Louth2014b by Lynn Group Media

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DOWDALLSHILL

hen reflecting on their fortunes in 2013 there is little doubt that the Dowdallshill club have plenty to be happy with. By Eunan Whyte. Although the adult teams is very much in a transition period at present, have had plenty to cheer about with success on the Ladies football front and continued development of their underage structures. According to Gerard Roe, who is playing a leading role with the youth development, the club can look back on the past season with a great deal of satisfaction. “We all know that we are going through a rebuilding stage in terms of the adult team, but this year under Darren Kirwan we have certainly seen an improvement. There are a number of young players establishing themselves on the team and that was evident towards the end of the year when we picked up some good results. “It may take a bit of time to get back up challenging for honours but we have some good prospects coming

through from the underage ranks,” he explained. “It is great for us to be able to field an U-16 on our own and there are some very committed lads on that team. We have Colin O’Connor and Jack McGailey who were part of the Louth Development Squads so that shows the progress we have made.” Gerard also points to a thriving Ogsport section which gives real hope of brining through talented players, but he is in no doubt that the real success story for the club this year was the Ladies team who created history by winning the Intermediate Championship for the first time. The Dundalk girls celebrated their tenth anniversary in style by securing a place in the senior ranks with a 3-8 to 0-10 victory over St Brides at The Grove on Sunday September 8. The victory – aided by goals from Sonia Hoey, Aine Lynch and Emily Norton – was even more satisfying given the fact that 12 months earlier they had suffered the disappointment of losing the decider to St Kevins. It capped a memorable year for the

team who also consolidated their position in Division 1 with a string of impressive displays. After struggling in the league in their first year up in 2012, this year the Hill ladies had a very different focus, with the team maturing and having gained experience from 2012 the ladies pushed on and won four out of their seven league games beating St. Pats, Roche Emmets, St.Mochtas and St. Kevins. As a result, they secured third spot in the league and made it through to the semi-final where they were due to face Senior Champions, Cooley Kickhams. As a result of their success this year, Dowdallshill will go into the 2013 season with plenty of optimism and will be determined to challenge for the senior title in the not too distant future. Dowdallshill have youth on their side and a very bright future, the average age of the team is only 21 and in the starting team there are seven girls aged 18 or under. Manager Thomas O’Connor’s hard work with this team over the last five years is coming good with good results not only in the

IT’S ALL GO IN DOWDALLSHILL

Dowdallshill ladies celebrate with the Louth IFC Cup

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DOWDALLSHILL 2013

The Dowdallshill senior squad for 2013, front l/r: Ciaran Sheridan, Mark McDonald, Vincent Roe, Donal McArdle, Cathal McShane, Dermot Smith, David McCrave, Noel Finnegan, Antone Rogers, Donal Sheridan, Sean Duffy. Back: Gerry McShane, Eamon Duffy, James Connolly, Ciaran O'Callaghan, Paul Gill, Sean McCabe, Justin Halley, James Everard, Gary Corrigan, Christopher McMahon, Darren Rogers, Anthony Quinn

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Staunch club supporter Billy O'Callaghan

Club captain Garry Corrigan

Donal Sheridan goes for a score

Division 1 league but also in the intermediate championship. This year Thomas was ably assisted by Eddie Norton and Sandra O’Connor as well as the vastly experienced coach Michael Heeney. 2013 Ladies Team: Una Pearson, Carrie Keenan, Aideen Mc Gahon, Sinead O’Keeffe, Ruth Burlingham, Kathy O’Reilly, Janine Kelly, Ciara O’Connor, Emma Singleton, Emily Norton, Sinead McGill, Andrea Ladley, Sonia Hoey, Aine Lynch, Siobhan Crawley, Emma Crawley, Kelly Thompson, Emily Cooney, Niamh Kelly, Abbi O’Connor, Sharon O’Connor Along with the current senior team, Dowdallshill have a very successful underage set-up with Minor football played as a combination side with Cooley Kickhams. The 2013 season saw the team hoping to one better that the previous outing when they lost narrowly in both league and championship finals. This team is perhaps the most experienced minor team in the county, boasting six county minors and two who have played for the county seniors, the majority of the team also start for their respective senior teams who are in the middle of very successful campaigns. 2013 Minor team: Niamh O’Connor, Niamh Kelly, Aideen McGahon, Ruth Burlingham, Kathy O’Reilly, Chloe Lynch, Aine Lynch, Emily Norton, Emily Cooney, Andrea Ladley, Sorcha Bird, Kellie Hughes. Cooley: Eibhlin Rice, Megan Ferguson, Kerrie Ferguson, Eimear White, Aoife Traynor, Kayleigh Murphy. The U14 & U16 teams managed by Paul O’Hanlon, Liam O’Hagan, Sandra O’Connor and Geraldine Cooney have a lot to look forward to in 2014. Both teams are extremely young and the majority of players have at least another year in their age groups. All year these girls have been battling hard against much older and more experienced teams. However credit must go to the girls as at no stage in the season did they give up. Their hard work all year is beginning to pay dividends and the U16s who play in the Division1 league got their first win of the year against the Dreadnots. Dowdallshill u16 girls: Sarah McAleer, Aislinn Black, Emily Cooney, Niamh Kelly, Grace Cullen, Sophie Watters, Kellie Hughes, Sorcha Bird, Sarah O’Brien, Shannon Norton, Tosin Bankole, Kerri Cooney, Abbi O’Connor,

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David McCrave

Ciaran Sheridan heads for the John Mitchels goal

The first man home in the fun run on Christmas morning 2012 was Colin O'Connor. Club Chairman Peadar Toal presents him with his medal

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Bronagh Quinn, Caoilainn Meek, Rebecca Keenan, Rebecca Robinson, Risi Shotoya, Katie Mc Carthy. The u14 team faced an uphill struggle at the beginning of the year as some of their more experienced players from last year’s shield winning team were over age and moved up to the u16 team this year, the girls kept plugging away all year and picked up a few wins toward the end of the league, most notably against Kilkerley Emmets. In the championship the girls put in a huge performance and were unlucky to come away losing out to Oliver Plunketts in the opening round by a solitary point. The girls re-grouped and played out of their skins against Roche Emmets in the opening shield game, the Hill were on top for much of the game only for the game to end in a draw. The replay between the two teams was a hotly contested as the original fixture, both teams were very dangerous on the attack and brave in defence. Unfortunately Dowdallshill lost in the end, again by a solitary point. However this young team should be very proud of their performances this year, and if they stick together there is no doubt they will progress even further in 2014. Dowdallshill u14 girls: Abbi O’Connor, Sarah Cairns, Aine O’Hagan, Lea Watters, Bronagh Quinn, Amy Quigley, Caoilainn Meek, Eva Carrie, Jade Kehoe, Katie McCarthy, Niamh McGuinness, Rachel Morrissey, Rebecca Keenan, Risi Shotoya, Robyn Agnew, Sarah Cunningham, Chloe O’Brien, Rebecca Robinson, Maria McDonagh. Dowdallshill also have a very skilful and talented under 10 girls team. This team play in North Louth U10 blitzes on Saturday mornings and always put in great performances. In August Dowdallshill hosted their own very successful blitz, the teams in attendance were Cooley Kickhams, St Patricks, Kilkerley Emmets and Geraldines.

Ciaran O'Callaghan has Mitchel's Stephen Coyle for company

(Dowdallshill). Dowdallshill/Cooley: Niamh O'Connor, Lisa MCarragher, Aideen McGahon, Eimear White, Ruth Burlingham (C), Andrea Ladley, Aoife Traynor, Emily Norton, Aine Lynch, Emily Cooney, Kerrie Ferguson, Abbi O'Connor, Niamh Kelly, Eibhlin Rice (C), Megan Ferguson, Chloe Lynch, Saoirse Kelly, Sarah McAleer, Bronagh Quinn, Aislinn Black, Grace Cullen, Niamh Quigley, Laura Traynor, Lauren Boyle, Kathy O'Reilly. Management Team - Thomas O'Connor, Eddie Norton, Seamus Malone, Donal McDonald, Sandra O'Connor and Una Pearson.

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Dowdallshill/Cooley clinched the Ladies Minor Championship in October under the management of Thomas O'Connor and Eddie Norton, Sandra O’Connor and Una Pearson (Dowdallshill) along with Cooley’s Seamus Malone and Donal McDonald. Hunterstown’s pitch was the setting for the final against a St Brides team who started with the win in their back and by half time were leading by 1-5 to 0-2. The Dowdallshill/Cooley combination edged in front in the third quarter and were looking good for victory only to see the Brides reclaim the lead with a goal. However, Hill/Cooley rallied and added some well taken points to win by 1-13 to 2-8. Player of the match was awarded to Aine Lynch

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SPECIAL FEATURE

REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES

uring his short playing career, Pat Landy was a part of a golden era for St Mary’s Ardee over 40 years ago. Wee County spoke to the now 62-yearold company CEO about his finest hour on the football field. They say that there’s no success like the success you experience with your club. Pat Landy can testify to that point and reflect back on a time when St Mary’s Ardee were amongst the dominant forces in Louth club football. Pat describes his playing days as “a great experience” for a young man during a golden era for St Mary’s and still keeps up to date with what’s going on with the club today, although his time is consumed largely by his Chief Executive Officer position at Zamano. Since 2000, Zamano has grown to become a leader in selling mobile entertainment products to the consumer. The company is based in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 and began selling wallpapers and ringtones for mobile phones and has since evolved into sales of games, competitions, apps and music. Nowadays, Zamano’s products are sold to consumers in Ireland, the UK, Eastern Europe and Australia. The company, needless to say, has grown from strength to strength in its 13 years and its consumed plenty of Pat’s time to get to the status it holds today, but he still remains a part of the club he won a senior championship medals with more than 40 years ago. “I’m still a member of the club. I joined in 1967 and played my first game in October of that year,” Pat explained. “There were a lot of young guys playing for St Mary’s at that time. I was 16 when I played my first senior game and there were a lot of 18 and 19 year old lads already on the team. We won the senior championship in 1968. The following year I was doing my Leaving Cert and didn’t play in the senior championship. I did, however, play on the team which won the Second division championship in 1969, beating

Pat Landy is CEO at Zamano

Hunterstown Rovers in the final. In 1970, I again played in the senior final alongside my brother Bartle when we were beaten by Newtown Blues in Dowdallshill.” “In 1971, I missed the final against Cooley (which we lost) through injury. I got a bad cruciate injury that spring and missed most of the year. I came back to play against Newtown Blues in the championship and got injured again and I guess that was my last involvement with regards to playing senior championship football for St Mary’s. My career did, however, end on happy note when I played on the St Mary’s team which won the 1971 Cardinal O’Donnell Cup beating O’Rahillys at Dunleer in November of that year.” Although somewhat brief, Pat looks back on the four years he spent with the St Mary’s senior team with fondness, having enjoyed memorable victories and encountered some

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incredible characters along the way. In 1968, he made a name for himself by scoring a famous goal in the Louth SFC final which swung the Joe Ward Cup in St Mary’s favour in the end. The win saw the club end an eight-year wait for senior championship success, while also denying St Fechin’s a first title in their history in dramatic circumstances. That particular day is one that Pat hasn’t forgotten and his winning goal in Drogheda earned him a sort of celebrity status around Ardee, although you wouldn’t hear it from the man himself. Instead, he likes to look back on a time when he enjoyed his one and only county senior championship success with a talented group of players. “It was quite an interesting experience as a 17-year-old to play in a county final. It was great to be part of it and to have played alongside the likes of Kevin Beahan, who was a

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Facing up against Ballybay of Monaghan in the 1970 Patrick Kavanagh Memorial Cup semi-final are, front, l/r: Francie Higgins, Michael Rice, Barney Megennis, Seamus O’Brien, Michael Courtney, Tommy Reilly, Turlough McDonald. Back, l/r: Pat Landy, Michael McDonald, Patsy Reid, Larry Steen, Michael Bennett, Tom Rice, Sean Walsh. Missing from pic: Seamus Walsh

great player for the club and county, being one of the heroes of Louth’s 1957 All-Ireland win”, he said. “The final was against St Fechin’s in Drogheda. We were playing a team in their first ever final. We also had a few lads like Ango Courtney, Michael McDonald and Stephen Thornton missing for the game and the management had to re-jig the team. A lot of the lads got injured in the weeks and days before the final and it resulted in me getting into the team. I ended up being selected at right corner-forward for the final.” Donning the number 13 jersey for St Mary’s on such a huge occasion for the club was a major honour for Pat, who recalls a sizeable crowd being treated to a close, tightly fought game that day. “I remember there being a large crowd there, somewhere between 5,000 and 6,000 turned up for it,” said the former St Mary’s attacker. “St Fechin’s were probably the better team and we were hanging in there and I got a point that reduced the deficit to a point. After that, Michael Bennett soloed through and I ran alongside him and he shot for goal and the goalkeeper (Sean Drew) made a brilliant save. The ball broke in my

by then and we went on again and won direction and I knew I was surrounded by a number of defenders so I just it in 1975. It was a golden age for the back-heeled it and it ended up in the club,” Pat explained. back of the net. “Like I said, we were a relatively “It was pure instinct. That’s all. We young team. You had the likes of were quite lucky to have won the myself, Michael Bennett and Denis match in the end.” Murray there that were all teenagers, Pat’s improvised goal helped seal a Tom and Paddy Rice, Martin Whatley, one-point victory for the Ardee men Turlough McDonald and Sean Walsh and it sparked a run of success for the were barely into their 20’s and then club that would see two more Louth Michael Rice, Jim Malone and Barney SFC titles secured over the next six Magennis were considered veterans years. even though, all were still in their 20’s. The fact that many of the ’68 team Kevin Beahan the oldest player on the had time on their side to repeat the team at 38, was a long-time s u c c e s s benefited St Best Wishes To Pat Landy & Zamano From M a r y ’ s , according to Pat, who was glad to get the chance of playing alongside some of the club’s greats. “We were beaten in ’71 but came back the next year and Phone: 08450343937 won it, although I Email: sales@goverifyit.com was not a part of it that year. I’d Follow us on Twitter:@Goverifit finished playing

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established Louth player and that was his last game for the club, so it was great to win it for him as well.” As for Louth, Pat believes that things will continue to improve for the Wee County into the future, despite not getting their hands on any silverware once again this past season. There were some positives in 2013 though for Aidan O’Rourke’s men and the mutual feeling is that things are moving in the right direction to hopefully one day compete with heavy weight counties, especially given the dominance of current All-Ireland champions Dublin in Leinster over the past few years. “I thought Louth had an alright season,” said Pat. “They were a little bit inconsistent but they had a few good league games. They did get turned over in Leinster though, but I don’t think they are too far off the other teams in the province. “Dublin might be too tall an order right now but if they can continue improving, hopefully, they’ll get there sooner rather than later. Louth have some very talented footballers though and I think they could beat any team between 6 and 32 in the rankings on their day, but the top five are just too

The St. Marys team that took on St. Brides in the 1968 Cardinal O’Donnell Cup final, front, l/r: Turlough McDonald, Tom Higgins, Barney Magennis, Martin Whately, Jim Malone, Johnny Corrigan, Sean Walsh. Back, l/r: Pat Landy, Larry Steen, Michael Bennett, Fred Matthews, Tom Rice, Michael Rice, Stephen Thornton, Joe McGivern

strong for them at the minute. “I think they’ll do well in the future and come closer to becoming a top 10 team rather than slipping back again,” he added. For now, Pat continues to support his club (when needed), along with cheering on Louth each summer in the Leinster SFC, and always looks back on his own playing days with plenty of satisfaction. “Those four years I played with St

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Mary’s were great fun. There were some fantastic players in the club at the time and there were some really talented teams like Newtown Blues, Cooley, O’Rahillys, St Kevin’s, St Brides, Mattock Rangers and Clanna Gael playing in Louth” he concluded. In March 2011, Pat Landy joined the board of Zamano. Pat is a corporate finance specialist and earlier in his career was Corporate Finance Director with Merrion Capital and NCB Group.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

RELISH THE THOUGHT

resh from its success at this year’s Drogheda & District Chamber Business Excellence Awards, Relish Café is set to open its fourth outlet in Dundalk in early 2014. Head chef Lisa Judge explains more. The worst recession many of us have ever seen hasn’t stopped Relish Café from becoming the success story it is today. Founded in 2007 by Dublin businesswoman Denise Walsh, Relish

now has three branches in the Drogheda region with a fourth soon to be opened in Dundalk. The original café in its stunning location of Bettystown beach is going from strength to strength, as are the other two outlets in Drogheda. Denise opened her second branch in Southgate (Relish Café and Food Hall) in July 2011 and this was followed by the opening of a third café at Highlanes Gallery 12 months later. The latter café also features a delicatessen where

customers can buy many of the local ingredients that are used in making the sumptuous meals which it has become famous for. The delicatessen stocks a wide range of local, Irish, organic produce as well as some international foods. Breakfast, light bites, coffee and herbal teas, pastries and deserts and salad bowls are all catered for. Currently employing 50 staff between full-time and part-time, Relish Café will be creating even more local

A fourth Relish cafe is due to open soon in Dundalk

Relish has something for everyone on its delicious menu

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A wide selection of quality food greets the customer

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employment with the Dundalk opening. “It’s an exciting time for us,” enthuses head chef Lisa Judge, who also worked for Denise when she ran another café in Drogheda which she sold before establishing Relish. “We’re all looking forward to the opening of the fourth branch in Dundalk next spring. People come into our cafés because we do wonderful food at a reasonable price. This, combined with our friendly and courteous staff, has been a key factor in our success and growth.” Relish Café’s aim is to focus on a vibrant local community and produce uncomplicated food using local suppliers and seasonal ingredients. Relish delivers a friendly, welcoming service in beautiful surroundings which in turn is supported by customers who seeking quality food at affordable prices. Relish has something for everyone on its delicious menu. Breakfast, lunch, salads, sandwiches, tea/coffee/cakes, supper, Sunday lunch, early bird menu and A La Carte are a speciality. The café also specialises in outdoor catering, office platters and Christmas hampers. “We do catering for birthday parties, First Communions and all sorts of special occasions,” Lisa explains. Each café is open seven days a week and there is late night opening in Bettystown Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There was great excitement when Relish Café was honoured with the ‘Best Place to Eat’ award at the ninth annual Drogheda & District Chamber Business Excellence Awards in the Westcourt Hotel on Saturday, November 23 last. The awards give both local businesses and community organisations the opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and be recognised for their success. There was a terrific atmosphere on the night with the Chamber’s own video crew and local radio station LMFM on hand to capture the excitement as guests were greeted by entertainers and performers on their red card arrival. The award ceremony was held in the newly-decorated Earth Nightclub with local woman Gillian Nelis from The Sunday Business Post acting as MC. Following the ceremony, guests made their way to the Westcourt Hotel for a sit-down meal

Relish Cafe and Food Hall in Drogheda

and some live entertainment provided by Deco 5. There are many benefits involved with entering the Drogheda Business

Excellence Awards. Finalists have the opportunity to network and showcase their business, receive recognition of their achievements, access to video clips that can be used for their own promotional purposes and winners have shared access to €30,000 worth of research from DKIT. Applicants for the awards were reviewed by an independent judging panel. Following the initial application process, the shortlisted finalists received either a mystery shopper/customer or interview with judges depending on their category. And Relish Café clearly came up trumps! “It’s great recognition to receive an

Beautiful surroundings at one of the cafes

Six of the cafe’s friendly and courteous staff

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Lisa Judge and Denis Walsh of Relish receive the Best Place to Eat award from Paddy Callaghan representing sponsor Natures Best at the Business Excellence Awards in Earth Night Club at Westcourt Hotel

award like that. We are very proud of what we have achieved in a short period of time and will continue to provide our customers with the same great food and service going forward. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the local community for the great support they have given us since 2007. And that includes the GAA community,” Lisa continues. Lisa is no stranger to the GAA, being a daughter-in-law of the legendary Newtown Blues and Louth footballer Jim ‘Blackie’ Judge. Along with Liam Leech, Jimmy Mulroy and Matt Murphy, ‘Blackie’ holds the record for the most Louth SFC medals won (nine). But he is perhaps best known for being a member of the last Louth team to lift the Sam Maguire in 1957. “We had a surprise 75th birthday for him during the summer,” Lisa says. “He’s still a very fit man and enjoys a regular game of golf. I’m married to his son Peter, who is also a first cousin of Eugene Judge, who played for Louth for many years. Of course, Eugene’s son Colm is a current Louth player, so there’s a lot of football in the family.”

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DUNDALK GAELS

fter a season that saw the club establish themselves back in the top flight of league football, Dundalk Gaels will be hoping that the foundations laid in 2013 prove to be the springboard for a successful spell over the coming seasons. The Ramparts club clinched promotion to Division 1 in dramatic fashion after a nail-biting climax to the 2012 campaign, and in doing so brought their league status to a par with their championship status. It wasn’t all plain sailing this year but ultimately they were successful in achieving their goal of securing topflight football, and as a result they will go into 2014 with an increased level of experience and self-belief. While the season ended with some sense of disappointment that the club didn’t make a bigger impression on the top competitions, one of their key

defenders, David McComish, believes that now is the ideal time for Dundalk Gaels to really challenge themselves to improve. “At the end of the 2012 season we were on a high after winning the Division 2 league and we were determined to make an impression in Division 1 and the championship. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as we had hoped as we were down the lower reaches for much of the season. However, the important thing in the end was that we stayed up and we should be in a stronger position next season. “There are plenty of positives to be taken as we showed that on our day we can compete with the teams at this level, but we lost a lot of games by narrow margins. “The challenge is for us to really push on and become more consistent because we believe that we have the talent to be challenging at the top end

of the league and the latter stages of the championship,” explained David. According to David the lessons of this year will be valuable as players will see the benefits after adjusting to the step up in standard. “Division 2 is a very competitive grade and it is not easy to come out on top. We started the year determined to see that all that hard work would not go to waste by making sure that we stayed up. “There is no doubt that it is a step up and we found that teams were very well organised and had good game plans, so it probably was a bit harder than we expected,” added the defender who revealed the nature of the challenge was highlighted by the opening series of games. The draw saw them face Cooley, Sean O’Mahonys, Dreadnots and Kilkerley in the opening games and there was a quiet confidence within the squad that they could make an

PLENTY OF POSITIVE FOR GAELS

David McComish

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DUNDALK GAELS 2013

The Dundalk Gaels senior squad, front (included are)â&#x20AC;&#x2C6;l/r: Eanna McArdle, Stephen McLoughlin, Sean McCann, David McComish, Gary Shevlin, Conall McArdle, Derek Crilly, Anthony McSorley, Jamie Faulkner, Andrew Coleman, David Moley. Back: Paul Burke, James Stewart, Eamonn Kenny, Gerard McSorley, David Maloney, Daire O'Callaghan, Sean Fee, Gerard Fee, Errol Boyle, Stephen Coleman, Stephen Murphy, Sean Hoey, Peter McGinnity, Niall Hearty, Danny Watters, David Connolly

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Ready for action, front l/r: Gary Shevlin, Nathan Murphy, Jamie Faulkner, Eamonn Kenny, Anthony McSorley, Derek Crilly, James Lynch, David McComish, Sean McCann. Back: Stephen Murphy, Eanna McArdle, Daire O'Callaghan, Shane Callan, Niall Hearty, Sean Fee, Stephen McLoughlin, David Maloney, Andrew Coleman, Gerard Fee, Errol Boyle

impression at that stage. However, David revealed that a tally of just one point from those encounters not only left the team somewhat disappointed, but under pressure at the wrong end of the table. It was encouraging for all involved that they kept their heads up and a first victory of the campaign finally came at home to the O Raghallaighs. Buoyed by that brace of points, the Dundalk men went on to avoid both the relegation spot and the play-off position. “Going into the O Raghallaighs game we only had two points from two draws so that was really a vital one for us. It was wet night and the conditions weren’t good, while I don’t think the O Raghallaighs played as well as they

can. Thankfully we got the win we needed and were able to push on from there. “We went on to record another three wins which brought us to ten points and that was enough to stay up and avoid the play-off thanks to score difference. “It was very tight at the end with five teams finishing on ten points but fortunately between the score difference saw us avoid the relegation play-off. Nobody wants to be in that game as there is a lot of pressure and it is the wrong time of the year to be having to play important matches. “The fact that there were five teams on ten points battling to avoid the relegation scrap, and on the other hand you had Kilkerley in the semi-

Manager Benny McArdle

Senior captain Sean McCann

The Gaels U9's at the Og Sport Lu

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final on 12 points illustrates just how competitive the league is,” continued David. Having overcome that particular hurdle, McComish believes it is now time for the Gaels to push on and make a big effort to be in the shake-up for honours. With a relatively settled squad and plenty of experience despite most being in their mid-20s, the defender thinks that they need to make the next step forward. “I think we are at the stage now that we really need to make something happen. We are still young enough with most of the lads around the 25 or 26 mark so we should be coming to our peak and we have been playing together for a long time. “The likes of the Sean O’Mahonys and Kilkerley Emmets showed this year that teams can challenge for the top. We know that we can compete with the best teams on our day, but we now need to do that on a regular basis. “Our performance in the Senior Championship was somewhat similar in that we got to the knock-out stages but felt that we could have done a bit more. “It was a difficult group being drawn with the 2012 runnersup, Dreadnots, and the eventual champions, Newtown Blues. The first game against the Clogherhead side was very close and we probably did ride our luck a bit in the first half but we came into the game after the break and finished strongly to claim victory. “We played the Blues in the next game with the chance to top the group. At that stage they were not at their best but got stronger as the campaign went on. In the end they beat us narrowly and we were a bit disappointed that we didn’t win as we could have gone into the quarter-final as group winners,” explained David. The Gaels were handed a meeting with O’Connells in the last eight and again the game reflected their season as they were in contention for much of the hour, only to lose out in the end. “We had performed well and had edged ahead entering the closing stages but the O’Connells snatched it with two late scores so that was a frustrating end to the championship. “However, it showed once again that we can mix it with these teams and that we could have been in the semi-final. The challenge for us has to be to make it happen over the next year or two. “We can’t just be content with narrow defeats and we have push on to make sure we are challenging at the right end of the table and in the latter stages of the championship. We have proven that we have the talent to compete with the top teams so we just need to make sure we do that on a regular basis and hopefully we can do that in 2014,” concluded David.

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WESTERNS

fter a number of seasons making steady progress, Westerns went into the 2013 campaign fully aware that it was going to be a very important period for the club. The defeat to St Kevins in the 2006 Junior Championship Final signalled the end of the road for many of the established players who had served the Reaghstown side for many years in what was a very successful spell for the club. That led to a rebuilding process for the Westerns with a number of new players being blooded over the next season or two.

It wasn’t always an easy path to have embarked upon, but gradually the hard work put in with the young players saw their talent blossom and the encouraging signs on the field of play made the effort worthwhile. The past two seasons have illustrated that many of those young players had now established themselves at this level and some impressive results were recorded. The challenge for the Westerns was to string those results together on a consistent basis and over the course of the 2013 season they responded to that challenge in admirable fashion by turning in one of the best season’s in some time.

The signs were there in the closing stages of 2012 when they finished off the season with a glorious win in the Division 4 final, which added to the sense of expectation on the Westerns team entering into 2013. That sense of anticipation was added to by the impending announcement of a new manager to help build on the great work David “Red” Martin, and off the field of play immense ambitions of the club were reflected in the plans to build a new clubroom for the surrounding community. The search for a new manager led the Westerns to the door of Paddy McGuinness the former Geraldines player, and that proved to be a very

BUILDING BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Stephen Boylan

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WESTERNS 2013

The 2013 Westerns senior squad, front l/r: John Murray, Andrew Murray, Aiden McGarrell, Michael Martin, Ciaran Scriven, Johnaton Brennan (captain), Sean McGuinness, Andrew Kerr, Trevor Baylon, Brendan McMahon. Back: Niall Moynagh, Liam Murray, PJ Marron, Ciaran Campbell, Conor Kerr, Ryan Duffy, James Ward, Tommy Durnin, Stephen Boylan, Terence Sweeney, Colin Martin

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Jonathan Brennan

Ciaran Scriven

Ryan Duffy

wise decision by the committee. Paddy was given the task of leading the Westerns team to more glory in 2013, but not only that as there was also the challenge to strengthen the hearts and minds of each individual and to build upon the huge capability of the players. The year started amidst great anticipation from the locals, none more so than the players who were actively engaged in strength and conditioning training for the weeks leading up to the season start. In the background multiple discussions were underway to plan how the club could raise the much needed funds to build the clubrooms. As a consequence, 2013 was shaping up to be one of strategy, commitment and determination. The Westerns players were spread across multiple competitions, namely: Division 3 League, Kevin Mullen Shield (Group B) and the Division 4C League. The opening game of the season for the Westerns in the Kevin Mullen Shield was against Glen Emmets, which proved to be the first instalment of rivalry which would continue throughout the season. Unfortunately this home game didn’t end to well for the Westerns as they ended up losing by two goals. A number of mixed results in the Shield followed, no more so than against Naomh Fionnbarra and St. Kevins left Westerns in fourth place out of six teams. As a result, no further progress would be made for the Westerns in the competition this year. Nevertheless, there were a lot of very positive takes from the games which would become obvious during the remaining competitions. Meanwhile, the Division 3 and 4C leagues were about to begin with games against Glen Emmets and St. Mochtas respectively. Unfortunately both games were lost and at that stage it wasn’t looking too promising. However, there was never any sense of panic and by the fourth game in Division 3 things started to dramatically change for the Westerns. An emphatic win over St Nicholas GFC by nine points set the lads up for a record eight wins in a row, and without doubt one of the highlights was an outstanding win against local rivals Sean McDermotts. This hugely impressive run of form placed Westerns in fourth position and set up a semi-final with Glen Emmets in the play-offs. Back in Division 4C, the lads had a

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James Ward goes past Stephen Hodgins of St Nicholas

Trevor Baylon

mixed run of form, chalking down some great wins against Na Piarsaigh and Annaghminnon Rovers but missed out on the knock-out stages more so due to player numbers rather than any one team in the league. Finishing in ninth place left a lot of room for improvement next year or a strategic decision to focus on other competitions. In August, the Junior Football Championship (Group 1) began and Westerns went into the competition boosted by their good form in the league and hoping to make an impression. The opening fixtures saw them paired with St Nicholas but unfortunately the Reaghstown lads were unable to repeat their league success and the Nicks emerged with a 2-9 to 0-7 win at the Gaelic Grounds. Nevertheless, there was still plenty to

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play for as the final game of the group saw them take on Wolfe Tones with the winners guaranteed a place in the quarter-final. The result was never in doubt from the early stages as the Westerns dominated from the opening whistle and went on to win by 5-15 to 0-4. Unfortunately, the draw wasn’t too kind to Paddy McGuinness’ side as they faced the hot favourites and high-flying Hunterstown Rovers in the last eight. Once again the Westerns gave a very good account of themselves before losing out on a 3-7 to 0-11 scoreline. The consolation for the Reaghstown outfit was that Rovers would go on to win the title in impressive fashion, but it was the Westerns who gave them their toughest test of the competition. The year was rounded off with a semi-final game away against Glen Emmets. This highly anticipated game took place at Cusack Park in front of huge crowd. What a fantastic performance by the Westerns but it wasn’t meant to be on the day losing out to a marginal score line of one goal. The game finished 1-10 to 0-10 in favour of the home side. The best achievement in several years and a lot of very positive things to build on. In a year of ups and downs, the introduction of the new manager and background focus on raising funds for a new clubroom, all involved with the Westerns couldn’t be more proud of the players. They remained positive and committed to building on the strong foundation formed. Here’s to another great year in 2014. In County news, the Westerns GFC U12 girls were granted the honour of playing Wolfe Tones at the Louth V Antrim halftime game. Not only did the girls perform well but they were victorious in their match which was refereed by Declan Byrne.

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SEAN O’MAHONYS

ver the last number of years the Sean O’Mahonys has most definitely been a club on the rise and the 2013 saw them continue in that vein as they established themselves as one of the most consistent teams in Division 1 of the league. A series of excellent displays, and results to match, saw the Dundalk men claim an impressive and thoroughly deserved third place in the table. Although their challenge for the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup ended at the semi-final stage, the campaign overall was a source of huge satisfaction for the club. As a result of their impressive performances in the top flight over the past two season, the O’Mahonys have been tipped for championship success but despite raised expectations, they failed to land the Seamus Flood Cup. While that is a source of disappointment at the club, one of their

leading players this season, Shane Brennan, believes that overall they have to look at the year in positive terms and they are already aiming to make even further progress next year. While Shane admits that some people might have been taken aback by the Sean O’Mahonys consistent run of form, he points out that few in the club were surprised as they have been making great strides in recent years. “It didn’t come as a great surprise to us as we know we have quality within the team. The tide has been turning for the O’Mahonys for a number of years and we started the 2013 campaign on the back of a good showing the previous season. “I think the key for us is that fact that we displayed a real willingness to work hard for each other and at times we really had to dig deep to get results. We are playing at a high standard now and everyone knows what is expected from them when they take to the pitch. The good thing for us is that it is a real

squad effort and the responsibility is shared throughout the team. “That mentality has helped us achieve some great results and particularly at home. That was very satisfying as we set out to make the Point Road a fortress and I think we went a long way to achieving that. “Another factor was that we got a few new faces in at the beginning and that really helped in terms of quality and gave a bit more depth to our squad. It means that there is a greater competition for places and players have to work harder because nobody is guaranteed an automatic start”, added Shane. “You could see the benefit of that in terms of the performances and results. A lot of players really stepped up this year with the likes of Stephen Kilcoyne, Conor Finnegan and Ronan Byrne all in excellent form alongside the likes of Peter and Andrew Nixon. “Unfortunately, we just fell short at the end of the year as it would have been

FORTRESS POINT ROAD

The Sean O’Mahonys men who claimed the Sheelan Plate final

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SEAN O’MAHONYS 2013

The squad which represented the Sean O’Mahonys in 2013

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Ronan Byrne with his sons Oisin and Tadhg together with the Sheelan Plate

Stephen Kilcoyne Conor Finnegan

nice to at least reach the Cardinal O’Donnell Final as a reward for our efforts. However, we know we didn’t play well enough against Cooley Kickhams in the semi-final and when they moved up a gear we just couldn’t match them. Despite that I think we have to be happy with our league season overall,” he commented. The Point Road men laid the foundations for the successful season with an excellent start although, on

Shane Brennan

John O'Brien

Keith McLoughlin

Ronan Byrne

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Jonathan Connolly

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they will have learned lessons for next year. “I hope the experience of this season will stand to us in 2014. We will definitely be going all out to give a real go in the championship, while also looking to continue our good form in the league. “We know from our performances in Division 1 over the last two seasons that we have the ability to compete. We will be looking to transfer our league form into the championship and one of the main things it to make sure that we peak at the right time and that we are at our best around August and September when it comes to the business end of the season,” he continued. “We are fortunate to have a squad that is still very young team with only two players over 30 at present. I think it is up to the more experienced players to bring the young lads on to make sure we succeed. We have some good individuals coming through the underage ranks and if we can integrate them into the senior squad over the coming years then we should really see the benefit.” According to Shane, the encouraging events on the field are reflecting a very positive atmosphere in the club that continues to form a vital part of the local community. “There is no doubt that the club is in a very healthy position at the minute and there is a great spirit among everyone involved and that is always growing. We are part of a small community in which the players have a very active role and always involved in the local events, as well as raising funds and awareness of the Sean O’Mahonys. “I have no doubt that this will continue over the years and hopefully we will see progress being made both on and off the field over the coming years,” concluded Shane.

Barry Cullen, county board assistant secretary, presents the Sheelan Plate to Ronan Byrne

reflection, it was difficult to sustain the high standards when it came to the latter stages of the year. “We started really well and I thought we were playing some brilliant football in the Paddy Sheelan Cup and the early stages of the league. After the break for the Louth games we probably lost a bit of intensity and it was difficult to get the momentum back,” he explained. While that didn’t prevent the O’Mahonys from qualifying for the top four in the league, Shane believes it was a factor in their failure to make an impact on the Intermediate Championship. “Before the start of the championship we knew that there was a group of teams gunning for the title and all in with a chance of victory, but we felt we had the ability to go all the way. However, it didn’t work out for us the way we had hoped. “We got through the group stages to set up a meeting with St Josephs in the quarter-final and although we were optimistic going into the game, we fell short. I think the Joes had their homework done and knew where to hurt us. Overall it was very disappointing as I thought we had a lot more to offer than we showed that day,” continued Shane who hopes

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SPECIAL FEATURE

30 YEARS AND COUNTING

oming up on 30 years in trading, Conlon’s Food Hall established itself as one of Dundalk’s most renowned family businesses thanks to its quality foods. We talked to company founder Peter Conlon about his award winning service and how he and his family have been braving the tough economic climate. When it comes to making a name for yourself in business, the food and catering industry has always been amongst the toughest to crack. Somehow Conlon’s Food Hall has managed the feat throughout four different decades now. Founded in 1984 by Peter Conlon after an international stint in the hospitality industry and a series of successful food catering ventures, Conlon’s Food Hall first appeared in Dundalk on Patrick Street. Following a brief move to Bridge Street, where the faded remnant of its first floor sign is still visible to this day, an early version of the proud chef featured in our current branding, later that same year saw Peter cross the road with his already burgeoning delicatessen and catering service to Church Street, where they remain today.

A look at what Conlon’s Food Hall has to offer

“We started in May 1984, so next year will see us celebrating 30 years here in Dundalk,” explained Peter. “We’re based in Church Street and we also have a store in the Longwalk Shopping Centre. We also do some catering work for the St Vincent’s secondary school and the St Nicholas national school but our main shop is on Church Street.” Over the years the company have expanded and renovated their facilities and can now boast a modern kitchen, capable of producing food to feed hundreds at large events or just a select few at an intimate family gathering. The size of the job doesn’t matter, the quality and care that goes

From left to right are: Ann Duffy, Deirdre Matthews (Principle of St Vincent’s Dundalk), Peter Conlon and Christopher Conlon

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into the preparation, delivery and service of the food is always excellent, Peter insists on it. Twenty three years later, in 2007, they took up residence in the Longwalk Shopping Centre, addressing a desire in Dundalk for a quality sit-down establishment serving a diverse range of meals from morning till evening as well as providing a full delicatessen service in a convenient location. Conlon’s Food Hall is and always has been a family business, hence the motto – “Our family looking after yours since 1984”. All of Peter’s children and many other relatives have been regular employees of the company, many of them still are. Christopher, Peter’s second eldest, manages the business alongside his father and will ensure that the name ‘Conlon’ remains synonymous with quality food in Ireland’s north east for generations to come. “My son Christopher is the manager here and my son Martin is a driver with the company,” he said. “All in all, we employ 24 people overall and we cook all of our own stuff and keep as much homemade as we can; we even make our own Mayonnaise. We supply cooked meats and back when I started I’d say we were one of the first places in Ireland to sell chicken goujons. “We’ve always done outside catering, evening parties and it was about 10 years ago that we started the canteens with schools. Nutrition for kids is

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important and we’re delighted to supply that to them.” Peter’s own past experience saw him chef in some of the top hotels around the area before going out on his own after feeling confident that he could exploit a gap in the market. “I was a chef in the Hilton Hotel and a few other local hotels that were owned by the Quinn family,” he said. “I saw there was a market when I went out on my own and thankfully haven’t looked back since then. I love the work we do here and I’m delighted to be in a business that I enjoy working in.” From the early days of its inception, Conlon’s Food Hall has built a glowing reputation for its delicious food products and first class service. This year saw those attributes marked with the ‘Best Customer Service’ award at the 2013 Louth

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the town’s main shopping hub. Business Awards ceremony. “Expansion just happens,” he The award was a coveted one stated. “Our business seemed to for Peter and his family and one be growing and we felt it was the that rightfully reflects their right time to open up another perception all over Co Louth and shop. We had got a call from a outside its borders. local auctioneer that a premises Customer satisfaction has been was available in the shopping the number one priority for Peter centre and we decided that we’d since starting up his business and give it a go. Thank God, it has finds that listening to the customer gone very well for us. is often a good recipe for repeat business. Over the past 30 years, “Our turnover has been good for Peter and his family have the first time since the recession acquired numerous regular hit and that’s a major positive in A delicious looking ham at Conlon’s Food Hall customers and the founder this economic climate. We’re himself puts a lot of it down to the coming up to Christmas now and friendly atmosphere you feel when it is always a very busy time for us and you walk through the door of both we’re looking forward to it again after their Dundalk shops. a reasonably good year.” “We try to look after the customer While Peter isn’t what you would call as best we can,” said Peter. “If they a though and through GAA man, he have a problem with something, still tries to support locally and that whether it’s the service, food or means clubs around the Dundalk area whatever, you do your best to sort it who he does not wish to single out. out. However, he did reveal that one of “I find that sitting down and taking his sons was a past hurler with the time to talk to people is greatly Inniskeen club in Monaghan, although appreciated and I still enjoy talking to the family side with Louth GAA when the customers every day. It’s a it comes to big match days in the business I like. It’s great banter and Leinster SFC every summer. although everybody in this country “My son Gareth played hurling with has been affected by the recession, I Inniskeen in Monaghan and we try to still don’t think people want to hear support as many local clubs as we about the negative aspects too Conlon’s Food Hall on Church St, Dundalk much.” can when we can. We He added: “We have don’t like choosing always tried to stay one club over another positive here and I’d so any that come to us really like to see the we try to help in town improve and turn whatever way we things around in the can,” said Peter. next few years Next year should see because it is our town, deserved celebrations after all.” and a fantastic of 30 Along with gaining a years in existence coveted customer achieved for Conlon’s service award, Food Hall, but Peter Conlon’s Food Hall illustrated that the plan also showed a healthy Company founder Peter Conlon Siobhan Duffy with a fresh batch to stay solvent and turnover in 2013 for the keep all shoulders to first time since the the wheel. economic downturn took its “The hopes next year are to toll. have good health and keep This came after the decision our heads down and keep was taken by Peter and going,” he said. Christopher six years ago to “Dundalk has been hit hard expand the business into the Longwalk Shopping Centre. It by the recession and the town was a bold move in a risky isn’t what it was, to be honest, time by the family, but the and that’s sad to see. expansion has paid dividends Hopefully things can thus far, according to Peter, turnaround sooner rather than who has obtained plenty more later.” Left to right: James Duffy, Ronan Crosby, ‘regulars’ with the move into Here’s hoping! Peter Conlon and Christopher Conlon

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DUNDALK YOUNG IRELANDS

undalk Young Irelands put their mini lull behind them in 2013 and returned with a vengeance to make a concerted bid for the Louth IFC. Following two facile group victories, the Wee County’s oldest club pushed eventual winners Geraldines all the way at the quarter-final stage before bowing out with their dignity very much intact. Next year, expect DYI to come even closer to achieving championship glory. In 2010, Aaron Rogers had the honour of collecting the Seamus Flood Cup as captain of the all-conquering Louth IFC-winning Dundalk Young Irelands brigade. In 2013, at the age of 36, Aaron was still going strong at centre back for the Irelanders and he has vowed to stay on for at least one more season; the veteran campaigner believes he can sense that another championship success is nigh.

Consolidation was very much the name of the game for the club in ’13 but, on the back of a typically strong championship showing, Young Irelands were disappointed at the end of the year not to have gone further than the last eight of the intermediate championship. “I’d have to say we’re a bit disappointed with how things worked out in the end,” says Aaron. “Our target at the start of the year was to consolidate our intermediate league status as we had struggled a bit since being relegated a couple of years ago. We were back up in Division Two and we wanted to stay there. That was our main goal – and then to have a good run in the championship as well. “In the league, we finished mid-table, and just outside the play-off places. We got to the quarter-finals of the championship and were seven points up at half time against the Geraldines, but there was a twelve-point turn-

around in the second half and we lost by five. “We know ourselves that we shouldn’t have lost that game. Geraldines showed what they were made of in the second half but we fell apart. We are disappointed in that respect. We are a championship team and we always feel that we will perform well in the championship. After leading by seven points, it was disappointing not to get to a semi-final at least. We had won the two group games well and we were up for the quarter-final. It was disappointing to be knocked out. “Having topped our group, we were hoping to avoid the Geraldines but, once we got them, we still felt we could beat them because we were flying. But we were beaten by the eventual champions, who showed their true form in the second half – and what can you say to that, really?” St Fechins provided the opposition in the opening Group Two encounter in

PRIMED AND READY TO STRIKE

St Josephs Conor Lynch blocks the route to goal for Cian O Naraigh

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DUNDALK YOUNG IRELANDS 2013

The 2013 Dundalk Young Irelands squad, front l/r: Michael Shields, Jordan O'Donoghue, Cian O Naraigh, Shane O'Callaghan, Simon Flynn, Dean Maguire, Peter Flynn, Dermot Mone, Stephen Lally, Derek Maguire, Aaron Rogers, Robbie Farrell. Back: Peter McCourt, Sean Laverty, Stephen Bellew, Brian O'Hagan, Ryan Malone, John Boland, Mark Savage, Tom O'Connor, Ciaran Murray, Sean McLoughlin, Kevin Keelan, Ryan Whyte, Paddy Mone

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DUNDALK YOUNG IRELANDS

PRIMED AND READY TO STRIKE

St Josephs Conor Lynch blocks the route to goal for Cian O Naraigh

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DUNDALK YOUNG IREALNDS 2013

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1-11 defeat. In the cold light of day, with the dust well and truly settled on the season, Aaron Rogers admits that the Irelanders would have to be reasonably content with their performances: “If somebody had said at the start of the year that we would get to a championship quarter-final and finished mid-table in the league, we would have grabbed it with both hands. “Having said that, there’s no escaping the fact that we were disappointed in the end. We have always felt that we are a good team who can put it up to anybody on our day. At the start of the season, we were rated as 20-1 outsiders to win the intermediate championship and we thought that was a ridiculous price. We knew we could give it a good shot. “Overall, it was a good year and we have provided a good base to build upon. Some of the minors came into the team and were fantastic. Dean Maguire in particular – Derek’s younger brother – was fantastic and there is a good base there now for those lads to go on and challenge.” With most of the same personnel on board, Aaron – who also captained the

The U7's that took part in the Og Sport Lu

Stabannon and a haul of 1-4 from young Dean Maguire proved decisive as Young Irelands prevailed by nine points, 2-11 to 0-8. The DYI team on duty on July 20th was: Tom O’Connor; Shane O’Connell, Cillian Murray, Robbie Farrell; Cian O’Niaraigh, Aaron Rogers, Peter Flynn; Sean McLoughlin, Simon Flynn; David Lally, Derek Maguire (0-3), Ryan White; Dean Maguire (1-4), Mark Savage (01), Dermot Mone (1-1). Subs: Johnny Lynch, Jordan O’Donoghue (0-1), Stephen Bellew, Peter McCourt, Michael Shields. The second group outing against St Mochtas at The Grove on Friday, July 26th was even more of a formality as Mark Savage (3), Dean Maguire (2) and Dermot Mone all plundered goals during the course of a resounding 6-9

to 1-6 success. The nature of this victory meant that a fit, sharp and focussed Young Irelands side went into the last eight brimming with confidence. Back in Castlebellingham on Best Wishes To Saturday night, Dundalk Young Irelands September 7th, Enda GAA In 2014, From Murray’s charges hit the ground running against Geraldines and tore into a comfortable half-time AUTO BODY REPAIRS lead but the Low Bake Spray Booth concession of 1-10 Insurance Work Handled without reply in the Car Hire Arranged first 17 minutes of the Contact Damien Morgan second half proved Toyota Approved Dundalk Rd, Ardee, Co. Louth fatal as they fell to a Tel: 087-6632942 disappointing 1-16 to

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Sean McLoughlin

County star Derek Maguire

Dean Maguire

club to the JFC crown in 2007 -could sense that the spirit of 2010 was back in the Upper Marshes clubhouse: “We had the bones of the 2010 team back, although Graham Carr was in London and a couple of lads were in Australia. But we had a good crop of those championship-winning players again and that helped. We had a similar team, the vibe was back, and we all felt better than we had the previous couple of years.” Young Irelands didn’t make the same impression in the 2012 SFC, when they were hampered by the fact that they had slipped – albeit briefly – down to Division Three: “When you’re playing junior league, it’s very hard to get motivated and morale was low,” Aaron reflects. “Going down to the junior league at the end of 2011 was a real blow. And it was a struggle to get out of it. Derek Maguire was away in Boston for the summer and some other lads lost interest. But Derek came back just in time for the promotion play-offs and we made it back up with victory over Naomh Fionnbarra. “This year, we were determined not to suffer the same fate again. We set our stall out to win five games as quickly as possible and that would get us clear of relegation danger. We had an easy enough start against the Malachis, who were really struggling, and we then played very well against the Marys in our own field. Even though we lost, I felt that we played so well that day that we could kick on. That display gave us the impetus to go on and have a decent season.” Looking to 2014, Aaron confirms that he definitely intends to stick around. He has a good feeling… “This year has provided us with a great confidence boost. We can challenge for a play-off spot at least in the league and go one or two steps further in the championship. We started preparing in November and had lads in doing strength and conditioning, so we will be ready for next year. “I haven’t too much time left myself and I’m hoping to finish on a high. I’ll be 37 next year and it could be my swansong. I’m retiring every other year but you always come back and give it another go… The recovery isn’t what it used to be but, honestly, I can smell another championship and I intend to stick around for that. The buzz is back in Young Irelands.”

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Simon Flynn

Aaron Rogers

Conor Keelan

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SPECIAL FEATURE

DRIVING TO SUCCESS

oach travel has certainly changed over the years, long gone are the days of sitting in a bus that has uncomfortable seating, while the nearest thing to airconditioning was by opening a window.

Comfort is now a main priority of all coach companies and providing a service to their customers that ensures their journey is as smooth as possible. To say the coach industry has been subject to many changes in recent years would be an understatement, but for one Monaghan based company, they have gone to a whole new level. When one mentions the name Matthews Coach Hire or indeed that of its managing director Paddy Matthews, everyone will feel that they have heard of this company and the chances are that they have done as this business has featured prominently in the news in recent years. Matthew Coach Hire is an innovative company that is always looking at ways to improve its service, even though they are the leaders in their field of expertise in Ireland. Based in Inniskeen, Co

Paddy (left) and Noel (right) Matthews of Matthews Coach Hire which has became the first passenger transport company in Ireland and the UK, and only the second in the world, to achieve the coveted new ISO 50001 Energy Management Systems Award

Monaghan, this coach hire firm offers a nationwide service, while for many years now they have been providing a reliable service to the people of Louth through their daily services from Dundalk and Drogheda to Dublin on a return basis. Having gained a reputation for

delivering a top quality service over the course of the last 18 years, Matthews Coach Hire has always looked at ways at improving the service provided to the large customer base and they are not ones to rest on their laurels as continual improvement is being made.

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Founded in 1995 by husband and wife team Paddy and Mary Matthews, Matthews employs 72 people and has a fleet of 35 vehicles across commuter, tour and corporate hire services. This family run business, which is headquartered in Inniskeen has gone from strength to strength over the years and provides a wide range of services including tours, commuter services, corporate hire and private coach hire. Paddy and Mary’s son and foster daughter Noel and Majella are heavily involved in the day to day running of the company and for this year’s edition of the Wee County Yearbook we speak to the Matthews’ siblings about the success that the company has had on and off the road in recent years. For the past three consecutive years, Matthews Coach Hire’ success can be gauged by the awards that they have won as twice in the last three years they have received the SEAI energy awareness award. Since 2008 when Noel attended a seminar cost savings and energy consumption, the company have strived to improve in this area and they have done so with spectacular results. “When Noel attended the seminar, he learned of ways that we could reduce our fuel costs in the business and we set about doing that ourselves. While, we were doing that, we were advised to enter into the SEAI awards and we did so with great success,” said Majella. “In 2012, we saved €80,000 which is a substantial amount. We invested in a G.P.S tracking system in 2011 and began a campaign to make the drivers more aware of the fuel consumption that they were using. They all underwent training and this proven very successful. Drivers’ performances have been linked to their Christmas bonus and not only has this secured their jobs, but it is also rewarding their work. “There have been a number of side benefits to this also as maintenance

Noel accepts the Care for the Environment award at the Fleet Bus and Coach Awards from John Dunne of sponsors JF Dunne Insurance. Also in photo are: Sean Murtagh, and Louise Duffy, Today FM

Minister Pat Rabitte presents the SEAI Energy Awareness Award 2012 to Majella Lambe, Human Resources Manager, Matthews Coach Hire. Also in photo are Brid Horan, Electric Ireland Executive Director and Brian Motherway CEO, SEAI

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costs have been reduced as well as windscreen replacements. It keeps everyone motivated and that is a big plus also,” added Majella. Matthews Coach Hire won the prestigious Energy Awareness Award at the SEAI Sustainable Energy Awards which was their second success in three years, while they have also picked up other accolades during that period also. The company came out on top beating stiff competition from some of the country’s biggest businesses. “We were delighted to win this award, as it represents our energy saving work across the company, over a number of years,” said Noel, who is the company’s Fleet and Quality manager. “When you look at the companies that were also nominated in our category, you will get an idea of the scale of our project and achievement. “This energy saving project has allowed us to reduce fuel consumption from 30 litres per 100km to 27.23 litres per 100km, which makes a huge difference across our fleet. Our vehicles are often driven by two or more drivers per day, making it impossible to pin fuel usage to any one individual using standard fuel management techniques.” Earlier this year, the company became Ireland’s most environmentally friendly passenger transport company when they became the first public transport company in Ireland or the

U.K – and only the second in the world – to achieve the new ISO 50001 energy management accreditation. Noel revealed that as a bonded tour company, they were focusing on tourism in the country and providing an unrivalled service to the thousands of tourists that descend on Ireland on an annual basis. “We are focusing on coach tours. There has been a change in the legislation with regards to visas for the Asian countries, so they can travel over here more freely and we hope to benefit from this. We have already increased on our tours and this will be an area that we will be concentrating on more.” Noel and Majella are delighted with the direction is heading in and he knows that hard work and dedication has got them where they are today. From humbling beginnings running one mini bus to a fleet of 35 exclusive vehicles, Matthews Coach Hire is leading the way in its field of expertise. Contact Details: Callenberg, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan, Ireland Tel: +353 42 9378188 / Lo-Call: 1890 25 20 40 Email: info@matthews.ie Fax: +353 42 9378709

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pon their return to senior ranks in 2013, O’Connells hit the ground running, reaching the semi-final stage of the SFC and also capturing a first-ever senior title in the shape of the Sheelan Cup, beating St Patricks in the final at Fr McEvoy Park in June. Boasting a fantastic blend of youth and experience in their first team and - with a superb juvenile production line in place – the future looks exceptionally bright for the Castlebellingham / Kilsaran outfit. O’Connells were consistent throughout 2013; consistently good. Having finally returned to the top table, they took things in their stride and, in a no-fuss fashion, established themselves as one of the top four clubs in the Wee County with a series of strong performances across all three main competitions. The club captured its first-ever senior

O’CONNELLS trophy at Fr McEvoy Park on Saturday, June 8th when Wayne McKeever’s charges - who had been beaten by Newtown Blues in the final of last year's subsidiary competition - made amends with a sensational 0-14 to 2-7 victory over county champions St Patricks in the 2013 Pady Sheelan Cup decider. Following on from an extraordinary 2012 campaign, the Castlebellingham club was contesting a fifth successive final in all competitions and took full advantage to prevail by the minimum margin. Having led by five points early in the second half, the winners fell behind with time almost up but refused to panic and sealed a historic win thanks to late strikes from captain Niall Conlon and Robert Quigley. At the semi-final stage, they had enjoyed a 1-10 to 0-5 victory over Naomh Mairtin, having advanced to the last four courtesy of a 3-12 to 0-11 defeat of St Brides.

In the SFC, O’Connells opened their group account with a 2-8 to 2-3 win over Glyde Rangers at Haggardstown and the 2012 intermediate kingpins booked their spot in the last eight as group winners by virtue of a brilliant 212 to 1-9 victory over Mattock Rangers in Dunleer on Sunday, July 28th, with red-hot wing forward Paul McKeever contributing a handsome 2-4 to the winning tally. Veteran campaigner Mark Stanfield drilled over a stunning winner from the sideline as Dundalk Gaels were beaten by the odd point from 19 in the quarter-finals, with the following side on duty: Stuart Reynolds; Andrew Shields, Conor Byrne, Jason Carroll; David Doyle, Jackie Agnew, Keith Woods; Conor Kiernan, Mark Stanfield (0-2); Salem Rifaie, Niall Conlon (0-1), Andrew Sharkey (0-1); Paul McKeever (0-1), Robert Quigley (0-2), Cian Doyle (0-2). Subs: Emmet Byrne for P McKeever, Dean Stanfield for C

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The Paddy Sheelan Cup winners, front l/r: Sean Cairns, Andrew Sharkey, Paul McKeever, Jackie Agnew, Keith Woods, Conor Culligan, Robert Quigley, James Rath, Killian Shields. Back: Dean Stanfield, Michéal Cairns, Conor Byrne, Sean Connolly, Salem Rifaie, David Hoey, Stuart Reynolds, PJ Tuite, Conor Kiernan, Emmet Byrne

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O’CONNELLS 2013

The senior squad, front l/r: Dean Corrigan, Emmet Byrne, Killian Shields, Andrew Sharkey, PJ Tuite, Cian Doyle, Niall Conlon (captain), Jackie Agnew, John Paul Stanfield, James Rath, Robert Quigley, Keith Woods. Back: Salem Rifaie, Mark Stanfield, Sean Connolly, Ciarán O'Brien, Stefan O'Hanrahan, Dean Stanfield, Stuart Reynolds, David Doyle, Conor Culligan, Michéal Cairns, Conor Byrne, Andrew Shields, Paul McKeever, Conor Kiernan

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Club captain Niall Conlon

Kiernan, Stephen Hoey for D Doyle, Paul McKeever for R Quigley. The semi-final was played at Dowdallshill on Sunday evening, September 15th and O’Connells’ dream run was ended by Cooley Kickhams. The mid-Louth side led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval but secondNiall Conlon

Conor Culligan

Adrian Sheelan presents the Paddy Sheelan Cup to Niall Conlon

half goals from Richard Brennan and Patrick Sheelan consigned them to a 2-9 to 0-9 defeat. The semi-final team was: Stuart Reynolds; Andrew Shields, Conor Byrne, Jason Carroll; David Doyle, Jackie Agnew, Keith Woods; Conor Kiernan, Mark Stanfield; Salem Rifaie (0-1), Niall Conlon (0-2), Andrew Jackie Agnew

Paul McKeever

Brian Kearney presents the Intermediate Player of the Year award to Jackie Agnew

Sharkey (0-5); Paul McKeever, Robert Quigley, Cian Doyle 0-1. Subs: Dean Stanfield for D Doyle, Sean Connolly for Woods. Understandably, manager Wayne McKeever was pleased overall with how O’Connells acquitted themselves upon their long-awaited return to Thomas Callan

Dean Stanfield On duty in the Division 1 league, front l/r: Andrew Sharkey, Paul McKeever, Robert Quigley, Niall Conlon, Cian Doyle, Sean Cairns, Andrew Shields, Conor McGill. Back: Jason Carroll, Killian Shields, Keith Woods, Dean Stanfield, David Doyle, Jackie Agnew, Stuart Reynolds, Salem Rifaie, Conor Byrne, Emmet Byrne, Michéal Cairns

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Sean Connolly receives the Junior Player of the Year award from selectors Malcum McDonnell and Alan Brennan

senior ranks. Having said that, there were pangs of regret that they didn’t advance beyond Cooley Kickhams to the county SFC final: “Considering where we were coming from last year, having reached four finals and secured promotion back to senior, I was a little bit afraid that we might suffer from second-season syndrome, but I was more than happy with the way the lads kicked on,” he says. “In the end, we were a bit disappointed to lose the semi-final to Cooley. The bottom line was that they took their goal chances on the day and we didn’t. Only for that, we could have been in another final. In general, though, the lads put in an excellent shift and I was delighted with the way it worked out.” The significance of bringing a first-ever senior trophy back to The Grove should not be lost on anyone. It’s not all that long since a bright-eyed young St Patricks side did exactly the same – and look what they’ve achieved since! “The Sheelan Cup might not be a major priority for many other clubs but for us – especially after having been beaten in the final the previous year – it was a big one. It was our first-ever senior cup so we were obviously very happy with that win. We also held our own in the top half of the league, so it was a good season. “We have a very good young squad on our hands, but it’s a small squad too and that’s the one thing that maybe tells against us a little. I think it was that lack of strength in depth that killed us in the end. But we’re hoping to be stronger next year, with a few lads hopefully coming into the team. Sean Cairns will be back from America and we missed him around the middle of the field.” With two decades between the youngest players on the O’Connells team and the oldest, it would be fair to say they have a real mix of youth and experience. “A few of them like Mark Stanfield and Stuart Reynolds are the wrong side of 34 and then we have the likes of Robert Quigley, Cian Doyle and Conor Kiernan, who are still around 17 /18 and have acclimatised very well to senior football already,” notes Wayne. “Robert and Cian both broke onto the senior team last year and they were excellent on the intermediate-winning side. Expectations were higher this year and they were marked a lot more closely because word was out about how dangerous they are. They were given a lot more respect by opposition players – and rightly so – but they are good lads and they kept working very hard in training and I’d expect them to push on again next year.” Did Wayne honestly think at the start of the 2013 season that O’Connells would be in the shake-up for the Joe Ward Cup? “I

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knew we’d give it a in the top five teams good shot. When I in the county. took over two years “We are up with the ago, we had been big boys now and favourites year after those standards will year to win the IFC have to be but had undermaintained. We achieved. Even have to keep it going back to when I going. Every year was playing, we you set out to do didn’t do ourselves better than the justice. So, to finally previous year, so we win the intermediate now have to aim for last year was a vital a county final, that’s breakthrough the reality. “Once we got that “After we beat monkey off our Dundalk Gaels this backs, we got a year – in a terrible good run in Leinster game – a lot of and suddenly we Wayne Lynch from Stabannon was the winner of €20,000 in the club’s Lotto. He receives people said to me his cheque from Seamus Cairns (chairman) and Martin O'Hanrahan were used to playing that Cooley would – and winning – big there now,” the manager admits. “My beat us by more than a point a man. games. The players took a lot of goal was to make us into a top-half But we never believed that. The fear experience from last year and, when senior team that could reach quarterfactor of the big guns is gone. we sent them out onto the field, we finals and semi-finals, and we’ve O’Connells don’t fear Cooley, the Pats, were looking for performances first and achieved that. The surprise element is the Blues or Dreadnots. We know we foremost. gone now and O’Connells is up there “Going into the senior semi-final have the beating of any of those against Cooley, we had no fear teams and we can rise to the because we had beaten them challenge against anyone. twice in 2012 and we knew we “My job is to keep instilling could give it a good shot again. We confidence in them and to point knew we could compete with them them forward. We have some and that was the main thing. We truly excellent players – the likes had set out with the aim of getting of Jackie Agnew and Niall Conlon ourselves into the last four and, are superb footballers and it’s a with a bit of luck, you could then mystery to me how they are not progress to a final. I’m not saying involved with Louth, to be we’d have won it, but we believed honest.” we could challenge for a county It looks like only a matter of time final place.” Is next year going to be difficult, before the phone starts to ring! considering that even a SFC O’Connells have just enjoyed two wonderful seasons and there quarter-final loss would probably appears to be plenty more where be construed as a backwards Club Chairman Seamus Cairns presents Marion Conlon that came from! step? “Expectations will always be with the Club Worker of the Year award

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KILKERLEY EMMETS

ilkerley Emmets delivered some fantastic displays in Division One of the ACFL in 2013, finishing their league campaign in the Top Four and thereby qualifying for a Cardinal O’Donnell Cup semi-final tilt at St Patricks in late October. While this form was never quite matched in the championship, they managed to hold onto their senior status thanks to a battling relegation play-off final victory over Glyde Rangers. Ultimately, there was no real harm done and long-serving defender Alan McGeough believes the team has plenty to build upon going forward. When the draw for the championship is made, the last thing any club craves is to be pitted into the same section as St Patricks and Cooley Kickhams. But that’s exactly the fate that befell Kilkerley Emmets in 2013; they had a

mountain to climb before a ball was even kicked in the race for the Joe Ward Cup. That’s not to say they gave up without a fight. Riding high in Division One, Kilkerley went into their Group D campaign full of confidence and determination, but back-to-back defeats saw them finish bottom of the section and plunged them into a relegation semi-final. A 0-10 to 0-9 defeat at the hands of bogey team O’Raghallaighs left Malachy O’Rourke’s charges just one hour away from intermediate football. Squeaky-bum time? You’d better believe it! In that do-or-die encounter, it was nip and tuck for most of a tense, lowscoring game and Kilkerley led by 0-5 to 0-4 with four minutes left. But a 57thminute Raymond Mulholland goal finally broke Glyde’s resistance and Emmets retained their place at the top table with a 1-8 to 0-4 win.

The following personnel were on duty in the senior relegation final against Tallanstown: Cillian Quigley; Cormac Bellew, Niall Mulholland, Sean Doherty; Ronan Lennon, Fintan Clarke, Alan McGeough; Ciaran Quigley, Ciaran Bellew; Donal McElroy, Sean Hand, Niall Lennon (01); Sean McElroy (0-1), Shane Lennon (0-6), Raymond Mulholland 1-0. Sub: Daniel McKeown for C Bellew. On the back of a series of accomplished displays, the consistent Kilkerley men also qualified for the latter stages of the Cardinal O'Donnell Cup but the following side was ousted by St Patricks at Lordship on Sunday, October 20th to bring the curtain down on what had been a mixed year for the saffron and blue: Cillian Quigley; Cormac Bellew, Niall Mulholland, Brian Gernon; Ronan Lennon, Alan McGeough, Sean Doherty; Ciaran Quigley, Donal McElroy; Sean McElroy, Niall Lennon (0-1), Ciaran

LEAGUE FORM WAS HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE

Alan McGeough

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KILKERLEY EMMETS 2013

The senior panel, front l/r: Rian Hand, Sean Doherty, Eamonn Kelly, Ciaran Clarke, Conal McEnaney, Paddy Mulholland, Daniel McKeown, Ciaran Bellew, Sean Hand, Emmet Hughes, Niall Lennon, Pearse Hughes, Cormac Bellew, Conal McGeough, David McGeough, James Connolly. Back: Declan Curran, James Sheilds, Niall Mulholland, Donal McElroy, Alan McGeough, Ray Mulholland, Fintan Clarke, Cillian Quigley, Brian Gernon, Kieran Quigley, Shane Lennon, Cathal Bellew, Shaun McElroy, Robbie Shields, Cillian Mulligan, Ronan Lennon, Micheal McGeown

kilkerley emmets designed_Layout 1 16/12/2013 15:11 Page 3

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The squad for the league game against Oliver Plunketts, front l/r: Daniel McKeown, Micheal McGeown, Shane Farrelly, Ciaran Clarke, Conal McEnaney, Ciaran Bellew, Cathal Bellew, Conal McGeough, Emmet Hughes, Sean Hand. Back: Eamonn Kelly, Niall Lennon, Donal McElroy, Shane Doran, Niall Mulholland, Ronan Lennon, Fintan Clarke, Alan McGeough, Brian Gernon, Kiaran Quigley, Ray Mulholland, Shane Lennon, Robbie Shields. Missing from photo is goalkeeper Cillian Quigley

Bellew; Sean Hand, Shane Lennon (0-4), Daniel McKeown. Subs: Andrew McGuill for Ciaran Bellew, Fintan Clarke for A McGuill, Ray Mulholland for D McKeown, Emmet Hughes for N Lennon, Conall McEneaney for Cormac Bellew. Long-serving defender Alan McGeough, who has been a stalwart of the first team for 15 years (since he was 16 years old!), feels that the SFC draw didn’t do Kilkerley any favours: “We had a tough enough championship draw as we were pitted in the same group as the Pats and Cooley, and we knew from the start that it wasn’t going to be easy. But we had beaten Newtown Blues in our first game in the league and had made a good start to the year. We managed to maintain that through the league and went into the championship in good form. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t replicate our league form in the championship and it was always going to be a difficult task as we were in there against two of the top four sides in the county. “In general, we were disappointed with how the championship went but at the end of the day we are still senior and we got to a Cardinal O’Donnell Cup semi-final, so there are some positives to look back on as well. “Cathal Bellew was a big loss to us in the last few games of the season but, all in all, we held onto our senior status and we were happy enough with that. At least we are still senior going into 2014.”

Is it possible for a team’s championship fate to be effectively sealed by the draw? “Once we saw the draw, we always knew it was going to be difficult. But we weren’t resigned to going out. It was still there to be won. The championship is one game, on the day, and we were in good form going into it, but it was a tall order. We knew it would set us up nicely if we could beat Cooley in the first group game but, once they beat us, that left us facing an uphill battle.”

Sean Hand

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Reflecting on the crucial Cooley game, Alan continues: “We started off okay. Both teams set up with a defensive plan and scores were at a premium as a result. But they managed to snuff us out. They have very good forwards and they made better use of the ball. Brian White picked off a few frees and we were soon chasing the game. At the other end, we couldn’t get the ball in to Shane [Lennon] and we found it hard to get scores on the board.” Going in against the Pats, who were defending champions, Kilkerley knew they had to win by nine points. Realistically, this was never going to happen “We were going in against what I would say was the best team in the county at the time and, with the score difference the way it was, it was always going to be an uphill task. Shane Lennon got a knock halfway through as well and we also had a couple of other injuries. But we had a couple of young lads coming through and at least they got to experience championship football.” Kilkerley blooded some fine young talent in 2013. “Niall Mulholland, Daniel McKeown and Conall McEneaney all came through and acquitted themselves well and we also have a couple of other young lads coming through behind them,” Alan notes. “Our minors won the ‘B’ championship as well, which is a good boost for the club. That’s a good sign; it’s encouraging to have young lads coming through and it’s always good to get them some championship experience.” Did panic set in when Kilkerley took their place in the relegation dogfight?: “When we’ve played O’Raghallaighs, we’ve always found it difficult against them. They’re one of those teams we always find it hard to beat and they had taken two points off us in the league in Drogheda. But we were sitting high in the league and we felt we had a good chance going in against them in Dunleer. “We had a very good first half and were five or six up at half time but we let them back into it and they ended up beating us by a point. It was disappointing because when you go into a relegation battle you want to secure your safety as early as possible. Going into the last game was not ideal and we had a nervy couple of weeks leading up to the Glyde game.

Shane Lennon

“It was a nervy enough match too but, again, we’d been going well in the league and still had our eye on the semifinals, so the lads were training away and we managed to get the win. It was a very tight league this year and the way it finished up suited us. We were still getting the numbers out at training, we had a bit of momentum, and we simply knew we had to get the job done against Glyde.” Looking forward to the 2014 season, what will Kilkerley Emmets’ approach to the new year be? “We will always look at the league at the start of the year and try to get off to as good a start as we can,” Alan concludes. “We’ll them wait for the championship draw and see where we are after that. “Obviously, this year we got a difficult draw so you’d be hoping for something a little easier. We’ll give our all in the league and then see what the championship offers us. “We have good young players coming through and we also have the likes of Shane Lennon, who is our talisman, Sean Hand and Cathal Bellew, who are all super footballers. I’d like to think that in a few more years we’d have a few more minors coming through. There is definitely potential there and there’s also talk of James Fagan coming back, who would be a huge addition around the middle of the field. We definitely have the players there to mount a challenge.”

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GLEN EMMETS

len Emmets gave a decent account of themselves in 2013 and could easily be going into the new season with Division Two and intermediate championship football to look forward to. Instead, they must be content with junior and Division Three fare after missing out narrowly on winning promotion in the ACFL and slipping unluckily from the IFC. It was a disappointing outcome but goalkeeper Fergus Barnett is confident that the Tullyallen men will be challenging for honours on both fronts in 2014. Even from a neutral perspective, it’s hard not to feel some degree of sympathy for Glen Emmets after the near misses they recorded in 2013. Having stormed to the 2012 junior football championship, they went into the new campaign full of confidence. But things went wrong from the off.

Shorn of key men due to injury and emigration, they were pitted in an extremely difficult championship group in the IFC. Defeats to Geraldines and St Brides followed and, in hindsight, the enormity of the task facing Brian Lynch’s charges is summed up by the fact that these two clubs went on to contest the final. By finishing bottom of their group, Glen Emmets went into the relegation dogfight. They possibly could have beaten St Mochtas and certainly should have beaten Naomh Malachi, but two defeats meant they were relegated back to the junior grade. In the league, Glen Emmets and Roche Emmets set the pace at the top of the Division Three table all year. Both teams were unbeaten when they met in the last round in Roche, a game that decided who would claim the silverware and automatic promotion. Roche came out on top, 2-11 to 1-9 on Friday, August 23rd.

In the league promotion play-offs, Westerns were defeated at the semifinal stage by 1-10 to 0-10 but a onepoint defeat to Naomh Fionnbarra on Sunday, October 6th meant that the Tullyallen men were staying in Division Three – 0-10 to 0-9. The championship relegation final against Naomh Malachi had also ended in a one-point loss – 1-8 to 2-4 in mid-September, with the Courtbane men landing the decisive point right at the death. When I spoke to Tullyallen manager Brian Lynch briefly, he described 2013 as “a year that could have brought so much but brought nothing in the end.” Brian pointed out that all Glen Emmets had to do was beat two intermediate teams to ensure themselves of IFC and Division Three football. “But we weren’t up to it,” he says. Goalkeeper Fergus Barnett agrees that ultimately it was “a tough year”. He reflects: “It was always going to be

A YEAR OF PROMISE SLIPS AWAY

Keith Boylan gets the better of Josh Arrowsmith of the Geraldines

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GLEN EMMETS 2013

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Fergus Barnett

mark Garvey gains possession in the Kevin mullen Shield game against Annaghminnon rovers

Fergus Barnett clears his lines

hard after winning the JFC in 2012. When you move up a level and then get a tough group – against two teams that ended up in the final – things can be difficult. “We were also without four or five lads from the JFC-winning team. We lost our captain Eamonn Mullen to a broken leg in a friendly before the championship had started and he only came back for the championship playoffs. Overall, we were very disappointed in the end with how our season panned out.” Fergus is 100% convinced that Glen Emmets would have stayed up if they had their full complement available. “We probably should have stayed up, anyway … but we were a bit young and inexperienced. I have no doubt that if we hadn’t lost so many lads to emigration and Eamonn to injury, then we would have stayed in the intermediate grade. Especially that last game against the Malachis. They were there for the taking. We were terrible on the day and still only lost by a point, which is really frustrating. Not one of us performed to our potential in that game and that’s the killer part of it. “It doesn’t help when you’re playing your league football down in Division Three, either. It’s more difficult to raise you game. It was a tough year all around but we have a very young team and we have young lads coming through who have now had a taste of intermediate football, which should bring them on. Time is on our side – there are only three or four of us the wrong side of 30 and the rest of the lads are in their mid-20s or younger.” What was the goal set out by the club at the start of the year? “Our target was to win the Division Three league and stay in the intermediate championship. But we are a very small club with a base of 24 or 25 players and, when you lose five players who would almost certainly have started every game, then you are up against it from the start. It was a hard year after the highs of the junior championship win the previous year, but we gave it our best shot.” Reflecting on the championship, the Tullyallen custodian continues: “We were so used to winning championship games from 2012 but then we went in and lost both of our group games. We should have beaten the Mochtas in the play-off semi-final. They were missing Ciaran Byrne, which was a real boost to us, but Declan Byrne stood up in

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that game and he was the matchwinner. They defeated us well in the end. “But the Malachis game was a real sickener because they are an aging team and we let their experience get the better of us. We really blew it that day. “I suppose the biggest positive we can take from it all is that next year we will all be a year older and wiser. We’ll have the same set-up again and Brian had us back in doing a fitness programme from the start of November. Numbers were good for that and you are doing well to get a response from lads at that time of year, so we are confident about our chances in 2014. “We have good minors coming through as well, who will push on this year and we should have a strong enough squad to win Division Three and, hopefully, the intermediate championship as well. I think the league could be our main target. We need to get out of Division Three. We’ve been in the play-offs every year since I’ve been on the team but we haven’t managed to get into Division Two. “For me personally, the main target has to be to win the Division Three league. I feel that Glen Emmets is an intermediate club, facility-wise and in every respect. All we need is that bit of luck. I think it’s there for us next year and we could go on and do the double. The young lads will all be a year more experienced and hopefully we’ll have better luck with injuries this time.” Glen Emmets came so close to winning Division Three in 2013 that they have to be fancying their chances next season. “In the last game against Roche we did okay bit we missed some vital scores at vital times. There was controversy too when Conor Grimes had what looked like a good goal disallowed for a square ball when the ref was 30 yards away. Conor says it was a good goal. That would have put us a point ahead but instead they went straight up to the other end and got a goal of their own. That was a massive six-point swing and it knocked the stuffing out of us. “Roche were by far and away the best team we played in Division Three during the year and we wouldn’t be afraid of anyone in that division next season. It’s usually the team that’s after coming down that you’d be most worried about but I think we’ll be able to match any of them.”

st mochtas designed_Layout 1 16/12/2013 15:02 Page 1

ST MOCHTAS

or a small, rural club, St Mochtas is certainly very well represented at intercounty level. Per head of population, the Louth villagers may even have contributed more players than any other club to the Wee County’s senior and U21 set-ups in 2013. One of those men, Gary Connolly – who was part of Aidan O’Rourke’s maiden senior squad – is confident that the Mochtas can do themselves justice in 2014. Looking at the quality of footballers they have at their disposal, it would not be unreasonable to expect St Mochtas to challenge for intermediate league and championship honours. Alas, in 2013, they never quite got into their stride in either competition and it was a case of all shoulders to the wheel as they won autumn relegation play-offs to retain their Division Two and IFC status. Full back Gary Connolly – who made his senior Louth debut in the first round of the O’Byrne Cup against UCD in early

January – is hopeful that the villagers will be challenging for silverware again in the months ahead. But he admits things did not go according to plan last term: “We would be disappointed with the way things went,” he reflects. “We would have had higher aspirations than that [staving off relegation] but between a couple of injuries, players missing club training due to county commitments and a few lads emigrating, things just didn’t click for us.” As well as having Gary and the Byrne brothers, Declan and Ciaran, on the Louth senior squad, St Mochtas also contributed four men to David Reilly’s Wee County U21s. A great honour, no doubt, but in a way the Louth village outfit subsequently became victims of their own success as they never seemed to have the full complement available for training and were unable to generate sufficient momentum to challenge for honours. “I suppose, ultimately it was a year of transition for us,” says Gary. “We

couldn’t find any momentum as we had so many players coming and going, with lads off training with the county rather than with the Mochtas. It’s a great honour for such a small club to have so many men on county duty. Hopefully we’ll cope better with it next season…” Billy Lawlor, Stephen Gernon and Nicholas Browne were named as the three-man management team at the start of the year and they duly set about the task of preparing a side that they hoped could deliver either a league or a championship title to the village. At the best of times, however, the Mochtas are selecting from a small pool of players and this isn’t helped when men are unavailable to them: “We would have been optimistic with the talent we have in the squad that we could challenge for the intermediate title but you need to stay injury-free and to get the breaks, which didn’t seem to happen for us this year.” In the 2013 Louth intermediate championship, St Mochtas were pitted in

AN EMERGING FORCE

Andrew English getting the better of Ryan Whyte in the intermediate championship at the Grove

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ST MOCHTAS 2013

The senior squad for 2013, front l/r: Tommy Kindlon, Andrew English, Ultan Larney, David Lennon, Ciaran Byrne, Danny Kindlon, Liam Lawlor, Eamonn O'Neill, Donal Gernon, Shane McMahon. Back: Gary Connolly, Liam McGranaghan, Paddy Duffy, Liam Crawley, Darren McMahon, Nigel Farrell, Fergus English, Paul Marron, Martin McGahon, Gareth O'Reilly, Declan Byrne, Philip Englishby, BarryCassidy, James Sweeney

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The St Mochtas men on league duty, front l/r: Darren Gernon, Tommy Kindlon, David Lennon, Eamonn O'Neill, Conor Ryan, Fergus English, Gary Connolly, Liam McGranaghan, Donal Gernon, Danny Kindlon, James Sweeney, Liam Crawley, Gervease Marron. Back: Philip Englishby, Colin Hoey, Shane McMahon, Nigel Farrell, Barry Cassidy, Declan Byrne, Gareth O'Reilly, Paul Marron, Aidan Homer, Martin McGahon, Andrew English, Shane Kieran

Senior team captain Garry Conlon

Liam McGranaghan

Martin McGahon

the same group as Dundalk Young Irelands and St Fechins. On Friday, July 26th, they suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of an in-form Irelanders side at The Grove but victory over the Fechins would still guarantee a place in the last eight. However, an injury-time Ronan Holcroft goal at Stabannon handed Termonfeckin a 2-8 to 1-10 victory and sent the Mochtas into the relegation play-offs. “Young Irelands were in flying form when we met them. As well as them playing well on the day, we underperformed,” Gary recalls. “We played quite well against the Fechins and seemed to have the game in the bag when leading by two points with time up. But they got their goal from a 25-yard free even though we had 15 men along the goal line.” Suddenly, relegation loomed … but not for long! “We beat Glen Emmets in Ardee in the relegation semi-final. Any time we had most of our players out, we showed our quality.” That game resulted in as 0-18 to 0-9 win for the Mochtas on Sunday, September 8th, after leading by 0-7 to 0-5 at the break. St Mochtas (IFC relegation play-off V Glen Emmets): Conor Ryan; Liam Lawlor, Paul Marron, James Sweeney; David Lennon, Philip Englishby, Darren McMahon (0-1); Declan Byrne (0-5), Gareth O’Reilly; Liam McGranaghan, Andrew English (0-2), Shane McMahon (0-3); Danny Kindlon, Eamonn O'Neill (0-7), Eunan Larney. Mochtas’ stop-start year also saw their Division Two status come under threat but they secured their place in the middle tier of the ACFL with a comprehensive 0-14 to 0-5 promotion/relegation play-off victory over Naomh Fionnbarra at Darver on Tuesday night, October 22nd, with AFLbound Ciaran Byrne signing off in style as he clipped over a fine personal haul of nine points.

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St Mochtas (Division Two / Three relegation / promotion play-off V Naomh Fionnbarra): Conor Ryan; Liam Lawlor, Gary Connolly, Paul Marron; David Lennon, Donal Gernon (0-1), Darren McMahon; Gareth O’Reilly, Shane McMahon; Liam McGranaghan, Ciaran Byrne (0-9), Philip Englishby; Nigel Farrell (0-2), Eamonn O’Neill (0-1), Danny Kindlon (0-1). Sub: Colin Hoey for N Farrell. While it was a definite blow to know that this was to be Ciaran Byrne’s last appearance for the club before heading off on his great Australian odyssey, Gary also saw encouraging signs. “The young McMahon lads played very well that day and there are others there coming through who I’d have very high hopes for. If they can carry that kind of form forward into 2014, we should be alright.” All in all, Gary Connolly is optimistic about the future of this exciting young St Mochtas team. “As a club, we have tightened the ship at committee level and in terms of fund-raising and we hope to be well looked-after for the coming years. “Next season, I’d like to see us push for the top half of the league and a championship semi-final at least. With either of those, if you got into the latter stages, all you need is the rub of the green and there’s nothing between us and promotion. We were just one win away from gaining promotion to Division One a couple of years ago, when we lost the last league game to the Clans, and we feel we have enough quality within the panel to challenge for honours.” Gary was part of the Louth senior squad throughout 2013 and was back in for winter training for the coming campaign at the time of writing. “It was a very good experience and I really enjoyed it,” he concludes. “I’ll keep working hard and I’m hoping to be involved again in 2014.” A busy year beckons for the Mochtas … at both club and county level!

Eoghan Judge designed_Layout 1 17/12/2013 12:28 Page 1

SPECIAL FEATURE

BLUE THROUGH AND THROUGH

20th Louth senior football championship title gave Newtown Blues plenty of reason to celebrate in 2013. Wee County found out more from veteran centre-back Eoghan Judge, who filled us in on the details of his fourth Joe Ward Cup success with the Blues this past season. So far as championship successes go, Newtown Blues’ Louth SFC triumph of 2013 will go down as a historic one for the club and one that Eoghan Judge isn’t likely to forget any time soon. When Judge first pulled on the sky blue jersey as a senior, it was as a fresh-faced 18-year-old and he quickly made a name for himself on the Louth scene as a formidable and versatile player at both club and county Under 21 level. The following season would see Newtown Blues capture the Joe Ward Cup before 2001 saw them completing a first back-to-back success for the club since 1970. By 2008, Judge was well-established in the centre-back role for the Blues and helped the club to their 19th Louth SFC final victory. This past season, however, proved the bumpiest road to success yet for the now 31-year-old, donning the number 6 jersey with pride once more before picking up a troublesome injury at a crucial juncture in the Blues’ championship trail. Judge played through the pain barrier when his club needed him most and the reward would be a most memorable victory over Cooley Kickhams at the end of September. Under the management of Dublin native Pat McDonagh, who was ably assisted by Paul Clarke, Martin Carr and Gerry Kirwan in his backroom team, Judge explained that the target set for the team at the start of 2013 was straight forward. “We wanted to win the senior championship,” said Judge. “We felt that we left it behind us last year in the semi-finals. A good few of us had won championships too, so Leinster was on

Eoghan Judge sends Newtown up the field

the radar as well. “Things were going very well at the start of the year. We had a bit of a dip then with lads going away for the summer and that but I suppose that gave some of the younger lads a bit of a chance and got them more into it.” The Blues’ mixed form for the summer saw them happily slip under the radar for the start of the senior championship somewhat and scoring two wins from their opening two games would all but be enough to secure their passage into the last eight.

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Clogherhead Dreadnoughts, conquerors of the Blues the previous season, awaited in the third round and after thrilling contest McDonagh’s men came advanced to the knock-out stages. “The match against Clogherhead Dreadnoughts was a big game for us. We came out of the championship unbeaten and that drawn match meant more to us that the previous two wins,” said Judge. “I tore my cruciate ligament against Collon in the quarter-final. It didn’t put

Eoghan Judge designed_Layout 1 17/12/2013 12:28 Page 2

me out for the rest of the championship, but I wasn’t 100 per cent either. Cullen had been our main rivals in the 2000s, but we see ourselves as an up and coming team and Cullen would have a lot of older fellas. That day we played really well and they didn’t play at all and that was the difference.” Judge was unable to participate fully in training in the lead up to the semi-final and it left him in doubt for the showdown with defending champions St Patrick’s, whom were gunning for an elusive threein-a-row triumph. Despite the injury, Judge played both games and helped the Blues to come out on top in the replay after having gotten off to such a poor start against the holders the second day. “I was struggling for that game. I couldn’t train properly in the run up to it, but the management felt I could and I ended up playing both games,” he said. “In the replay, we went six points down and again showed great belief to comeback. We never panicked and just tried to play our game. Our management had instilled a lot of belief in us throughout the season and it really showed that day.” Following their replay victory over the defending champions, the Blues went into the final against Cooley Kickhams the fancied team. The favourites’ tag is never an easy one to carry into an occasion as big as a county final, according to Judge, who would be a veteran compared to some of the

The Blues celebrate their latest Joe Ward Cup win

young players on the team that were gearing up for their first senior championship decider. He admitted that some were edgy ahead of the showdown with Cooley, but felt that a week’s preparation was perfect timing from the Blues’ perspective. “There were plenty of nerves and it was probably because we beat the favourites St Pat’s in the semi-final. A lot of people were tipping us but we knew we couldn’t afford to take Cooley for granted,” said Judge. “We had a week to prepare for the final and I suppose that was good because we didn’t have too much time to think about it. Sometimes you can over analyse things in the build-up to a big game and I think the final came just time for us. “In the first 15 minutes we went five

points down, but we never gave in and still tried to defend and defend. We went up and scored two quick goals. Andy McDonnell scored a cracker of a goal and we never really looked back after that.” Needless to say the players and supporters enjoyed the occasion, which was particularly special for Judge as his family have shared the experience in the past. “The celebrations were great afterwards. There aren’t many feelings similar to winning a Joe Ward,” he said. “My father (Kieran Judge) has seven senior championship medals and my uncle Jim has nine. This one is my fourth. I’ve kind of giving up trying to catch them and this stage.” While the medals haul in his family is an intimidating one, Judge is still hopeful of a few more to try and edge closer to his father’s tally and perhaps one day eve gain the Leinster club SFC silverware which has managed to elude him so far. After the final victory over St Pat’s, the Blues went back to work quickly and suffered a shock league defeat which Judge felt could act as an incentive heading into their Leinster club SFC campaign. Victory over Tullamore at the Gaelic Grounds looked to have McDonagh’s charges moving in a promising direction in the province… “We went back to training soon after and actually had a league match on the Thursday that we were beaten in.

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The Blues march before winning their 20th County title

more down to ourselves than the opposition we’ve been playing. We’ll be focused on the championship first and hopefully defending our title and taking it from there.” That will no doubt be music to the ears of the Newton Blues faithful, Eoghan. For the past four years, Eoghan Judge has been an engineer with ESB Networks and his work sees him based in Leopardstown, Co Dublin from where he commutes home on a regular basis to train and play with Newtown Blues.

It left us facing relegation but thankfully we stayed safe. I think it was a wake-up call for us ahead of the Leinster club championship,” said the defender. “We played Tullamore in the Gaelic Grounds and went five points down again early on, but the lads lifted it again and in fairness Keith Lynch was a warrior for us in the middle of the field that day. Colm Judge and Anthony McDonnell were also brilliant inside for us and we ended up winning by two or three points. If the game had went on much longer I think we’d have won by more. “It put us into the quarter-finals against Summerhill and we knew that they were a well-rounded team. We tried to focus on our own game and we were in the lead for a long time before they started to pick off their scores. We took a short kick-out at the wrong time and it ended up costing us a goal. “The better team won on the day and we can have to arguments about the result. Jim Murray was a big loss to us in that game and would have definitely made a difference, but there’s no point in dwelling on it now.” Now thoughts are already turning towards next year and a season where plenty will be expected of a young Blues team that have now proved themselves on the big stage. “Providing that we can keep the players together, we will be hoping to regroup again for next season and try and retain the championship,” said Judge. “We’d love to go further in Leinster if we get there because the last few times we’ve been there I feel that it has been

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global tiles designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 14:15 Page 1

OPENING THE FLOOD GATES SPECIAL FEATURE

aving lost the 2012 AllIreland Ladies junior football final, there were high hopes that Ciaran Marks’ charges could go one step further this year. However, their quest for silverware came to an end when old foes Wexford defeated them in the semi final. Star forward Kate Flood admits to the Wee County Yearbook that it was a disappointing year for the ladies team, but she did savour success in another sport. Despite being only 21 years of age, Kate is considered one of the more experienced players in this young Louth squad that’s ages range from just 17 to 25. Kate has been part of the squad since 2010 and in the intervening years, she has emerged as one of the top forwards in the country, regularly topping the scoring charts for the Wee County. From an early age, Kate had an interest in Gaelic football and she revealed that from the moment she kicked her first ball, she was addicted to the game. “I would have started off playing in the back garden with my older brother and it just developed from there. My first club was Setanta and I played my underage football there, but they had no adult team, so I went to St Patrick’s then,” said Kate. Being called up to the county team three years ago was a natural progression for the Dundalk youngster, who had played for Louth at all levels. “I would have played from under-14 right up, so I knew most of the players when it came to the senior team as most of us would have played the whole way up.” Kate has won three Louth All-Stars in the last few years, but she stressed that winning something with the county is her ultimate goal over the next few years. “Definitely, we were close to doing it last year and it was heartbreaking to lose to Antrim in the final, we never played on the day and it was as simple as that. “The ladies team puts in every bit as

Louth star Kate Flood

much effort and dedication as the mens’ team. We have worked very hard over the last few years and with the players that we have, we are more than capable of winning titles.” Kate can see major changes in the modern game, even though she is still only 21 and points to the attitude towards training as one of the major changes. “Strength and conditioning has become a big part of the training and preparation for games. The fitness levels have increased dramatically and if you are not training to the level that the rest of the counties are, then you will be left behind. “The tactics in games have also

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changed in recent years. More planning goes into how a team will play and how to counteract the opposition’s game plan.” Kate feels that the experience of the last couple of years will stand to Louth for the 2014 campaign as their young players learn from the previous campaigns. “I think we will come back stronger next year. We have a very young team, but there is some great talent in the side. We have learned from the experiences of the last couple of years, which should stand to us.” Louth ply their trade in division 4 of the Ladies NFL and they finished that campaign having won three and lost

global tiles designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 14:15 Page 2

three of their games. Nonetheless, it was the championship that was the main focus and a semi final appearance against Wexford. The Wee County were looking to reach their second consecutive AllIreland final and it all looked good when they started the match brightly. Kate and Jenny McGuinness opened the scoring for Louth, as Louth's forward line began to out muscle the Wexford defence. Wexford were largely contained to their own half, as Kate and Rebecca Carr added to Louth's tally. Amy McNally popped up to score the game's first goal, a long ball from midfield bounced deceptively over her head, but with lightning pace she spun past her marker and showed immense courage to get a poke the ball into the net with her foot as four players dashed towards her. Wexford would score twice more with the talented Flood coming agonizingly close to adding a second goal just before half time. At half time the scores were Louth 104, Wexford 0-05. Sandra Lynch and Marie O'Connell, who was playing as a sweeper, controlled Louth's defence and acted as the base for almost every attack, whilst Kate Flood was working hard to lay claim to the ball and drive the forward line. Wexford re-emerged the stronger team in the opening part of the second half. Another brilliant save by Una Pearson kept Louth in front, but Wexford would score three unanswered points to snatch the lead.Susan Byrne brought parity back between the two teams. Amy McNally was the architect as her scorching run left the Wexford defence scampering and panicked. Danielle Sharkey hit the crossbar moments later and Susan Byrne was unlucky not to steer the ball goal ward in the ensuing scramble. As full time approached the game swung between both teams, as points from Siobhan McDonald and Susan Byrne were matched by Wexford and as the final whistle blew the teams were level. The full time score was Louth 1-07, Wexford 0-10, and for the second time this year Louth and Wexford could not be separated in normal time. Unfortunately for Ciaran Marks' Ladies it was Wexford who came out on top in extra time. Louth began to visibly tire, as injuries and the intensity of the game took their toll. Wexford were able to act clinically scoring five

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points to Louth's one to leave the finals score 0-15 to 1-08. For the record the Louth team that lined out against Wexford in the All-Ireland semi final was: Una Pearson, Bronagh McGrane, Michelle McMahon, Ann Marie Lynch, Áine McGee, Sandra Lynch, Aoife Halligan, Grace Lynch (c), Siobhan McDonald, Rebecca Carr, Kate Flood, Michelle O'Connell, Amy McNally, Jenny McGuinness, Ciara O'Connor. Despite this setback, Kate turned to her other sporting passion, soccer and following her move from Dundalk to Dublin side Raheny United who went on to win the FAI Ladies Cup final following a 3-2 win over Castlebar Celtic. “I always played the soccer and I find it helps with the fitness during the winter months. It was great to win the FAI Cup and I enjoy playing, but Gaelic football would always be my first love.” Kate works in her father’s business Global Tiles & Bathrooms, which is based on the Dublin Road, Newry, Co Down. The business specialises in supplying showers, bathrooms, bathroom furniture & tiles from leading manufacturers. They also have a number of professional tilers fitting on the road. The business was established by Kate’s father Mickey Flood seven years ago and has developed a reputation for supplying quality products at reasonable prices.

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O’RAGHALLAIGHS

hile the year certainly didn’t go quite according to plan for O’Raghallaighs, there was no real harm done in the end. Having survived relegation battles in both the league and championship, the Hoops retained their senior status on the double and have every reason to look forward to 2014 with confidence anew. Free-scoring attacker Ben Rogan is confident the Drogheda club will get back on track next season. The plan was to qualify for the knockout stage of both the league and championship. Instead, O’Raghallaighs flirted with relegation in

both competitions before consolidating their status with wins over Kilkerley in a SFC relegation semi-final and Sean O’Mahonys in their final match of the year. Hardly ideal but, as the cliché goes, all’s well that ends well. In 2013, we witnessed one of the most competitive Division One leagues in Louth gaelic football history, with a whole clutch of teams going into the final weekend glancing nervously over their shoulders. O’Raghallaighs were one of those sides. They had to beat Sean O’Mahonys comfortably at the Gaelic Grounds and hope that other things went their way, also. On Sunday, October 13th, six points from centre forward Ruairi Moore and a late goal flicked to the net by substitute

Andrew Rogan ensured a 1-13 to 0-8 Round Eleven victory. Safety. The team on duty in that vital lastround ACFL encounter was: Joe Flanagan; Stephen Murphy, James Moonan, Graham Leech; Eoin Moore (0-2), Johnny Clerkin, Alan Doyle; Ciaran Brassil, Robert Mulroy; Keith Hughes (0-1), Ruairi Moore (0-6), Chris Smith (0-2); Ben Rogan (0-1), Dave Finnegan, Damien Boyle (0-1). Subs: Stephen Kermode, Andrew Brogan (0-1). O’Raghallaighs were in Group B of the senior football championship and lost their opener to Naomh Mairtin at Dunleer on Sunday, July 21st – 2-12 to 1-10. That result left Cathal McGinty’s charges under severe pressure going

LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY

Graham Leech has his jersey tested by O’Connells Dean Stanfield

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O’RAGHALLAIGHS 2013

The O’Rallaighaighs senior squad for 2013, front l/r: Damhan Finnegan, Eoin Moore, Tomas Callan, Graham Leech, Stephen Murphy, Ruairi Moore, Keith Hughes, Joe Flanagan. Back: James Morgan, Kevin McCormack, Brian Smith, Robert Mulroy, Damien Boyle, Alan Doyle, Stephen Smith, Gary O'Rourke, Matthew Moore, John Levins, Dean Farrelly

o'raghallaighs designed_Layout 1 17/12/2013 16:50 Page 3

Graham Leech

into their second and final group outing against St Marys, who had already beaten the Jocks. Back at Dunleer on Sunday, August 11th, O’Raghallaighs managed to get the better of the Ardee men but the winning margin – 0-15 to 1-10 – wasn’t sufficient to see them overtake the Marys for the runners-up place. Thus, they were headed for the relegation play-offs… On Sunday, September 1st, it was back to Dunleer once more and this time the Raghs overcame a five-point interval deficit to defeat Kilkerley Emmets by 0-10 to 0-9, with Ruairi Moore slotting eight of their ten points, including an injury-time winner. Had they lost that game, the Hoops would still have had another chance in the relegation final against Glyde – but it’s always best to get these matters resolved at the earliest possible opportunity! When asked whether the year was one of disappointment or relief for the

The last line of defence, Joe Flanagan

club, Ben Rogan concedes that it was probably a mixture of both: “I’d say a bit of both, to be honest. Obviously we were disappointed that we got dragged into it in the end because at the start of the year we would have been hoping to get into the Top Four in the league and to get through the group in the championship. “But things didn’t go our way at all. We had a few injuries and with Barry and Graham away it was always going to be tough. Having said that, we still hoped to push for a place in the Top Four and to reach the quarter-finals of the championship at least.” The SFC relegation semi-final against Kilkerley was a real highstakes game. The losers would be just 60 minutes away from the dreaded drop to intermediate football and it was always going to be a nervy encounter. Was it a match O’Raghallaighs expected to win? “They probably went in as favourites because they were well ahead of us in

Alan Doyle

the league, but they also knew we had beaten them in the league. Maybe that gave us a slight psychological advantage and luckily Ruairi Moore got us out of it at the end with a couple of lovely frees.” Survival is all final and well … but would it be fair to say that O’Raghallaighs underachieved in 2013? “Definitely,” admits Ben. “We need to be doing a lot better. The feeling in the squad is that we can challenge any team in the county on our day, so we were disappointed. Personally, I certainly think we can do much better. “We let ourselves down and the players have nobody to blame but themselves. We made the mistakes in the games and we didn’t do well in the middle part of the league. Results started to go against us and we couldn’t drag ourselves out of it. The previous year, we had managed to turn things around but this time, once we started losing matches, we found it

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very hard to get out of the rut. “But we got enough points in the end. On ‘Relegation Sunday’, we beat O’Mahonys [who were in a semi-final place!] by eight points in the O’Raghallaighs and that was enough to see us finish above Naomh Mairtin on points difference, as they lost their last game to the Gaels. So, while the Mairtins were playing in the relegation play-off, we got the Sunday off and were able to put up our feet…” Presumably, O’Raghallaighs will be hoping to set the record straight next year? “If we are all playing well and everyone is available and fully fit, then

we can challenge for the Top Four and for the quarter-finals of the championship. That’s where we want to be and we know we are good enough. Once you are contesting a semi-final or a final, it’s anybody’s. It’s just a matter of getting there. “In the championship, we didn’t play well against either the Mairtins or Ardee. We haven’t done ourselves justice in the two years we’ve been senior. Even in the quarter-final against Cooley in 2012, we didn’t do enough. But we’re hoping to push on and get up to the level where we are challenging the Blues and the Pats.

JOHN ROGAN

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“There’s no point settling for anything less than the very top. If we set a target of finishing mid-table every year, then that’s the best we’ll achieve. We are ambitious and we want to be competing with the best teams in the county. Every member of the squad – from 1 to 25 – wants to win medals. That’s the only reason you play football at the end of the day.” Twenty-twelve could be just the kick up the backside O’Raghallaighs needed. They have the talent, experience, spirit and ambition to put themselves in the reckoning next year. Watch this space!

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paul levins designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 11:48 Page 2

SPECIAL FEATURE

LOUTH’S LOSS IS NEW YORK’S GAIN

unterstown Rovers' JFC success and subsequent march to the Leinster Club JFC final saw club members walking around with their chest out. Although exiled in New York for the past 20 years, former player Paul Levins was no exception.

Ever since departing Ireland in 1993, Collon native Paul Levins has immersed himself in the GAA in his adopted city of New York. As a player, manager and administrator, the 42 year old has given distinguished service to the Roscommon club and the wider GAA community in the Big Apple. His three children Sean (10), Ryan (8) and Emma (5) – have inherited his passion for gaelic football and are currently learning their trade with the Rockland club. Paul coaches the club's Under 8 team and they boast playing numbers that would be the envy of most clubs here at home. “We have 45 kids at Under 8 level and three teams, A, B and C,” he explained. “Rockland is probably the only club in New York that owns its own pitch and they're in the middle of developing a new clubhouse facility. They're a progressive club surrounded by a massive Irish community.” GAA events at home have always remained close to Paul's heart and his

Catherine and Paul Levins

new coaching role with Rockland is that latest chapter in his GAA involvement which started at underage level with Mattock Rangers. Paul switched his club allegiance to Hunterstown Rovers for adult level. The Levins family name is synonymous with Hunterstown and Paul was on a team that won the Old Gaels Cup in 1991 along with three of his cousins – Dessie, Fintan and Tommy – and his uncle Kevin who has since gone on to make a name for

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himself as a referee. For good measure, his father Syl was chairman of club. In March 1993 he took the difficult decision to uproot himself and travel across the Atlantic ocean and missed out on the club’s intermediate win that year. He keeps close tabs on Hunterstown’s progress from a distance and took great satisfaction from their championship win this year and progress to a provincial club

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Paul and Emma in the Louth colours with Sean and Ryan in their club (Rockland) jersey

decider. “They have a great young squad and it was a brilliant achievement in reaching the Leinster club final this

year. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be in the final against Two Mile House but the lads can be proud of their achievements this year,” Paul

Paul with his father Syl

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remarked. “The Geraldines and Hunterstown reaching the Leinster club finals is a massive boost for the entire county. “It's a pity that Newtown Blues didn't go further than the quarter-final. I've seen them a few times this year and they are a strong outfit,” added the father-of-three who makes two to three trips home on an annual basis and who has been at every football AllIreland final since 2000. On his arrival in New York 20 years ago, Paul threw his lot in with the Roscommon club and it turned out to be a mutually beneficial partnership. On the field of play he captured a New York IFC medal in 1995 and, to make a great day even more memorable, he met his future wife, Catherine Hughes from Monaghan, in the celebrations that followed and the couple was married in 2000. He hung up the boots three years ago due to a combination of 'bad ankles and age' but there was more success to follow as a manager when

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he guided Roscommon to the intermediate championship and league double in 2011. Levins' charges overcame Offaly after extra-time in a replayed final and, as a result of that achievement, Paul was honoured with the 'Club Person of the Year' accolade for a second time. He first received that particular honour in 2006 during a five year stint as club chairman and he also served two terms as chairman of the New York Junior Division in 2006 and '07. As if he didn't have enough going on in 2011, Paul was one of the driving forces behind the Wee County senior football team's trip to New York. The management and players were very happy with the red carpet treatment they received and were very appreciative of the hospitality served up by Paul and friends. Meanwhile, closer to home, the county's senior footballers disappointed on the field this year

when exiting the Leinster SFC to Wexford on home soil and losing out to Kildare in the qualifiers. The Leinster SFC draw for 2014 has paired Louth against Westmeath and Paul advises patience when it comes to assessing the future prospects of Aidan O'Rourke's team. “It's difficult to see that they haven't been able to build on the progress that was made in 2011. Aidan O'Rourke was the new man in this year but you can't expect him to work miracles in such a short space of time. “Adrian and David Reid and Mark Brennan would be neighbours of mine and I was talking to them when I was home in September. Listening to them, he (O'Rourke) definitely seems to be a guy that knows his football so, with the blessing of God, maybe next year will be our year. “We've some good young players like Andy McDonnell, Colm Judge and Jim McEneaney. If can keep these guys

involved, the county team can only get better.” Away from the gaelic football fields of New York, Paul makes a living working as a Masonry Supervisor with Irish owned company Commodore Construction which employs between 250-300 in total. Paul worked on the World Trade Center in the aftermath of 9/11 and some of the company's most notable projects include 250 West 555th Street, Barclay's Center Arena, Madison Square Garden, Lincoln Center, Yankee Stadium, Governor's Island, Meadowlands and McCarren Pool. The Louth man served his time with former county sponsor McCabe builders and his father also worked with the local company for 35 years. He's now helping to build for the future in Rockland GAA.

The Levins family, l/r: Sean, Catherine, Ryan, Emma and Paul

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in the form of the Dundalk store being named as a finalist in the ‘Best Retail Premises’ category in the Louth Business Awards. It is no surprise that the Colortrend Dundalk store has reached this level of recognition in such a short space of time as they follow a long-standing

Colortrend Paint and Wallpaper Store, Dundalk

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Oliver Ralph and Caroline Lee

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Oliver Ralph and Store Manager, Gary Teelan

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Emma Haughey and Caroline Lee at Colortrend, Dundalk

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samples when planning your next design project. At the helm of this design mecca, recently appointed Retail Manager, Gary Teelan –a St Mary's, Donore footballer – outlines the secrets behind their success to date. “Our success is built on providing quality, premium products at competitive prices while customer service is paramount to us. There is always a warm welcome for our customers and our experienced staff offer customers colour and technical advice and a professional service. “The customer always comes first,” emphasised Gary who was a member of the St Oliver's CC, Drogheda squad that reached the 2001 All-Ireland Vocational Schools final. A central part of the Colortrend philosophy is to enable you to make the most of your innate design talents. They can guide you on technical issues – such as how to paint furniture, or paint your kitchen cabinets and they have all the products, tips and advice on how to get a professional finish. With all this expertise and fantastic

Oliver Ralph and Emma Haughey

products available right on your doorstep, supporting local and Irish businesses has never been easier. Call into Colortrend Dundalk today to meet Gary and his team – Oliver,

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Emma and Caroline and discover your design inspiration! Open 6 days a week with lots of free parking, visit www.colortrend.ie for further product and colour information.

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The county grounds in Drogheda

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The support on county final day

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MICHAEL COYLE

HOW O’RAGHALLAIGHS CHOSE GREEN & WHITE

ichael Coyle is often seen in Croke Park and indeed at the O’Raghallaighs pitch in Drogheda. He was presented with a special award from the President of the G.A.A., writes Sean Ross. Who is Michael Coyle I hear you asking? Michael is from Townrath near Drogheda. He is married to Dympna Murphy from Halpin Terrace, Drogheda. He has four childrenAndrew, Ann, Margaret and Mary. They lost Mary Gemma in 1983 as a baby. Andrew played hurling and football with the C.B.S. and O’Raghallaighs. Michael has four grandchildren. Michael went to St. Vincent’s school in Fair Street and after 5th class to the C.B.S. on Sunday’s Gate. He played for the C.B.S. against other Louth schools. He spent two years at C.B.S. Secondary and also went to the V.E.C. studying carpentry and metalwork. He then drove a tractor for a farmer, and worked for Maurice Bogue on the building of the bowling alley in Stillorgan, Dublin. In football terms he was attached to Lourdes Rangers- formed by Father Connolly from Ravensdale. Before this he played for NewtownstalabanRamblers. They won the Ranafast Cup in 1947. On July 9th 1963, he joined C.I.E. and took early retirement in 1999. He worked for 36 years. Michael was a truck driver for C.I.E. and is full of stories about this work. In October 1957, O’Raghallaighs were formed. Louth wore green and white in the All-Ireland final; O’Raghallaighs took these colours as their own. Prior to this Michael played with Newtown Blues minors. He won a Louth minor championship in 1956. The team

Micheal Coyle with Pat Leavy from Ardee

included Blackie (Jim) and Ciaran Judge, Michael Carroll, Paddy Birch and Dick Devlin. Even as an O’Raghallaighs man Michael still thinks the Newtown Blues are a marvellous club. In 1958 O’Raghallaighs won the Drogheda minor League. Michael was a selector with Willie Burke and James Carroll. They won the minor championship in 1959, 1960, and 1961. They were beaten in the final in 1962 by Gaels of Dundalk and won minor championship again in 1963. So four minor titles, a wonderful achievement for the newly formed

Michael with handballers and county board officials

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O’Raghallaighs. Just imagine all that football, only Ardee minors achieved this feat in the 1960’s under Nicky Roe. All the excellent teams fed into the 1963 Junior Championship winning team. This golden era led to a few famous victories but Michael broke his leg playing against Clans on Dec 13th 1964. He was out for six months. The Old Gaels Cup was won and the senior final against Blues of Drogheda. Amazingly Michael was presented with a senior medal 39 years later by O’Raghallaighs. Later they won the odd competition, including a junior championship. In 2010 they won the intermediate Championship. Michael is delighted by the wonderful Juvenile Committee of recent years which has fed into their present senior status. Michael himself played until his legs gave up, sometimes bringing his boots in the back of the car in case the team were in trouble with numbers - up until 50 he tells me. As I myself played under 45 I can well believe this, showing how he loved Gaelic games. Another feather in the cap of O’Raghallaighs is their wonderful handball alley. Alan Smith, Stuart Heslin, Sean Devlin among others are promoting handball. About 40 people or more play this game. The county grounds is at the O’Raghallaighs, they also have a ladies football team with Paul Callan helping out. When one meets Michael you immediately sense his love of Gaelic games, his love of parish life and of course his love of family and Drogheda - this love was there in the good times and the lean times. I hope that Michael’s story inspires other people in Louth, and we all wish him and his family the best of health in future years.

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The Louth U16 footballers that took part in the Gerry Reilly tournament

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CUCHULAINN GAELS

uchulainn Gaels have made huge strides both on and off the field since their relatively recent formation and 2013 saw the Omeath club continued that progress. The senior team competed in the Division 4D League and Junior 2B Championship under the stewardship of Francis Elmore, John-Paul Elmore and Eamonn Rogers. The season began in mid April and after losing to Sean McDermotts, the Gaels got their first point of the season with a draw at home to Roche Emmets. Three defeats followed against Young Irelands, Clans and Dundalk Gaels before the Omeath men got their first win against another Dundalk side, Dowdallshill. Before the season ended, Cuchulainn Gaels picked up a second league victory, this time away to St Kevins. Unfortunately, the Junior 2B Championship campaign ended at the

first hurdle when they lost out to Kilkerley in August, to bring the season to a close. Already the club is planning for the new season and Damien Rafferty has been manager and Eamon Rogers will continue on as part of the coaching team. Mens Panel 2013: Brian Elmore, Paddy O'Hanlon, Francis O'Hagan, Ryan Hughes, Mattie Jones, Mark Hamill, Brendan McKeown, Aaron Rogers, Gavin Mullen, Peter McCabe, David Heaney, James Walker, Peter Morgan, Paul O'Hanlon, Steven Foy, Dylan Lynch, Eoin Mc Donald, Chris Connolly, Rammie Phillips, Paul Savage and John O'Hagan Cuchulainn Gaels also continue to put a lot of effort into Ladies football and have enjoyed great success over the years, although 2013 was possibly the most difficult year to date. Several key players from last season were lost to emigration, injury and various other reasons. Only the determination and efforts of Charlene O’Hagan and

Sinead Woods kept the team together. A very young and inexperienced panel entered the Division 4 competition which included two strong “B” teams from Newtown Blues and St Brides. Cúchulainn Gaels got a great boost from several young players joining the ranks. These included Eireann and Denim McLaughlin, Caoimhe and Tara Rogers as well as Aisling Connolly. Early in April, the league campaign started with an away game against newcomers Glyde Rangers in Tallanstown. An entertaining encounter saw the Cú girls win their first game and despite losing to St Brides, they added a second win away to St Nicholas. Defeat followed against Newtown Blues but a draw away to Clan na Gael ensured the girls qualified for the league semi-final. That game saw the Omeath outfit take on a St Brides B side who emerged comfortable winners. Some of the younger players showed really well for the Gaels that day,

THE RISE OF CUCHULAINN GAELS CONTINUES

The Cuchulainns ladies squad, front l/r: Charlene O'Hagan, Aisling Connelly, Caoimhe Rogers, Denim McLoughlin, Rosaline Carol, Michelle O'Hagan, Geraldine King, Charlene O'Hagan, Tara Rogers, Tyra Kelly, Mary-Louise O'Hagan, Emily Ward. Back: Roisin Kierans, Eireann McLaughlin, Francine O'Hagan, Sinead Woods, Karen Kierans, Caitlin McCann, Suzanne Neary, Aine Morgan, Emma Hynes

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CUCHULAINN GAELS 2013

The 2013 Cuchulainn Gaels senior squad, front l/r: Ryan Hughes, Chris Connolly, Brian Elmore, Brendan McKeown, Paddy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Hanlon, Francis O'Hagan, Gavin Mullen, Mattie Jones, Peter Morgan, John Paul Elmore. Back: Francis Elmore, Aaron Rogers, Dylan Lynch, David Heaney, P Hynes, J O'Hagan, Rammie Phillips, Peter McCabe, Paul O'Hanlon, Mark Hamill, Eamon Rogers

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The U8's that took part in the Feile Cuchulainn, front l/r: Saibh Morgan, James Keenan, Myah Ward, Peter Ward, Larry Brennan, Shea Connelly. Back: Tadhg Rankin, Jacob Dunleavy, David McQuaid, Michael Keenan, Jack Mc Ardle, Euan Mc Ardle, Gavin Morgan, Jamie Molloy, Conan Kelly

especially Tara Rogers and Eireann McLaughlin along with the youthful Francine O’Hagan in goals. Over the year it was a great effort by all the players and the mentors, John Bruen and Neville McCann. The 9-a-Side tournament was a disappointment in 2013 with problems due to injuries, exams and work commitments. Michelle O’Hagan was not eligible to play as she was involved with Louth Ladies team who narrowly missed out on a trip to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Junior Final. Nevertheless, the girls managed to fulfil all their fixtures and obtain some vital experience at this level for the younger players. The Junior B Championship started in August with a quarter final game at home to St Nicholas. Unfortunately, the Nicks withdrew from the tournament leaving Cúchulainn Gaels with a semifinal date with Glyde Rangers on the 25th August in Lordship. It was a disappointing game for the Gaels who struggled to find any form in all areas of the field and Glyde ran out deserving winners before going on to win the championship. Ladies Panel 2013: Francine O'Hagan, Mary Louise O'Hagan, Sinead Woods, Aisling Connolly, Eireann McLaughlin, Denim McLaughlin, Caitlín McCann,

Geraldine King, Karen Kieran, Roisín Kieran, Suzanne Neary, Aíne Morgan, Caoimhe Rogers, Tara Rogers, Emma Hynes, Charlene O'Hagan, Michelle O'Hagan, Sarah McMullan, Kerry McCourt, Rosaleen Carroll, Debbie Mulligan, Tyra Kelly, Emily Ward,

Club captain Brian Oliver

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Caitlinn Cushnan, Sarah McMullan (Ferry Wood). Meanwhile, there was plenty of football this year provided by Og Sport Lu and 2013 proved to be another progressive and exciting year for junior members competing at U7, U8 and U9 age-levels, with up to 40 players attending the weekly training sessions. The year got off to a fantastic start with the U-8s making their debut in some style with a game in Croke Park. All the players experienced the thrill of seeing the dressing rooms that their heroes use, and play a game before walking up the steps of the Hogan Stand with their team mates to lift the cup. 2013 saw significant improvements on the playing field, with many great team performances and much individual skill to admire. The U10s and U12s had a very successful year also and did very well in the various blitzes at all levels. The U12s made it to the league final and put in a fantastic performance, but unfortunately lost by a few points. The club consistently fielded competitive teams at the many blitzes hosted throughout the season. This year the U14 and U16 teams had a difficult season, as a lot of the boys were from the u14s and the leagues were very hard fought games. In every game the boys dug deep to

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grind out a result against teams of two or three clubs amalgamated and they put in some fine performances and won a few games which were very close. The main success is that the U16 team fielded a team on their own to build a team for the future and were successful in the U16 league final. The minor boys (Cu Gaels/Pats amalgamation) won the Division 1A League final which is not a bad way for the boys to finish of their minor career. The minor team has been under the guidance of club mentor Damien Lynch who has been with them over eight years. The list of coaches who looked after the teams this year is as follows: U8s: Mark Sharkey, Garry Mc Ardle, Diarmaid Rankin, Arthur Mc Inerney. U10s: John Quinn, Charlene O'Hagan and Paddy O Hanlon. U12s: Michelle O'Hagan, Gerry Kieran and Owen Smyth. U13 & 14s: Paul Bruen and David Heaney. The U9's that took part in the Feile Cuchulainn, front l/r: Michael Keenan, Se Donnelly, Conall Donnelly. U16s: Brian Elmore, Eoin Mc Back: James Sharkey, James McGuiness, Stephen Mullen, Euan McArdle, David McQuaid, Sean Brennan. Donald and Kieran Cunningham. Minor Team: Damian Lynch. Meanwhile the club celebrated another significant Best Wishes To achievement with the staging of their first Cul Camp in August Cuchulainn Gaels GAA, From which was attended by 65 children. Overall, it has been a great year for Cuchulainn Gaels with lots of positives to ensure the club is moving forward in the right direction. For the club to achieve so much in eight years is undoubtedly down to a strong and dedicated committee, Food Market | Hot & Cold Deli coaching team and supportive members who work hard to ensure that all aspects of the club are working well. Over the next number of years the club hope to see the Best Prices For Quality Petrol & Diesel clubs plans being fully implemented and moving the club forward to improve upon the current facilities. Full Lotto Available Cuchulainn Gaels would also like to thank all the people and Open 7am to 10pm | 7 Days A Week business who have provided sponsorship and to main Telephone: 042-9375499 sponsors Morgan’s Fine Fish Omeath for their continued support.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

APEX MOTORING WELL

he Louth senior footballers could do a lot worse than take a leaf out of Apex Electrical's book. The Dundalk firm has been at the top of their game for over 40 years now. Taking pride in a job well done and customer satisfaction underpin the company's success according to director Trevor Giff. Apex Electrical has been a permanent fixture on the Dundalk commercial map for close on four decades and it continues to prosper under the guidance of the Giff family. 15 year ago Bert Giff and his sons, Trevor and Nigel, took over the ownership of Apex Electrical Ltd, Dundalk. Located in Clermont Business Park, Haggardstown, a stones throw away from the Geraldines' pitch, the familyrun company specialises in the design and manufacture of transformers and the repair of electric motors and also offer a comprehensive range of related services. Bert brought a wealth of knowledge to the business having spent all his working life in the electrical industry while his two sons studied electrical

Apex Electrical supply motor drives, single to three phase convertors, invertors and gearboxes for any application

engineering at the nearby Dundalk RTC, as it was known then. Bert's daughters, Sandra and Suzanne, are also numbered amongst the eight employees at Apex Electrical and, according to Trevor, they are, despite the adverse economic climate of late, more than holding their own in what is a highly competitive market

Apex Electrical can manufacture special transformers to any specification supplied by the customer. These include power tools, site transformers and multi-voltage outputs

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place. “Business, in general, is good.” Trevor remarked. “We could be busier but so could everyone else. “It's case of consolidating the business at the moment, keeping hold of our loyal customers and attracting new ones where possible.” All at Apex Electrical pride themselves on delivering excellent levels of customer service and all their work is completed to the strictest of standards at highly competitive prices. An Apex electrical motor rewind job can't be beaten. When they get through with a rewind job, it is always as good as the original and often better, for they use the best materials available, and their technicians take a genuine professional pride in their work. Apex also specialise in the repairs of semi hermetic refrigeration motors and new units can also be supplied. The staff are fully certified to service and repair hazardous atmosphere motors. Sales wise, Apex can source and supply electric motors and generators for your industrial needs from a variety of manufacturers. The types of motors they can supply include high voltage, hazardous,

apex designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 11:54 Page 2

vibrator, standard three phase, single phase, wound rotor, brake motor, variable speed drives and more. Apex Electrical Limited can repair and supply an extensive range of pumps. They are connected to companies involved in the sewage, waste disposal, meat processing, water works, breweries and many other areas. Meanwhile, the company's transformers are designed generally to BS171 to operate at 50Hz, in a maximum ambient temperature of 30 degrees C. They are manufactured using insulation materials to BS2757 Class E. Varnish impregnated and flash tested to withstand at least 2500v R.M.S, the standard range covers any working voltage up to 660v. Earth Screens are provided between windings while all transformers may be supplied as open style units or in powder-coated sheet steel enclosures or to customer specification. Accessories such as plugs, sockets, fuses, switches, carrying handles etc. can also be fitted on request. And then there's the full service electric motor repair centre at Apex Electrical which is able to handle virtually any electric motor repair situation that may occur. They maintain a complete inventory of bearing, brushes and replacement parts for immediate service of your electric motors and other specialised electric motors and

Apex Electrical Ltd. hold an extensive range of electric motors in stock. These can be supplied for foot or flange mounting

Some of the extensive range of transformers manufactured by Apex Electrical. Sizes range from 20VA to 500KVA both single and three phase, there can be open frame, din rail mounted or enclosed

Motor flanges, cooling fans, capacitors, bearings, seals and terminal blocks all held in stock at Apex Electrical

mechanical equipment. This eliminates the downtime of "waiting for parts" and their highly skilled technicians have the ability to repair or rebuild your equipment with the highest degree of quality and craftsmanship. Their attention to detail and high quality of workmanship helps keep them one step ahead of their competitors. They cater for all kinds of companies large and small and all their staff has been trained to the highest degree. As a result, they guarantee you the best service that can be found anywhere in Ireland. Apex covers all of the island, north and south and their Haggardstown base has easy access and plenty of parking spaces. They collect as well as deliver to your door. The Giff family name is equally well-known in local sporting circles, Trevor is a past player and current secretary with Quay Celtic soccer club whose first team compete in the Premier Division of the Meath and District League. He has held the role for the past eight years while Bert is a past captain of Dundalk Golf Club and Nigel is a past captain of Killinbeg Golf Club. APEX Electrical Limited. Unit 9, Clermont Business Park Haggardstown, Co.Louth Ph. +353 42 932 3210 Fax. +353 42 932 3556 http://www.apexelectrical.ie

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COOLEY KICKHAMS

club that can boast the size and tradition of Cooley Kickhams will always be measured in terms of silverware. On that basis, the 2013 season has fallen short of expectations but for many the year can be viewed with a good degree of satisfaction after they were in the shake-up for the major honours. There are many clubs who would be more than happy to contest one major final, never mind two, but it is an indication of the ambition and desire for success within the club that many ended the year with a sense of disappointment. That may be one way of reflecting on the campaign but it is not the main emotion that springs to mind for team manager, Adrian Sheelan, when he looks back on the season. The man who has served Cooley Kickhams as player, committee member and manager in the past, took

on the responsibility of leading the team this year and believes that despite not getting his hands on a trophy, the season was a success overall. Although he witnessed his club fall short in recent years, Adrian had great belief in the squad and set out to see them fulfill their potential. Although it didn’t work out in terms of the championship, he believes that the squad is now in a very healthy position to push and hopefully make the breakthrough. “I decided to take on the job this year as I felt that the players had started to slip mentally. In 2012 we only managed to avoid the relegation playoff on score difference so that is how close we were. “To my mind, we needed to start by concentrating on our league form and try to bring that into the championship. I don’t believe it is a case of just being able to turn things on when the championship comes around,” added

Adrian who is well aware of the hunger to see Joe Ward return to Cooley. “There is always talk about Cooley winning the championship but the bottom line is that we have no divine right to win it despite the yearning of supporters and players. “For me the main focus was trying to concentrate on our performance and to get back to the basics of playing football. After that it would be a case of taking it as it comes,” explained Adrian who had a previous spell as manager in 1996 and 97. Over the course of the season Cooley played a total of 34 games, including challenges, and Sheelan believes they produced a consistent level of form and this was reflected in the fact that they were among the pace-setters in the Division 1 league. “I think we got a good lesson early on against the Dreadnots and after that we refocused. I said to the players at the start that we will all make mistakes but the challenge was to make sure we

WITHIN A WHISKER

Senior championship finalists, front l/r Aoghan McGuinness, Shane Marks, Ciaran Sheelan, Alan Page, Patrick McGrath, Brian White, Darren Marks. Back: Neil Gallagher, Patrick Sheelan, Keith White, Conor Rafferty, Brian Donnelly, Richard Brennan, Sean Donnelly, Conor McGuinness. Mascots: Cian Connor and Tadhg McGrath

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COOLEY KICKHAMS 2013

The Senior panel for 2013, front l/r: Emmet Page, Michael Rafferty, Antoin Watters, Jason Long, Sean McDonald, Gerry Malone, Aoghan McGuinness, Ciaran Sheelan, Alan Page, Shane Marks, Alan O'Reilly, Aaron White, P.J. McGivern, Ultan Watters, Sean O'Neill, Patrick McGrath, Jamie Farrell. Back: Brian White, Conor McGuinness, Anthony White, Cormac McCarthy, Michael Kane, Richard Brennan, Simon Keenan, Sean Donnelly, Conor Rafferty, Brian Donnelly, Keith White, Michael John Hanlon, Ronan Hanlon, Darren Marks, David O'Reilly, Kevin McGrane, Ross Dullaghan, Conor White, Neil Gallagher

cooley kickhams designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 12:17 Page 3

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Kickhams keeper Neil Gallagher

Aoghan McGuinness

Brian White takes on Newtown Blues John Kermode

learned from those. I think we did that after losing to the Dreadnots and our form in the league over the remainder of the season shows that. “Our target was 14 points and we were happy to have finished on that total in what is a very competitive league. When you consider that Naomh Mairtin had ten points and ended up in the relegation play-off it shows you how tight it is. “I expect it will be even more competitive next year as the Geraldines will be coming up with a very good young team who will be determined to make their mark,”, the manager continued. Having made the final of the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup, Cooley came up short against neighbours, St Patricks. At that stage the team was somewhat

Richard Brennan gets away from Jamie Carr

hampered by injuries while the manager concedes that a sense of deflation after losing the senior final meant that preparations were not as intense as they might have been. The real disappointment was losing the Senior Championship Final, but Adrian concedes that on the day he can have no complaints as Newtown Blues were the better side. “It was disappointing that we were in the ascendancy early in the game and went 0-5 to 0-1 up. They were kicking a lot of wides and you could sense that their confidence was going. Unfortunately they got a goal which got them back into it and that really gave them a lift. “At the other end, we were denied a goal by a great save, but they are a good side who played well in the

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Darren Marks ahead of Kilkerley's Sean Hand

Brian Donnelly taking on the Blues defence

Sean McDonald

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Having a browse through the Cooley Kickhams GFC 125 year book were Gerry Malone, Sean Boyle who composed the book and Fr Martin Kenny who launched the book in the Cooley Complex

Eugene Judge on behalf of Newtown Blues making a presentation to Harry McCarthy to mark the club’s 125th Anniversary when players from both clubs got together at a function in the Cooley complex

second half, so overall we can have no complaints. “The big thing was the fact that Conor Rafferty and Aoghan McGuinness were not match fit. That was our midfielder and captain who missed three weeks of training. My view has always been that if you are unsure of a player’s fitness, it is best to start him and see how it goes. If he comes on as a sub and it doesn’t work out, then you have used up two substitutions,” Sheelan revealed. On a personal level, one of the biggest disappointments was losing out to St Marys in

the quarter-final of the Paddy Sheelan Cup as he would have loved to have won the trophy named in honour of his father. However, despite the disappointments, Adrian believes that he has achieved a lot of what he has set out to do and will step down from the position satisfied with the job he has done. “When I took on the job I decided it would only be for one year and I would give it everything for that time. My approach is that if I do something, I aim to leave it in a better state than when I got it, and I think I achieved that.

John McDonnell presenting a bodhrán to Turlogh and Cormac McCarthy at the launch of 'Pete's Corner' in the Cooley complex

Turlough and Cormac McCarthy presenting their father’s medals for the club to chairman Gerry Malone

Turlough and Cormac McCarthy unvail a plaque in the Cooley Sports complex to offically open 'Pete's Corner' in honour of their father, the late Peter McCarthy

Club Chairman Gerry Malone makes a presentation to Fr Martin Kenny after he launched the Book on Cooley's 125 years

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“I believe we have improved our standards and we have gone out to play football as I don’t believe we are a physical team. I think we were the highest scoring team in the league and would have been the same in championship but for the 6-15 Blues scored against Mattock. “There is no doubt that there is a good squad in Cooley and we have plenty to work on over the coming

Brian Donnelly heads for the Kilkerley goal

seasons. There is a lot of quality and experience which is reflected by that fact that of the 15 players who started in the County Final, 13 have represented Louth at some level. “We also have a lot of good young players coming through with the likes of Michael Rafferty, David Reilly, Gerry Malone, Michael Kane and Darren Marks all under 21 years. They need to be given the chance to establish themselves and become leaders of the team.

“The likes of Brian Donnelly, Patrick Sheelan and Conor Rafferty are still only 25 or 26 so this is by no means an old squad and they still have plenty to offer. “We have a good underage structure with all teams competitive in their grades, so there are players coming through all the time. I believe the club is in a good position to move forward and I expect that in 2014 we will be there or thereabouts once again,” added Adrian.

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Patrick Sheelan gets the better of Jimmy Murray of the Blues.

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ooking back on the 2013 season, Naomh Fionnbarra, can lay strong claims to being one of the unluckiest teams in Louth football. The Mid Louth side set their stall out to find a way back to the Intermediate ranks, but despite being at the business end of the Championship, Division 3 League and league playoffs, they fell agonisingly short on each occasion and ended the season empty handed. That was a particularly bitter pill to swallow for the Mid Louth side as they had been among the most consistent teams in the county. However, despite their best efforts, they ended the season where they began - facing another year in the Junior Championship and playing Division 3 football. Although his team fell short in 2013, team captain, John Doyle, believes that coming so close this year not only

NAOMH FIONNBARRA proves that there is great quality in the Finbarrs ranks but will also provide the motivation for the 2014 campaign. Having enjoyed success in both League and Championship in recent years, the Ballygassan side experienced the flip side of the coin in 2012 when they suffered relegation in both competitions but they were hoping to bounce straight back this year. For much of the season it appeared that they were on course to secure promotion in at least one competition, but as John reveals, they were pipped at the post on three occasions. “We put in a lot of effort over the last number of years and were rewarded with a Junior Championship win over the Sean McDermotts in 2010. Then in 2011 we won the league to establish ourselves as a fully Intermediate club. “Unfortunately 2012 didn’t go that well for us as we found it difficult with the step up in standard in the Division 2 league. We played reasonably well

for much of it but lost a lot of games by one or two points. In the end all we needed to have survived was one more point and if we had been able to finish off some of those games we would have been okay. “Looking back on the campaign, I think we lost a lot of games through a combination of unforced errors and not taking our chances. In Junior football there is a better chance you will get away with things like that but at the higher grade you end up getting punished, and that is what happened us in those close games. “We also went down in the Championship play-off so to lose our status in both competitions was a big disappointment, particularly after the effort we had put in to get promotion,” explained the captain. Suffering such a double blow might result in a club deflated and unable to recover, but according to John they began the year determined to set the record straight. Despite not achieving

FIONNBARRA PLANNING THEIR MOVE

Darren McConnon gains possession in the junior final

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that ambition in 2013, he reveals that they have the necessary belief and ability to reach their goal in the near future. Doyle revealed that before the season started the squad sat down to discuss the situation and the feeling was that they saw themselves as an Intermediate club. As a result they set a target of getting back up within the next three years. That resolve almost bore fruit in 2013 but all at Naomh Fionnbarra will consider themselves unfortunate that they came up against three teams who just had the edge over them at the final hurdle. Hunterstown Rovers proved too strong in the Junior Championship Final, while despite a good showing in the league they finished behind a very impressive Roche Emmets team. Despite that, the Finbarrs battled through to the promotion/relegation play-off final, but again came up against a strong St Mochtas side who proved too strong on the night. “From the early stages we knuckled Ryan Woods

down and got a lot of work done at the beginning of the season. I thought that paid off as we played well over the course of the season to be in a position to challenge for honours. “In the end it was very disappointing to come away with nothing and we would have to consider ourselves unlucky to have come up against three strong sides,” he added. “We had a good run in the league and were always in contention but Roche only dropped one point over the course of the season and we finished runners-up. We carried that consistency into the play-offs and came through to face St Mochtas but unfortunately they were better than us on the night. “They had Ciaran Byrne in excellent form and that was the difference, so it was a big disappointment to just miss out on promotion,” he explained. The aim of winning the Junior Championship was another dream to be snatched from their grasp, but on reflection John can have no complaints Mark Butterly

William Woods

after his side came up against another form team. “I think it was a case of the same old story as Hunterstown were better than

Darren McConnon

Ciaran Lenehan

On duty in the early rounds of the Division 3 league, front l/r: John Doyle, James Butterly, Gary Matthews, David Woods, Mark Butterly, Darren McConnon, Allan Matthews, Nicholas Butterly, Ryan Woods, Shane Fanning, Kieran Lenihan. Back: Colm McCollough, Andy McCann, Stuart Osborne, Brian Sharkey, Padraig Butterly, Conor Osborne, William Woods, Desi Murray, Martin O'Neill, Mairtin Murphy, Conor Lenihan

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NAOMH FIONNBARRA 2013

Junior championship finalists, front l/r: Colm McCollough, Bernard Osborne, Mairtin Murphy, Martin O'Neill, Chris McGlynn, Brian Sharkey, Desi Murray, Hugh McGrane, Stuart Osborne, William Woods, Padraig Butterly, John Dolan, Conor Osborne, Conor Lenihan, Padraig Murphy, Fergal Leonard. Back: Colin McGrane, Kieran Murphy, Ryan Woods, David Woods, Paul Young, Gary Matthews, Allan Matthews, Darren McConnon, Kieran Lenihan, Andy McCann, Nicholas Butterly, Jack Butterly, John Doyle, James ButterlyÂ

naomh fionnbarra designed_Layout 1 17/12/2013 17:43 Page 4

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us on the day. The fact that they were playing in the Intermediate League was a huge advantage to them and they outplayed us over the hour,” stated John who felt that his team didn’t enjoy the rub of the green they needed against the favourites. “There is no doubt that Hunterstown were sharp, fast and hungry but I also feel that luck went against us. There is no doubt that losing William Woods was a turning point as there was only a point between the teams when he went off. “When you lose a player of that quality it is bound to have an effect on the team. After that we struggled to get scores and the second half was a write-off,” added John who is confident that the players will overcome the disappointment and come back to challenge in 2014. “It is hard coming so close and still ending up with nothing to show for your efforts, but there is no sense of despondency as I think it would be worse if we weren’t challenging. “It wasn’t a nice experience this year but I believe it will help motivate us for next and give us the incentive to make a bigger effort. We will all be glad of the break but after that I think we will come back raring to go,” suggested John who believes there is plenty to come from this squad yet. “We are not an old team by any means as there are a few of us around the 29 or 30 mark, with the rest in the early to mid twenties. Four or five around 18 or 19 have come into the panel in the last year so we have quality in our ranks. Hopefully, we will come out stronger next year and give it another go,” concluded John.

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John Doyle captained the team this year

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Conor Osborne

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Stuart Osborne takes on Maurice O'Sullivan of Hunterstown in the junior final

St Nicholas designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:06 Page 1

ST NICHOLAS

quick glance at the Division 3 league table might indicate that 2013 was not a very successful one for St Nicholas. A total of three wins and one draw left the Drogheda side with just seven points from their 11 fixtures and in a rather lowly eighth position in the table. However, despite this the main emotion around Pentony Park as the curtain came down on the season was one of optimism as they ended the year very much on an upward curve. For much of the campaign it appeared that the Nicks were heading for what could only be described as a disastrous season, but they managed to transform their fortunes and without doubt the year ended on a very positive note. For club Chairman, Des McDonnell, there was a huge sense of relief and delight for all involved as things were looking so bleak at one stage that it appeared they might not be able to

complete their league fixtures. The Chairman explained that a number of factors conspired to make life very difficult, but once they were able to address some of those issues, the team was able to illustrate that they have the ability to compete for honours at this level. A strong finish to the league campaign, coupled with an encouraging Junior Championship campaign indicates that there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic ahead of the 2014 season. When you take into account the great work being carried out at underage level, Des is in no doubt that the signs for the future are very positive. “In the middle of the year it looked as if it was going to be a disaster for us, but thankfully we were able to turn things around and as the club Chairman, I can only view the season as a success. “At the start of the year we weren’t in the best of positions. I suppose it is a sign of the times as, like a lot of clubs,

we had lost players to emigration with four members of the team heading to Australia and Canada. “On top of that, we missed out on securing the services of four or five players who had intended to transfer to us and they would certainly have given us a boost. “The next thing to go against us was that we lost our Junior team manager and were struggling at the end of the Kevin Mullen Shield and the start of the Division 3 league. “Myself, Brian Pentony and Gerry Clinton then took charge of the team but our luck began to change when former Louth manager, Paddy Carr, put us in touch with James Lovett who agreed to come in and coach the team,” explained Des. “James is a former Cavan player who is well known as the O’Neills rep in the area and he just turned everything around in a short space of time. Within two or three weeks word spread that he was the real deal and we went from getting nine or ten at training, to having

NICHOLAS TURN THE CORNER

Three cheers for St Nicholas as the U8s celebrate in Croke Park

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ST NICHOLAS 2013

The senior squad, front l/r: Damien Fagan, Ciaran OBrien, Eddie Synott, Paul Hackett, Tadgh Gill, Sam Henry, Dylan Moore, Roy Kierans, Paddy McCabe, Keith McCluskey, Alan Gregory. Back: Lee Kavanagh, Ciaran Smyth, Alan Sweeney, Barry Woods, Eddie Carr, Sean Hoey, Dean Foran, Darren Thornton (captain), Declan Heeney, Stephen Hodgins, Dean Hill

St Nicholas designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:06 Page 3

The U14 squad and mentors that defeated St Kevins in the league decider

32 at times”, he continued. The result was that the club went from having to consider the possibility of pulling out of the league, to enjoying some victories in the closing stages of the league as the renewed effort gained its reward. “I had often heard talk about how managers can turn a team around but I had never seen it myself until this year. I have to say that I have never seen a better coach than James in terms of drills and how he got players to play. “We then won three league games on the trot and performed well in the Junior Championship where we won both our group games and qualified for the knock-out stages. We came up against a strong Naomh Fionnbarra in the quarter-final and it didn’t go our way. Overall we

were quite pleased with the effort especially when you consider that the Finbarrs went on to reach the final,”

revealed Des. While improved performances on the field served to put a spring in the step of the Rathmullen club, another reason for St Nicholas to be optimistic about the future is the success of the underage section. For Des and his fellow committee members, this is a source of huge encouragement as the Nicks look to get the most of the undoubted talent that is available to them. “In recent years Hugh Downey has taken charge of the underage section and he has implemented structures which mean that the section is really thriving at the moment. “We used to have a situation where more parents would drop their kids for training and not get involved. Perhaps it is a sign of the times, but parents are now helping out in great numbers.

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St Nicholas designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:06 Page 4

Tadgh Kelly receives the U14 league cup

“With players, coaches and parents really buying into what we are trying to achieve there is a great atmosphere around juvenile football. I think maybe in the past players felt they didn’t have to train to get games, but we now have a whole different culture from U-14 down and the rewards are there to be seen,” explained the Chairman, who is a firm believer in the Mickey Harte philosophy of putting your best coaches with the juvenile teams. Des pointed out that this year the club further challenged their young players by having them compete at the highest level possible in their respective leagues rather than going in at the lower end. Their faith has been rewarded with victory in the U-14 League and reached the championship quarterfinal while the U-13 side lost narrowly in the league final. The U-12s made the step up to the B league where they held their own, while the teams from U-7 to U-10 had big numbers all year as they competed successfully

Ciaran O'Brien

Club captain Darren Thornton

Dylan Moore

Des is hoping to see that continue into 2014. “We really hope to push on next year and we are quietly confident we can continue to improve. Already we have our management team in place, while a couple of the lads who went away are coming back. On top of that we hope to get the transfers we missed out on last season,” added the chairman, who also paid tribute to one of the great clubmen who retired from playing this season. “Damien Fagan is one of the best clubmen ever and deserves a mention after finally hanging up his boots at the age of 45. He was Approved E-Care part of the championshipWindows From winning squads in 1986, Robbie Wade Windows Saving you money with 1994 and 2008, which isn’t energy rated windows a bad achievement. All Doors Supplied & Fitted “He is just brilliant to have Now providing Window Maintenance & Extra Security around the place as he is Features one of those people who will Robbie 086 1724773 do whatever needs to be After Hours 041-9843207 done, whether it is cutting Only Drogheda Company Approved for LCC Grants the field, putting up nets, On Display: washing gear etc and is the 14 The Park, Highlands, Drogheda type of person that every Nicholas GAA In 2014 club needs,” explained Des.

in the blitz events. The good work has been further recognised by the inclusion of a number of the players on the Louth Development Squads. Off the pitch, the Nicks are continuing to develop their facilities and a joint project with the local Special Olympics committee will see the construction of an indoor basketball court along with changing rooms and a gym. With things very much on the up at Pentony Park, there is no surprise that

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ANNAGHMINNON ROVERS

s one the smallest clubs in the smallest county in Ireland, Annaghminnon Rovers have hit upon hard times recently and find themselves with their backs against the wall. It would be all too easy now to roll over and give up the good fight. Instead, a determined group of die-hards in the club have rolled up their sleeves and decided to battle like their very lives depend on it. For that, they deserve the utmost credit. The smaller triumphs in life tend to go unseen. But they can be the most significant. In football, it’s the winners and genuine contenders who get all the credit. Little or no praise is reserved for the rest of the field; no credit is

afforded to the players who work their butts off all season and then crash out of the championship at the first hurdle. As for the clubs that are barely managing to stave off extinction … well, forget about them … there’s definitely going to be no kudos heading in their general direction. Of course, this is wrong. A club like Annaghminnon Rovers, which is pulling out all the stops just to get through to the next year, should be celebrated and commended. In 2013, the Stonetown outfit opted out of both the junior football championship and the all-county football league in a bid to regroup, to become competitive once more. Sometimes you have to take a step backwards before you can take one forward. It was the right move.

One of the stalwarts of the Rovers team, David Marron says Annaghminnon are here to stay, even if their team and support base has all but dwindled away: “There are a few die-hards who still show up at the games but we have turned into the whipping boys of Louth football and it’s hard to get people to come out and support you when you’re not competitive and winning games. People have better things to do with their time. “That was one of the main reasons why we decided to move down a grade this year – hopefully to become competitive again, start winning some games and get people back supporting the team again. We thought that would improve the club and get the interest levels back up again. We didn’t really

WE CARE A LOT

Christopher Connolly gets away from James Butler of Glen Emmets

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ANNAGHMINNON ROVERS 2013

Representing the club in 2013, front l/r: Alan Finnegan, David Kellet, Paraic Leegan, David Loughran, Stephen Finnegan, Kevin McKeown, Niall Russell. Back: Michael Brennan, Tony Martin, Seamus Martin, Mark Brennan, John Kirk, Tony Brennan, Gary Connolly, Shane Russell

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The Annaghminnon Rovers senior squad, front l/r: Paraic Leegan, Stephen Finnegan, Vincent Woods, Olly Carroll, Christopher Connolly, Kevin McKeown, Declan Ruddy, Dean Brennan. Back: Damien Russell, Michael Brennan, David Marron, Mark Brennan, Gary Connolly, Seamus Martin, Tony Martin, Shane Russell, John Kirk

get the results we were hoping for and it’s a tough situation all around, but I’ll tell you one thing: there are too many people who care about this club to let it fall apart.” That’s call spirit. The same resilience that’s all-too-evident in a SFC-winning club is also alive and well in Annaghminnon Rovers. I asked David to elaborate on the decision that was taken to sit out the JFC and Division Three competitions… “The decision we made was that we were really struggling at junior level and we needed to move down a grade to become more competitive. There was no point going out getting hammered every weekend. We had a committee meeting and everybody in the club – including the players – put their views forward regarding the best way forward for Annaghminnon. The general consensus was that we had to step down. This wasn’t a decision that was taken lightly - and it was one that was made by the whole club together.” The result was that Annaghminnon were conspicuous in their absence from Division Three and also from the JFC. Instead, they entered the Division 4C league and the 2B championship. Early in the season,

however, they did participate in the subsidiary competition for Louth’s junior clubs – the Kevin Mullen Shield. “We entered that to get our general levels of fitness up and also to get some games under our belts,” David notes. “As it happened, our

Stephen Finnegan

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performances weren’t too bad. We ran the Kevins close and we actually defeated the John Mitchells first team, which was a great confidencebooster.” Unfortunately, no more victories were recorded during the course of the 2013 calendar year. One of the major problems dogging a club the size of Annaghminnon Rovers is the lack of players: “Numbers were very tight,” David confirms. “There were nights when we had 15 or 16 at training but there were other nights when there were only ten or so. We struggled all year in that regard and something like 30 different players would have lined out for us over the course of the season. With lads living away from home due to work and others at college, I wouldn’t say we started with the same team twice.” The goal now is to try to develop some underage talent so that there is precious lifeblood coming through to sustain the club in future years. To this end, work is being put in behind the scenes and hopes are high that the club will reap the rewards of this investment. “We’re amalgamated with Baile Talun at U12 and U13 and with Baile Talun and the Mochtas at U14. We’re getting a few players from that and we also have our own

annaghminnon designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:08 Page 5

teams at U8, U9 and U10. These young lads are the future and we will be trying our best to bring them through.” Kevin McKeown managed the team during the year and his contribution was above and beyond the call of duty. “Kevin had retired at the end of the previous year but he had to tog out a few times himself. That’s the kind of year we had. He did everything he could. He was the first man at every training session and he is 100% dedicated to the cause. You couldn’t ask for a better clubman,” David Marron states. The way things have gone, is there a danger than some of the better players on the team might seek a transfer? “As a club, we have survived on transfers ourselves, so we’d obviously be hoping

David Kellett

Stars for the future, front l/r: Christopher Kirk, Michael Woods, Micheál Marron, Oisín Kerr. Back: Sinead Kirk (coach), Aaron McCabe, Charlie Fee, Arán Woods, Vanessa Kirk. Missing from photo: James Attwooll

for transfers in the opposite direction. We need players who are committed to the club to keep Annaghminnon Rovers alive. It’s one of the smallest clubs in Ireland, with a catchment area that is almost non-existent, so we are facing an uphill battle. But, no, there had been no talk of any player wishing to transfer out and I’m confident that will remain the case.” Considering that they are in such a precarious position, could 2013 be construed as a successful year for Annaghminnon? “Well, it’s another year gone and we’re still here! We were competitive in our first two league games but once the defeats started to kick in, numbers dropped away and the interest wasn’t there anymore. It was difficult to break that losing habit.”

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What is a realistic target for 2014? “We need to break the losing habit. When you are constantly finishing second, it’s very hard to motivate lads. But we have some lads coming back from injury and that will be a bonus. “We lost the first round of the 2B championship to Oliver Plunketts and they went on to reach the final. That was a game we left behind, so it shows what we are capable of if we get our act together. But getting across the winning line is the problem. “If we could get one or two wins behind us and get the confidence levels up, we have some decent enough footballers and we could turn the corner again. It’s just a matter of plugging away and hopefully we will get the club back on track in the nottoo-distant future.” The very nature of the GAA is overtly competitive, but every club in Louth should be wishing Annaghminnon all the best in their future endeavours. After all, we’re all part of the same organisation.

lannleire designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 11:59 Page 1

ver the past number of seasons, Lannleire have consistently been among the contenders for honours at Junior level without managing to make the breakthrough. By Eunan Whyte. Despite not being able to secure promotion to the intermediate ranks, the signs continued to be encouraging last year when the Dunleer club enjoyed a consistently successful season. A strong second half to the league season saw Lannleire force their way into the Division 3 play-off but they ultimately they failed to win promotion. That form was also obvious in the Junior Championship as they battled their way to a final meeting against the Glen Emmets. There were quite a few people who Lannleire as favourites for the Christy Bellew Cup and for much of the game that confidence appeared to be justified.

LANNLEIRE However, in the end the game turned on a very unfortunate penalty decision and the Tullyallen men finished strongly to snatch the title. There was some consolation for Lannleire before the season ended as they landed the Kevin Mullen Shield title. Victory over Sean McDermotts in October on a 2-5 to 0-8 scoreline ensured some reward for the efforts of the squad over the course of the season. Many onlookers felt that such form would be the springboard to success in 2013 as it is not unusual for a team that suffers the disappointment of losing a championship final to bounce back the following seasons. In many cases, the pain of defeat combined with hard lessons learned is enough to create that extra level of hunger and commitment to finally land the coveted silverware. However, despite the desire of Lannleire players and members to fall into that category, there was a sense

of realism within the camp that it was not going to be that straightforward. Defender Bob Murphy admits that they began with the intention of pushing on from 2012, but points out that the loss of key players meant they were facing an uphill battle from the outset. With further obstacles thrown in their way over the course of the season, it turned out to be a disappointing season at Pairc Ui Mhuiri. However, there were a number of positives to emerge which he hopes will help them get back on an upward curve in 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Losing the championship final was very disappointing for all involved, especially when there was only one point in it at the end. We were going well for long periods but for some reason we always find it difficult against Glen Emmets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After getting that far, you always look to go one better the following year but we knew that this would be a very difficult task.

PLENTY OF POSITIVES IN 2013 FOR LANNLEIRE

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LANNLEIRE 2013

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Justin McCarville

Alan Murphy

Club captain Lee Smith

Fergal McGeough and Aidan KIng at the County Board Draw

Carlos Lambe clears his line

Mark Dunne

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“We were aware that we would lose Shane Kennedy who was moving to Carlow, while Robert O’Rourke was among those retiring. That was our midfield gone so we felt going into the final that we had to make the most of the chance. “I know that in many cases the team that loses a championship final will come back the next season and win the title, but that was always going to be difficult for us,” explained Bob who added that further hurdles soon presented themselves which made matters even more challenging. “Despite losing the two players mentioned, things were going well at the outset when Johnny McDonnell started. However, that situation changed and we were without a manager for a couple of weeks. “Nicky Malone came in and gave it

his best shot, but it was always going to be difficult and that spell in between seemed to affect our whole season. “Being without a manager for a spell meant that we didn’t train as well as we would have expected to and as a result our fitness levels were not up to the level they might have been. “I think that was clear in a number of games, particularly at the start of the season as we lost games we might otherwise have won and as a result we were unable to build up a momentum,” revealed Bob. “Our form in the early stages of the league wasn’t too bad as we had two wins in our first three games, just losing out narrowly to Sean McDermotts. “Then we had Roche and Glen Emmets in our next outings and while they were always going to be difficult

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we felt that they were games we could have won. We were well in contention throughout but in the end we just weren’t fit enough to push on and win,” he added. With three defeats against them in the early stages of such a competitive league, Lannleire were realistically out of contention for the title and as a result their form dipped afterwards, with Bob pointing out that injuries to key players further hampered them as they lost games that they would have expected to win. “We lost Colm Murphy to a broken ankle while Niall Lennon suffered a cruciate injury and the fact that they happened so early in the season was a blow to us. They were two of our main forwards last year and when you don’t have a big squad they are impossible to replace,” continued the

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Colin Murphy

defender. “The championship was also a disappointment although we qualified for the quarter-finals by defeating John Mitchels after losing to Oliver Plunketts. “Unfortunately we lost out to Sean McDermotts in the knock-out stages. We were reduced to 14 men early in the game and we just didn’t recover but overall it was disappointing to have our season ended so early,” added Bob who has been one of Lannleire’s most consistent performers in defence over the course of the season. Although it has been a very challenging season for the club, Bob is optimistic that they will improve for next year and get back to challenging the top sides. “It hasn’t been easy at times but we will start 2014 with a blank slate and the determination to show an improvement. We will be hoping to perform well in the league as you have to be consistent in that if you want to push on. Hopefully if you get a bit of momentum you can carry that into the

Bob Murphy receives the Junior Player of the Year Award from Gerry Neacy

championship. “It most certainly is not a case of doom and gloom at Lannleire as there are some positives to be taken from this season. We had Nicky Malone in as manager and hopefully he will stay on and get us back on the right track.

Lannleire GFC Club President Thomas Callan making a presentation to Club Worker of the Year Patsy Carroll

“If we have our injured players back along with a number of the younger lads who gained valuable experience this year, I believe we have a chance of getting back up to compete with the top sides.”

Ray and Thereasa Newman receive a special club award from Chairman Tommy Farrelly

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hen players began gathering at Monasterboice for the start of the 2013 it was no surprise that there was a good deal of optimism among a squad brimming a huge desire to make a breakthrough at the top level. Although it is not unusual in sport for a dawn of a new campaign to bring a renewed sense of hope, in the case of Naomh Mairtin there were solid foundations for that sense of expectation given the progress made over the previous two years. A semi-final appearance in the 2011 Senior Championship when they were rather unfortunate not to make the County Final, was followed in 2012 by a place in the Division 1 top four. As a result, there was a real sense that the team under Eddie Martin and

NAOMH MAIRTIN Colm Nally could raise the standards even higher this year. Unfortunately it didn’t work out as hoped and in the end it turned out to be a difficult season for the club both on and off the field of play. In the end, the Mairtins had to face the dreaded play-off before securing their Division 1 status, and Eddie Martin is hoping that in 2014 they will be able to regain their best form and mount a more sustained challenge. “Last year we performed very well in the league and finished in the top four which saw us reach the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup semi-final but unfortunately we lost to St Patricks by a goal in Lordship. Overall it was a good year but we just couldn’t get across the line. “The year before we got to the semifinal of the championship so there was a real sense that we were going in the

right direction and it was a matter of trying to build on that this year,” explained Eddie. The early stages of the season did little to suggest that the Mairtins wouldn’t continue on an upward curve, but they were unable to sustain that effort and what followed was a very frustrating conclusion to the year. “We started out well in the ACC Cup and some good form helped us reach the semi-final only to lose to the O’Connells by a point at The Grove. That was disappointing for us because we played well that night and felt it was a game we should have won, while O’Connells went on to win the cup,” added Eddie. Despite that setback, there was enough in the early season displays to suggest that the team could carry that form into the Division 1 League. However, a heavy defeat in the early

A TOUGH YEAR FOR ALL IN NAOMH MAIRTIN

Eoin Wright

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NAOMH MAIRTIN 2013

Naomh Mairtinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2013 squad

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The senior squad, front l/r: Ciaran Byrne, Eoin Wright, Patrick Sullivan, Paul Campbell, Brian McQuillian, Eamon McQuillian, Kenny Lambe, Brian Berrill, Brian Howell, Stephen Campbell, Gareth Lambe. Back: David Carrie, Jamie Byrne, Jamie Mulholland, Gavin Mooney, Nicky McDonnell, Luke Harrington, Benny Reilly, Conor Lambe, Paul Berrill, Francis McCullough, Carl Courtney, Wayne Campbell

stages coupled with injuries to key players meant that the Mairtins made a poor start and were battling at the wrong end of the table for much of the year. “We had been happy with our progress going into the league but we got a bad beating away to Cooley Kickhams one Sunday night at the start of the league and that really set us back. “We picked it up with a good win in Clogherhead but after that our form was very patchy. We were up and down all year and just couldn’t seem to get a run at it, so overall it wasn’t a great year. “We were hampered by The U13 Division 3A League winners, front l/r: Tom Gray, Nicholas Callan, Harry Boylan, Thomas Clarke, Adam injuries to the likes of JP Callanan, Evan Whelan, Sean Faulkner. Back: Conor Healy, Luke Byrne, Jack Mulroy, James McCabe Bohill, Rooney, Nicky Thomas Rooney, Neil Holcroft, Stephen McDonnell, Adam Booth, Luke Callaghan, Conor Walsh McDonnell and Brian Howell who were all out for long spells and when you only have a small squad it is hard to lose big players,” added Eddie. “In general I think the league was like that for everyone and it you take St Patricks and Cooley Kickhams out of it, it was a case of everyone being able to beat everyone else in the division,” he continued. The successful U14's, front l/r: Colm Egan, Lee Neilon, Ryan Sands, Paul Kindlon, Mark Whelan, Evan Whelan, Darren Adam Booth, Thomas Clarke, Luke Byrne, Jack Murphy. Back: Neil Holdcroft, Thomas Rooney, David O’Brien, That pattern over the Morgan, John Holdcroft, Eoghan Winters, Conor Morgan, Luke Mitchell, Eoghan Callaghan (captain), Andrew Dorian, Ross Donnelly, Eoghan Gaynor, Thomas Byrne, James Conroy course of the year

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Benny Reilly

resulted in a very tight league where teams were bunched towards the end and very little between a team qualifying for the semi-final of the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup and those battling to avoid the relegation play-off. In the end five teams finished on ten points – just two behind Kilkerley who claimed fourth spot – but it was the Mairtins who finished in the play-off

Brian Berrill

Gavin Mooney

position on score difference after a dramatic final day of fixtures. The Monasterboice side were expected to steer themselves clear of trouble but Eddie admits that the mindset was probably not right on the final day and with other results going against them, they finished second from bottom. That meant a five-week wait for the crucial game to decide their fate, but in

the meantime the club suffered a devastating blow with the tragic loss of a promising young player, Shane Whelan. It was an incident that had a huge effect on all involved with the Mairtins according to Eddie. “The death of Shane represented a tough, tough time for the club. His family are heavily involved with the Mairtins and it has hit us really hard.

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He was a very promising player, but more than that he was a gentleman and a joy to have in the club. His whole family are just the same and it really was devastating for everyone. “The five weeks between the end of the league and the play-off game was a long time and it was probably the toughest time I can remember at the club in all my time. Looking back it was probably good that we had another game as it helped keep the club together,” added Eddie who felt that the team gave the best tribute possible with a winning performance to preserve their Division 1 status for a 25th year. “There is no doubt that it was our best performance by a country mile this season. Even the Ardee lads said afterwards that we blew them out of the water. I think it typified the spirit of the team that Shane’s uncle, Francis, turned in a Man of the Match display and it was a real credit to him that he performed at that level,” added Martin who pointed out that at that time, Sinead Lynn, daughter of club stalwart, Tony, also passed away. A tough year for the club also saw the death of another well-respected member, Paddy Callan. The championship was as disappointing for Naomh Mairtin as the league with

322

the club reaching the quarter-finals before going down to Cooley Kickhams after a disappointing display in which the game was effectively over by the break. However, despite the struggles on the field this year, Eddie, who is stepping down along with Colm Nally, believes the future is bright. “Myself and Colm are stepping down after three years as it is time to let somebody else have a go but I feel there is a good future with a good crop of young players in the club. “It is a matter of bringing them through to senior team and I feel there is something in this squad. Of course you need a bit of luck to make the breakthrough but there is no doubt we will keep working hard as a club and hopefully we will get our reward,” Eddie concluded.

Mickey Smyth and Mick Fanning at the championship draws

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MATTOCK RANGERS

t is a mark of the heights reached by Mattock Rangers over the past number of years is the fact that 2013 will be viewed as somewhat unusual in Louth GAA circles by virtue of the fact that the club didn’t find themselves in the shake-up for the main competitions. Since the dawn of the 2000s, there has rarely been a year when the Collon club hasn’t either got their hands on major silverware, or been serious challengers in both league and championship. However, since they last lifted the Joe Ward in 2010, the club has been affected by retirements and loss of players to emigration and work commitments, making it difficult for the team to emulate those achievements. While there is little doubt that the team which enjoyed such success over the past 13 seasons is no longer at the height of its powers, there is a sense of satisfaction that the club made the most of their time at the top as they set about the task of bringing through the next generation of players. Few around the Collon area will need reminding that the roll of honour reveals an impressive four Senior Championship titles from six final

appearances, a Cardinal O’Donnell victory, Leinster League success and an appearance in the Leinster Club Championship Final. Club PRO Maria Reid reveals that the club accept they now have to go through a rebuilding stage but feels that Mattock Rangers are still in a strong position both on and off the field. “I suppose a lot of people will look at the result against the Newtown Blues this year in the championship and think we are on the way down. The reality is that while we know we have to rebuild, we are holding our own in the senior league and came through the group stages of the championship,” explained Maria. “There is no doubt that we had a great run, winning four titles in ten years. Naturally, we would love to keep it going but that is very hard to do. The challenge now is to build on what we have and bring some of the younger lads through to the first team,” added Maria who points out that the club is really thriving at present with a whole host of activities ongoing. “Thankfully the club is going really well for us at the minute as we have a busy juvenile section, as well as catering or hurling, camogie and ladies

football and all are making very good progress,” added Maria who also lines out with the Ladies team that was unlucky not to win a championship this year. “For the second year in a row we got to the Junior B Championship Final, only to lose out by a point. It was very disappointing but we have to accept that on the day Glyde Rangers were the better side. “It would have been nice to win promotion and play at a higher level but overall things are going very well for us. The women’s team is really on the up and we are getting new players all the time so hopefully we can go one better next year. “There is a lot of work being put in to the hurling and camogie teams so we hope to see that rewarded in the coming years, while the work is continuing at underage level to bring more players through,” added the PRO. Mattock Rangers pride themselves on being a great community club and that was emphasised this year with a number of events to celebrate The Gathering. “We always have been a very closeknit club with people always willing to help out at whatever we are doing. The

THE STRENGTH OF A CLUB

Some of the large turnout at the official opening of the Mattock Rangers second pitch

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Ken Tobin presents the Senior Hurling Player of the Year award to Brian Carter

Kevin Shevlin presents Niamh Reid with the Mattock Rangers Ladies Senior Player of the Year award

way we look at it is that it is about people coming together as a club and not just about what happens on the pitch. “One of the big events for us this year was The Gathering weekend when we officially opened the pitch and GAA President, Liam O’Neill, was in Louth chairman Padraig O'Connor presents the Special Hurling League Cup to Johnny Matthews

Terence Donegan presents the Senior Player of the Year award to Sean Gilsanan

attendance,” she continued. Mattock also marked the occasion with a series of events over three days which included, a historical village tour, table quiz and a Geraghty Cup final, with the host club being victorious in beating local neighbours Hunterstown Rovers. Christy Grimes

David Reid

Terence Donegan presents Frank Collier with a special 40 years service award.

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The celebrations begin with the Junior Hurling League title at Darver, front l/r: Gary Rellis, Darren Reid, Ken Tobin, Jonny Matthews (captain), Declan Madden, Niall McEneaney, Eoin McKeon, Ciaran Maguire, Tony Corcoran. Back: Shane Maguire, Jason Condon, Paddy Coyle, Brian Carter, Fergal Sheils, Kevin Conway, Seamus Walsh, Peter Mullen, Eddie Condon, Michael Callan, Graham Condon, Ruairi O’Reilly, Aiden Carter, Mark Kirwan

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The Junior Hurling League winners, front l/r: Ken Tobin, Peter Mullen, Niall McEneaney, Jonny Matthews (captain), Tony Corcoran, Kevin Conway, Eoin McKeon, Ciaran Maguire, Aiden Carter, Mark Kirwan. Back: Gary Rellis, Graham Condon, Ruairi Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly, Michael Callan, Declan Madden, Darren Reid, Brian Carter, Seamus Walsh, Fergal Sheils, Jason Condon, Eddie Condon, Paddy Coyle, Shane Maguire

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be remembered with some sadness as the club lost one of its most dedicated and inspiring figures in Brendan Reilly. A renowned player, manager and committee member, Brendan will always be remembered as the man who was instrumental in bringing the Joe Ward Cup to Collon for the first time. There is little doubt among those

Jason Condon receives the Junior Football Player of the Year from Ann Meade

Michael McKeown

Martin Sherlock

involved with Mattock Rangers that the success enjoyed over the past decade would not have been possible without the efforts of Brendan, and his passing at a young age has left a great void in the club. As a player, Brendan was a great servant to the club as he represented the Black-and-Reds from juvenile level through to senior football. He helped

Ken Tobin presents the Senior Hurling award to Johnny Matthews

Chairman Terence Donegan presents the Mattock Rangers Hall of Fame award to Malachy Hickey at the club's awards night in Darver Castle

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Manager Pedar Gallagher

the club win an Old Gaels Cup medal before injury brought his career to an end in 1999. That was not the end of his involvement in team affairs as the following year he was named manager of the senior team to begin what would turn out to be a golden period in the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. After losing out in the 2001 Senior

Earnan Roche receives the Cub Person of the Year award from Tom Matthews

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Dan Power presenting the first jersey worn by The Collon club in 1952 to club chairman Terence Donegan with GAA President Liam O'Neill.

Brian Carthy of RTE with Larry Geraghty and Jim Reilly at the club’s Awards night in Darver Castle

Final to Newtown Blues, Brendan helped the team come back even stronger the next year as they captured the Joe Ward Cup for the first time. A 2-11 to 1-11 victory over St Brides in Ardee would see Brendan fulfill his lifetime’s ambition as Mattock were crowned senior champions. Later that season, Mattock went on to contest the Leinster Club Championship Final where they lost out to Dunshaughlin in Navan.

Brendan continued to be involved with the team over the following years and his passion and knowledge of the game proved crucial as Mattock won a second senior title in 2005. On that occasion, Brendan was a selector under manager Paddy Clarke as they defeated Newtown Blues by 1-12 to 26 in Drogheda. Reilly also had a big influence on Mattock’s victory over Cooley Kickhams in Drogheda in 2010 when the club celebrated a fourth senior

success. Following Brendan’s passing resulted in a great sense of sadness around Mattock Rangers and the wider Collon area as the huge crowds paid tribute to one of the club’s iconic figures. It was also a mark of the esteem in which Brendan Reilly was held in GAA circles that members of clubs throughout Louth and across the country attended his funeral in Collon.

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Liam O'Neill cutting the tape to officially open the Mattock Rangers second pitch with Club Chairman Terence Donegan and Secretary Ernie Roche

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our straight SFC defeats consigned Glyde Rangers to relegation to the intermediate grade at the end of the 2013 season. It was a disappointing scenario for the Tallanstown club, who has been senior since 2001, but they will be intent on setting the record straight in the coming year by bouncing straight back to the top table. In 2014, Glyde Rangers will be among the contenders for the Louth intermediate football championship. After a prolonged stint in senior ranks (they went senior for the first time since 1978 by winning the Toner Cup for Division 2A in 2000), the Tallanstown club finally surrendered their top-flight status in the months gone by as they failed to find their form on championship day, losing four games

GLYDE RANGERS on the spin to O’Connells, Mattock Rangers, Dreadnots and Kilkerley Emmets. In the end, there could be no arguing with the outcome… The decisive match was the SFC relegation play-off final against Kilkerley on Sunday, September 29th, a game which was lost on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-4. This was a closer match than the final scoreline suggests, as Kilkerley finished strongly at the end of what had been an even-enough contest for 57 minutes or so. The winners – who are certainly no strangers to relegation dogfights themselves – recorded 1-3 in the closing three minutes, the all-important sealing goal arrived in the 57th minute when an uncharacteristic misjudgement from Glyde custodian Gerard Carroll allowed Raymond

Mulholland’s rather ordinary shot to cross the line. It was that sort of year! At the other end, Glyde were in determined form and they carved out a number of goalscoring opportunities only to find their opposing goalkeeper to be in brilliant form. Cillian Quigley thwarted the Tallanstown men on a number of occasions, with what had to be a Man of the Match display. Glyde were a point adrift at the interval, 0-4 to 0-3, marshalling county ace Shane Lennon competently, and they were still well in the hunt of a cagey encounter with five minutes left – 0-5 to 0-4. In a match where scores were at a premium, Kilkerley’s fortuitous 57th-minute major was a blow that there was simply no recovering from. The consequence of defeat was that Glyde had been relegated, with the

THAT SINKING FEELING

David Devenney under pressure from Kevin Keelan

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GLYDE RANGERS 2013

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The senior XV on duty against O'Connells in the championship, front l/r: Fiachra Sheridan, Mark O'Brien, Shane Sharkey, Gerard Carroll, Conor Sheridan, Larry O'Brien, Philip McGahon. Back: Dave Devenney, Trevor O'Brien, Jake Stuart, Cian Sheridan, Anthony Nulty, Barry Sharkey, Ciaran Sheridan, Paul Noone

following personnel on play-off final duty: Gerard Carroll; Glen Finlay, Paul Noone, Fiachra Sheridan; Philip McGahon, Mark O’Brien, Ciaran Sheridan (0-2): Cein Sheridan, David Devaney; Gerard Farrell, Barry Sharkey, Seamus Harvey; Jake Stewart, Trevor O'Brien, Stephen Sharkey (0-2). Subs: Peter Duffy for F Sheridan, Alan Brennan for S Harvey. Championship relegation is a blow for a club that had competently rubbed shoulders with the best in the county for 13 seasons, threatening a major breakthrough on many occasions. A transitional period – a bit of rebuilding – could be on the cards now. Cardinal O’Donnell Cup finals were contested in 2004 and 2006, while Glyde were edged out by Mattock Rangers and Cooley Kickhams respectively in the SFC semi-finals of 2008 and 2009. But they had been flirting with relegation in recent years, getting the better of St Marys in a relegations semi-final in

2010 and overcoming Dundalk Young Irelands in the 2012 relegation decider (they reached the last eight in 2011 but were beaten by Mattock). In ’12, Glyde were also demoted from Division One to Division Two. In the 2013 relegations semi-final, Glyde Rangers were outclassed by the previous year’s county finalists Dreadnots, suffering a heavy 3-12 to 08 defeat at Dunleer. Glyde, who scored only twice from play over the course of

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335

the hour, got off to the worst possible start in this game and were never really able to force their way back into contention against a side that had been expected to challenge for senior silverware in 2013. Conor Campbell had the ball in the back of the Glyde net inside the opening minute and Anthony Williams followed up with a second Dreadnots goal after nine minutes. When Rangers corner back Mark O’Brien picked up a harsh red card in the second quarter, the game was all but done and dusted. Frees from Trevor O’Brien and substitute Damien Garland after the restart barely put respectability on the scoreboard as the Tallanstown outfit battled gallantly but were unable to recover from that nightmare first half. The Glyde Rangers side that togged out in the relegation semi-final was: Anthony Nulty; Mark O’Brien, Alan Brennan, Shane Sharkey; Brian Duffy, Conor Sheridan, Ciaran

glyde rangers designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:59 Page 5

Sheridan; Gerard contention when Farrell (0-1), David substitute Stephen Devaney; Cein Sharkey knocked Sheridan, Seamus the ball to the back Harvey, Barry of the net after Sharkey (0-1); Reynolds had made Fiachra Sheridan, a save from O’Brien. Trevor O’Brien (0Conor Sheridan 3), Stephen slotted the second Sharkey. Subs: Glyde goal after Martin O’Connor (0O’Connells has 1); Damien Garland pointed twice, to (0-2); Peter Duffy. close the gap to a Glyde had opened single point, 1-7 to their SFC 2-3. programme at Glyde’s hopes Haggardstown on went up in smoke Sunday, July 21st, when centre forward when they were Mark O’Brien decidedly unlucky collected his Bryan Lynch of Bryan Lynch Fine Salads presents new juvenile jerseys to Fergal Kellett, Sylvia Smyth and juvenile player Oisin Lynch. to fall to a five-point second yellow card Group A defeat to and they were O’Connells – 2-8 to 2-3. The further frustrated when Reynolds Tallanstown men had finished the executed yet another quality save to game with a real flurry and looked deny substitute Alan Brennan. likely to get something from it, but Glyde Rangers (2013 Louth SFC O’Connells fired a goal with the last V O’Connells): Anthony Nulty; kick of the game to take both points. Shane Sharkey, Paul Noone, Trailing by five at the break, 1-4 to Gerard Carroll; Laurence O’Brien, 0-2 (with Trevor O’Brien registering Conor Sheridan (1-0), Ciaran both points), David Martin’s charges Sheridan; Philip McGahon, David stepped on the gas in the third Devaney; Cein Sheridan, Mark quarter and roared right back into O’Brien, Barry Sharkey; Fiachra contention. O’Brien’s free sailed Sheridan, Trevor O’Brien (0-3), Jake over the bar on 36 minutes and the Stuart. Subs: Stephen Sharkey (1gap was almost down to the 0), Gerard Farrell, Alan Brennan. minimum when Ciaran Sheridan There was still a chance that Glyde went for goal only to see his shot might progress from the group but to well saved by Stuart Reynolds. do this they would have to After Cein Sheridan’s goal effort overcome Mattock Rangers. And, at struck the inside of a post, Dunleer on Sunday night, August O’Connells moved five clear again, 11th, the Collon men eased to a 01-5 to 0-3, However, the villagers got 16 to 0-8 victory. The match was themselves right back into over as a contest by the interval as Conor Sheridan

Michael Brennan receives the Clubman of the Year Award from Anthony Nulty

Ciaran Sheridan

Peter Duffy

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Cian Sheridan

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the winners had amassed a commanding 0-11 to 0-2 interval advantage. It had taken the losers 24 minutes to raise a flag, courtesy of Barry Sharkey. Understrength Glyde did come out for the second half with the manager’s words ringing in their ears, firing over three points – from Mark O’Brien, John Myles and Ciaran Sheridan (free) in the first ten minutes after the restart. Seventeenyear-old wing back Sheridan was one of the Tallanstown players to stand out in this game but, in general, it was a night to forget and the result left Glyde careering into the relegation play-offs with confidence shaken. The Glyde Rangers side that faced Mattock Rangers in the 2013 Louth SFC was: Anthony Nulty; Shane Long serving club member Tommy Byrne receives the Hall of Fame Award from Robbie Byrne Sharkey, Gerard Farrell, Damien Garland; Laurence O’Brien, Conor Harvey, Peter Duffy for Cein Sheridan. Sheridan (0-1), Ciaran Sheridan (0-2); Alan Brennan, David Thus, within the space of twelve months, Glyde have Devaney; Cein Sheridan, Mark O’Brien (0-1), Barry Sharkey surrendered both their Division One and SFC status. They (0-1); Fiachra Sheridan, Trevor O’Brien (0-2), John Myles. will regroup over the winter and will be determined to push on Subs: Brian Duffy, Gerard Carroll, Seamus Harvey, Martin next year, with a concerted effort in both league and O’Connor (0-1). championship. The ideal in Tallanstown is a very short In Division Two of the ACFL, Glyde Rangers – hoping to transition period! bounce straight back up to Division One - finished in fifth

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place to book a promotion play-off semi-final against runnersup St Marys at Ardee in late October. They got off to an encouraging start when Trevor O'Brien, Stephen Sharkey and Conor Sheridan put over the first three points of the game but were unable to kick on and fell to a 0-9 to 0-4 defeat – a result which means they’ll play out of Division Two and the IFC in 2014. The side that contested the league play-off semi-final against the Marys was: Gerard Carroll; Fiachra Sheridan, Shane Sharkey, Glen Finlay; Phil McGahon, Mark O'Brien, Ciaran Sheridan; David Devaney, Cein Sheridan; Alan Brennan, Conor Sheridan (0-1), Seamus Harvey; Barry Sharkey, Trevor O'Brien (0-1), Stephen Sharkey 0-1. Subs: Martin O'Connor (0-1) for A Brennan, Jake Stewart for S

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ST MARYS

t Marys set out with one main target in 2013 and that was to book a return to Division One of the ACFL. This was almost achieved with a fantastic campaign that delivered a series of decidedly determined displays, wining nine out of nine before the Deesiders came a cropper in their last two league games. Ultimately, they again missed out in agonising fashion. It’s becoming a familiar story! Against all odds, St Marys came very close to pulling off the shock of the year against St Patricks at the quarterfinal stage of the Louth SFC. They were also untouchable for the first nine rounds of the ACFL. So, taking a positive outlook,, it was a decent year for this up-and-coming team, even if promotion did cruelly elude them for the third time in a row. Reflecting on the events of the season, attacking ace Alan Kirk says it has provided the Marys with a solid platform upon which to build going forward. The plan was simple: it was time for St Marys to return to their rightful place

in Division One. After seeing that target slip through their fingers in frustrating fashion in 2012, the Marys set about the task in ultra-determined fashion, treating each league outing like a championship match. A run of nine successive victories left the rest of the pack chasing them all year and the Marys looked long odds-on to book their passage back to the top table. The Ardee men just needed a point from their last two games to finish top of the Division Two table and take the automatic promotion place. Surely nothing could go wrong this time? Well, it could… Quite remarkably, a narrow (5-8 to 2-11) defeat to intermediate champions Geraldines was followed by an even narrower one to junior champions Hunterstown Rovers (who bagged not one but two injury-time goals!). When the Gers pipped the Joes on the same day, they took the title. Marys now went into the familiar environment of the play-offs and had Ronan Carroll (0-5) and Paudie Clarke (0-4) to thank for their 0-9 to 0-4 win over Glyde Rangers. At Kilkerley on

Tuesday night, November 5th, injurytime points from Dean and Donal Matthews secured a 0-15 to 1-10 success over St Brides in a surreal game. For the third time in 2013, the Marys were an hour away from Division One. Naomh Mairtin were in the other corner for the promotion / relegation decider and the Monasterboice put their drained opponents to the sword on a 2-8 to 0-6 scoreline. It had been another long and frustrating season for the Marys first-team, who ran out of steam in the end. The 0-15 to 2-6 Louth SFC quarterfinal defeat to holders St Patricks at Haggardstown on Saturday, August 31st was another bitter pill to swallow. Shorn of the quality of county man Darren Clarke, who had succumbed to a season-ending injury (and would also miss the league run-in), the Marys went into this match as complete outsiders but Paudie Clarke’s goal had them ahead at the interval, 1-4 to 0-6. Dean Matthews’ second-half major left the shock very much on the cards and the sides were level going into the dying minutes. But the Pats reeled off

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ST MARY’S 2013

The St Marys senior squad, front l/r: Darren Clarke, Mark Fay, Marty Duffy, Paudy Clarke, Jamie Rooney, Barry Faulkner, Alan Kirk, Shane McCoy, Fergal Diamond, Alan McKenny, Mark Gorman, Peter Duffy. Back: Niall Eccles, Paul Malone, RJ Callaghan, Robert Leavy, John Bingham, Donal Matthews, Dean Matthews, Duane Crosbie, Rónán Carroll, David Rooney, Niall Carroll, Brian McCoy, Barry McCoy

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St Marys were unlucky to lose out in the MFC final, front l/r: Luke O’Kane, Stephen Bingham, Paddy Conlon, BJ Matthews, Aaron Kerley, Peter Clarke, Kian Moran, Pearse Callan, Chris Kerr, Brendan Matthews, Rory Cousins, Karl Faulkner. Back: Luke O’Kane, Stephen Bingham, Paddy Conlon, BJ Matthews, Aaron Kerley, Peter Clarke, Kian Moran, Pearse Callan, Chris Kerr, Brendan Matthews, Rory Cousins, Karl Faulkner

the last three points to progress to the last four. Reflecting on that narrow defeat, Alan Kirk admits it was disappointing when the final whistle sounded and defeat was the Marys’ lot: “We felt we could have won the game; it was there for the taking. But, in fairness, Paddy Keenan stood up in the last ten or fifteen minutes and he showed the leadership that won them the game.” In hindsight, did the absence of Darren Clarke cost the town side a

place in the county semi-finals? “Darren was a big loss to us and he is worth at least four or five points a game. But when there are players missing, someone else has to come in and do a job and we knew we had to step up in his absence, which the lads did. “Darren would be a loss to any team in the county. We tried out best and gave it everything but it wasn’t enough. But we can look back on that performance and it will give the lads heart. Those are the kind of games you

can learn from and from that point of view it was a good experience.” Alan concedes that St Marys were in something of a win-win situation going into the quarter-final: “We knew nothing was expected of us and that they were expected to beat us handy, so we had nothing to lose and there was no pressure on us,” he notes. The Marys had ended up playing the Lordship men in the last eight as a direct consequence of losing their second Group Two outing to O’Raghallaighs – 0-15 to 1-10 at

The U16 finalists, front l/r: BJ Matthews, Philip Trainor, Brendan Matthews, John Finlay, Josh Martin, Craig Keenan, Conor Gillespie, Conor Hennessey, David Conlon, James Conlon. Back: Luke O’Kane, Lorcan Dixon, Evan Keenan, Cian Cummins, Killian Byrne, Lorcan Malone, Chris Kerr, Alan McGauley, Ryan Rooney, Rory Cousins, Dáire McConnon, Stephen Bingham

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Peter Duffy raises the Division 4C league cup

Ronan Carroll

David and Jamie Rooney with the Division 4C league trophy

Dunleer on Sunday, August 11th. A four-point win for the Hoops would have eliminated the Marys from the competition but they did enough on the day to progress as group runners-up, with top scorer Alan Kirk (1-2) netting the all-important goal at the start of the second half. Naomh Mairtin has beaten O’Raghallaighs in the first round but St Marys threw the group wide open with a 0-13 to 1-8 defeat of the Monasterboice men at Dunleer, thanks to late points from Dean Matthews and Shane McCoy. But the victory had come at a cost as Darren Clarke - who had returned to his hometown club after a spell with St Sylvester's in Dublin – was badly injured. The county attacker had clipped over five points before being removed from Pairc Mhuire by ambulance and ruled out for the remainder of the season. Ultimately, the Marys came up a little short in the championship, but they weren’t overly despondent as the league was the main focus of their concentration in 2013. “Our aim at the start of the year was to get out of Division Two,” Alan Kirk confirms. “You want to be playing the like of the Blues, the Pats and Cooley on a regular basis to maximise your chances of beating the big boys in the championship.” Is it a handicap playing in Division Two? “I think it probably is. It’s a different speed of football and there’s no point saying anything else. Division Two is a great division to play in and there are some good sides in the division but the speed is slower and you would definitely have a better chance of winning the championship if you are playing in Division One.” Mickey McConville took charge of the team in 2013, with former county man Alan Rooney as selector and Ciaran Quinn from Culloville putting the players through their paces as coach. Kirk was very impressed by the contribution of the latter: “He came in this year and the training was first class. The lads enjoyed it and really put in the work and that showed in most of our results.” Alan has been playing with the Marys for a decade now. “Ideally, you’d like to get your hands on a senior championship medal and we’re hoping to push for one in the next two or three years. It would have been nice to get a Division Two medal this year. I’ve played for a long enough time with the club and all I have to show for it is a

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Senior team captain Robbie Leavy

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st marys designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:18 Page 9

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Division 1B medal, which I won in my first year on the team. “We have a young enough team and I’m convinced there is a championship in us inside the next few years. Our minors also got to the county final this year, so there is plenty of young talent coming through. We know that realistically we probably need to be in Division One to win a championship so we will come back again next year and bid for promotion again.” After suffering disappointment in the league at the end of each of the two previous campaigns, with a return to Division One narrowly eluding them in both 2011 and 2012, St Marys redoubled their efforts in the league this year but once more came up short: “We had taken out foot off the pedal a bit in previous years but this time we

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DREADNOTS

ver the past number of seasons, those paying their membership fee to Dreadnots GFC can have few complaints in terms of getting value for money. Since 2007, those associated with the Clogherhead club have had plenty of reasons to display their colours with the team regularly contesting the major finals in the county. The successful run began in 2007 when they reached the Intermediate Championship Final, and although suffering defeat on that day, they were back again 12 months later to get their hands on the Seamus Flood Cup. Having consolidated their position in the senior ranks, the Dreadnots pushed on from there and followed up with appearances in the Minor Championship Final and Cardinal O’Donnell Cup Final. Then, in 2012 they memorably

reached on their second ever Senior Championship Final, and although they lost out to St Patricks, it remains the highlight of what is a golden period for the club. Given the continued improvements over the past few years, many associated with the club were hoping that the performances of 2012 would prove to be the springboard to even better times this season. However, for a number of reasons it didn’t go according to plan and for a change, 2013 saw the club fail to challenge for honours. Senior team manager, Paddy Clarke, has been in football long enough to know that you can’t take anything for granted and was always aware that reaching one Senior Final did not automatically mean they would be back again this year. While the aim of the team was to use that experience to help them go one better this year, Paddy was left to

reflect on a season that just never got going. “It was a great achievement for us to reach the Senior Final, but even at the time we felt that we were in the right place at the wrong time. We were probably there a year or two before we should have but there is no doubt we deserved to be there. Unfortunately we came up against an outstanding team,” explained Paddy. The former Louth manager was determined to build on that momentum for 2013 but was in no doubt that in sport it doesn’t always work out as planned. “For a team that loses a final, there are two ways it can go the following year. Firstly you can continue to improve and get back like Mayo have done, or you could end up like the Galway hurlers who just couldn’t recapture that level of performance that saw just miss out on All-Ireland success.

INJURIES HAMPER DREADNOTS MOMENTUM

Conor Campbell gets away from Andrew Tinley and Tomas Costello of Newtown Blues

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DREADNOTS 2013

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dreadnots designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:55 Page 3

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Winners of the Louth Co Board Gathering Seven a Side competition, front l/r: James Califf, Anthony Williams, Padraig Rath, Derek Shevlin, Liam Shevlin, Ronan Califf, Dermot Campbell. Back: Anthony Murphy, Paddy Clarke, Ciaran Cunningham, Barry Faulkner, Paraic Smith, Pat Lynch, Brian Gargan, Anthony Martin, Fergal McGuigan

“For us this year there was a third alternative and that is that we probably ended up like Kilkenny or Donegal in that we were so badly affected by injuries, we just couldn’t get to the level required,” he revealed. Given that they have a relatively small panel of players, the Dreadnots could barely afford to be without any player but their hopes of seriously challenging were hampered by an injury crisis, the level of which Clarke has rarely experienced in his many years in the game. “We have a panel of about 27 players and looking back on the records of the games this year, we had an average of seven players out injured for every game. That doesn’t include lads that are away on holiday or missing for other reasons, so we were facing an uphill task from the outset.

James Califf outjumps Brian Kermode of Newtown Blues

“We were never able to field the same team in two successive games and I think two changes was the least we were able to make from game to game. We probably created a record in one game where we had a total of 16 players injured,” added Paddy. However, the Drogheda man is philosophical about the challenges he faced this year as these setbacks are part and parcel of sport. “It would have been nice to come back this year with a full panel and be able to test ourselves to see exactly where we stood. Sometimes a team comes back from a final defeat stronger, and sometimes it doesn’t work out. For us, it simply didn’t work out. “We know that is football and there are times where we have benefited from playing teams who have been

Senior captain Padraig Rath

Anthony Lynch

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hampered by injury. Teams will always get a spell where they are injury-free, and next year it could work out that we have no injuries. “That is sport and you just have to accept it as every team has a hard luck story. We just hope that what goes around comes around,” revealed the manager who feels that despite the disappointment of this year, there is plenty to come from the team. “I firmly believe that there is a Senior Championship in this team but I knew it would be a long road. “Between reaching the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup Final in 2011 and the Senior Final last year, the players probably had only one month off. They put in a huge effort and that probably took its toll. “However, we have a young team with plenty of ability and talent and if

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dreadnots designed_Layout 1 18/12/2013 13:55 Page 5

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Padraig Rath receives the Louth 7 a side cup from Padraig O'Connor

we can keep them together and keep them fit there is no reason why we can’t challenge over the coming seasons,” added Paddy. Despite being unable to field a full-strength side, the Dreadnots can be satisfied with the league showing as they finished just outside the O’Donnell Cup semi-final places having stayed clear of the relegation battle. However, it was during the summer months that the lack of fitness told as they failed to make their mark on the championship and for Paddy it was disappointing not to get out of the group stages. “We had Dundalk Gaels in the first game and as the game progressed they slowly got on top of us. We did have opportunities but only managed to take one out of five goals chances and unfortunately it just wasn’t to be. “That put us under pressure as we then had to beat the Blues and they are a team that know more about championship football than most others. They probably felt that after the semifinal last year, they owed us one. Again, we just were able to take the goal chances when they arose and although we got a draw, it wasn’t good enough to qualify,” revealed the manager. While Paddy admitted that it was frustrating to fall short of the high standards set last year, they were able to rally themselves for the relegation play-off and a comfortable win over Glyde Rangers saw them preserve their status for 2014. The signs are still encouraging for all involved in with the Clogherhead men and with a bit better fortune next season and the undoubted talent at their disposal, the Dreadnots will be determined to get back in the mix for the major honours in Louth football.

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SPECIAL FEATURE

A LIFETIME ESTABLISHED

The team at Tony Kieran Ltd, l/r: Anthony Kieran, Aidan Sheehy, Steven Hearty, Maria Lynch, Edita Vidziuniene, Gerry Bowman, Sean Martin, Christine Lee, Doireann Byrne, Ted Kieran, Derek Mernagh, Eamon McCann, Martin Gill, Sharon Kilcoyne, Cian Taggart, Ann O'Conor, Kevin Caldwell, Seamus Spaight

ver 65 years since first opening its doors, Tony Kieran Ltd has become an establishment of Dundalk town via its premises on Church Street. We found out more about the award winning business from Kevin Caldwell, who has been the company’s manager for the past

three years.

Since 1947, Tony Kieran Ltd has been the name over the shop’s door and in that time their association with the good people of Dundalk has flourished and with that they have become a household name in the town.

The purpose built facilty at Coes road

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As a family run business, which takes great pride in providing for its customers, we have two retail outlets specialising in bringing the customer a wide selection of Irish produce including chicken, fish and locally farmed beef, lamb, pork and bacon. “We opened up in poultry and first expanded into the beef sector in

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November 2010,” explained Kevin Caldwell, who is the store manager of their two premises in Dundalk with the support of Ted Kieran, Seamus Spaight and Anthony Kieran. “We have a full range of chicken, fish, beef, bacon, pork and lamb products also one of the largest value added range in the country, and the beef we supply to our customers is from our bord bia approved farm. All our chicken is grown in the northeast with full traceability and bird welfare from farm to fork. All our chickens are grain fed and that no antibiotic growth promoters are used or added to any of our products.” The history behind the company stretches back to a lifetime ago when Tony and May Kieran closed the Temperance Hotel in Church Street and in October 1947 Tony Kieran’s Fish and Poultry Shop was established. The retail business is still striving with Ted, Anthony and Seamus at the helm and the Tony Kieran team. In 2006, they opened a new custom built premises at the Coes Road to cater for the demands of a growing wholesale business which is growing all the time supplying hotels, restaurants, fast food takeaways and butcher shops across the north east. This facility gives the option to prepare more chicken products for the market place. Tony Kieran Ltd continue to expand their business to cater for customer

Best Wishes To Tony Kieran Ltd, From

Seamus Spaight on the Bord Bia approved family farm

needs, in doing so, they opened a new retail outlet in 2010 in the Avenue Centre, Dundalk, giving them a prime location on the South end of Dundalk. The last three years have seen the company also expand into the beef sector. This has become very successful and is a growing part of the business. Tony Kieran Ltd put the quality of their beef down to all young heifer beef less than 22 months old, grown from the Spaight family Bord Bia approved farm and aged on the bone for a minimum of 21 days. All of the fish is delivered daily straight from the local habours. “In October 2010, we opened a state of the Art Butcher shop on the Avenue Road boasting a top of the range Dry ageing unit ensuring that the meat we sell is succulent and tender every time,” said Kevin.

In its third year of trading, the shop is winning awards for its service and quality of local produce and there list of gongs has grown to be an impressive one over the past two years in particular. 2012 saw the company cited as one of the Top 100 retail outlets in the country, while also scooping the Best Customer Service prize at the Louth Business awards. This year Tony Kieran Ltd went one better though, landing the ‘Best Retail Premises interior & exterior’ at the Louth Business awards, while they also collected the Craft Butcher gold medal winners for a selection of products. The wonderful team at Tony Kieran Ltd, managed by local man Kevin Caldwell, endeavour to offer their customers the best quality and service

Kevin Caldwell at the pre-packed product cabinet

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to ensure that they are 100 per cent satisfied every time. “In meeting the market’s needs, we felt that the only right was to ensure that we have the very best beef for our customers was to supply our customers with our very own home grown beef,” said Kevin. “We feed only top quality breeds which are less that 24 months old before they are sold ensuring our customers are 100% satisfied every time. Because the beef is from our own Board Bia approved Farm it gives us the confidence to sell top quality beef. All our beef hangs on the bone for a min of seven days followed by 14 days in our state of the art aging unit ensuring your meat reaches the highest standard of any. You will taste the difference.” Supporting the local community has also been a key ingredient to the success of the company and has saw them gain repeated business from their customers down the years. Sponsorship towards local GAA clubs such as the Geraldines and Cooley Kickhams (breakfast mornings) and St Joseph’s GFC for their come dine with me has always been a trademark in the past and the company continue to help out Louth GAA in whatever way they can, even in these tough economic times. In 2011, Tony Kieran Ltd took on the main sponsorship of the Junior Chef Challenge. The competition took place on December 7th in the hospitality wing of the Dundalk Institute of Technology and saw each secondary school in the town send a team of two pupils to represent their school in the Junior Chef Final. The team of two students were asked to cook one meal consisting of two courses with a total time allowance of

90 minutes, with the two course meal will be presented to Celebrity Chef Jenny Bristow for her to judge. The winners were Glenn McCourt and Ultan Larney from St. Mary’s College, who took first prize for their wonderful creation of a Spicy “Purkey” Parcel (Turkey with Pork Stuffing) served with Wild Rice and a sumptuous dessert of Cranberry and Pear Parfait served with Creme Fraiche was the outstanding dish among all eight teams. Judge Jenny Bristow had her work cut out in selecting this winning combination from a field of equally talented and committed Junior Chefs. Treasure hunts and golf classics are amongst other sponsored events that Tony Kieran Ltd helps to carry out annually and the hopes are that it will continue to do so long into the future, with a corner having been turned despite these recessionary times. “We are very busy at the moment,” Kevin explained. “Things are going from strength to strength here and we just recently brought in three new apprentices. “There aren’t too many places that are bringing in butcher apprentices but we feel that it’s important to look towards the future. You have to keep looking towards the future and planning otherwise you’ll be stuck in the past and this company has always been able to evolve down the years.” Next year will see Tony Kieran Ltd entering into its 67th year and it won’t be long before Kevin and co begin planning for a major 70th anniversary celebration. In the meantime, however, it’s business as usual for a business that continues to stride through the decades.

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Best wishes and continued success to Tony Kieran Ltd.

“Congratulations Tony Kieran Ltd on his recent win of the Louth business award. Many thanks to Tony and his team for using professional Fr.Dick knives.”

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ST PATRICKS

lthough 2013 saw St Patricks maintain their position as one of the top teams in the county, unfortunately for the Lordship side the year will be remembered for events off the pitch which saw them lose dedicated club man, Adrian Donohoe, in tragic circumstances. The murder of the Detective Garda in January brought the nation to a standstill and has left a huge void in the St Patricks club and the local community. For club chairman, Alan Duffy, no review of the year could start without mention of Adrian and the special tributes that were paid to him by the club over the year. “Unfortunately for St Patricks, when looking back on the year our thoughts will always go back to January 25th which was a very dark day for our club, the county and indeed the country. To

have a member of our club brutally gunned down while on service to the community that we live in is something that never should have happened, and something that we will never forget. “Adrian was a huge part of St Patricks and is presence is sorely missed on a daily basis. He came to us from Cavan and gave great service as a player, and was part of the historic squad that won the Senior Championship for the first time in 2003,” explained Alan who revealed that Adrian’s service to the club continued after he had hung up his boots. “The term ‘role model’ is used regularly but it is a fitting description of a man who gave his all as a player, a mentor with the U16 team and with the nursery squad. His help and guidance to younger players is something that was very much appreciated and something that is very much missed. “There is no doubt that there is a

huge void in the club and our sympathies are with his family who remain a big part of club and community,” added the chairman, who pointed out that the tragedy showed just how close-knit the GAA community as clubs rallied to offer support. “The feeling of despair and loss was balanced by the enormous generosity and kindness shown by clubs in Louth and beyond. On-the-field rivalries were put aside as clubs were on hand to offer whatever support they could during the time of the funeral and it is something that is very much appreciated and will not be forgotten,” he continued. While it is difficult to find the words to express their feelings, St Patricks illustrated the esteem in which Adrian was held by organising a fitting tribute to him at their Lordship base. “We recently had the first annual Adrian Donohoe Memorial Tournament that saw teams from Adrian’s home

A VOID THAT CAN’T BE FILLED

St Pats celebrate with the Cardinal O'Donnell Cup

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ST PATRICKS 2013

St Patricks may have missed out on championship honours but their consistency was rewarded with yet another Cardinal Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell Cup success

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O'Donnell Cup to Colin Goss

Paul Sheelan and Davy Flynn received special awards as part of the St Patrick's back room team

Paudie Mallon receives the Player of the Year award, the Ronan Goss Memorial trophy, from John Goss

St Patricks chairman Alan Duffy presents the club's Supporter of the Year award to George Hughes

club, Crosserlough in Cavan, St Senan’s in Clare and Louth Gardai join with St Patricks in a competition in October. “The day also saw the opening of Adrian Donohoe Pairc by Fr Michael Cusack. Overall it was a very successful day and gave us the opportunity to remember Adrian in a fitting way,” added Alan. Without doubt, Adrian would have been proud of the way the club continues to

make its mark on the field of play as the 2013 season saw the club continue to progress at all levels in the county. According to the chairman, it was another successful season for the peninsula club despite the disappointment of failing to retain the Joe Ward Cup. “Overall, our senior team had another outstanding year and the only down side was that the championship just got away

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from us in the end. “We were very impressive in the Division 1 League and finished top of the table before going on to win the Cardinal O’Donnell Cup. That was a very satisfying achievement for us and showed the level of talent and consistency that we have at the minute. “Naturally, the main ambition was to win the Senior Championship and once again we were among the main

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contenders. We started well in the group stages with wins over Cooley Kickhams and Kilkerley Emmets to qualify for the quarter-finals. “We had a tough game against St Marys in Haggardstown but came through it in the end to set up a meeting with the Newtown Blues in the semi-final. After a draw in the first game we gave it everything we had but

Danny O'Connor

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lost out narrowly by just two points despite playing for most of the game with 14 men,” he revealed. While Alan explained that it was a bitter disappointment for all involved, he was quick to praise the huge effort put in by players and management in their pursuit of a senior title. “The level of commitment and dedication by the players and coaching

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Paudie Mallon

Eamon Carroll

“The aim is to bounce back even stronger next year with more determination to win the Joe Ward Cup and hopefully it will work out for us,” stated the chairman who explained that football at all levels in the club went well in 2013. “Our underage football continues to make great progress at Ogsport level, while from U-13 up to Minor we were very successful in the various competitions in reaching finals and picking up trophies. One of the highlights was winning the Minor League which was a great achievement. “There is no doubt that the success is down to the great efforts being put in by mentors and it is great to see that hard work being rewarded. “Our Ladies and girls teams remain a huge

Colin Goss

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part of our club and once again great efforts have been put into those teams over recent years. The underage teams are progressing very well and we hope to see them build on those efforts over the coming seasons,” he added. Outside of football, Alan points out that St Patricks remains at the heart of the local community and 2013 saw them continue to organise successful events for the area. “We have events throughout the year and among the big ones this year were the Jigs and Reels along with the 5k Fun Run which proved to be great successes. We also had our fashion show and panto at the end of the year, while we have organised The Kube for after Christmas which promises to be another big occasion for us,” added the Chairman.

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SEAN McDERMOTTS

he Sean McDermotts stats for the 2013 season make interesting reading. The Mountrush side played 30 matches in all competitions, won 21, lost nine, which is a record that wouldn’t be considered bad by any standards. When you add in the fact that they have a bit of silverware to show for their efforts in the form of the Kevin Mullen Shield, then it appears there is plenty to be happy about among the club members. However it does not tell the whole story. If you delve further into the figures you will see that seven of those defeats came in the last 12 matches of the season, and it is that stat that provides the real focus when reviewing the season. The slump in form in the second half of the years resulted in what was at one stage a very promising season, ending in disappointment for all associated with the Mountrush club. With the Kevin Mullen Shield already

in the bag, the Seans were very much in contention for league honours and among the fancied sides for the Junior Championship. Unfortunately, they were unable to push on from that initially strong position and the campaign ended with the McDermotts suffering a disappointing championship semi-final loss and the failure to win promotion to Division 2. For many in the club there is a clearly identifiable turning point and despite their best efforts, they were unable to reverse the decline thereafter. The mid-June Division 3 league match in Ballygassan against fellow contenders, Naomh Fionnbarra, was the first indication that the wheels were about to fall off the Mountrush wagon. There is a feeling in the club that it was a game they could and should have won and the failure to pick up both points was a huge setback from which they failed to recover. Two more league defeats came in quick succession against Glen Emmets and Roche Emmets which meant that league title aspirations

were all but over by the time the championship commenced. The Seans did manage to get their season back on track when they opened Group 4 of the Championship with a 0-13 to 1-8 win over St Kevins and they then confirmed their place in the quarter-finals by scoring a 2-11 to 0-9 win over Dowdallshill. That set up a testing quarter-final meeting with 2012 finalists, Lannleire, and in a tough game at Ardee they came out on top on a 4-10 to 1-7 scoreline, to book a place in the last four. However, an incident in that game in which influential and experienced midfielder, Declan Carroll, received a straight red card would have serious repercussions for the team later down the line. His absence was particularly felt in the championship semi-final against Hunterstown in Haggardstown. Rovers, who would go on to win the final, were in fine form that day but their cause was helped considerably by a very lacklustre display from the

MCDERMOTTS NOT FAR OFF THE PACE

The Kevin Mullen Shield winners, front l/r: Kevin Carroll, Danny Commins, Ciaran McMahon, Lorcan Myles, Aaron Myles, Ian Corbally, David O’Neill, Alan O’Neill, Danny Reilly, Sean McMahon. Mascot: Darragh Quinn. Back: Brendan Finlay, Declan Carroll, Peter Osborne, Emmett Duffy, David Brennan, TJ Duffy, Josh Mills, Mark McEneaney, Gavin Reilly, Brendan McGahon, Cormac Walsh

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SEAN McDERMOTTS 2013

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Sean McDermott's celebrate the Kevin Mullen Shield, front l/r: Alan O’Neill, Danny Reilly, TJ Duffy, David O’Neill, Lorcan Myles, Brendan McGahon, Kevin Carroll, Aaron Myles, Tony Kelly, Ian Corbally, Eoin Lynch, Mascots: Tiernan Reilly, Darragh Quinn. Back: Cormac Walsh, Gavin Reilly, Danny Commins, Declan Carroll, Ciaran McMahon, Josh Mills, Brendan Finlay, Emmett Duffy, David Brennan, Peter Osborne, Mark McEneaney

McDermotts. Right from the opening whistle Hunterstown got on top and early goals had them well on the way to victory inside the first quarter. It was a game that few in the Mountrush camp will be anxious to remember and to make matters worse, the Seans’ hopes of retrieving the situation were even further hampered by the very harsh red card handed out to full-back Sean McMahon after just 20 minutes.

Still going strong, Brendan McGahon now in a goalkeeping role

It was a hugely disappointing evening in McGeough Park for all associated with the Seans but on reflection that disappointment was tempered somewhat by Hunterstown’s very impressive victory in the final. There was some good news for the Mountrush side as they finished the league season with seven wins from their 11 games which was enough to claim fifth position and a place in the promotion play-offs.

Although the hope of playing Division 2 football in 2014 remained, there was to be no joy for the Seans as they lost out to Naomh Fionnbarra at the first hurdle on a 1-10 to 1-5 scoreline. As a result, the Kevin Mullen Shield remains the highlight of the season after the side defeated the highly fancied Roche Emmets in the final at Knockbridge in June. The McDermotts showed great character to fight back from an eight-

Kevin Carroll, Brendan McGahon and Declan Carroll with the Kevin Mullen Shield

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The talented U7's, front l/r: Daniel Commins and Aoibheann Murray. Back: Adam McMullen, Tomas Devlin, Jack Melia, Ronny Ruikij, Nathan Commins, Donnacha McCourt, Shane Finlay, Shaney McConnon. Mascots on the day were Saoirse, Emma and Charlie

The U8's, front l/r: Tomas Devlin, Donnacha McCourt and Daniel Commins. Back: Cathal McCourt, Nathan Commins, Jamie McCourt, Ronan Kerley, John McGuinness. Mascot was Emma.

point deficit to win by 5-5 to 1-11. The ageless Brendan McGahon was one of many heroes on the night as he fired in a personal tally of 3-1. There is no doubt that the Seans will be looking back to that game as their inspiration when they begin preparations for the 2014 season and, as always, there will be plenty of optimism around the club that they can once again challenge for honours. There hopes have been hampered by the loss of players to emigration and James Woodsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; departure for Australia will mean that a total of ten first team players are now living and working abroad. It is a difficulty that clubs throughout Louth and indeed across the country are experiencing, but one that seems to have hit the Seans particularly hard in recent years. The challenge is to replace those

Kevin Carroll raises the Kevin Mullen Shield

players but the squad this year illustrated that they have the ability to compete with the top sides. Unfortunately they lost their way towards the end of the season but showed enough in the early stages to give themselves encouragement for next season. It is by no means all doom and gloom with a number of promising young players coming through the ranks. This year the Seans were able to boast of six players on the Baile Talun minor team and there is no doubt that the development of their talent will be crucial to McDermotts hopes in the future. The prospects also remain bright in the longer term with the juvenile section is making great strides at present. The club consider themselves very

Pat Osborne

Denis Commins

369

lucky to have some very committed coaches fielding teams at under seven, eight and ten and they hope to be able to expand this by slotting in an under nine team in the coming season. Those involved in the underage ranks are well aware that success can only be achieved through the commitment of coaches and they are encouraging as many as possible to come and help out for the season. The efforts of all involved were obvious to be seen throughout the year as the McDermotts took part in and hosted many under-age blitzes over the course of the summer. There is a consensus that the players enjoyed their games and the encouraging thing for the club is that they showed great improvement over the course of the year.

Ciaran McMahon

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ROCHE EMMETS

t the end of the 2012 season, Roche Emmets were facing a crossroads. The disappointment of relegation to Division 3, left the Faughart side facing a very clear choice – either feel sorry for themselves or put in the effort required to bounce straight back up. Fast forward 12 months and the mood in the Roche camp couldn’t be more different. An unbeaten run in the league saw them finish top of the table and guaranteed a return to Division 2, while an impressive run in the Intermediate Championship has given the players a renewed determination to continue their recent progress. The sense of optimism that now abounds at Roche is in stark contrast to the mood a year ago when they dropped down to the Junior League. However, on reflection that blow and more significantly, the positive reaction, is seen by many as a huge

turning point. David Quigley, who was joint captain alongside Dan O’Connell this season, believes that the sense of belief has been restored this year and that will stand to the team over the coming years, after what has been a difficult few seasons. “The fact that we got relegated to Division 3 seemed like the worst thing at the time. It was a big disappointment as we felt we had the players who were good enough. I think our manager, Fra Fagan, really did his best but we just couldn’t get the results needed,, explained David. The most important thing for Roche was that following that setback, the players were not going to accept their fate but immediately set about making amends. The captain revealed that when training recommenced under Paddy Martin, the players upped their commitment levels and were in a good frame of mind going into the new

league season and set themselves a target of winning Division 3. “At the start of the year our main objective was to get out of Division 3 as quick as we could. I don’t mean any disrespect to the other teams is but you risk getting into a rut if you don’t get back up quickly. “Ahead of the league, we felt we were going well. The training was good and the players were in good form which was reflected in a good run in the Kevin Mullen Shield. “Our first game was against the Finbarrs which ended in a bit of controversy as we felt we had won by a point but the referee had it as a draw. However, we got over that and won every game afterwards to finish top of the league,” added Quigley. Although Roche dropped just one point over the 11 games, David is quick to stress that it was by no means a walk in the park for his team. In many of the games his team were made to fight all the way and their desire and

ROCHE BOUNCE BACK IN STYLE

Barry O'Hare has his eye on the target

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ROCHE EMMETS 2013

The Roche Emmets seniors, front l/r: Philip Quinn, Liam Rice, Sean O’Hare, Peter McShane, Paddy Murphy, Sean Kirk, Harry O’Connell, Dermot Craven, Conor Traynor, Eoin O’Hare. Back: Padraig Callaghan, Robbie O’Hanlon, Gerry Murphy, Ends Murphy, Eugene Murray, Paddy Quigley, David O’Connell, David Quigley, Dan O’Connell, Bernard McConnon, Ciaran Sloan, Aaron Callan, Andrew Carroll

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Roche captain David Quigley

Paul Callaghan

Owen O'Hare

Harry O'Connell

The squad for the Kevin Mullen Shield final, front l/r: Kevin Quigley, Sean Kirk, Harry O’Connell, Enda Murphy, Sean O’Hare, Andrew Carroll, Conor Traynor, Barry McConnon, Conor Carthy, Dermot Craven, Peter McShane. Back: Robbie O’Hanlon, David Quigley, Bernard McConnon, Ciaran Sloan, David O’Connell, Liam Rice, Eoin O’Hare, Patrick Quigley, Paddy Murphy, Gerry Murphy, Padraig Callaghan, Aaron Callan

ability was tested on many occasions. “We were probably the favourites at the start of the season but we didn’t get carried away. Paddy Martin made sure we kept our feet on the ground throughout and it really was a matter of taking one game at a time. “We had to be focused as there were some really hard games on the way. For example Stabannon provided a

real test and in the end we only came out by two points. Dowdallshill were another team who put it up to us, while we lost to Sean McDermotts in the Kevin Mullen Shield Final so we were wary of them,” added David. The competitive nature of the Division was highlighted in the concluding stages as it wasn’t a case of Roche cruising across the line, with

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their last outing proving to be a winnertakes-all clash against Glen Emmets. “Overall the standard was very high and we had to be at our best all the way through. The last game was a perfect example and we had to treat it like a championship game because there was so much at stake. “They have some very good players and a strong team, but thankfully we

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The World Record attempt at the largest GAA training session in Roche

showed that we had the mentality and the desire to come through in the end. I suppose that comes from being on such a long winning run and our selfbelief really was a factor,” added Quigley who explained that the league victory was a fitting tribute to the late Brendan Carthy. “Brendan had passed away just before the conclusion of the league so we dedicated the win to him. He was a

huge club man and he did so much work for Roche. The victory meant a lot to his family and his sons, Liam, Conor and Dermot are very much involved,” explained David who was thrilled to lead the team to victory along with Dan O’Connell. “I was honoured to be joint captain alongside Dan and I know he was very proud as well. We have been good friends and played a lot of football

together so it was nice to collect the cup together,” added David who believes the strong bond among the players was a big factor in their success. “We have a relatively young team at the minute and a lot of the lads are around the same age. There are no cliques in the squad and there is a great sense that we are all in it together. A lot of the players are friends

The organising committee of the Emmets World record attempt, front l/r: Tony Carroll, Deirdre McDonnell, Allan O'Connor . Back: Brendan Carthy, Mark Dowdall, Ellen O'Hanlon, Simon Allen, Cara Murphy, Brian McArdle, Paddy Oliver (Louth Central Council representative)

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as well as team mates so that really helps,” he continued. While the league success meant it was already a successful season for Roche, it was the championship form that has instilled a great deal of confidence ahead of the new season. “I think the fact that we had been winning games made a big difference in the Intermediate Championship. We played Naomh Malachi in the first round and it was very tight but the fact that we were used to coming out on top made the difference in the end. “We played Sean O’Mahonys in the next game and probably gave them a bit too much respect and when we look back it is probably a game we could have won. “The main thing was that we were through to the quarter-final and we were well prepared for the game against Na Piarsaigh. We had played them a few times in recent years and they seemed to have the edge on us, and quite often it was a late goal that won it for them. “However, we had a bit more self-belief and this year it was our turn to get the late goal and make it through to the semi-final. It was unfortunate that we lost Barry O’Hare to suspension for the game against the Geraldines, but on the day they were the better

Fra Kieran from the County Board presents the Junior Player of the Year award to Martin Craven

team and the dream ended for us,” added the captain. The performance in that game against the eventual champions suggests that Roche have a solid foundation to build on and David is determined that they won’t be resting on their laurels. “It is not a case of us being happy to get back into Division 2 as we want to compete with the best and our target really has to be to make the play-offs. We know we have to raise our game to another level but if we prepare well and get off to a good start there is no reason why we can’t be in the mix,” concluded David.

Tracey Rogers on right receives the Ladies Senior Player of the Year award from Arlene Marmion

Liam Rice receives the Minor Player of the Year award from Brian McCoy

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Enda Murphy gets the ball away from Lannleire's Brendan McEvoy

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ROBBIE RECOGNISED AT NATIONAL LEVEL

ny time a Louth GAA man is honoured on the national stage, it is worth celebrating. A notable all-Ireland title winged its way to the Wee County in October, 2013 when the former O’Raghallaighs clubman Robbie Matthews of Western Motors in Drogheda was selected as Skoda Sales Person of the Year. We caught up with Robbie to get more information on this outstanding achievement. Skoda’s 2013 Sales Person of the Year was a Louth man, from Drogheda to be precise, a member of the O’Raghallaighs GAA club. Robbie Matthews collected his award at a function in Kilkenny on 2nd October and he told me exactly what the term ‘Skoda Sales Person of the Year’ entails: “It was for the overall sales person in the Skoda dealer network and was based not just on unit sales but on delivering the overall Skoda customer experience and it recognised that we had a very successful first year as a

Western Motors in the M1 Retail Park in Drogheda

Skoda dealer. The timing of the award was perfect for Western Motors as we celebrated our first anniversary as a

Robbie Matthews with his wife Nicola O’Brien

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main Skoda dealer on October 27th and this coincided nicely with the Sales Person of the Year award.” Founded on Galway’s Tuam Road by Jim McCormack in 1963, Western Motors relocated to Ballybrit in 1999 and opted to open a second outlet in Drogheda seven years ago. Simon McCormack – who runs the group alongside his brother James - is managing director of Western Motors, Drogheda which provides Skoda, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Commercial dealerships. Local man Robbie Matthews has been part of the team in Drogheda since Day One. “We started out originally operating out of a portacabin in October, 2007 before opening the showroom in the M1 Retail Park. The fact that we are still on the go in Drogheda six years later is a fantastic testament to the owners, considering that these have been very difficult years for the motor industry.” Taking on the Skoda franchise last year was something of a masterstroke and, with Robbie

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leading the way, sales have exceeded all expectations thus far: “We have done over 150 new registrations this year, which has exceeded the target set by the Skoda by over 15%,” says Robbie. “We have overachieved in most aspects of the business and we will be taking the many positives from 2013 and carrying them into next year. “We started from a standing position in October last year but we will have a running start for 2014.” Western Motors, Drogheda is main Skoda dealer for County Louth and also reaches into parts of North County Dublin and into Meath. The strength of the Skoda brand is hardly the best-kept secret in the world. Few other manufacturers can offer such an attractive combination of value for money and quality. “The value proposition and the build quality that Skoda delivers is second to none,” Robbie confirms. “It’s an up-andcoming range that’s growing on an annual basis and it also has great support from Skoda Finance, which is owned by the Volkswagen Group. Skoda Finance is very competitive and they are very much open for business, which is a godsend for Irish motorists.

Robbie Matthews accepts his award as Skoda Sales Person of the Year from Robert Guy (Head of Sales, Skoda Ireland) and right, John Donegan (Brand Directors, Skoda Ireland)

It’s a winning combination – the cars are fantastic and the bank is unbelievable.” “You are getting very good specification in all Skoda cars, and the

value really is next to none. Also, because of the quality of the vehicles, they are very strong in the used car marketplace. In terms of residual value, Skoda is a market leader.

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The impressive Skoda range at Western Motors

“We have come a long, long way from the days when you could stick the word Skoda into a sentence and make a joke of it. Skoda now has an excellent reputation and more and more motorists are growing to appreciate the value they offer. This has also been a landmark year for Skoda, who are celebrating 20 years in Ireland.” The McCormack family, who run Western Motors, have a strong family connection in Drogheda going back many years. Today, they employ a team of 16 at their premises in the M1 Retail Park, where buoyant VW and VW Commercials dealerships are also provided. In Ballybrit, Galway, meanwhile, Western Motors offers Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercials and Seat franchises. Heading to the awards night in County Kilkenny, Robbie had no idea that he was about to be named as Skoda Sales Person of the Year, 2013. He recalls: “The annual dealer conference – a black-tie event - was held in the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on 2nd October and Skoda presented its plans for 2014. The annual awards winners were also announced and it was a great surprise to both myself and Simon when I was named as the overall winner. We had been announced as one of the nominated dealers earlier in the evening. To get the overall prize came as a great shock … but a pleasant shock!”

There are whispers here and there that the Irish economy is starting to turn the corner again. Does Robbie see any justification for optimism? “We have definitely seen signs throughout this year that things are starting to pick up,” he notes. “People are out buying cars again and we have already seen a good footfall through the doors for 2014 sales. Signs are encouraging with orders and we are really looking forward to 2014. We are confident it will be another successful year both for Western Motors and for Skoda.”

Skodas ready for new owners

Robbie Matthews grew up in the Brookville area of Drogheda, a part of the town that is synonymous with the O’Raghallaighs GAA club. He represented the Hoops on the field of play “many years ago” and is delighted that his eight-year-old twin sons, Alex and Josh, are both involved in the O’Raghallaighs juvenile section at present. The 2013 Skoda Sales Person of the Year is hoping for a bright 2014 for both the club and the various Louth county teams!

Robbie Matthews with Robert Guy of Skoda Ireland (left)

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Paddy Keenan goes to battle for the Wee County

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SPECIAL FEATURE

A FABULOUS STAY

pened since September 2007, the Crowne Plaza in Dundalk has quickly established itself as one of the premier hotels in the country having picked up numerous business awards in the last few years for its excellent service. We spoke to the hotel’s General Manager Niamh Murphy to find out more. The hotel industry has been a tough nut to crack for even the most established businesses as of late, but at the Crowne Plaza in Dundalk they are holding their own in the midst of the economic down turn. General Manager Niamh Murphy, for one, is confident that things will continue to improve for the awardwinning four-star hotel and in fact describes business as being “very good at moment” heading towards the festive season. She also cites the Crowne Plaza as now being a landmark building in Dundalk, despite only standing just over six years. “We are based in Dundalk, beside

DKIT. It’s a fairly landmark building, 14 storeys high,” Niamh explained. “We are opened since September 2007. We have approximately 90 staff between full and part-time and there are 129 rooms here. “Business is very good at the moment. We’re coming up to Christmas now and it’s always a very busy time of year for us. This year, overall, business has been very good after a difficult few years and we’re hoping that things will continue on an upward curve. “We are part of the TIFCO hotel group, which includes the Crowne Plazas in Northwood, Dublin, and in Blanchardstown, the Clontarf Castle Hotel and the Cork International Airport Hotel. They also have the Holiday Inn Express at Dublin Airport and the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, where the G8 summit was held earlier this year.” What has made the Crowne Plaza in Dundalk stand out from the rest recently has been the recognition of their first class service. In December of last year,

Some of the fine dining at Crowne Plaza Dundalk

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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) recognised hotels and people for their outstanding performance and contribution to the business and the local community in which they operate. The winners are the best performing IHG hotels and individuals across Europe. At the awards ceremony Crowne Plaza was awarded the Quality Excellence Award, which recognises hotels that excel in delivering the best guest experience and satisfaction. “I was very proud to accept this awards as it recognises all the hard work and team effort we’ve put in this year,” Niamh stated at the time. “We’re constantly striving to go the extra mile so guests can expect a consistently top notch experience when visiting our hotel and we’ll continue to work together to keep delivering the same experience year on year.” The awards didn’t stop there for Crowne Plaza Dundalk as they also received another accolade with a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

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award. The recognition, which honours hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor and is extended to qualifying businesses worldwide. Approximately ten per cent of accommodations listed on TripAdvisor receive the prestigious award. 2012 also saw Crowne Plaza honoured at the Access Louth awards, which aims to recognise best practice in accessible service provision in businesses throughout the county and is supported by people with disabilities in Ireland, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland and Louth Age Friendly County. The awards ask people to vote for what they consider to be the most accessible service, shop or building in a variety of different categories. “We won the Customer Quality Service award for the third year in-arow. Quality service for our guests is important to us and I think that shines through having won this particular award for the third year running,” Niamh stated. “Obviously, we are hoping to continue growing the business next year. We do have a very loyal customer base here and we hope to grow that more and more into the future and if the awards keep coming it’s always a good thing.” One of the hotel’s most well-known partners has been the Dundalk Stadium, where guests flock to and from each weekend of the racing season. Crowne Plaza are proud to be partner hotel to Dundalk Stadium and can offer a race and stay package which includes overnight accommodation, full Irish breakfast, transport to the stadium and tickets to the races,

The conference room at the hotel is an impressive one

overnight accommodation and full Irish breakfast. Ireland’s first all-weather racing stadium is ideally located in Dundalk, just minutes from the Crowne Plaza. The hotel is the perfect location for your trip to the races. If it’s the daytime races why not start with breakfast in Fahrenheit Rooftop Restaurant the top floor of the hotel whilst looking forward to your day at the track. Make your way to the racecourse for the bustling atmosphere and settle into a day of champagne, cheers and excited race-goers. The stadium can hold up to 6,000 people and has spectacular viewing spots from the courtyard, terrace or gantry. Dundalk Stadium holds evening races too, so if you’re an avid racing fan or just fancy a flutter, why not start your evening with dinner in Fahrenheit Rooftop Restaurant and take in the views of the Cooley Peninsula. Then you can make your way to the stadium for a fun-packed night of music,

laughter and great atmosphere whilst watching the various races through the evening. If you’re resident with Crowne Plaza, why not make for the resident’s bar for that nightcap to top a fabulous evening off. “We offer a package where people come and stay after the races. Friday is horse-racing night and Saturday is dog-racing, so you have different crowds in from all over the country so it’s great to have that,” Niamh explained. The hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, ‘The Fahrenheit Rooftop’, is situated on the 13th floor and is quite a popular dining venue for guests and the people of Dundalk. Open from Thursday to Saturday and for Sunday Lunch, the Fahrenheit Rooftop Restaurant is located on the 13th of the fourteen story landmark Crowne Plaza Dundalk with breathtaking panoramic views of the Cooley Mountains and Peninsula and the Irish Sea. Crowne Plaza Dundalk are proud

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to be hosts of such a fabulous concept, and look forward to each of their guests experiencing this fine dining experience 13 floors up. The restaurant’s menu has a healthy combination of seafood and meat and one of its key hallmarks is the availability of clean cooked, fresh produce with a minimum of complication. The concept is to enhance the integrity of the ingredients allowing the natural flavours to shine through. Situated just a short distance from Carlingford, all of the seafood is sourced locally ensuring the freshest and most sumptuous fruits of the sea are reaching your plate at all times. Tempt your taste buds with the most succulent steaks and the freshest of seafood in a relaxing, chic and stylish setting while you watch the executive chef and her team prepare the dishes right before your eyes in the finest restaurant in Dundalk. Choose from the extensive range of wines, chosen specially by the restaurant manager to compliment the flavours of the menu. The irresistible arrays of dessert are the perfect way to complete the ultimate dining experience, with the signature chocolate fondue a treat not to be missed. The goal of the team at The Fahrenheit Rooftop is to provide its customers with outstanding service coupled with exquisite flavours leading to a very special dining delight. As we write, Crowne Plaza Dundalk are currently gearing up for their busiest period of the year, as Niamh explained. “We have a number of Christmas party nights coming up for companies and we also do private parties as well. We’ve seen a steady increase in bookings for this month compared to last year and that’s always a positive sign,” she said. “We have been here for six years now and have always been very focused on customer service and ensuring that we provide an excellent service to them. Hopefully, that will continue and we’ll continue to grow as a business into the future.”

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The steadying influence of Ronan Carroll

Oliver Ginty designed_Layout 1 19/12/2013 13:59 Page 1

SPECIAL FEATURE

KEEPING OPTIMISTIC

ince 2002, EW Technologies have provided water softeners, water filters and water coolers all over Ireland. We spoke to company Director Oliver Ginty, who has been player and more recently a selector with the Naomh Mairtin club since moving to Drogheda five years ago. Originally from Bonniconlon, just outside Ballina, Oliver took the decision to head east in 2002 and along with David Forde set up EW Technologies, their water treatment company, which is based in Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin. The company have been providing water softeners, water filters and water coolers all across Ireland and in particular the north east for more than a decade now. Last year ‘EWT’ represented Ireland on a continental scale after they’d won the ‘Irish Business Of The Year’ award, which saw them go on to be named finalists in the European Best Overall

company category at the 2012 Business Excellence Awards. “We’re based in Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Co Dublin and we also have offices in Galway and Clonmel. Our European offices are in London, Kanuas, Lithuania and Krakow, Poland and we will be expanding into Germany and France next year,” Oliver explained. “We’re established since 2002 and have 47 staff at present. At the moment over 100,000 people across Ireland are using our limescale removal systems and drinking filters on a daily basis in both their homes and place of work with over 25% of our customers coming from the north east regions of Meath and Louth. “In 2011, we won the Irish Business of the Year award and the following year we went on to represent Ireland in Europe. We were the first water treatment company in Ireland to do so and were very proud to represent our country at a European Level.” Today, EWT is Ireland's leading provider of Water Softeners and Iron Some of the EWT removal units for team who raised Eu700 for Movember Irish homes, Office Water Coolers for businesses and Water Filtration Systems for Large Scale Industrial and Commercial Estab-

The Dublin staff at EWT Water Specialists

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lishments across the country. The company continually break new ground in the water treatment industry by developing new water softener systems to deal with Ireland's hard water issues and this year launched their new GOLD Series systems which are 20% more efficient than any other water softeners in their price range. EWT combats Ireland's hard water issues through the development of water softener systems and water filtration systems for the industrial, commercial and domestic Irish marketplace. They employ a well-trained and highly-capable team of 47 people who bring top-quality water treatment equipment and water softeners to Irish and European homes. 2008 saw Oliver move to Monasterboice and with it came the decision to switch allegiances to Louth senior outfit Naomh Mairtin. The move from north Mayo to the Wee County would certainly be a change for Oliver and his wife Helen, but involvement with local GAA club Naomh Mairtin helped to settle them in quickly and saw Oliver lining-out for the club for four seasons before taking up a selector’s role with the senior team this year. “I travelled down to Mayo from Dublin for over 10 years,” said Oliver. “Five years ago I moved to Drogheda and started playing with Naomh Mairtin.

Oliver Ginty designed_Layout 1 19/12/2013 13:59 Page 2

From the very first day I went training the players and people involved in the club have been very welcoming. You can’t but admire the progressive positive attitude engrained within the club from underage level right up to senior level”. “During those five years we got to the ACC Cup final under Nicky Malone and the semi-final of the championship with Colm Nally in 2011. We won the reserve championship as well under Colm Nally and his selectors Eddie “Nedser” Martin, and James “Ducky” McDonald. ” “There’s fantastic work going on in the Naomh Mairtin club at underage level. They are a massively progressive club and get great support from their sponsor Part of the EWT fleet ‘The Monasterboice Inn’. They’d have over 100 kids up there on a Tuesday and Thursday evening training with all the underage teams. They get great help from the parents and the coaches and it all makes for a bright future for the club.” This past season saw Naomh Mairtin making strides again in the Louth senior championship, but ultimately miss out on their goal of the Joe Ward Cup. “We got to the quarter-final of the championship and ended up in a relegation play-off in the league,” said Oliver. “Two weeks before that relegation our Peter, one of the EWT engineers, installs a Gold Series Water Softner young team mate and friend Shane Whelan was killed in a road accident only a matter of time before the “To win the Joe Ward is going to be the which really shocked the whole parish Westerners end their All-Ireland famine, aim next year,” he quipped. “I won’t be and club members. Shane was a which stretches back to 1951, and there as a selector next year due to work fantastic young man and an extremely eventually come out on top in an Allcommitments but I hope to be there for talented sports person who had won Ireland SFC final. the junior team. There’s a new U18 player of the year awards with both “I’m from a place in Mayo called management team in place and we all Naomh Martin and Albion Rovers the Bonniconlon. We’re an intermediate wish them the best of luck.” local soccer team. Both Shane’s club and went up to senior in the midparents, his younger brother, Conor, and Having learned his trade on the 90s and came back down in 1998. I still his uncle Francis are heavily involved football field in Mayo, Oliver brought his support the club and go to their games with Naomh Martin. experience from out west to Naomh whenever I can,” he explained. “Bernie, Shane’s mother, is the club Maritin and believes Louth football is in “Mayo will always give you value for secretary and despite the tragic loss of a healthy state at present. your money because they are always her oldest son has continued on with her As for his native county, he believes it’s there or thereabouts. They club duties which shows you were unfortunate again this how important the GAA and in year to be beaten in another particular Naomh Martin is to Continued Best Wishes To Ollie & His final by a good Dublin team, Colleagues On & Off The Field, From All At the people of Monasterboice. but I’m optimistic that it’s only Francis played a starring role a matter of time before they in that play-off final and was win an All-Ireland title.” instrumental in us winning the Oliver has a similar optimistic game in what was a very view over Louth, whom he has emotional night for players also been supporting over the and supporters.” past few years after lining-out Next year will see the C H A R T E R E D A C C O U N TA N T S in the their club Monasterboice men bidding to championships, and feels that go one better in both league many of the Wee County’s top and championship, with clubs would not be out of out of success in the latter the top Dunlo Hill, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway place against the best of the priority for 2014, according to Tel: 090-9642619 | Fax: 090-9644474 west. Oliver. Email: info@oconnorandco.ie

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“A lot of Louth teams would hold their own in Mayo club football. Maybe it’s a bit more physical in Mayo but the skill levels would be higher in a lot of cases in Louth in my opinion. Maybe it’s because Mayo are a bit more successful that it gets better recognition but there would be similar talent in Louth. JP Rooney, Mick Fanning and Nicky McDonald are Naomh Martin men who have represented the Louth, so I know first hand the talent in the county,” he said. “My son and daughter were born in Louth so there’s no question we’ll be supporting the Wee County in the coming years and hopefully they’ll be more successful in the future. I thought they played exceptionally well last season. They were unfortunate against Kildare, Ciaran Byrne and Paddy Keenan were a different class that day and it’s a real pity that we won’t get to see Ciaran play for Louth in 2014 after his move to Carlton. “The skill levels are exceptional, but the history isn’t with the county and that’s a big thing, I think. They are losing a lot of players to different sports in Louth, where soccer and rugby are big around towns like Drogheda and Dundalk. Hopefully, in the future, Louth can hold on to their best Gaelic football talents the way Dublin have.” That may be easier said than done given the current economic climate, however Oliver is an optimist and it shines through whether he’s talking sport or business. He revealed that EWT will be looking to add more members to their staff, despite the effects of the recession. “EWT is expanding again next year and we’re looking for engineers, customer service and sales staff for 2014. There will be five or six new positions available, so hopefully things will continue that way,” he concluded.

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THE CAR DISMANTLING EXPERT SPECIAL FEATURE

espite being just three years in business, Collon Vehicle Dismantlers has quickly established a reputation for offering a top class service at affordable prices. Proprietor Gary Myles, a generous supporter of local GAA clubs, revealed the secrets of the company's success to Wee County.

Fundraising is the lifeblood of all gAA clubs and Westerns gFC organised a hugely successful 'Strictly Come Dancing' event in the nuremore hotel in December. The popularity of the BBC dancing reality show has had a positive spin off for gAA clubs in terms of raising some badly needed finance. Strictly Come Dancing nights have been a regular feature on the social calendar of gaelic football and hurling clubs the length and breadth of the country and it combines a great night's entertainment with a valuable moneymaking exercise.

Westerns cashed in on its fundraising potential and the monies raised are a welcome boost to the club's coffers. The large attendance also enjoyed a night to remember thanks to the efforts of the participants. gary Myles was one of the competitors who gave up his spare time to take part in the competition and, although he enjoyed the overall experience, he doesn't expect to be quitting his day job any time soon! “There was a lot of hard work involved in rehearsals which i hadn't realised there would be when i signed up to it,” he laughed. When he's not moonlighting as a dancer, gary is better known as the proprietor of Collon Vehicle Dismantlers. Based on the Kells Road, gary's business opened its doors in September 2011 and he is an expert in the business of car dismantling and breaking. “i've been in this game for 30 years

so, a few years back, i decided to take the plunge and open my own business,” he explained. Starting up any business nowadays represents a gamble but it has been a case of so far so good for gary and he has no regrets about going out on his own. “Business isn't too bad, we're certainly holding our own. We've good and bad days but we can't complain for the economic climate that's in it.” A member of the iMVRA (irish Motor Vehicle Recyclers Association), Collon Vehicle Dismantlers are a fully licensed authorised treatment facility and their customer base covers the north east region. The process of recycling a vehicle is extremely complicated as there are many parts to be recycled and many hazardous materials to remove in a manner that doesn't provide a threat to the environment. “When you're finished with your vehicle you bring it to us. We issue an

Gary has 30 years experience in the car dismantling and breaking business

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end of life certificate and it's then termed off the road,” gary explained in lay man's terms. “We then depollute it and salvage any spare parts. The car is rolled up into a bale and sent off to be processed in a larger facility.” A family run concern, gary's son Brendan works full-time in the business while another son, Padraig, helps out on weekends, all at Collon Vehicle Dismantlers pride themselves on offering a top class service and, most importantly, at an

Collon Vehicle Dismantlers are a full licensed authorised treatment facility

Collon Vehicle Dismantlers pride themselves on offering a top class service and boasting a wide and varied stock of spare parts

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affordable price. Collon Vehicle Dismantlers boast a wide and varied stock of spare parts for cars, parts for vans, parts for 4x4's, and other commercial vehicles including body panels, bumpers, headlights, radiators, windscreens, towbars, exhausts, mirrors, engines, gearboxes, axles, airbags, and driveshafts. And if they don't have an item in stock, it's likely they can source it for you. gary realises that both new

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Wishing Continued Success To COLLON VEHICLE DISMANTLERS

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and old cars, trucks or vans can give trouble and that new parts are often either unobtainable or available at a prohibitive cost. “People have to keep what they have going as long as they can and for as cheap as they can. Second half parts are now the first choice for a lot of people. Second hand tyres have even become more popular.” Collon Vehicle Dismantlers aims to cater to any job you may have and they will offer you expert advice and service in order to meet your needs and get you and your vehicle up and running as quickly as possible. As regards his future plans for the business, consolidation is the name of the game as far as gary is concerned for now. “if it stays going as it is i'd be happy. Like everything else, i'd like to grow the business in time, we'll see what happens.” not shy when it comes to putting his hand in his pocket to support the local gAA clubs, gary also sponsored a contestant in Sean McDermotts' 'Take Me Out' fundraiser which also took place in the nuremore hotel in October. gAA clubs depend on the generosity of the local community and businesses to survive and, in that respect, gary Myles and Collon Vehicles Dismantlers have always stepped up to the mark.

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JIM THORNTON

A LEGEND FROM THE COOLEY PENINSULA

By Sean Ross

aving driven through the lights of the November skies to Greenore, I was enchanted by the sea and the lights of Co. Down across Carlingford Lough, writes Sean Ross. Meeting Jim Thornton who is the father of eight children, I also met his wife (Angela Carpenter) from Carlanstown Co. Meath. Jim himself was from a family of eight boys and three girls. His father was Michael (Mickey), and Mary his mother. He went to Boher N.S. where Mr. Paddy Walsh promoted football and a little hurling. Cooley were in senior football at this time, in fact, up to 1961. John Maguire, Jim Malone, Pat Hanlon and Pasty McGarrity retired, so Cooley regraded to Junior. In 1960 Joe Doherty, Mick Melican, Billy Atkinson and Brian Mitchel, all from St. Michaels College played for Cooley. But when their Leaving Certificate was over, they left the area. Fr Brendan Mc Evoy who was an

uncle of the Mc Donnells- Michael and Johnny from Termonfeckin, arrived in Cooley. Fr Brendan started with the schools, promoting football. He became Chairman of Cooley in 1959, Cooley played in Mucklagh townland which was rented from the Eccleson family. Around this time in 1958 Jim Thornton started secondary school in St. Michaels College, Omeath. The Rosminian order ran this college. Some of the brothers and priests in that school were Father Martin Kenny, Brother Jimmy Flynn, Bro. Tom McCarthy. In 1960 St Michaels won the McLarnon Cup, they were now Ulster Champions. In 1961 St Michaels won the Loch an Uir Cup- the Ulster Colleges in hurling. Jim says his time in St Michaels had a big influence on his football career, as he played football/hurling two or three times a week. On the minor front he played for Cooley minors over four years. They got to the minor final in 1961. O Rahillys beat them in Drogheda. Jim himself played a central role at centre

half back. Cooley minors were called Clann Mhuire. Fr. M. Kenny was a mentor, and he picked out Muckle McKeown of O’Raghallaighs as one of the reasons Clann Mhuire lost. Jim played for Louth minors 1962/1963. Nicky Roe from Ardee was involved in the training of the Louth Minor teams along with many others. Cooley won the Junior Championship in 1964 against Naomh Fionnbarra by 0-8 to 0-7. In 1965 Cooley lost out to the Clans in the Senior Championship, and went under to Newtown Blues in the 1966 senior Final. Like the events before World War 1- the Cooley machine, as it were, was gathering pace- that’s the writer’s view point, not Jims. So in Jim’s own life, on leaving St. Michaels, he went to Warrenstown College, Drumree, Co. Meath to study Agriculture. Warrenstown won the Agriculture Colleges All-Ireland in football. When he finished in Warrenstown, Jim went to Moville on the Inishowen Peninsula. He worked for the Dept. of Agriculture there. In 1966 a North Donegal team played

A North Donegal team with Jim Thornton (front row, extreme left) on board

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One game that stands out is beating McEvoy Park opened in 1989. two games against a Derry City Longford in 1966 in Navan. Longford Today this complex is being selection - people from all walks of life upgraded and five acres of land will be played on these teams. Where there won the National League that year. developed shortly as another pitch. In was a scarcity of football, these When pressed about training and recent times Cooley were beaten in matches organised by the players perhaps the over-emphasis on training five senior finals in the last eleven themselves filled the void. Jim has today, Jim made these comments. Self years. They failed to score a goal in strong emotional ties with Inishowen motivation is very important, also taking any of the finals, Jim hopes for better up to the present day, and memories responsibility for one’s fitness levels. days soon. The people of Cooley are flood back easily. He said there is no substitute for a proud close people, their day will In Cooley Fr McEvoy died in April natural skills and ability – pointing to come soon in my opinion. 1965. He was a native of Tyrone; he Colm Cooper from Kerry. Jim said that In 1973-74 Jim was awarded the brought Cooley from a struggling, he read in a recent G.A.A. article that Louth Senior Footballer of the year dispirited club to one which now stands some county players have twenty Curadh Mhir Lubhadh. with the best in the country. Father training sessions per competitive Jim enjoyed his career at under-age, McEvoy Park was opened in his game. Most successful panels have a minor, Under 21, Junior and Senior. He honour in 1969. telepathic understanding of each played in all of these grades at county Then came the golden era of Cooley other’s play, so why he asks go to such and club level. He got no serious football which seen them in every expense with so many back room senior final from 1971-1979. They also won 5 senior championship titles. In 1971 Cooley won both senior and minor titles. St Marys of Ardee were the opponents at both levels. I myself was captain of Ardee, and Jim’s brother was captain of Cooley minors. Jim had two brothers and two cousins on the minor team - Kevin (Capt) and Brendanbrothers, and P.J. and Colm Thornton, his cousins. Jim says he was a wee bit small but he always watched the flight of the ball. He mentions Muckle McKeown, Blackie Judge (Blues) and Turlough McDonald (Ardee St. Marys) as wonderful opponents and marvellous footballers. On the Leinster Club The St Michaels Omeath (Rosminian College) McLarnon Cup Ulster Champions from 1960. Jim (middle Championship front, Cooley row, second right) beside Brendan McAteer from Ardee. Fr Martin Kenny is the trainer played fifteen Leinster Championship games. They injuries, was never sent off and has got into two Leinster Championship people. He also wonders do these good relations with footballers from finals, playing U.C.D. in 1974 and well-paid coaches/backroom people other clubs and counties. Jim regrets Portlaoise in 1977. U.C.D. were appreciate the fact that ordinary people the deaths of Peter McCarthy (2012) managed by Eugene McGee and most have to pay for their services. and recently Michael Boyle (2013) of their players played for their Jim was Vice-Chairman of Louth As I drove into the Cooley night past respective counties. Cooley lost both Board for four years. He was also Greenore Port with the County Down of these finals but they remained a Chairman of the Fixtures Committee, lights on my left and the Cooley strong force at provincial level. was also Leinster Rep for five years mountains on my right, I left an As regards Jim’s work he transferred and he tells me he has great extremely happy family man. Jim to Tullamore in 1970 and trained with friendships with people from all over Thornton was a tremendous footballer, the Offaly panel. Alo Kelly trained Leinster. a man of agriculture, a happily married Offaly, and Jim met Alo recently at the Jim became Chairperson of Cooley man. It’s no wonder that he is one of Tullamore v Newtown Blues match. Alo and served for 4 years 1987-1990. He the most popular men in Cooley, is over 80 years. Jim remembers the was chairperson in the club’s Louth, and in many parts of our island. clash against Kildare side Raheens in Centenary Year of 1987. The Cooley A man of great wisdom, the Irish Seana Leinster semi final as a classic Kickhams G.F.C. book by Sean Boyle Fhocail- “Ni aon ualach an chiall” good match. was produced in 1987. This is indeed sense is no burden, applies to Jim Jim played on a regular basis for a wonderful book, even for an Ardee Thornton. Louth seniors between 1965-1972. man like myself. The new complex in

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Ray Finnegan

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WE’RE THERE WHEN YOU NEED US ... SPECIAL FEATURE

he Wells Cargo brand is synonymous with providing a quality service to a large customer base spanning across all Irish industries. Established in Ireland in 1983, Wells Cargo changed hands when Louth native Tom Thornton purchased the business. Continuing to build on the success that the company had previously enjoyed, Tom and his team have enhanced the reputation of Wells Cargo, and even through the recession have more than doubled their business. Included in the services that the company provides are Worldwide Courier Service, Specialist on Road freight with Southern Europe; Road freight with Czech, Hungary, Slovakia & Slovenia; Specialist wine importer; LCL from Australia, South Africa, South America; Over 150 agents Worldwide; Customs Clearance; Sea freight from China; Warehousing; Transport of Live Animals; Refrigerated cargo from Europe - part load & full load. The company is also recognised as being the leading logistics solution provider to the Irish Film & Media industry, which the company has been involved in for many years. “There are basically three segments to the business and they are road freight, deep sea and media work. We

Tom Thornton of Wells Cargo

Mary Frances Thornton is an avid Meath fan and is pictured after the 2010 Leinster final

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would be the leading courier firm in Ireland for the film industry, transporting rushes, props and film worldwide” said Tom. “The media work would be a specialised area and the company has been doing that for many years now. In addition to our worldwide courier services we also offer freight services to and from mainland Europe, and Deep Sea services Worldwide.” Wells Cargo is one of the leading operators in the road freight market linking Ireland and France. It was one of the first companies to offer this service in Ireland. As a 100% Irish owned company, Wells Cargo offers a wide range of services to companies North and South. “We offer a full range of services to Irish companies catering for transport requirements from parcels needing express transit, to pallets, part loads and full loads. We are one of the leading road freight operators offering our own consolidations with France, Italy, Spain & Portugal. We also are a leading operator into/out of Eastern Europe serving Czech, Hungary, Slovakia & Slovenia. We are a specialist on the transportation of wine from all the wine regions of the world to Ireland. The quality of the Wells Cargo service is the key to their success. The company has invested in sophisticated IT solutions to enable them to deliver up to date

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Best Wishes & Continued Success To Wells Cargo

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location. We are always looking to expand the business as I don’t think it’s possible to say we have enough work to keep us going, you have to be continually looking at ways to improve the service.” The company was initially located in Store Street, Dublin but a few years back moved to the Northwest Business Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 where they now have more storage space. With 12 employed in the business, a lot of the haulage work is subbed out to local hauliers. The Carlingford native may have moved away from Louth in the late seventies, but he has never forgotten his roots and is still a proud Louth man to this day. “Even though we are based in Dublin, we have another Carlingford lady working with us, a man from Dundalk, and even a Dublin man who has moved to Dundalk as he fell in love with Louth,” stated Tom. “I was in Croke Park in 2010 when Joe Sheridan scored that infamous ‘goal’. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing at the time. To make matters worse I actually live in Dunboyne for many years now and my daughter has grown up as a Meath supporter. She was at the game with me and I had to endure a torrid time on the way home from the game,” Tom joked. His son Thomas lines out for the St Peter’s Dunboyne under-13 team and Tom continues to have a keen interest in the GAA.

information to their large customer base. The professionally trained and experienced staff ensures that efficiency and friendliness are two traits on offer when dealing with their clients and agents. Tom revealed that they have worked hard to develop the business to the level it is at now and he stressed that it has taken time to get where they are today. “Overtime we have expanded our road freight services, with a strong emphasis on southern Europe and Eastern Europe, and more recently our new Dutch container/trailer service. Time is of the essence in the transport industry and Wells Cargo know better than anyone that all delivers have to be met on time and their experienced and professional approach is not exclusively applied to the Film & Media sector but is also enjoyed by the pharmaceutical industry and any organisation that requires reliable, fast and efficient parcel services. Wells Cargo aim to achieve the highest levels of service, tailoring the operation to meet specific and specialist requirements whilst maintaining cost effectiveness. Their personnel have undergone extensive training in freight management and thrive on the excellent reputation afforded to Wells Cargo in the market place. The experienced drivers are familiar with the customers’ consignments and understand the care and attention that is required when handling. shipments. They also appreciate the urgency of the shipments and take care to meet the deadlines required in order to maintain the service. “We have 115 agents worldwide to cater for any deliveries that we may have in any part of the world, so we can effectively get a parcel to any

Contact Details: Address Wells Cargo Logistics, 10 Primeside Park, Northwest Business Park Phase 2 Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 Phone + 353 1 861 2790 FAX + 353 1 880 9124 email tom@wellscargo.ie

Begley Transport Continued Best Wishes To Wells Cargo, From

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Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042-9376128 E: begleytransport@eircom.net

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SPECIAL FEATURE

A WEE MEATH MAN

here has always been great rivalry between Louth and Meath down through the years, but in 2010 that rivalry reached a whole other new level when Joe Sheridan’s infamous ‘goal’ in the Leinster final saw the Royals crowned champions at the expense of the Wee County. No Meath dared crossed the border into Louth in the aftermath of that match for a very long time as they hurt from that defeat is still raw to this very day. However, last June when Hunterstown Rovers were searching for a new trainer, they turned to Meath man Anthony Monaghan and the Castletown native was only delighted to help out. Not only did Anthony help guide the side back to the intermediate ranks for the 2014 campaign, but he saw the side reach their first ever Leinster club JFC final. Defeat to Two Mile House may have been the outcome, but still the year will go down as one of the most special in the club’s history. For his part, Anthony may well earn the freedom of Hunterstown (if there was such a thing) as in the space of a few short months, he turned the club’s fortunes right around. Hunterstown Rovers GAA club have a proud history. Since being established in 1941, the club has had its fair share of success and this year’s junior championship success was their fourth at this level, the other three coming in 1959, 1973 and 1987. They also won the intermediate title on two occasions, 1993 and 1999. For the past few years, the club has been rebuilding at adult level and they have now brought through some quality players. Last year, they were many people’s favourites to win the junior title, but it didn’t happen, however, the last piece of the jigsaw came in the form of a Meath man this year. “I was delighted to be asked to train the team. This was my first job at adult level as I had been working with the Meath development squads for the

past few years alongside Kit Henry,” Anthony revealed to the Wee County Yearbook. “It was Kit that suggested me to Hunterstown. I first came in on the Bank Holiday Weekend in June after their previous trainer had left. When I first came in I asked three things of the players’ commitment, discipline and attitude. To their credit, they have been brilliant all year and I couldn’t have asked anymore of them. No matter

what I asked them to do, they would do it. I had them running up and down the Hill of Tara and everyone turned up for the few nights that we were there.” Like all rural clubs, Hunterstown have a small catchment area to choose from, but aside from winning the junior ‘A’ title, their junior B team reached the county final also, but lost out after a replay. “There are some very talented footballers in the club and as I said

Hunterstown Rovers manager Anthony Monaghan

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their commitment was exceptional. Everything was done with the ball, I think that’s important as not only are the players working on their skills, but it also keeps the interest levels going. I also like to get involved in the training and do as many of the drills that I can as I wouldn’t expect the players to do anything I wasn’t willing to do myself. “We took every game as it came and just focused on our own game. Our aim was to dictate a game from early on and that worked for us throughout the year. We weren’t fazed by any team. Probably the best win of the year that we had aside from county final was defeating St Mary’s Ardee in the last league game, which denied them winning the title. They are a senior team, so beating them gave the lads a huge amount of confidence and they were not overawed by anyone.” Anthony revealed that the club was buoyed by fantastic support throughout the year, which helped their cause. “Their football mad people up here and they are fantastic supporters. No matter where we were playing, they would turn out in their hundreds to support the team. It would be a very typical rural club in that it is made up of a number of different families.” In the space of six short months, Anthony helped guide the club to Christy Bellew Cup and the Leinster club final. A remarkable achievement and one that the

Hunterstown Rovers celebrate their Louth JFC win

Castletown native can be very proud of, although modestly he passes the credit on to the players. “It makes all the difference when you have such a committed group of lads, who have the hunger and desire to do well. They wanted this more than anything and the success is all down to them. Of course, I’m delighted to have been part of that. It was my first

Anthony Monaghan and family celebrate with the Louth JFC trophy

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job at adult level and they made me feel so welcome when I arrived first, even though I’m a Meath man,” he joked. Anthony tells of a story about the day after the 2010 Leinster SFC final, when he and Kit Henry, (another Meath man that has had great success with club teams in Louth) were sent on a Level 2 coaching to Kilkenny! “Dudley Farrell (Meath coach) sent meself and Kit down to Kilkenny for a level 2 coaching course. We found this a bit strange as Kilkenny is a hurling county, but off we went anyway. We were glad to get away from all the furore of the Meath/Louth game, so we were happy enough to go down. “However, there was a mix up along the line and the course was for hurling, so we ended up doing that. So Kit and I have a level 2 coaching cert even though we’re not involved in hurling at all. It was a huge experience though and we met former Wexford hurler Martin Storey and ex-Kilkenny selector Martin Fogarty and to talk to these guys about coaching was well worth the trip alone. Much of the same practices are used in both codes, so we actually learned a lot from it.” Anthony is Dundalk railway station manager and oversees the day to day running of the facility, which has been in operation since 1849.

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Derek Maguire

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