Cavan win 1996 All-Ireland Masters title

From the archive

In the early 1990s, the All-Ireland Masters football (Over-40s) was a very prestigious competition and Cavan were among the leading lights nationally.

Cavan won the All-Ireland in 1993 and Mayo claimed the following two titles; so, the stage was set for a real heavyweight clash when the counties went toe-to-toe in Roscommon on the undercard to Cavan U21s’ All-Ireland semi-final replay against Meath in August, 1996.

Cavan went in as slight underdogs but a terrific performance saw the Terry Hyland-managed side win by 1-10 to 0-5.

“Cavan Masters won their second All-Ireland title in Hyde Park, Roscommon on Sunday last when they had a resounding victory over Mayo. This victory, achieved with skill and determination, put the huge Cavan contingent in good cheer and was the ideal curtain-raiser for the U21 replay between Cavan and Meath,” began the report in this newspaper.

“Cavan Masters were forced to withstand a Mayo onslaught in the opening phases. Mayo, with the help of a strong wind, put the Cavan defence under sustained pressure but Cavan’s Paddy Gaffney and Paraic Brady led by example and refused to yield.

“Many of Mayo’s shots reached the safe hands of goalkeeper Michael Lyons or narrowly missed the target.

“Gradually, Cavan settled down with Adge King and Mickey Reilly showing to good effect. Paddy McNamee on the 40 began to make an impact and the supply into Cavan’s key forward, John Joe Martin, began to improve.”

Cavan weathered the storm and took the lead when John Joe Martin and Pat Flanagan got on the scoresheet and with Paddy McNamee a “constant thorn” in the Mayo defence, the Breffni men began to win frees which Martin and Flanagan converted.

An opportunist goal from John Joe Martin gave Cavan a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at half-time.

On the restart, Cavan were adept at catching Mayo on the break, with JJ Reilly, on for the injured King at midfield, making an impact.

A long-range point from Robbie McDermott and a trademark score from McNamee helped Cavan pull further ahead. They then conceded a penalty but it was brilliantly saved by Lyons.

Cavan defenders Fergus Costello and Paddy Gaffney collided and both had to be replaced but “Cavan proceeded to stamp their authority on the game and ran out convincing winners”.

“The fitness level of the Cavan team was impressive,” read the match report.

“Michael Lyons never put a foot wrong in goals. In a heroic defence, Paddy Gaffney at full-back was outstanding and completely neutralised the expected threat from Joe McGrath. Not far behind were Fergus Costello, Paraic Brady, Seamus Kiernan, Ollie Stanley, Peadar Quealy and sub Hubert Brady.

“At midfield, Adge King, until he retired injured, and Robbie McDermott worked tirelessly while JJ Reilly contributed handsomely when he came on.

“In the forward line, John Joe Martin played a captain’s part and gradually overcame the close attention of Noel Brett. John Joe was again Cavan’s leading scorer.

“Paddy McNamee was always impressive while Mickey Reilly played well all through. Pat Flanagan, Mickey Frehill, Noel Corcoran and subs Brendan Smith and Tony Lynch played their part.”

For Mayo, Noel Brett, Tommy Warde, Ollie Bolton, Des McGrath and Mick Sweeney were listed as having stood out.

“This was all about the dedication of a panel of players who did everything I asked of them. This made my job easy. It was a pleasure to be a manager of such a committed group,” said Terry Hyland, who would go on to lead Cavan to two U21 Ulster titles and an All-Ireland junior title as well as guiding Cavan and Leitrim sides to promotions from Divisions 4, 3 and 2 of the National League.

Captain John Joe Martin said: “I’m delighted to win another All-Ireland medal. When we won it in ’93, it ,made up for the disappointment of losing the All-Ireland club final against Dr Crokes in ’92. This year’s victory was a welcome bonus.

“I want to pay tribute to the panel of 30 players who trained and played their part. It is easy for everybody to heap plaudits on the first 15 but the panel is important.”

Full-back Paddy Gaffney stated: “This was my first year playing Over 40s and I couldn’t believe the comradeship that existed in the squad. Players who were the keenest of rivals throughout their careers buried their differences and forged very strong bonds of friendship on and off the field.”

Masters chairman Joe Gormley said: “I kept saying to the players, you get nothing for coming second. They went out and played to win. I’m delighted for everyone involved with the Masters. Wasn’t it great to hear the Cavan roar after every Masters score.”

Paraic Brady: “I was captain in ’93 when we won our first All-Ireland. Today is a different, deeper satisfaction. We got what our efforts deserved. Some of us trained from last November.”

“For me, this really is a bonus,” said Cavan Gaels man JJ Reilly.

“I never thought in ’93 that I would still be involved in 96, not to mention winning another All-Ireland medal. The influx of new blood this year made all the difference. A word of thanks to Munterconnaught GFC for putting their excellent facilities at our disposal for all our training.”

“This encounter was an excellent advertisement for Over-40s football. Thoughtful, constructive football was the order of the day. Cavan’s victory was fashioned on the back pitch in Breffni Park and in Munterconnaught,” concluded the report.

“Team manager Terry Hyland and his selectors Louis Lyons and John Dalton along with the chairman Joe Gormley and secretary Paraic Brady were unstinting in their efforts all year.”

Cavan: Michael Lyons (Drumalee), Fergus Costello (Lacken), Paddy Gaffney (Denn), Paraic Brady (Lacken), Seamus Kiernan (Munterconnaught), Peadar Quealy (Denn), Ollie Stanley (Munterconnaught), Robbie McDermott (Ballinagh), Adge King (Laragh), Noel Corcoran (Kildallan), Paddy McNamee (Ramor Utd), Mickey Frehill (Kildallan)Pat Flanagan (Aughawillan), John Joe Martin, capt, Thomas Davis), Mickey Reilly (Redhills)

Subs used: JJ Reilly (Cavan Gaels), Hubert Brady (Mullahoran), Brendan Smith (Redhills), Tony Lynch (Drung).

Also listed on the panel: Michael ‘Haulie’ Reilly (Cavan Gaels), Jimmy Carroll (Kildallan), Hughie Clarke (Bailieborough), Paddy Reilly (Cavan Gaels), Johnny Sherlock (Kingscourt), Tom Magee (Kildallan), Gerry Brady (Gowna), Niall Brennan (Lacken)

Mayo: Mick Higgins, Thomas Hynes, Noel Brett, Mick Donlon, Eamon Howley, Tommy Warde, Alex Dempsey, Ollie Bolton, Des McGrath, Tommy Cooke, Tom Heneghan, Mick Sweeney, Frank Kelly (capt), Joe McGrath, John Malee

Sub used: Tommy Lyons

Ref: John Bannon (Longford)

Main pic: Back (from left): Terry Hyland (manager), Paddy Gaffney, Noel Corcoran, Adge King, Ollie Stanley, Fergus Costello, Michael Lyons, Robbie McDermott. Front: Mickey Frehill, Seamus Kiernan, Pat Flanagan, Mickey Reilly, Paddy McNamee, John Joe Martin, Peadar Quealy, Paraic Brady.