Progressive is a word that best sums up the Bunbrosna club. After bowing out of the intermediate football championship somewhat prematurely in 2005, following an extra-time defeat to Maryland in a play-off, some are questioning their real potential, but to discount them would be perilous. Touted as major contenders for intermediate honours, the 2004 finalists were dealt a blow from the outset with the news that talented twin defenders Conor and Finian Newman would be Stateside for the summer. And midfielder Padraig Walsh saw his career take him to Sri Lanka . To compound matters further, regular full back Cormac McCormack broke a bone in his ankle during a challenge game against Kilmacud Crokes in Dublin. The absence of this quartet left a severe dent, but club Registrar Eddie Newman (father of Conor and Finian) believes Bun' could still have made the knock-out stages of the championship. "We had three different chances to qualify against Milltownpass, Rosemount and Maryland but failed narrowly to make it," he agonised. "Rosemount scored a late point after we missed a free to level it, while we had a great chance to win in normal time against Maryland, and Milltownpass in a game we could have won too." There was some consolation for Bun' when they captured the 2004 intermediate cup, defeating Killucan in a thrilling home final in September, with extra time needed to determine the outcome. They have also qualified for the final of the 2005 intermediate cup, where they will face Kilbeggan. And Bunbrosna are nicely poised to make the rise to Division 2 of the league. They have three outstanding games against The Downs, Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall and Tyrrellspass, and two wins will be sufficient to gain promotion for the second time in two years. "We're not really disheartened because we had a good year in lots of ways, but naturally our main aim is to make the breakthrough into senior football," admits Eddie. Bunbrosna began their intermediate championship campaign with victory over Milltown on a 4-8 to 0-7 scoreline. Their opponents had been showing early promise, but Bunbrosna's flying attack bagged four goals and they had 13 points to spare in an emphatic win. However, Bun' failed to continue that good form and when they encountered a strong Maryland team in the second round, John Smyth's men suffered their first defeat, losing by four points on a 1-10 to 1-6 scoreline. There were early signs that the absence of key players were stretching Bunbrosna's reserves. Round three brought Bun' back to Cusack Park, a venue they were very familiar with from the previous year. However, they encountered a Milltownpass team in determined form and suffered a surprising two-point defeat, 1-9 to 1-7 - the disallowing of a second half goal by Padraig Tighe being a real source of frustration for players and supporters. Bun' got back to winning ways in round five as they proved too strong for Tang, winning by 0-10 to 0-7. It was a welcome boost for the men in blue and white and they took that good form forward to the fifth round, where they tackled a much talked about Kilbeggan Shamrocks side. Victory was vital for Bun' and they duly delivered the goods, beating Kilbeggan Shamrocks by double scores (2-10 to 1-5) and showing the type of form that had taken them to the final in '04. A bigger test awaited in round six, though, against championship favourites Rosemount. Bunbrosna got a dream start and led by six points before Rosemount got off the mark. Bun' looked impressive in the early stages, but Rosemount regrouped at half time and stormed back to take a one-point lead at a critical stage. Bun' had a chance to equalise, but missed a relatively straightforward free and Rosemount added a late point to prevail on a 2-5 to 0-9 scoreline. "It was disappointing because we made a great start and were still well in the game, but missed a late free to draw level," pondered Eddie Newman. "From the kick out Rosemount won possession and attacked to score a vital point, giving them a narrow win in the end." That defeat meant that Bun', Maryland and Tang were in a three-way play-off for a place in the quarter final. Bun' were drawn against Maryland in the first game, with the winners to play Tang. They travelled to Castletown-Geoghegan, confident of avenging their earlier loss to the Drumraney men and things were going according to plan as they established a five-point lead. However, as against Rosemount, Bun' lost their way and Maryland got back into the game with a wonderful goal to force extra-time. Bunbrosna played second fiddle in the additional 20 minutes and a two points defeat (3-9 to 2-10) left them reeling and out of the championship. "It was a game we could have won in normal time," said Eddie. "Maryland got a great goal and once they took the game to extra-time, the momentum was with them. It was a very frustrating evening. "The earlier championship loss to Milltownpass was disappointing too. It was a game we were expecting to win, but with the four lads missing we never had a settled team. Tang proved a tough nut to crack and they showed that against Maryland in both games. "Things really picked up for the game against Kilbeggan Shamrocks and that was an eye-catching win. It left us with a great chance of making the knock-out stages, but we failed to press home our advantage against both Rosemont and Maryland." While the untimely championship exit was a setback, Bunbrosna's focus turned to underage as their minors qualified for the 'B' Championship final against Castledaly. In recent years Bun's progress at underage has been the envy of the county and in the likes of Andy Whitney and Jamie Shaw they have others capable of continuing that form. Whitney produced an inspirational display in the final as he captained Bun' to a deserved victory over Castledaly, in a game that required extra-time. At U16 level Bun' reached the championship semi-final and acquitted themselves well. They struggled a little at U14, but great work continued at U12 level and the future still looks promising. "We have great numbers at U8, U10 and U12 level and the challenge is to try and hold on to them and bring them on," said Newman. "We are producing players of county standard and have five involved on this year's Westmeath minor side, which is very encouraging." Off the field of play life continues at a hectic pace for Bun'. Vincent Maguire replaced Mick McCormack as Chairman after more than 30 years at the helm and they are heading for year two of a five-year development plan at their club grounds. A second 'Who want to be a Thousandaire' fund-raiser is planned for March 17 in the Mullingar Park Hotel, as plans to construct four dressing rooms, together with an upstairs facility (most likely a gym) remains a priority. Work has already commenced, with local engineer John Madden, who's also the club's underage Chairman and main sponsor, responsible for designing the project. Bun' have also a proud tradition in Scor and had 47 applications to participate in this year's Scor Na nOg. Collette Eades is the main driving force behind Scor and senior members have been invited to a festival in France in May, where they will participate in a programme on Irish culture. "There's great talent in the club and everyone is keen to continue the great effort that has taken us to this stage," said Eddie. The upward curve continues then for Bunbrosna and 2006 holds much promise. With a full compliment of players at their disposal, John Smyth's men will be hard passed in the race for the Peter Geraghty Cup. Tweet

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