Having faltered to St. Loman's in the senior football championship quarter-final, Coralstown/Kinnegad had to be content with an All-County League Division 2 title last season. Star half back Derek Griffin was appreciative of it nevertheless. Arguably the top club side in the county in the mid-to-late 1990s, Coralstown/Kinnegad have slipped back somewhat in recent years with retirements and injuries taking their toll. Following an injury-ravaged season in 2001, the Meath-border outfit showed a slight improvement last year when they came with a late surge in the group stages of the senior championship to qualify for the quarter-final. But it was there that their interests ended when they succumbed to St. Loman's in disappointing circumstances. The year was not without its highlights, though. Apart from being the only side to beat Garrycastle in the senior championship, they also captured the All-County League Division 2 title with a 0-10 to 1-5 victory over St. Malachy's in November. "While the championship would have been our main priority, it was nice to finish the year with something to show for our efforts," says star half back Derek Griffin. "A few years ago, there mightn't have been much thought of a Division 2 title, but it meant a lot to the current team. We're in a transition stage at the moment and any form of success is most welcome. "It was important to get back up into Division 1 because if we're to win the championship over the next couple of years, we'll need to be playing against the top teams on a regular basis. It was also important from the point of view that you can become quite laid back in Division 2, whereas in Division 1 you always have to be on your toes," he adds. After dropping points against Tang (two) and Ballinagore (one), Coralstown/Kinnegad needed to beat St. Malachy's in their final Division 2 game to force a play-off for the title. This they managed and when the teams met again on November 17, Coralstown/Kinnegad secured their ticket to the top flight with a narrow win. The first quarter was lively enough, at the end of which Coralstown/Kinnegad led by 0-3 to 0-2. But an Alan Mangan goal had St. Malachy's perched on a 1-4 to 0-4 lead at the break. Joe Giles' charges began to exert dominance in the second half, however, so much so that St. Malachy's could only add one further score to their tally. In response, Jamie Wilson, Gordon McDonnell, Eamonn Fleming and substitute John Fleming all found the target for a Coralstown/Kinnegad side that just about deserved its victory. In the senior championship, Coralstown/Kinnegad's opening game resulted in a surprise 0-11 to 1-13 defeat to St. Mary's. Although on level terms at the interval, 0-8 to 1-5, the reds fell away badly in the second half as Rochfortbridge attackers Aussie Bradley and Ian Cunningham turned on the style. Coralstown/Kinnegad claimed their first brace of championship points when they overcame St. Malachy's by 0-14 to 1-5 on June 9. With David Flynn, Darren Fox and Eamonn Fleming in fine scoring form, they had built up a 0-8 to 0-3 lead at half-time. Paddy Corcoran pulled back a goal for the Castletown-Geoghegan men after the resumption, but further minors from Fox and Flynn ensured Coralstown/Kinnegad of a comfortable win. A 0-10 to 0-7 defeat to Mullingar Shamrocks in their next outing left Coralstown/Kinnegad with a mountain to climb in their bid to reach the knock-out stages, but they handed themselves a lifeline by virtue of an unexpected 2-4 to 0-9 victory over county champions Garrycastle on July 20. All the indications were that Garrycastle would qualify from the division with a 100 per cent record in tact, but Coralstown/Kinnegad made sure that wouldn't happen with a wonderfully gutsy display. The sides were level on 0-3 each at half-time, but a brace of second goals from the outstanding Fleming propelled the team in red to a dramatic win. In their final group game, the Meath-border side defeated Ballynacargy - who were eventually relegated - to force a play-off with St. Mary's. Despite Michael Loran's early goal for Ballynacargy, Coralstown/Kinnegad had established a 0-9 to 1-3 lead at half-time. A second Loran goal just after the restart reduced the deficit to the minimum, but the reds quickly regained their composure with points from Enda Leonard and Fergal Dardis enabling them to open up a gap. A late goal from Eamonn Fleming sealed a resounding 1-16 to 2-6 win. One week later, Coralstown/Kinnegad saw off St. Mary's by 3-13 to 2-7 to qualify for a quarter-final joust with St. Loman's. At half-time, Joe Giles' side led by 1-9 to 2-3, but with St. Mary's having the aid of the breeze in the second half, there was still everything to play for. However, two further goals in the second half ensured a safe passage into the knock-out stages. With the momentum seemingly behind them, Coralstown/Kinnegad had reason to fancy their chances against St. Loman's. But despite another goal from Eamonn Fleming in the 21st minute, the Mullingar side took a 1-6 to 1-3 lead into the break. David Flynn reduced the deficit on the restart, but a sharper St. Loman's remained in the driving seat to run out 1-10 to 1-6 winners. "Obviously, we were very disappointed with our performance against St. Loman's," recalls Griffin who was a member of the Westmeath All-Ireland winning under 21 squad in 1999. "We had expected to do a lot better because it was our third game in as many weeks and we had been on a winning run. But it wasn't to be." Griffin, who was responsible for designing the club's impressive website (coralstownkinnegadgaa.com), believes the championship was a success from the point of view that it saw a number of the club's younger players establish themselves on the big stage. "The big positive to come out of the championship for us was the displays of young players such as Fergal Dardis, Niall Kilmartin, Gordon McDonnell, Andrew Cannon and Enda Leonard. Some of them had played in the championship the year before, but it was only last year that they came into their own. "Eamonn Fleming was another young player who had a great year for us - he seems to have taken over the scoring responsibilities from Larry Giles who retired at the end of 2001. "It must also be pointed out that we fielded a third team in Division 7 which meant that we were regularly getting attendances of 40 at training. Having a third team was a great idea because it kept fellas who would normally lose interest early in the year involved for the whole year." Currently playing on a temporary pitch across the road from their former ground which they sold to a property developer three years ago for a staggering £1.82 million, Coralstown/Kinnegad hope to be playing in their new ground by 2004. When completed, the new ground - which is also situated on the Mullingar Road - will have three playing pitches, a clubhouse, gym and other sporting facilities, making it one of the finest GAA venues in the midlands. The club is also determined to cash in on the recent population explosion in the Kinnegad area and have appointed a Dubliner, Liam Whelehan, as their minor board secretary. "With so many new families moving into the area, the potential for the club is enormous. With proper facilities and good coaching, we can only benefit," Griffin concludes. The Coralstown/Kinnegad team which captured the All-County League Division 2 title was: Kevin Leech; Damien Duffy, Martin Fox, David Cole; Derek Griffin, David Kilmartin, Andrew Cannon; Fergal Dardis, Niall Kilmartin; Emmet McDonnell, John Cooney, Gordon McDonnell; Jamie Wilson, Eamonn Fleming, Darren Fox. Subs used: David Flynn, David McNevin and John Fleming. Tweet

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