Only one brief stint in senior grade hasn't satisfied a progressive Southern Gaels club, whose unstinting work at underage level is really paying off. While they failed to make significant inroads in the intermediate hurling championship, the Athlone based unit enjoyed its most successful year to date at underage level. By Damian Maher. Combined with Ballymore's Fr. Dalton's, Southern Gaels took the underage scene by storm in 2005 and they're really beginning to see the fruits of their labour. The ambitious club annexed no fewer than five titles at U12, U14, U16 and minor level and club P.R.O. Kevin Jordan, who's also a pivotal part of the U16 and minor managements, feels that they are laying solid foundations. "It's been a brilliant success this year," says Kevin, proudly. "There's a huge amount of work going in and it's now starting to pay off, so everyone associated with the Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's setup is thrilled with how things are progressing. "At U12 Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's won the 'B' title, while their U14 side captured the 'A' championship and Feile Shield. The U16 team was successful in the 'A' Championship and the minors landed the 'B' league title. They're achievements to be proud of. "We are really making strides. Travelling to games all over the county can be difficult, but we have a really dedicated bunch of young players at underage level, and the parents are extremely committed also, which is very important." Southern Gaels have enjoyed only one success at intermediate level, that coming back in 1986 when they defeated Raharney in a replay. They had three years in the premier grade before they slipped back and every effort since has ended in frustration. Their fortunes didn't change in 2005. Only two championship wins failed to satisfy their hunger and manager Denis Cronan, together with selectors Gerry Brennan and Barney Branigan will be hoping for a better run in 2006. Defeats to Crookedwood, Brownstown and Cullion left Southern Gaels under pressure and they failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the championship. They competed in the senior league where they found the going tough, while championship winners Crookedwood knocked them out of the intermediate cup. Despite the setbacks, Kevin Jordan says Southern Gaels are taking real heart from Crookedwood's remarkable achievements in 2005. "I'm delighted for Crookedwood, with their first ever intermediate success and a great run in Leinster," admitted Kevin Jordan. "They were the leading light for the smaller clubs in Westmeath last year." Southern Gaels' Chairperson is Vera Corcoran, the only woman in Westmeath to hold such a position. Declan Hickey is Secretary and Fergal Ormsby Treasurer. It's a committee keen to guide Southern Gaels back to senior grade and have in place the resources to consolidate that. "With the football so strong in Athlone it's difficult to keep the hurling strong," admits Kevin. However, despite the difficulties at adult level, Southern Gaels' progress at underage level is the envy of the county. With the unwavering assistance of dedicated people from Fr. Dalton's, like Donal Glynn and Mick Kincaid, Southern Gaels are part of a real force. Weekly training on the astro turf in Athlone, under the guidance of Martin Carey and Eamon Farrell, is paying off and Southern Gaels are producing players capable of mixing it at the top level. Kevin Jordan takes pleasure in that and is thrilled that the club was associated with Westmeath senior hurlers' historic success in the Christy Ring Cup. "We have a few minors involved in this year's Westmeath minor hurling team and we have young players on every county side, which is great," said Kevin. "Tony O'Keefe was on the Christy Ring Cup wining side and Seamus Qualter, a former player, was the manager." Kevin has taken great satisfaction from the successes at U16 and minor level, where he's working with John Foley and Donal Glynn. At U14 level, Donal Glynn works with Fergal Ormsby, John Landy and Arty Pyke, while Martin Carey, Eamon Farrell and Ger O'Kelly Lynch are involved with the U12 side. And work doesn't stop there. William Leahy and Jimmy O'Meara have been working hard with coaching at U8 and U10 hurlers. "There's a massive effort going in at underage training every Saturday from February to November, with players from U12 down being catered for," said Kevin. The victory by the Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's minor side in the league final against Cullion was one of the club's finest achievements. Played at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday, January 8 of this year, the delayed final saw the south Westmeath outfit completely dominate. First half goals by Noel Mulligan and George Kenny gave the victors a huge lead at half time, 2-5 to 0-2, and they held Cullion scoreless in the second half to complete a comfortable win. After the match joint team captains David McCormack and George Kenny accepted the trophy from, Minor Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan. The Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's side which landed the minor league title was: Ciaran Duncan, Andrew Slevin, Matthew Murray, Peter Murray, David McCormack (joint captain), John Gilligan, Robert English, Joe Kenny, Noel Mulligan, Neal Rattigan, Eoin Jordan, George Kenny (joint captain), Kevin Macken. Subs used: Darragh Lennon, Declan Rooney, Martin Hynes, Conor McNeill, Alan McManus. As stated, there was also joy for Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's at U12 and U14 level. The U14 hurlers defeated Delvin by 5-11 to 3-3 in the championship final, which went to a replay at Castletown-Geoghegan on Sunday, September 18 last year. The drawn encounter the previous week had ended in a thrilling 5-3 to 3-9 draw, but Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's were determined to land victory at the second attempt and they delivered a wining performance. Three first half goals gave them a five points advantage at the break (3-7 to 3-2) and they dominated the second half to record an emphatic win. Brian Finnerty, Daniel Qualter and Enda Kincaid scored the first half goals and MJ Kelly bagged two second half majors to steer his side to victory. The U14 side also landed the Feile Shield title in November. The Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's side which captured the U14 championship was: Trevor English; John Warburton, Daniel Qualter, Martin Donoghue; Sean Somers, Trevor Farrell, James Larkin; Enda Kincaid, Donal Glynn; MJ Kelly, Joe Crompton, Alan Stone; Brian Finnerty, John Reidy, Sean Kincaid. Subs used: Jack O'Kelly Lynch, Ciaran Finnerty, Sean Carey, Fiachra Temple, Luke Callinan. "We won a title at every juvenile grade and that has never happened before in the history of the club," said Kevin Jordan. "There was never a year like it and we're hoping that the seeds are being sewn for future success." Southern Gaels/Fr. Dalton's have earned much respect from many quarters for their remarkable achievements. For them the future certainly looks bright. Elsewhere, Southern Gaels club man Arty Pyke retired from the Westmeath Minor Board in 2005 after 26 years involvement. Arty fulfilled the role of Hurling Board Representative in recent times and has won many admirers during his lengthy association with the Minor Board. Westmeath County Board Chairman, Seamus Ó Faoláin made a special presentation to Arty at the Minor Board AGM in Cusack Park last December. Mr. Ó Faoláin described the Tullamore native as a true gentleman and praised his invaluable contribution to the association in Westmeath. Tweet

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