Shandonagh secured their first championship success at underage level last November when Maryland/Tang were defeated in the minor 'B' final. Team manager Ollie Brennan agrees that the victory represented a major breakthrough for the Kilpatrick outfit. History was made at Castletown-Geoghegan on November 25 last when Shandonagh secured their first championship title at underage level with a 1-12 to 2-5 victory over Maryland/Tang in the minor 'B' decider. Prior to last season, the junior championship wins of 1979 and '87 represented Shandonagh's greatest achievements. Success at underage level had been non-existent, with the exception of a minor 'B' league title triumph over St. Loman's 'B' in 1995. Two years ago, the Kilpatrick outfit contested the same final but were forced to give second best to St. Mary's. "We had been waiting since 1968 for our first underage championship victory," says minor team manager Ollie Brennan, who was ably assisted by Roy Smyth. "Most of last year's team had suffered defeat in the minor 'B' league final the previous year and were anxious to make up for that disappointment. They qualified for the final without too much bother and produced a great performance against a very strong Maryland/Tang team to take the spoils," he adds. In reaching the final, Shandonagh defeated St. Mary's, Moate All-Whites and Rosemount. They were comfortable winners in all three games, with the 3-12 to 1-5 semi-final victory over Rosemount being particularly impressive. The final proved to be a thrilling contest with Shandonagh only prevailing after extra-time. Despite playing against a strong breeze in the first half, the sky blues made a brilliant start with three frees from Alan Hickey and a David Nevin point giving them a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after 10 minutes. But Maryland/Tang eventually settled, with scores from Tom Browne and Derek Higgins leaving them just two points adrift at the interval. Shandonagh were dealt a cruel blow at the start of the second half when their outstanding centre back Andrew Fox was forced to retire with an injury. Moments later, Patrick McCormack pounced for a Maryland/Tang goal and they had established a 1-3 to 0-4 lead by the seventh minute of the half. But Shandonagh responded impressively with two points from Alan Gordon and another from Niall Kenny putting them back in front by the end of the third quarter. Scoring chances were at a premium in the final quarter but Maryland/Tang refused to give up and forced the game into extra-time with a late point from substitute Rory Flanagan. The score at full-time was Shandonagh 0-7, Maryland/Tang 1-4. Flanagan provided the south county amalgamation with a tremendous boost at the start of extra-time when he scored their second goal. But with Andrew Fox back on the field after recovering from his earlier injury, Shandonagh had reduced the deficit to two points by the end of the first period. Shandonagh had midfielder Tommy Boyle dismissed early in the second period but this didn't prevent them from restoring parity. Then, with only four minutes remaining, came the decisive score. A long punt forward by Philip Smith sent Alan Hickey on his way and the county minor star made no mistake with a delightful first-time shot past Maryland/Tang goalkeeper John Murray. Shandonagh never looked back after that goal and they sealed an historic win when Michael Boyle added a late point. There were estactic scenes afterwards when captain fantastic Hickey received the minor 'B' championship shield from minor board chairman Michael McHugh. "It was a very proud day for the club," Brennan fondly recalls. "We were up against a Maryland/Tang team who had a number of players with county experience. They looked to be taking a grip on things at the start of extra-time but we stuck to our task and got the result we deserved in the end. "All 23 lads on the panel deserve the height of praise. They showed guts, determination and skill and this is a very important breakthrough for the club." As far as the intermediate championship was concerned, there was further disappointment for Shandonagh. Under player/manager and former All-Ireland minor winner Kevin Hickey, they finished as runners-up to Ballymore in their league section before succumbing to eventual champions St. Malachy's after a replay in the quarter-final. Shandonagh made a winning start to the championship, defeating Maryland by 0-12 to 0-9 in their first game. The sky blues led by five points at the interval and, with Vinny Hewitt outstanding at midfield, held on for victory in the second half. A 0-9 to 0-9 draw with Mullingar Shamrocks followed before Shandonagh suffered their biggest defeat of the season, losing to Ballymore by 0-9 to 4-10. Winning ways were regained on July 19 when St. Loman's were edged out on a 0-10 to 0-9 scoreline. Shandonagh also had the minimum to spare over Tubberclair, 0-11 to 0-10, before losing to Tang by 0-9 to 1-10 in their final game of the league section at Moate. Despite their defeat to Tang, Shandonagh went into the quarter-final clash with St. Malachy's at Moate in a confident frame of mind. With Paddy Duffy in fine scoring form, the sky blues wasted little time in building up a five-point lead. But following the dismissal of corner back Robbie Byrne, Shandonagh lost their way somewhat and their advantage was reduced to just two points by half-time. Despite being down a man, Shandonagh were three points to the good with five minutes remaining. But Alan Mangan scored three unanswered frees in the time remaining to earn St. Malachy's a 0-12 to 0-12 draw. The replay took place on September 16 at The Downs and, unfortunately from a Shandonagh perspective, proved to be a one-sided affair. St. Malachy's had established a 0-6 to 0-1 at the interval and, while Shandonagh were just four points in arrears with 12 minutes remaining, the Castletown-Geoghegan outfit scored six points without reply in the closing stages to emerge as 1-13 to 0-7 winners. "We should have beaten them the first day. If we had kept our composure in the last few minutes, there would have been no need for a replay," Ollie claims. "I have no doubt that the talent is available to win an intermediate championship. But there's something missing. Maybe if we can seven or eight of last year's minor team through, they might make a difference. I'm hopeful that we will be a senior club before too long." The Shandonagh team which captured the minor 'B' championship crown was: Stephen Hickey; Vinny Ahearne, Mark Gordon, David Bracken; Brian Buckley, Andrew Fox (0-1), David Duffy; Enda Kincaid, Tomas Boyle; Alan Gordon (0-2), David Nevin (0-1), Philip Smyth; Michael Boyle (0-1), Alan Hickey (1-6), Niall Donoghue. Subs used: Niall Kenny (0-1), Shane Gorman and David Walsh. Tweet

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