2), Joey Jordan (1-0), Cathal Donohoe (0-1), James Smith (0-1), Paul Brady, Seamus Donohoe (2-5), Ciaran Smith

Referee: Pappy Woods, Cootehill

A late, late scoring burst from Castlerahan was enough to earn them the League points at the expense of Cornafean on Sunday last.  With two minutes left on the clock, the sides were level at 1-10 each before Fionan Callaghan edged Castlerahan ahead with a well-taken point. However, the game still hung in the balance with Cornafean hoping for at least a share of the spoils until Michael Caldwell dramatically scored a last-gasp goal for the visitors.

 Despite the damp and dreary conditions, the large attendance in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain,  Cornafean enjoyed an entertaining and highly competitive game. Castlerahan looked sharper in the opening stages, and David Maguire opened their account in the first minute, but only for Cornafean’s John Reilly to do likewise on Cornafean’s first attack. Fionan Callaghan sent over a good point from the right wing for the visitors on 8 minutes but Cornafean came strongly into the game with Art McSeain converting a free to equalise in the  15^th minute. Cornafean dominated proceedings for a period but it was the visitors who were next to score, through David Maguire, before Ciaran McSeain replied for Cornafean. Castlerahan were boosted on 23 minutes by a great attacking movement which Michael Caldwell finished to the net, but oddly the next three scores were all for Cornafean, each of them coming from the boot of Art McSeain. Castlerahan piled on the pressure just before the break and midfielder John Clarke, who played well throughout the game, restored their lead on the stroke of half time.

 Cornafean started the second half strongly when Art McSeain converted a free within seconds of the restart but Castlerahan enjoyed the better of the exchanges from then on with points from Nigel Duignan and Michael Caldwell (2) putting them into a commanding 1-7 to 0-7 lead with a quarter of an hour remaining. Then Cornafean came to life when a Brian Doyle free found Thanasie Kaldanis in a dangerous position in front of goals, and his strong shot easily beat Charlie Clerkin in the visitors’ goals. Brian Mulvey and Ciaran McSeain swopped points before Thanasie Kaldanis put Cornafean into the lead with a point, with eight minutes left. Michael Caldwell and Sean Brady restored Castlerahan’s lead only for Art McSeain to equalise on 28^th minutes. A draw now seemed a likely result, but Castlerahan had only victory on their minds and their late tally of a goal and a point was the difference between the sides at the end.

Teams

Cornafean Rory Geoghegan, Liam Young, Rory McSeain, Oliver Gormley, Cathal Sheridan, Eamon O’Reilly, Paul Harrington, Brian Doyle, Ciaran Martin, Thanasie Kaldanis, Ciaran McSeain, Brian Caffrey, Philip Wilson, Art McSeain, John Reilly

 Castlerahan  Charlie Clerkin,  Jonathan Lynch, John Flynn, Ourai McBride, D Smith, Paul Brady, Keith McBreen, Sean Brady, John Clarke, Fionan Callaghan, Michael Caldwell, Nigel Duignan, John Caffrey, Brian Mulvey, David Maguire

 Referee Niall McCabe

The footballers of Cornafean bridged a 44-year gap in Breffni Park on Sunday September 3rd when they defeated Drumgoon in a thrilling 2000 Junior Championship Final.

In the final minutes of the game, Drumgoon looked set for victory as they held on to a one point lead, but a last minute goal by Eamon Gaffney shot Cornafean ahead with only seconds left on the clock. Breffni Park erupted in rapturous scenes as Cornafean supporters celebrated, but the manner of their defeat was bitterly disappointing for Drumgoon.

The scoreline read 0-13 to 0-12 in favour of Drumgoon as full-time approached. Cornafean were awarded a free from the 45 metre line which Brian Doyle stepped up to take. Doyle, who had dominated in midfield throughout the game, send the ball narrowly wide. The ball was kicked out and Drumgoon gained possession at midfield. Rory McSéain, however, managed to win the ball back and passed it up to his brother Ciarán McSéain who gave it on to Brian Doyle.

Doyle shot for a point again, hoping to avenge the missed free less than a minute beforehand, but it dropped short. Cornafean defender Eamon Gaffney, whose forays into attack had earlier yielded two points, collected the ball near the end-line, and after a tussle with the Drumgoon goalkeeper and a defender, knocked the ball into the corner of the net.

The match itself had been an enthralling contest. Indeed there was a consensus among most neutrals present that the Junior Final overshadowed the largely one-sided Senior decider, which it preceded. There were never more than two points between the sides, and neither side established a commanding lead until Gaffney’s late Cornafean goal.Drumgoon opened the scoring in the first minute of the game courtesy of a free from Martin Clerkin, and were two ahead by the time wing-back Eamon O’Reilly registered Cornafean’s first score in the ninth minute. Eamon Gaffney levelled the scores with a fine point, after Eamon O’Reilly was the Cornafean’s first scorer and less than a minute later the scoreline was equalised with a point from Eamon Gaffney. Cornafean had two good goal chances in the first half but on both occasions, they failed to score. It was 0-6 to 0-5 to Drumgoon when Philip McDermott tried to widen the gap with a good attempt on goal but it hit the crossbar and hopped the right way, over the bar for a point. The score was level again on the half-hour mark but Drumgoon pulled ahead again before the half-time whistle and led by 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time.

Cornafean’s Art McSeain had been well marshalled by Drumgoon’s full-back Edward Jackson throughout the first half. Jackson was later named "Man of the Match". However, McSeain showed his class on the restart with three unanswered points, within five minutes. Cornafean now led by two. Peter Hand fisted an incoming ball over the bar for Drumgoon before Philip Wilson did likewise at the other end.With 15 minutes gone, the losers were reduced to fourteen men when Philip McDermott was shown a red card for a challenge on Liam Young. Despite this setback, Drumgoon kept their cool, and their determined efforts belied their numerical disadvantage.

Man of the match, Edward Jackson, had a good attempt on goal for Drumgoon but he was fouled. The free was taken by Ian O’Reilly but, unluckily, it hit the post. With five minutes left, Peter Hand reduced the margin to the minimum and then Ian O’Reilly shot over the equaliser. It seemed as if Drumgoon had done enough to win, when Paul McCabe restored their lead in the 29th minute, but Cornafean’s last gasp goal shattered their dreams.The Chairman of the Cavan County Board, George Cartwright, presented the Seán Leddy Memorial Cup to fellow Cornafean man Art McSéain. Accepting the cup, McSeain said that Cornafean had overcome all the odds to take the title. "Injuries, suspensions, you name it, everything happened but in the end, we came good"  he said. He gave full credit to Drumgoon, accepting that many on the Cornafean side thought Drumgoon had it won. "We thought we were dead there but for Gaffney’s goal" he said.This is Cornafean’s third success in the Junior Championship, while they hold a record 20 Senior titles.

CORNAFEAN: Pauric Smith; Liam Young, Rory McSéain, Oliver Gormley; Eamon Gaffney (1-2), Eamon O’Reilly (0-2), Michael McGibney; Ciarán Martin, Brian Doyle (0-2); Cathal Sheridan, Ciarán McSéain, Philip Wilson (0-2); Val Sheridan, Art McSéain (0-3, two from frees), Tanasie Kaldanis (0-1).SUB:- Brian McCaffrey for Val Sheridan.

DRUMGOON: John Reilly; Jimmy O’Reilly (captain), Edward Jackson, Michael Hannon; Seamus Morris, Colm Hannon, Adrian Crossan; Jim McNally, Paul Crossan (0-1); Philip McDermott (0-2), Martin Clerkin (0-2, one from frees), Paul McCabe (0-2); Ian O’Reilly (0-2), Patrick McCabe, Peter Hand (0-4, two from frees).SUBS:- Felim O’Reilly for Seamus Morris and Keith Fannin for Patrick McCabe.

There were great scenes of celebration among Cornafean supporters in Breffni Park on a sunny Saturday evening in August, when Cornafean qualified for the Cavan Junior Championship final by beating Kildallan in a magnificent semi-final game. The large attendance enjoyed a highly entertaining, competitive and sporting encounter, regarded by several neutral observers as one of the best championship games in the county this year.

Kildallan went into the game as warm favourites and went into an early lead, but the form-book was upset in the seventh minute when Cornafean’s Val Sheridan scored a brilliant goal. The young corner-forward collected a pass from Art McSeain, rounded his marker, and shook the Kildallan net with an unstoppable shot. This helped Cornafean lead by a point at half-time, by 1-5 to 0-6. Early second-half scores by Art and Ciaran McSeain put the "Reds" three points ahead, but Kildallan showed their strength by drawing level in the final quarter. A draw appeared on the cards as the final whistle neared, but a late point from Art McSeain put the local team ahead again and they defended well in the dying seconds to earn a narrow victory on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-13.

Among Cornafean’s many stars in this game were Ciaran and Art McSeain, Eamon O’Reilly, Val Sheridan and Brian Doyle.

CORNAFEAN: Pauric Smith; Liam Young, Rory McSéain, Oliver Gormley; Eamon Gaffney, Eamon O’Reilly, Michael McGibney; Ciarán Martin, Brian Doyle; Cathal Sheridan, Ciarán McSéain, Philip Wilson; Val Sheridan, Art McSéain, Anthony Sheridan. SUB:- Thanasie Kaldanis for Anthony Sheridan.

Cornafean booked their place in the Junior Championship semi-finals with a convincing win over Bailieboro in a one-sided quarter-final in Breffni Park. The winners dominated proceedings for much of the first half, and led by 1-6 to 0-1 at the break, helped by a classy goal by Art McSeain. The second half was a tighter affair, but a short Bailieboro resurgence petered out in the latter stages and Cornafean were not flattered by their ten-point winning margin.

Despite the ideal conditions, both teams took some time to settle in a scrappy opening quarter. A number of wides were registered at each end before Art McSeain opened the scoring for Cornafean on 12 minutes with a good point from the left wing. Four minutes later, the Cornafean defence endured a nervous moment when a shot from a Gavin McKay free came off the upright and rebounded into the square before being eventually gathered and cleared to safety. Art McSeain put Cornafean two ahead from a free in the 18th minute, after Brian Doyle had been fouled close to goal. 

McSeain then produced a moment of pure class to score his side’s opening goal. The speedy full forward collected a long-range pass from Ciaran Martin, rounded his marker and hit a powerful shot to the corner of the net. Boosted by McSeain’s goal, Cornafean were now firing on all cylinders, with Ciaran Martin and Brian Doyle well on top at centre field. A Philip Wilson point put Cornafean seven ahead in the 21st minute and Val Sheridan combined well with Ciaran Martin to score a good point two minutes later.Bailieboro opened their account as late as the 26th minute. Full forward Sean Sullivan was fouled in front of goal, and had no difficulty in converting the resulting 21-yard free. Cornafean’s dominance continued, and two further points from Art McSeain left Cornafean in a very strong position at the break.

Bailieboro made a series positional changes at the interval but Cornafean extended their lead six minutes after the restart when Eamon O’Reilly sent over a point after a good solo run upfield by Eamon Gaffney. A Ciaran McSeain point left Bailieboro ten points in arrears, but the town side were then boosted by an opportunist goal by Sean Sullivan. A 21-yard free was blasted into a crowded Cornafean goalmouth, and Sullivan kicked the rebound to the net. Cornafean responded with three points from Art McSeain, two from frees, and the third a soaring long-range shot from the left wing.

The earlier introduction of goalie Francis Clarke into the forward line paid dividends for Bailieboro when he collected a pass from Enda Sheridan to score his side’s second point. Indeed, the industrious Clarke caused quite a few headaches for the Cornafean defence in a lively second-half display. Paul Cooney added another Bailieboro point in the 19th minute, and moments later a powerful shot from the same player looked destined for the Cornafean net, but Padraig Smith produced a magnificent save and parried the ball out for a "45", which was then converted by Clarke.With six minutes remaining, Cooney cut the deficit to six points when he shot over the bar from 30 yards out.

The Bailieboro revival finally ran out of steam in the 28th minute when a quickly-taken Cornafean free found Tanasie Kaldanis at the edge of the Bailieboro goal area and he calmly tapped the ball into the net for his side’s second goal. Cornafean were now well on their way to victory and two further Art McSeain points followed in quick succession before Francis Clarke scored a late consolation point for Bailieboro.

Padraig Smith, Eamon O’Reilly, Eamon Gaffney, Ciaran Martin and Art McSeain were among the stars for Cornafean, who won comfortably without perhaps playing to their full potential. Bailieboro too had many impressive performances, from Francis Clarke, Shane Dillon, Ciaran Galligan, Paul Cooney and Sean Sullivan, among others.

Cornafean Padraig Smith, Liam Young, Rory McSeain, Oliver Gormley, Eamon Gaffney, Eamon O’Reilly (0-1), Michael McGibney, Ciaran Martin, Brian Doyle, Cathal Sheridan, Ciaran McSeain (0-1), Philip Wilson (0-1), Val Sheridan (0-1), Art McSeain (1-9), Tanasie Kaldanis (0-1). Subs Used Anthony Sheridan, Paul Harrington. Killian Tully.

Bailieboro Francis Clarke (0-3), Tony Gregory, Brian Keegan, Michael Clinch, Enda Sheridan, Gareth McCormack, Shane Dillon, Sean Reilly, Ciaran Galligan, Gavin McKay, Philip Dunne, Paul Cooney (0-2), Oliver Clerkin, Sean Sullivan (1-1), Liam McIntyre. Subs Used Tony Reilly, Peter Byrne, Barry McMahon.

Referee Gerry McDermott (Kill)

Cornafean had a single point to spare over Redhills in the first round of the Junior Championship. Conditions in Drumalee were ideal for the game and the large crowd enjoyed a high-scoring and exciting contest.

Redhills started well and dominated the action during the opening ten minutes, at the end of which they led 0-4 to 0-1. Cornafean struggled for some time to stay in touch at centrefield with the lively Redhills pairing of Michael Brides and Ciaran Costello. However, the "Reds" slowly worked their way into the game and a succession of points from Art McSeain brought the sides level by the 22nd minute.

Points from Ciaran Costello and Paul Gumley edged Redhills into a two-point lead before Tanasie Kaldanis scored Cornafean’s first goal. Kaldanis skilfully collected a high incoming ball from Eamon Gaffney, and shot powerfully to the net from point-blank range. Redhills responded immediately with a point from Adrian Fizpatrick and took the lead with another from Gary Smith, just before the break.

There was little between the sides in the early stages of the second half. Cornafean led by 1-8 to 0-10 after 10 minutes but three Redhills scores in as many minutes put them into a two-point lead. Art McSeain and Paul Reilly exchanged scores before Brian Doyle steadied Cornafean with a point on 18 minutes. Two minutes later, the game’s turning point came when Tanasie Kaldanis scored his second goal for Cornafean. Eamon Gaffney extended Cornafean’s lead to three points with an accurate shot from the left wing, but Andrew McMahon kept Redhills in touch with a point at the other end.

Cornafean had a golden opportunity to go five ahead on 25 minutes when they were awarded a penalty but Art McSeain’s shot was drilled to the right and wide. Paul Reilly, Redhills’ most effective forward, brought his team level with two quick points but Art McSeain scored Cornafean’s winning point in the final seconds of normal time.

Cornafean Padraig Smith, Oliver Gormley, Liam Young, Michael McGibney, Eamon Gaffney (0-1), Rory McSeain, Eamon Reilly, Brian Caffrey, Ciaran Martin, Tanasie Kaldanis, Philip Wilson, Cathal Sheridan, Val Sheridan, Art McSeain (0-10), Killian Tully. Subs Brian Doyle (0-1), Paul Harrington.

Redhills Fintan Reilly, Mark Smith, Killian Smith, Bernard Rudden, Chris Smith, Leo McEntee, Declan Smith, Michael Brides (0-2), Ciaran Costello (0-3), Adrian Fitzpatrick (0-1), Mickey Rudden (0-1), Paul Reilly (0-5), Gerry Smith (0-2), John Kelly (0-1), Paul Gumley (0-1). Sub Andrew McMahon (0-1)

Referee Brendan Sweeney (Ballymachugh)

League 2000 Round-up

Cornafean opened their Division 3 and 3A campaigns for 2000 with games against Arva in Cornafean Park on Sunday 20^th March. There was a huge crowd in attendance and the sunny day was ideal for football. The famous Babs Keating was assisting the Arva management team on the sideline while another well-known South of Ireland man, Phil Cullen, was in charge of Cornafean, in their first competitive fixture under his management.

The senior game finished level on a scoreline of Cornafean 0-6 Arva 0-6. Although the game was played in a very competitive sprit, both teams showed signs of being ‘ring-rusty’ and both sets of forwards missed numerous scoring chances. From a Cornafean point of view, the biggest consequence of this game was the loss of two key players, Brian Doyle and Ciaran O’Reilly, with serious injuries during the game. The Division 3A game was very exciting, with the visitors coming out on top, on a scoreline of Arva 1-14 Cornafean 3-6.

On Sunday 27^th March, the Cornafean senior and junior teams travelled to Maghera to play the locals in the Division 3 and 3A leagues, and recorded good wins in both games. In an entertaining Senior game, there was great scoring from both teams and the final score was Cornafean 2-15 Maghera 1-12. Art McSeain was Cornafean’s top scorer. In the junior game, Cornafean had two points to spare, on a scoreline of 3-4 to 1-8.

Cornafean had Kildallan as visitors in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain on Saturday 17^th April in round 3 of the Lakeside Manor Division 3 & 3A leagues. In the senior game, the visitors were much too strong for Cornafean, who were missing a number of key players through injury. The final score was 0-14 to 1-4 in favour of Kildallan, with Cornafean’s cause not being helped by a missed penalty in the second half. The West Cavan club also won the junior game, on a scoreline of 2-10 to 0-7.

Cornafean entertained Drumlane in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 and 3A leagues in Pairc Naoimh Fionnain on Saturday 23^rd April, and the visitors took the honours in both games. The senior game was a close affair, with the teams level as the final whistle approached, but two late points for Drumlane denied Cornafean victory, on a scoreline of 0-13 to 0-11. Although this defeat was disappointing for Cornafean, this was probably the team’s best display so far in the league, against a side who are currently leading the Division 3 table. In the junior game, Drumlane were too strong for the local side.

In early May, Cornafean took part in the Tennents Ireland Millennium 7-a-side football Tournament. This tournament was organised by Cavan County Board GAA as part of their programme of events to celebrate the new millennium. Cornafean compete in the first stage of the tournament against Castlerahan, Redhills and Kinsgcourt, and enjoyed wins in their first two games against Castlerahan and Redhills before being defeated by Kingscourt who then progressed to the latter stages of the competition.

Cornafean were hosts to Butlersbridge in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 league on Saturday 21^st May. The visitors won out on an unusual scoreline of 2-15 to 5-4. Butlersbridge were in total control for much of the first half, and led by 2-10 to 1-2, before Padraig Smith converted a penalty for Cornafean just before the interval. The locals’ first goal had come from a fisted effort by Eamon Gaffney early in the game. Cornafean came back well into the game in the second half with goals from Val Sheridan, Anthony Sheridan and Brendan Geoghegan, but were still three points behind at the final whistle. This was the first game in Cornafean under the new playing rules, which now allow five substitutes to be introduced in the course of a game.

Cornafean travelled to the shores of Lough Ramor on Saturday 28^th May to play Munterconaught in the Lakeside Manor Division 3 league, and returned with the league points after a good win. The final score was Cornafean 2-12 Munterconnaught 0-7. Cornafean had the better of the exchanges in the first half and led by six points at half-time on a scoreline of 0-8 to 0-2. In the second half, goals from Art McSeain and Val Sheridan wrapped up the points for the visitors.

The following weekend, Cornafean drew with Mountnugent in a tough and bruising league game, played in Mountnugent. This was a game which Cornafean could and should have won.

A fortnight after their wonderful win in the Junior Championship, a severely understrength Cornafean team travelled to Drumlane to play the locals. Despite completing an intensive training programme, organised by Liam Young a day earlier in Gowna, Cornafean were no match for the home team, the league leaders.

The following Saturday afternoon, Cornafean were again well beaten by Kildallan in a league game in Ballyconnell. Cornafean were missing almost half their Championship side and the game was a pale shadow of their meeting in the Junior Championship semi-final, five weeks earlier.

In the final league game of the season, the Cornafean senior team travelled to Butlersbridge last Sunday to play the locals in the Division 3 league. At the end of a close and exciting game, the home team had a single point to spare, on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-10. Cornafean got off to a great start with a goal from Ciaran McSeain and that goal helped them to lead at half-time by 1-4 to 0-4. In the second half, the ‘Bridge men fought their way back into the game, with a goal of their own, and they eventually hung on for a narrow win. Val Sheridan was Cornafean’s top scorer with a total of four points, and others playing well included Eamon O’Reilly, Ciaran Martin and Gerry McIntyre. This was probably Cornafean’s best performance since winning the Junior Championship.