History of Butlersbridge and Emmets
Butlersbridge Emmets was founded in 1888, four years after the founding of the G.A.A. by Michael Cusack.
The founding fathers were: Joe Brady, Plush, Jimmy Reilly and Hugh Reilly, Drumaturk, Pat McGowan, Johnny Brogan, Pat Rehill, James Teevan – all from Kilnaglare, Mickey King and James Maguire. The early years were stormy and difficult – teams consisted of 21 a-side, on a small field with a scant knowledge of the rules and a referee not much better informed. As time passed, teams were reduced to 17 a-side and later to 15 a-side.
In 1919, Butlersbridge made it to a Junior Final but lost put to Bailieboro by one point. The twenties brought the high catch. Mick Brown was a star in those days taking balls from the clouds. Both he and Jim McCardle made the county team. In 1930 the ’Bridge lost to Tullyvin in a Junior Final, and in 1952 were beaten by a star studded Cootehill team that boasted the Gallagher and Coyle brothers – all with county experience.
In 1953, the minors brought the first cup to the ‘Bridge. The team included Ken Brown, Patsy Meehan, Con Smith, Brian Myles, Aidan Foynes, Terry Smyth and Brendan Farrell. Success at Junior level was edging closer and it came in 1963 when the ’Bridge team, trained by Fintan Tierney, won the Cavan Junior Championship for the very first time, beating a very strong Killinkere team in the final. Captain Terry Smyth brought the cup to the village in scenes of pandemonium.
In 1974, his brother Tommy Smyth, captained the team to their second Junior Championship success – a team managed by the legendary Sean O’Hare. This year is the 50th anniversary of that great success and the team went on to complete a League and Championship double.
There was a wait of twenty eight years before the next Junior Championship success. This came in 2002 when the Sean Leddy Memorial Cup – named after one of the club’s great players – was proudly taken to the ‘Bridge by club captain Paul McCorry after defeating Kildallan in the final. Ballyhaise man Phelim Plunkett was team manager. In 2004, the ‘Bridge were back in another Junior Championship Final, this time their opponents were Redhills and the match ended in a draw. The replay, in Ballyconnell, saw the Mickey Graham managed ‘Bridge defeat Redhills in an exciting game. Five years later, in 2009, the ‘Bridge were back in another Junior Championship Final. Phelim Plunkett was back as manager and his charges defeated Swanlinbar. The Sean Leddy Memorial Cup was returning to Butlersbridge for the third time in a decade.
At this stage, the club was hoping to make a breakthrough at Intermediate level. That breakthrough didn’t come until 2020 when the club reached their first ever Intermediate Final, but were well beaten on the day by a well drilled Ballinagh side. However, the ‘Bridge manager George Dugdale felt that the team were moving in the right direction. In 2021 Darragh McCarthy took over as manager and the ‘Bridge were back in a second Intermediate Final – this time against neighbours Ballyhaise and after a Titanic battle the ‘Bridge emerged winners by 1-12 to 0-14 – a first ever Intermediate title for the ‘Bridge and their own piece of history.
And now in 2024 the ‘Bridge are back in their third Intermediate final where they will play Arva. Manager Keelan Melaniff is hopeful that his charges can go all the way.
Much of this success can be attributed to a great underage structure in the club. Many club coaches, male and female, are nurturing talent from a young age and all their work is reaping dividends. Just recently the Under 12 girls had great success. The Under 16 Girls reached a final. The boys Under 14 team won the Division One Championship final. The boys’ Minor team are also through to a final. The Ladies’ team recently won the Cavan Junior Championship final. Last year, the boys Under 16 team did a League and Championship double. These are just some of the rewards of a great coaching structure.
Butlersbridge National School have been very successful in Cumann na mBunscol competitions over the years – both boys and girls. The school and the football club work closely together. With rising school numbers and more and more people coming to live in the area the future of Butlersbridge Emmets looks bright. Tribute must be paid to all the club officers who have worked tirelessly for the betterment of the club all down through the years.
