History tells of teams that made amazing comebacks in games of yesteryear, but there is one that is going to live in the memories of followers of Westmeath Junior Football Championship - and those memories will be painful ones for all involved in St. Pauls G.F.C. Caulry's amazing comeback against the North Westmeath Club was one of the most astonishing ever witnessed, trailing by nine points with the same amount of time left no-one could have envisaged what was about to happen. Two goals and four points in those last few minutes saw the eventual Junior Football Champions through to the County Final. Among scenes of euphoria from the Caulry contingent, St. Pauls players, mentors, and supporters stood shocked and bewildered at just what happened. Questions have been asked since of how, why a nine point lead could be surrendered in such dramatic fashion, but while everyone is asking the questions nobody seems to be able to answer them. Coming from such a rural area in North Westmeath, many outsiders would feel that St. Pauls have not got the resources to become a football stronghold, but in latter years their underage structure has become the envy of other clubs in a similar position around the county. The hard working committee, who receive little or no praise for their efforts are currently in the middle of a fund raising drive to help build badly needed dressing rooms in the grounds. The small village of Clonmellon has seen it's population increase dramatically over the last few years due to the building boom and where many other towns might feel envious of 'outsiders coming in to their town', the opposite has happened in the Meath border village as many of these new arrivals have dedicated time and money in helping to make St Pauls a club of note. Wins in both the boys under 14 league and the girls U16 'B' Championship have proven that this year and with people like Eugene Dolan and Pat Clancy handing down their knowledgeable experience to the youth in the area, it may not be too long before St. Pauls are contending for Senior honours never mind a Junior title. At the start of the year, St. Brigid's club man Eamon Gallagher was appointed trainer with Dolan and Pat Gilsenan as his two selectors. An agreement was made between St. Pauls and it's sister club Brownstown, that Gallagher would train both and large numbers turned out in early March for training. Many people were skeptical of Gallagher's knowledge of football as he was a noted hurler for Westmeath for many years, but their fears were soon laid to rest as his style of training proved to be a hit with the players and although he was well known in hurling circles, the Dalystown native also played football with Tyrellspass and St Joseph's. The Junior Championship commenced in April and first up was old rivals Ballycomoyle. The Bal' had shocked St. Pauls the year before but there was to be no repeat performance as the Clonmellon side won by three points - 0-12 to 2-3. As usual this was a hard fought game but with the talented Johnny McGuinness in fine scoring form, Pauls' were about to get off to a winning start. Two tough games followed against St Loman's and St Joseph's. Meeting Lomans so early in the championship meant they had a very strong side available as they had not yet played in the intermediate football championship and this proved to be the case as the two sides played out a draw in terrible conditions. Midfielder Paul Gilsenan gave a masterful display in the centre of the field for St Pauls scoring two well taken points and a pointed free by McGuinness in the dying minutes left the Clonmellon side a point in front, but Lomans were awarded a hotly disputed free deep in injury time to level matters, 1-4 to 0-7. Over the last few years St Pauls and St Joseph's have built up a fierce rivalry between each other with most of their games being only separated by the narrowest of margins and once again this proved to be the case as the North Westmeath side were fortunate to come away with the two points. Streamstown started brightly and raced in to an early lead with county star Aidan Lennon dominating affairs at midfield. Points from Dara Brady and McGuinness kept Pauls within touching distance of their opponents at half time. In the second half an outstanding display of athletism by the energetic James Henry brought St Pauls back into contention and points from the impressive Graham Dillon and Darren Henry sealed a hard earned victory 0-13 to 1-9. Near neighbours Delvin were next and although it was a close contest the year before, a weakened Delvin side were no match for the boys in blue as the 1-14 to 0-2 scoreline suggests. The only down side to this win was an ankle injury to star forward Graham Dillon, who was to miss a number of games during his recuperation. A comprehensive win over St. Finian's/Multyfarnham left the blues with seven points from a possible eight and the main feature of this game was that all six forwards got on the score sheet and clocked up an astonishing 2-23 to Finian's 2-3. Next up was their first meeting with unbeaten, Caulry. Although St. Pauls were beaten 1-10 to 0-9, a lot could be taken from this match as after having two players sent-off, the Clonmellon men showed tremendous heart and put in a second half performance which was their best of the season so far. This game will be always remembered for the unique scenario of Pauls having a substitute sent off before he even got on to the pitch! Having given the linesman his opinion on a certain decision, the sub was subsequently shown a straight red by the referee. The defeat to Caulry was a blow to moral but the strong character of this team was evident as winning ways were soon restored when Loughnavalley were the victims of a hurt Pauls team. Once again the forwards were in flying form and a score of 3-12 is not a bad tally in any grade of football. McGuinness and Brady being the scorer in chief once again, as Loughnavalley could only manage 1-6 in reply. Having nine points from a possible 12 meant that a win against Milltown would have seen Pauls through to the semi-final but a lack lustre performance against a hungrier Milltown side meant the blues would have to go the long route. Clonmellon never got going in this game and trailed from the outset. Only Dara Brady caused any threat up front and it was his goal that kept them in it at half time. The second half was a case of more of the same and with Brady being only supported by David Dolan, Milltown went on to record a deserved victory. Ballycomoyle were the opposition in the quarter-final and an excellent all-round performance saw the Clonmellon men through to the semi-final, 1-13 to 0-6. St Pauls played with a two man full forward line for this match and it proved to be decisive as Johnny McGuinness and the influential Pat Clancy revelled in the space they had. Clancy has been one of the greatest servants to the club down through the years and a role model to any young player. His enthuasism and fitness level are always of the highest standard and despite missing the early part of the season through injury he has always been on hand to encourage the younger members of the team. The win against Ballycomoyle was by no means a two man show and many believe this was St Pauls best performance of the year. From one to fifteen everybody played as a unit, with Padraig Skelly, Maurice Quinn, James Henry, Graham Dillon, Clancy and McGuinness all playing exceptionally well. The semi-final was fixed for Saturday, September 22 with Cusack Park being the venue. Preparations for the game had gone smoothly and a number of challenges against Meath sides had them at peak form. When the match was first fixed, it was acknowledged that Pauls would have to do without midfielder Paul Gilsenan, who would be away on holidays. Losing a player of Gilsenan's calibre was a big blow to the small panel but the return from a long term injury of Pat McGuinness could not have happened at a better time and his performance in the semi-final made up for Gilsenan's loss. St. Pauls started the better and early points from John McGuinness settled any nerves Pauls had. A Graham Dillon goal midway through the first half gave Pauls a sense of belief that they could beat Caulry, but confusion in the full back line allowed the men from South Westmeath in for a goal which the duly took. Further points from Dillon and McGuinness meant a half time lead of 1-6 to 1-4. In the second half Pauls stretched their lead through points from Dara Brady and Dillon before Caulry replied with a David Hatton point. Then in a five minute spell two goals for Pauls by Dillon and Pat Clancy saw Caulry heads drop. With ten minutes remaining substitute Cormac Reilly scored an excellent point to leave nine points between the sides. Caulry were all but beaten but the switch of former minor county star Gary Flanagan from full-back to midfield saw the game turn. Gradually last year's beaten finalists picked off their scores and then with the game in injury time disaster struck, an opportunist Caulry goal by Mark Rigney left Pauls one point in arrears and no sooner had goalkeeper Alan Clancy kicked the ball out when referee Seamus Carroll blew for full time. St Pauls would have to wait another year for a crack at the Junior Championship. Team: Alan Clancy, Jimmy McQuaid, Padraig Skelly, Seamus Reilly, Gary Gilsenan, Maurice Quinn, David Dolan, James Henry, Pat McGuinness, Dara Brady (0-2), Stephen Reilly, Darren Henry, Graham Dillon (2-2), Pat Clancy (1-1), John McGuinness (0-2). Subs: Philip Gilsenan for Darren Henry, Asa Brady for Seamus Reilly (inj), Cormac Reilly (0-1) for Pat McGuinness, Kenny Higgins for Stephen Reilly. Tweet

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