Butlersbridge expecting huge test from a familiar face

By Michael McMullan

BUTLERSBRIDGE manager Keelan Melaniff is expecting a “huge test” when his side step into the ring against Cornafean in Saturday’s Cavan Intermediate semi-final.

Over a decade ago, the clubs were amalgamated at underage. Some the players in opposite corners this weekend shared the same dressing room as they learned their trade.

Butlersbridge had three sessions planned last weekend to bridge the gap from their quarter-final win over Bailieborough.

Between injuries, emigration and other commitments, Melaniff would’ve taken a return to the semi-final at the start of the season.

Caoimhin O’Reilly moved to Australia with Fargo Flanagan and Colin Dugdale unable to commit.

“We’ve suffered the same as every other team but I think we’ve been hit worse, we’ve had three ACLs this year and a couple of ruptured hamstrings,” Melaniff said.

“We’re very much in rebuild mode but it’s also a pleasant surprise to go on a run and to be in the position that we’re in.”

Jack Graham was the first ACL victim during the Ulster League. Paddy McPhillips followed with Liam McEntee the third, while also sustaining a leg break in the championship.

“It’s a credit to the lads, they’ve worked hard and they’ve earned their spot at the moment, so we’ll see where it takes us,” he added.

The league began well for Butlersbridge with the aim of promotion until injuries and holidays put the brakes on with a host of different team selections.

“The upside to that is lots of players are getting exposure to it,” Melaniff added, pointing to the use of 36 players across the league, including those coming in off the minor grade.

“It’s probably a trade-off to having all the injuries. You have lads that are used to playing in a certain way.

“For me I would love to get promotion but we were just outside it and we were just outside it last year as well so it’s something that we have to look at.”

After wins over Drumgoon and Lacken, Butlersbridge drew with Knockbride in round three of the championship league stage.

Knockbride hit a goal and thumped over vital two-point scores to force a draw.

“The positive thing about that is when they did level it, we still went forward and we created chances in injury time and it just didn’t come off,” Melaniff.

By the time they lost to Killinkere, Butlersbridge were sure of a quarter-final spot and didn’t get going. Melaniff feels Killinkere will give Cuchullain’s plenty to think about on the other semi-final this weekend.

A quarter-final victory over a high-flying Bailieborough gives Butlersbridge the chance to equal last season and get back to the decider. Looking around the current panel, the oldest player is 25.

“Outsiders looking in and they look at us and say we contested the final last year, we’ll be back there,” Melaniff added.

“The people on the outside, they don’t know what we’ve gone through with all our injuries and other guys not being there.”

“We know Cornafean well,” he said of Saturday’s opponents. “We would have been amalgamated with them through our underage structures.

“The lads would have played football together. They are a huge, powerful team with dangerous attackers.

“They have very, very strong and experienced players down through the middle.

“We’re expecting a huge test. If we can try and recreate some of our performances in the championship, the bits and pieces, hopefully we’ll be there. If we’re there with 15 minutes to go, I’ll be happy.”