Emerging from the intermediate grade full of confidence two years ago, Tubberclair played with a real swagger to reach the quarter final of the senior championship. But since then they've taken a backward step and came perilously close to relegation in 2005, with a late surge needed to deny Ballymore in a play-off. By Damien Maher Their poor run in the senior championship surprised many observers, who view Tubberclair as a team with the potential to compete effectively in top-flight football. Club P.R.O. Micheál Fagan is hopeful that the wake-up call Tubberclair received last year can spur them on to greater things. "After reaching the quarter finals of the senior championship the first year we came up, players got into a bit of a rut," explains Micheál. "However, we learned last year that senior football is extremely competitive and the players now realise that more commitment is needed if we are to live up to our potential." While the senior footballers disappointed in the championship, the Division 4 side took the league by storm and produced some memorable displays. Managed by Sonny Farrell, Sean Reid and Sean Spollen, they reached the play-off against St. Joseph's in November and recorded a fine victory which elevates them to Division three. "That was a great achievement because we were up against St. Joseph's first team in the final," recalled Michael. "They lost just one game to Athlone and it augers well to have these lads coming through so impressively." But there's still the desire in the ambitious south Westmeath club for the senior team to assert themselves in the championship. They did manage to make a winning start in 2005, beating St. Loman's by 0-9 to 0-4 at Moate and they were in optimistic form as they made the short trip to Tang for a tilt with neighbours Athlone. They competed well, but were four points behind at the final whistle, 1-7 to 0-14. "We had the chances to reverse that result but failed to take them," pondered Micheál Fagan. That defeat seemed to set Tubberclair back a lot and they suffered a heavy defeat in the next round against Coralstown/Kinnegad at Cusack Park. The Shannon siders simply never got to the pace of the game and suffered a 14-point drubbing, 4-10 to 0-8. Things didn't improve for round five where Tubberclair encountered eventual champions, The Downs at headquarters. The Black and Ambers controlled the game and inflicted an 11 points defeat on Jim Beirne's men, 1-14 to 0-6. A crisis situation was looming. Realising that their senior status was under threat, Tubberclair responded with a gritty display against Tyrrellspass in the final group game. They secured a draw against the Tidy town side at Tang, 1-7 to 0-10, but it wasn't sufficient to lift them off the foot of Division 2 and they faced a battle for survival. They headed for Tang once more to tackle a Ballymore side which had shown remarkable resilience to survive in a play-off against Moate the previous year. Tubberclair were the experts' favourites, but nothing could be taken for granted. Ballymore led by a point at half time (1-3 to 0-5) and it wasn't looking good for Tubberclair. However, manager Jim Beirne made some astute changes and, realising their senior status was on the line, Tubberclair upped the tempo to come from three points behind with nine minutes remaining, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. When Ballymore lost possession going forward, Tubberclair broke and, from an attack involving John Reid and Graham Whittaker, the ball was worked to Elliot, who found the net with a low drive. And, with Ballymore still reeling, John Reid caught a high delivery, turned and shot over the winning point. "Ballymore would have every right to feel hard done by in that game, because we only came strong at the end and won it in injury time," admits Micheál Fagan. "We would have been content with a draw after Conor Elliot got the goal, but John Reid followed up with a point almost immediately and we survived. "In fairness a couple of players were missing from the start of the year, which left us unsettled. Michael Hopkins was away in Australia and David Ganley had injury problems. Fergal Wilson picked up an injury too and, while he played every game, wasn't quite 100%. "However, we are fortunate that Fergal changed his holiday plans when they clashed with the relegation play-off, because we wouldn't have won the game without him." Once the championship was over, a huge weight was lifted of Tubberclair's shoulders and they produced some fine league displays to haul themselves up to mid table in Division 1 of the league. A victory over Castledaly in a league and Feis Cup double up was one of the more impressive results of the year, particularly since Castledaly had qualified for the senior championship semi-final at the time. Tubberclair also put up a bold showing against Garrycastle in the Feis Cup quarter final (in a game that provided another league and cup double up). They were eight points ahead at one stage in the first half, but Garrycastle introduced Dessie Dolan in the second half and he managed to turn the match in their favour. "Obviously we are looking for a big improvement in the championship this year," says Micheál. "If the attitude is right and the players listen to Jim Beirne, we can be a match for most teams." Jim Beirne will be joined by selectors Tim Slevin, Carthage Conlon and former Tubberclair footballer Kevin Keegan this year. There are no other changes in club personnel, with Sean Kenny staying on as Chairman, Albert Lowry Secretary and Michael Nolan Treasurer. "Ballymore came very close to relegating us and that will have really opened the players' eyes," admits Micheál. "They are good enough for this level, but now realise it demands serious application." The Tubberclair team which beat Ballymore in the relegation play-off was: Gary Connaughton; Rory Walsh, Peter Evans, Liam Doogan; Niall Walker, James Martin (0-2 f), David O'Brien; Tom Doogan (0-2, 1f), Graham Whittaker; John Reid (0-1), Francis Spollen, Bernard Cassells; Paul O'Brien, Fergal Wilson (0-5, 3f), David Cassells. Subs: Enda Dooley for J Martin (42 mins), Danny Keegan for D O'Brien (51 mins), Conor Elliot (1-0) for P O'Brien (53 mins), Ian Rex for D Cassells (55 mins). U16 success Tubberclair's U16 footballers had some noteworthy achievement during the year. They captured the Division 2 league title, reached the 'A' championship semi-final and, together with Maryland/Tang, were part of the Shannon Gaels side to reach the premier championship final. The league success was particularly impressive as they recovered well from some indifferent early form to reach the decider against Ballynacargy. Played in Milltown on a wet evening, Tubberclair came from two points down to lead by a solitary point at half time, 1-2 to 0-4, after an Ian Coffey goal swung the game in their favour. Once in front they never relinquished their advantage. Simon Lawless surged forward from midfield to score a wonderful second goal and, despite Ballynacargy's valiant efforts, Tubberclair were five-point winners at the final whistle. At minor level Tubberclair failed to field due to a lack of numbers, but players who were eligible were given a special dispensation by the Minor Board, and played with Maryland/Tang for the year. Their U12s also had a memorable win in their division of the league. This year Peter Elliot is the underage Chairman and Billy Connaughton is Secretary. The Tubberclair U16 side which won the Division 2 league final was: Lee Roche; Ian Worley, Aengus Hannagh, Daniel Salmon; Connor Delaney, Eoin Slevin, Jack Byrne; Stephen Lawless, Mark Fitzgibbons (0-1); Robert Buckley, Simon Lawless (1-0), Eoin Harney (0-1); Ronan Walker, Ian Coffey (1-4, 0-2f), Eoin Kilmartin (0-1). Tweet

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