Final focus another big step forward in the East Cavan Gaels project

SUNDAY is a landmark in Breffni hurling with East Cavan Gaels becoming the county’s first ever team to contest an Ulster final.

The fact the club is only 15 years old and having only had adult hurling for the first time in 2018 makes it even more remarkable.

They were underdogs against Rasharkin in Sunday’s semi-final but 10 goals in two Ulster outings have catapulted them to a showdown with Ballinascreen this weekend.

Manager Adam Baldwin, a native of Waterford, admits the rust from a 12-week layoff since winning the Cavan Championship was a factor in their opener against Omagh.

In the interim, the players had been in football action for Bailieborough, Kingscourt, Cuchullains and Shercock.

Now, it’s hurling time and there is a buzz. The club have nailed down another milestone. It’s a stamp of progress.

It wasn’t always a smooth path. The bumps were the beatings endured along the way.

Of the u-8 and u-10 group from 2009, 12 were in action against Rasharkin.

“That’s testament to what they’re trying to do here,” Baldwin said, referring to founder members Willie Gaughan and Kathryn O’Flynn.

Meath native Gaughan is the chairman, one that rolls up his sleeves. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, he is in three different halls in the club catchment area teaching the basics.

“Fair play to them for that because you can start to see it with a young fella that’s coming to you at 17 and has hurled since he’s a child,” Baldwin pointed out.

A native of Cork, O’Flynn wanted her kids to pick up a hurl. Now, sons Jack and Tadhg man the central defensive positions.

“We know where we are,” he said of East Cavan Gaels. “We know we are punching above our weight, but that’s where we want to be but we don’t want to stand still.”

There were tough days but the last two weeks have been payback.

Waterford man Liam O’Brien landed ten points on Sunday. Kilkenny duo Nicky Kenny and Canice Maher add value. As does Darragh Madden of Limerick. Hurling men want to hurl regardless of location. Cavan is their new home.

A narrow county final defeat last year was viewed as early progress. The Gaels looked in the mirror before coming back in February to iron out the creases in their game.

Entering the Monaghan and South Ulster league offered what they need most of all – games. Some days they had the bare 15. Other days they were a couple short but they just ploughed on.

“It’s about getting the mix of the lads who are playing county with the lads in the club and it’s finally gelling,” he said.

“This (Ulster run) can’t do us any harm. Whatever happens, it’s all about growing.”

Three injuries left them reshuffling the pack for last weekend. Their two red cards will test their squad even more but it’s about those who are available.

“We have to play what we have,” Baldwin said. “We can’t pull out any magic wands.

“If you want lads to train in February, they have to get their chance then in November. This is what we do and this is what the squad has to do.”

Whatever Sunday brings, it brings. Gaughan and Flynn’s 2009 project was a worthwhile one.