Injuries and a general lack of commitment combined to make it a most unsatisfactory year for Coralstown/Kinnegad. Talented forward Emmet McDonnell was one of those who was struck by the injury jinx and is of the opinion that things can onl Not that long ago, Coralstown/Kinnegad were considered to be the team to beat in the senior football championship. But times have changed and last season the Meath-border outfit had the threat of relegation hanging over them until they finally managed a win over Tyrrellspass in their last game of the group stages. The victory over Tyrrellspass, who had already booked their place in the semi-finals, meant that it was Kilbeggan Shamrocks and not Coralstown/Kinnegad who went into the dreaded relegation play-off. Half forward Emmet McDonnell acknowledges that it was a very poor year by the club's recent standards. "You'd have to go back a good few years to find out the last time we were threatened by relegation," he says. "Over the past seven or eight years, we have been one of the top teams in the championship and it was disappointing to see us slip back so much last year. But hopefully it was just a one-off year and we can get ourselves back into a position where we can challenge for the championship again." The 23-year-old cites two main factors for Coralstown/Kinnegad's loss of form last season. "Injuries and lack of commitment," he reveals. "We had a nightmare year as far as injuries were concerned. We went into our first championship game against Moate short 11 regulars. This, combined with a general lack of fitness, meant that we struggled to make any sort of an impression." Among those to spend much of the season on the sidelines were Darren Fox, Derek Griffin, Billy Cole, Joe Giles, David Flynn and Anthony Coyne. McDonnell himself was troubled by a groin problem and didn't return to the team until the aforementioned game against Tyrrellspass. On top of that, county player David Kilmartin spent the summer in America. James McCaffrey and Phelim Leonard were also working abroad. "Most of the injuries should be cleared up in time for the start of this year's championship so we should be a good deal stronger. The three lads that were abroad last year have also returned so that should provide us with another boost. Damien Kiernan is another who is on the comeback trail after a long absence. "As far as I know, Anthony Coyne is the only player who is doubtful for this year. We'll have to wait and see if his knee is strong enough. There's no doubt that he would have been a regular on the Westmeath team for the last few years if it hadn't been for injury." Despite fielding an understrength line-up, Coralstown/Kinnegad earned a deserved 0-13 to 1-10 draw with Moate All-Whites in the opening game of last year's championship. John Fleming proved unerring from frees as the reds established a 0-8 to 1-3 lead at the interval. The more experienced Moate men improved in the second half and had edged into a 1-10 to 0-12 lead with time almost up. But Coralstown/Kinnegad battled to the death and were rewarded when centre back Martin Fox came forward to score the equalizing point. Coralstown/Kinnegad suffered the first of two championship defeats on June 24 at Cusack Park when they succumbed to great rivals Mullingar Shamrocks by 2-7 to 0-15. Shamrocks dominated the first half exchanges and looked like taking a five-point advantage into the break until Eamonn Fleming pounced for a goal on the stroke of half-time. The Mullingar side regained control in the third quarter, racing into a six-point lead. Coralstown/Kinnegad rallied late on with Eamonn Fleming goaling from a penalty and David Leonard pointing but it would have been rough justice on Shamrocks had they not held on to take both points. Coralstown/Kinnegad's qualification prospects suffered another setback when they were surprisingly held to a 2-11 to 1-14 draw by Kilbeggan Shamrocks. The Meath-border side trailed by 1-4 to 0-8 at half-time but the arrival of John Fleming for the second half helped them to establish a 1-9 to 0-9 lead by the 40th minute. Kilbeggan fought back to restore parity before a second Eamonn Fleming penalty propelled the reds into a 2-10 to 1-9 lead. But Kilbeggan refused to throw in the towel and with PJ Ward causing all sorts of problems for the Coralstown/Kinnegad defence, they dug deep to earn a share of the spoils. Coralstown/Kinnegad needed to take something from their next outing against The Downs to have any chance of progressing to the knock-out stages. But The Downs had similar ambitions and displayed the greater appetite in a 1-15 to 2-9 win. A David Flynn goal gave Coralstown/Kinnegad an early lead but The Downs recovered to lead by 0-6 to 1-2 at the break. Shortly after the resumption, Darren Fox scored one of the best goals of the championship to put Coralstown/Kinnegad in the driving seat. But The Downs responded impressively and not even late points from Alan Plunkett. Larry Giles and Gordon McDonnell (younger brother of Emmet) could save Coralstown/Kinnegad from defeat. Suddenly, the relegation play-off had become a distinct possibility for Coralstown/Kinnegad. On a day when fellow-relegation candidates Kilbeggan Shamrocks were beaten by a point by Mullingar Shamrocks, the red and whites produced their finest display of the year to defeat Tyrrellspass on a 1-13 to 1-7 scoreline. Having already qualified for the semi-finals, Tyrrellspass were not in desperate need of a win but Coralstown/Kinnegad were and it showed in a performance laced with skill and determination. Despite having corner back John Coyne sent off after just five minutes, Coralstown/Kinnegad were dominant for long periods. A goal from midfielder Niall Kilmartin gave them a 1-7 to 1-3 lead at the interval. The second half was a tame affair with the team in red comfortably maintaining their advantage and staving off the threat of relegation in the process. "We were mightily relieved to win that one," McDonnell recalls. "There was nothing in it until just before half-time when Niall Kilmartin scored a crucial goal for us. We got on top in the second half and it was such a relief not to have to face into a relegation dogfight." The Edenderry-based schoolteacher believes the season might have panned out very differently had Coralstown/Kinnegad taken both points from the game against Kilbeggan Shamrocks. "The draw with Kilbeggan was a big setback to us. Had we won that game, we would have been in contention for the knock-out stages." Once the championship was over, Coralstown/Kinnegad turned their attention towards the Feis Cup and league. They reached the Feis Cup final but were forced to give second best to a fitter St. Loman's on a 2-10 to 1-11 scoreline. Further disappointment followed in the league when they failed to secure promotion from Division 2. "I'm convinced that we lost the Feis Cup final and missed out on promotion in the league because we weren't fit enough. We were a point ahead of St. Loman's with the game in injury-time but Kenny Lyons scored a late goal to deny us. "It was a similar story in the league. We let Ballymore in for three late goals which not only earned them a draw but also earned them promotion. We were anxious to get out of Division 2 but it didn't happen for us. "What was particularly frustrating was the fact that we were deducted two points for not fielding against Tang. We were led to believe that the game was put back to a later date but Tang turned up on the day and got the two points." Following last season's disappointing campaign, former Dublin player Willie Hughes stepped down as manager after just one year. "We seem to be the type of club that performs best when a local is in charge. When we won the championship in 1996, Joe Giles managed us. We are definitely capable of a lot better than what we showed last year and I'm confident that people will see a big improvement in us this year." Under 14s have that little bit extra Coralstown/Kinnegad captured the under 14 'A' football championship title when they defeated the holders St. Malachy's/Ballinagore after extra-time at Cusack Park last November. The boys in red appeared destined for defeat when they trailed by three points with time almost up. But Ronan Foley scored a last-gasp goal to force the final into extra-time and Coralstown/Kinnegad never looked back thereafter. Coralstown/Kinnegad emerged from a group that included Bunbrosna, St. Paul's and St. Mary's to qualify for the final. Conditions were ideal and it was St. Malachy's/Ballinagore who were first to score through Adam Bouabbse. Ger Culligan opened Coralstown/Kinnegad's account after 10 minutes and two more points from the same player gave the challengers a 0-3 to 0-2 lead at the interval. St. Malachy's/Ballinagore had retaken the lead by the 10th minute of the second half but Alan Giles and David Maguire responded with a point each. Then, in the 20th minute, Coralstown/Kinnegad were rocked back on their heels when David Deegan scored the opening goal. When Paul Kirby added a point to put the reigning champions three clear, Coralstown/Kinnegad looked to be in trouble but they refused to panic and were rewarded with Foley's last-minute goal. The score at full-time was 1-5 apiece. James Durkin put St. Malachy's/Ballinagore ahead at the start of extra-time but the tide turned in Coralstown/Kinnegad's favour after substitute Killian Foley scored their second goal. The boys in red grew in confidence after that score and a brace of points each from Culligan and Sean Murray put them firmly in the driving seat. Paul Kirby replied for St. Malachy's/Ballinagore but Coralstown/Kinnegad had the momentum behind them and they sealed a resounding 2-13 to 1-7 victory wth late points from AJ Murray, Ger Culligan, David Maguire and Alan Giles. Afterwards, Football Board chairman Denis Coyne presented the silverware to Coralstown/Kinnegad captain AJ Murray. The Coralstown/Kinnegad team was: Roy Goonery; Ger Kenny, Kevin Lonican, Gary Coleman; Thomas O'Brien, Brendan Kenny, Jonathan Hickey; AJ Murray (0-1), Ronan Foley; Sean Murray (0-2), Peter Doyle, Ger Culligan (0-6); David Maguire (0-2), Stephen Cole, Alan Giles (0-2). Sub used: Killian Foley (1-0). Tweet

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