Success in the Intermediate Cup proved to be the highlight of Crookedwood's year. While it was warmly welcomed, club secretary Val Brennan believes the time has come for the 'Wood to deliver in the intermediate championship. Crookedwood were crowned Intermediate Cup hurling champions for the third time in four years last November when they defeated St. Brigid's in the delayed 2000 final. It was a comfortable victory for the men from the shores of Lough Derravaragh whose impressive performance in the opening 30 minutes had effectively ended the game as a contest. Club secretary and player Val Brennan acknowledges that the success helped to soften the blow of the intermediate championship semi-final loss to St. Oliver Plunkett's a few weeks earlier. "It went a long way towards atoning for the disappointment of the championship defeat," Brennan says. "We have always done well in the Intermediate Cup and last year was no exception. We played some great hurling in the final and it was nice to be able to end the year with something to show for. But we'd swap it any day for an intermediate championship," he adds. Pitted against a St. Brigid's side that had played in last year's senior championship, Crookedwood had expected a tough battle in the final at Castletown-Geoghegan. St. Brigid's drew first blood but the green, white and golds quickly recovered and were never troubled thereafter. Pat Hayes gave the Dalystown men a dream start when he scored 1-1 inside the opening four minutes. But Crookedwood soon found their rhythm and with Johnny Orme on song both from frees and play, they built up a commanding lead before half-time. Orme had slotted over three minors before Stephen Leavy opened his account. Midway through the half, Kevin Tormey and Joe Savage scored goals to push the winners seven points clear. When Tormey scored 1-1 within the space of 90 seconds, it was became apparent that it was going to be Crookedwood's day. Unanswered points from Orme (two) and Aidan Bardon gave the 'Wood an unassailable 3-10 to 1-3 lead at the interval. On the resumption, St. Brigid's staged a mini-revival with Pat Hayes notching his second and third goals in quick succession. But the 'Wood soon regained the upperhand with points from Noel Yourell and Orme being followed by a fourth goal, scored by Martin Varley. In the closing stages, Frank Brennan brilliantly saved a penalty from Pat Hayes and it was left to man of the match Orme to complete the match scoring. Crookedwood's 4-13 to 3-3 victory was achieved despite the fact that midfielder Aidan Bardon was forced to retire through injury and centre forward Stephen Leavy was sent off for two bookable offences in the second half. While the Intermediate Cup competition has been good to Crookedwood in recent years, the intermediate championship has proven to be something of a nightmare. The 'Wood have frequently qualified for the semi-final but haven't been able to progress beyond that stage. It was a similar story last season. Crookedwood made an excellent start to the championship, beating Delvin and Turin in their first two games. But hopes of a third win on the trot were dashed when they lost to St. Oliver Plunkett's by 0-7 to 2-8 at Loughegar on June 17. A 0-10 to 0-9 victory over Lough Lene Gaels edged Crookedwood ever nearer to a semi-final spot. They needed just one point from their two remaining group games against Southern Gaels and Ringtown to make sure. But they failed to achieve that goal, losing to Southern Gaels by 1-11 to 2-9 and Ringtown by 0-6 to 1-9. All wasn't lost, however. Crookedwood could still make the last four if they defeated Southern Gaels in a play-off at Robinstown on September 15. The north county outfit rose to the challenge and emerged as deserving winners on a 3-9 to 2-8 scoreline. It was another three weeks before Crookedwood renewed acquaintances with St. Oliver Plunkett's in the semi-final. The Mullingar side were hot favourites but the 'Wood were hopeful that they could at last qualify for an intermediate final. The first half was a poor spectacle with neither side displaying much urgency. Crookedwood were badly handicapped by the fact that their star forward Johnny Orme was unable to start the game due to a hand injury. A brace of pointed frees by Joe Savage was all they could muster in the first half as Plunkett's took a 0-5 to 0-2 lead into the interval. Whatever hopes Crookedwood had of staging a second half recovery were all but dashed within 15 minutes of the restart. During this period of Plunkett's dominance, the Mullingar side scored 1-5 without reply, the goal coming from John Corcoran. Crookedwood produced their best hurling in the final 10 minutes but by then it was too late. Points from Aidan Bardon, Conor Duffy, Conor Geerah and Johnny Orme - who had come on as a substitute - were followed by a late goal from Tommy Cassidy. This scoring burst left the 'Wood just six points adrift but their fate was sealed when Noel Gavin pointed a '65' in the final minute to give Plunkett's a 1-13 to 1-6 victory. "We were very disappointed with our display against Plunkett's," Brennan recalls. "We didn't really start to play until the game was nearly over. The bottom line is that we didn't prepare well enough. One of our biggest problems is the number of students we have playing for us who go abroad for the summer. We also have a number of players who can't give the full commitment because they are working away from the area." Val, who missed much of last season due to a knee injury, feels that too many players are sure of their place on the team but is expecting this situation to change in the coming year. "In recent years, we haven't had that much underage coming through. But this year we are expecting four or five 17 and 18 year-olds to come into the reckoning. This should put pressure on the fellas that are already there and improve the team as a whole," he opines. In 2000, Crookedwood enjoyed their best ever year at underage level, winning championships in the under 12, under 14 and minor grades. Last year wasn't as successful but the club still succeeded in retaining the under 14 'B' championship with a 1-4 to 0-6 victory over Cullion. Crookedwood also won Division 'B' of the under 16 league. Played at Robinstown on October 14, the under 14 decider proved to be a thrilling contest. Cullion opened the scoring but a goal from Shane Orme and points from Martin Connell and Shane Collins gave the 'Wood a 1-2 to 0-1 advantage at the break. Kevin Bardon extended Crookedwood's lead on the restart but Cullion fought back and five unanswered points had brought them onto level terms with only minutes remaining. Crookedwood dug deep and, with virtually the last attack of the game, Kevin Bardon scored the winning point. "We're delighted with the way the underage is going. The likes of Sean Collins, James and Antoinette Savage, Derek Orme, Fechin Brennan, Jimmy Curran and Alan O'Meara have been carrying out trojan work and hopefully we'll reap the benefits at adult level in the near future." Once again, success in the intermediate championship is Crookedwood's primary objective for the coming season. Val Brennan is as optimistic as ever. "With Plunkett's now up senior, I think every team in the intermediate championship will be fancying their chances. In fairness to Plunkett's, they were a cut above everyone else last year and their subsequent victory in the Leinster junior club championship proved just how good they were. "I'm hopeful that this will be the year when we finally make a breakthrough. We have the players. It's just a matter of them putting their minds to the task in hand." The Crookedwood team which retained the Intermediate Cup was: James Doyne; Alan O'Meara, Frank Brennan, Enda Murray; Gerard Brennan, Damien Grifferty, Feichin Brennan; Conor Duffy, Aidan Bardon (0-1); Kevin Tormey (2-1), Stephen Leavy (0-2), John Orme (0-8); Noel Yourell (0-1), Joe Savage (1-0), Derek Orme. Subs used: Darren Fulham, Martin Varley (1-0), Ollie Connell, Gerry Butler and Kevin Coughlan. The Crookedwood team which captured the under 14 'B' championship for the second year in succession was: Henry Reilly; Danny Fagan, Darren Geerah, Pat Reilly; Kevin Orme, Martin Connell (0-1), James Crowley; Shane Collins (0-1), Simon Moorehead; Kevin Bardon (0-1), Antoin Savage, Seamus Savage; Emmet Ferrick, Michael Savage, Shane Orme (1-1). Tweet

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