The local GAA club is, to many communities, a focal point and in the heartland of Crookedwood this is certainly no exception. The past year has presented many challenges, but the main highlight was surely the performance of the club's under 21 hurlers, who reached the 13-a-sde championship final, where they eventually succumbed to Castlepollard. The senior hurlers were relegated to the intermediate grade after four successive defeats, but for club activist Gerry Butler, who's prominently involved with the underage area, the achievement of the under 21 hurlers in reaching the final was significant. Crookedwood will rue the fact that they were short four strong players in Simon Moorehead, Henry Reilly, Shane Orme and Darren Geerah, while they lost Martin Connell in the first half through injury. "They are five of our strongest players and each of them have senior experience, so it was definitely a factor," pondered Ger Butler. "But Castlepollard were the stronger side and pulled away well in the second half. From our point of view it's very encouraging to be contesting an under 21 final against Castlepollard," he added. The under 21 final went ahead on Saturday, February 7, having been previously postponed. Being a local derby it had plenty of early spice, but by half time, Castlepollard had taken a decisive grip as they led by 3-6 to 1-4. Barry O'Meara scored a splendid goal midway through the first half to bring Crookedwood back into contention, but they conceded 1-2 before the interval and that probed very costly. The second half began with Castlepollard adding to their tally and although Anton Savage kept Crookedwood in contention with a superbly taken long-range free, the conceded a fourth goal, leaving them with the proverbial mountain to climb. The contributions of O'Meara, Savage, Shane Collins and Emmet Feerick were the main highlights, but in the end a strong Castlepollard side prevailed. The Crookedwood team that contested the under 21 final was: Tomas Brennan, Ger McGovern, Martin Connell, Shane Collins, Antoin Savage, Emmett Feerick, Edward Nally, Kevin Orme, David Newman, Michael Savage, Conor Hyland, Seamus Savage, Barry O'Meara Subs used: Shane McLoughlin, Richard O'Neill. The 2008 senior hurling championship proved a tough assignment for Crookedwood and, having tasted defeats against Raharney in the first round, and Ringtown, Castlepollard and St Oliver Plunkett's in section B, they made a return to the intermediate grade. While it is a setback, the 'Wood have a sound underage system in place and with players breaking through from the minor and under 21 grades, they could well be a force at intermediate level. In the first round of the '08 senior hurling championship, Crookedwood took on the eventual champions, Raharney. For much of the first half, 'the wood' were right in contention and trailed by just four points heading into the last 10 minutes. At half time it was 0-10 to 0-4 in Raharney's favour, but some scoring chances had gone a begging for Crookedwood and they faced a tough challenge in the second half. An early second half penalty gave Crookedwood the opportunity to get back into the match, but Johnny Orme's drive was defiantly saved by the Raharney defence. Soon after they conceded a goal of their own and fell 10 points arrears. It finished 1-17 to 0-7 in Raharney's favour and Crookedwood were into section B with the three other first round losers. Their first game in that division was a crucial clash against Ringtown, but after a gallant effort, they lost by five points on a 1-14 to 1-9 scoreline. It was quite a tussle and Ringtown led at half time by a goal (1-5 to 0-5), before Crookedwood swooped for an early second half goal through Adam Mitchell. That score, which followed a Barry O'Meara point, had Crookedwood ahead for the first time. However, they then conceded six points in succession and simply never recovered thereafter. This defeat to their neighbours was a major setback and it was clear now that Crookedwood faced a serious battle for survival. Their second outing in section B was again something of a derby clash as they took on Castlepollard. The sides were sensationally level at half time (2-3 to 1-6), after goals from Damien Grifferty and Barry O'Meara. Incidentally, they led Castlepollard by six points after 15 minutes, giving them every chance of securing that precious victory. Alas, the wood simply couldn't sustain that level of performance and, in the second half scored only three points while their opponents added two goals as they recorded an emphatic 3-16 to 2-6 victory. Crookedwood now faced a must-win game against Mullingar side, St. Oliver Plunkett's, in their final match in section B. The sides met in St. Loman's GAA grounds and, despite a first half goal from Barry O'Meara, the wood trailed by six points at the interval (1-4 to 0-13). The second half saw Crookedwood battle on, but they conceded two goals at a critical stage and, in the end, suffered a 4-21 to 1-0 defeat. Elsewhere, the underage scene was as hectic as ever in 2008. Gerry Butler, coach of the under 12 hurlers, was fulsome in his praise of the side, who won nine of their 14 games last year. Assisted by selectors, Alan O'Meara and Seamus Moran, Butler guided the team to the final of the 'B' competition in Westmeath, where they defeated Longford Slashers. Crookedwood also competed in the Brownstown Tournament, hailed by Butler as a great success. They were narrowly defeated in the 'B' final, but the team received a set of medals. Butler remarked how the Minor Board might take a leaf out of Brownstown's book and reward the under 12 players. "Westmeath gave them just sweets and a ball for winning the final, which is not much to entice young lads. Brownstown's competition was much better organised and there were medals for everyone. Another team won a grade higher than us in Westmeath and received a shield, so if it's sauce for goose, it should be the same for gander," he remarked. At under 14 level, Crookedwood reached the semi-final of the 'C' championship, working with a very small panel of only 17. They were defeated at the penultimate stage by Lough Lene Gaels, though only on a two-point margin. Team mentor, Antoinette Savage, described the under 14 side as "very committed," noting how training was always well attended. At minor level, well known hurling referee, Feichin Brennan looked after the club's fortunes and oversaw a successful year. The team reached the semi-final of the Westmeath Minor Premier Championship where they were narrowly defeated by eventual champions, Clonkill. And, in the Offaly/Westmeath league, Crookedwood went all the way to the final, losing by four points to Coolderry, a hurling stronghold in the Faithful County. Having developed a good underage system, Crookedwood appear better placed no to meet the challenges ahead. "The underage area is going very well and, after the performance of the under 21 side, things are not all doom and gloom. We can look forward with confidence to the challenges ahead," enthused Gerry Butler. The Crookedwood team which played St. Oliver Plunkett's in the 2008 senior hurling championship was: Johnny Orme, Kevin Tormey, Shane Orme, Kevin Orme, Darren Fulham, Ger Brennan, David Newman, Antoin Savage, Micheál Savage, Seamus Savage, Damien Grifferty, David Kelly, Ger Boyhan, Tommy Casserly, Barry O'Meara. Subs used: Noel Yourell, Adam Mitchell, Conor Hyland, Karl Foran. Tweet

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