After reaching the intermediate championship final in 2002, Tang failed to live up to expectations last year. Club secretary Vonnie Fallon acknowledges that they will have a point to prove in the coming season. A club which has more to prove than most in the coming year is Tang. Surprise intermediate championship finalists in 2002, the Longford-border outfit suffered a major dip in form last year which saw them chalk up just two wins in the group stages of the championship. Inevitably, this has led to suggestions that they were a flash in the pan in 2002 and unless there is a dramatic improvement this year, it is a tag they are unlikely to shake off. "We have a lot to prove this year," admits club secretary Vonnie Fallon. "After reaching the intermediate final in 2002, we had set our sights on going one better last year. But we never really got motoring and to win just two games in the group stages was a very disappointing return." Vonnie, who replaced her son Shane in the secretary's role at the last AGM, attributes last year's slump to the unavailability of a number of key players. "The big problem we have here in Tang is that we have so many players working and studying away from home," she explains. "We have a lot of fellas based in places like Dublin and Galway and it can be very difficult for them to get home for training and matches. To compound matters last year, our county player Paul Conway missed most of the championship through injury, while another key player, Joe Conlon, spent the summer in the US." Under the management of club chairman Adrian Coughlan, Tang enjoyed their most successful year in a decade in 2002. With Coughlan again at the helm last year, hopes were high that Tang could build on the previous year's progress, but such never materialized. The maroon and whites made an encouraging start to the championship, beating Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall by 1-7 to 0-8 at Ballynacargy on April 25. The sides were level on 0-4 each at the interval, but after Michael Tumelty had edged Tang in front early in the second half, the same player set up Alan Higgins for the only goal. Castletown-Finea applied strong pressure in the final quarter, but further points from Tumelty in the 20th and 26th minutes assured Tang of victory. However, that was as good as it got for Tang who were to slip into a losing habit. Their first defeat of the campaign came against Killucan, the final score being 1-7 to 1-10. That was followed by a 1-6 to 1-11 reversal at the hands of Shandonagh. Tang's hopes of reaching the knock-out stages were revived when they beat St. Loman's by 3-10 to 1-7 on July 1 at Tyrrellspass. The south county side laid the foundations for their win in the first half when three goals, including one from the penalty spot, helped them to a 3-4 to 0-3 interval lead. But four days later, Tang's championship aspirations lay in ruins after their third defeat to Milltownpass. Adrian Coughlan's charges held a 0-7 to 0-6 lead at the break, but Milltownpass found an extra gear in the second half, and aided by a goal from Joey Loran, went on to record a 1-15 to 1-10 victory. Against Bunbrosna in their final group game, Tang had only pride to play for, but not even that could be salvaged as they succumbed to a 0-8 to 2-11 defeat. Most of the damage was inflicted in the first half when Tang could only manage 0-3 in reply to Bunbrosna's 2-5. Tang improved in the second half, but they never looked capable of making up the deficit. Tang also struggled in the league, but retained their Division 2 status by virtue of a victory over Ballinagore in their final game. However, the club's second team couldn't avoid relegation to Division 7. In the Intermediate Cup, Tang's interests were ended by Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall on a 1-10 to 1-9 scoreline. Undoubtedly the highpoint of Tang's year was the dedication of the viewing stand at Joe Fox Memorial Park to the late PJ Keenan last April. The occasion was also marked by the blessing of the stand by Rev Fr Joe Pettitt and Rev Albert Kingston. County board chairman Seamus Whelan, who officially performed the dedication, paid tribute to the late PJ for his dedication to the club and the association during his short life. In addressing the gathering, club chairman Adrian Coughlan paid tribute to a great clubman and player who played a major role in bringing three championships to Tang and who was also a pivotal figure in developing the club's splendid facilities. After the dedication, Westmeath played Cavan in a senior football challenge which saw the home county run out 3-16 to 1-14 winners. "The stand dedication was a big thing for the club and it is only fitting that we have something to remember PJ by. He was a fantastic fella and was one of the most committed club members Tang ever had," Vonnie explains. Despite last year's disappointments on the playing field, Vonnie is confident that Tang will show a big improvement in the year ahead. She admits that a huge motivating factor will be to prove that 2002 wasn't a one-off year. "People are saying that we are one-season wonders and the only way to silence them is by winning something this year. Our main objective for the year is to reach the knock-out stages of the championship, while we also hope to do a bit better in the league. "For a small club such as ourselves, we need everyone available and pulling together. Christy Flanagan has taken over as manager from Adrian Coughlan and hopefully we'll see a much-improved Tang this year and some silverware on the sideboard at the end of it all," she concludes. The Tang team which defeated Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall in their opening game of last year's intermediate championship was: Peter Keenan; Damien Gill, Padraig Reilly, Gregory Carey; Alan Murray, Peter Bannon, Shane Fallon; Joe Conlon, Michael Bannon; Denis Bannon, Seamus Keenan, Eamon Carey; Alan Higgins, Colm Conlon, Michael Tumelty. Subs: Tom Forde, Alan Quinn, Sean Hanley, David Murray, David Coughlan, John O'Neill, Tom Keenan and Anthony Lynam. Tweet

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