Ringtown's retention of the under 14 Division 3 hurling championship was the highlight of an otherwise disappointing year for the Whitehall-based club, whose interest in the senior championship was ended by arch-rivals Castlepollard. In a year when the Ringtown seniors endured yet another frustrating campaign, it was left to the club's promising under 14 side to bring home the championship bacon. Under the tutelage of Anthony Nea and John Craig, the under 14s retained their Division 3 crown with a 5-11 to 5-5 victory over Lough Lene Gaels at Loughegar in November. Throughout the season, they had displayed impressive form and in the final, they withstood a late rally from the Gaels to land the championship spoils. "It was nice to finish the year with at least one title under our belt," says Ringtown underage chairman Gerry Boylan. "We've had a fair bit of success at under 14 level over the past few years, and any piece of silverware is warmly welcomed. Anthony and John did great work with these lads last year, and it was good to see that work being rewarded." Gerry, who is a native of Dublin and was formerly attached to the famous O'Toole's club, explains that the biggest challenge facing Ringtown at the start of each year is to ensure that they are able to field in all the grades. "Although we cover a wide area in North Westmeath, it's sparsely populated which means we're always struggling for numbers. Our priority every year is to field at under 12, 14, 16 and minor level, and if we can win something with one or maybe two of those teams, it's an added bonus. "We are fortunate to have a good underage structure and committee, but it can be difficult when you're working with such small numbers. Last year, we won the under 14 championship and got to the under 16 and minor quarter-finals, so it wasn't a bad year," adds Boylan, who was involved with the under 8, under 16 and minor teams in a coaching capacity. In the under 14 final, Ringtown looked to be coasting to victory until Lough Lene Gaels scored three goals in the space of two minutes late on to leave just four points between the sides. But Anthony Nea jnr then put the result beyond doubt with a fifth goal for the winners. The boys in the green and gold stripes opened the scoring through Adam O'Keeffe, only to be rocked soon after when Warren Williams replied with a goal for the Gaels. The first indication that Ringtown captain Emmet Corrigan would have such a major influence on proceedings came in the 12th minute when he fired over after a 60-metre solo run. The lead changed hands four minutes later when Alan O'Keeffe scored Ringtown's opening goal and a further major from Corrigan in the 23rd minute had the Whitehall outfit 2-5 to 1-1 in front. Lough Lene Gaels received a much-needed boost in first half injury-time when Alan Jennings pounced for their second goal to leave it a four-point game at the break. Ringtown resumed with a point from Corrigan and despite having a player sent off, continued to take the game to their opponents. Another brilliant Corrigan solo-run resulted in a second goal for the talented midfielder before points from centre back David Stell and Corrigan extended Ringtown's advantage. The game looked over as a contest in the 42nd minute when a fourth Ringtown goal from Anthony Nea put 12 points between the sides. When Corrigan hits over a '65 and then converted a free with four minutes remaining, Ringtown led 4-11 to 2-3. But the drama was only beginning as Andrew Jennings pointed for the Gaels before Padraig Grace finished to the net. Michael Daly and Brendan Doyle also bagged goals to set up a grandstand finish, but Ringtown composed themselves and had the final say when Nea finished low to the net to seal a hard-earned win. By contrast, 2008 was another disappointing year for the Ringtown senior team who lost three of their four championship outings. But despite being forced into a change of management midway through the campaign, they were still only a puck of a sliothar away from a quarter-final spot. "If they hadn't lost narrowly to 'Pollard in their last group match, they would have gone through," Gerry remembers. "They started the year with high expectations but suffered a big setback when losing heavily to Castletown-Geoghegan in the first round of the championship. Dessie Doolin then came on board as manager and things started to improve. He was a breath of fresh air and was well received by all the players." Ringtown's championship campaign got off to a disastrous start when they crashed to a 0-3 to 2-13 defeat to Castletown-Geoghegan. In one of the most one-sided senior hurling matches seen at Cusack Park in recent years, Castletown did as they pleased against their clearly disinterested and disorganised opponents. From the moment Joe Clarke found the Ringtown net after just two minutes, the outcome was never in doubt. Castletown led 1-5 to 0-2 at half-time and added a further 1-6 in the final quarter to run out emphatic winners. Ringtown desperately needed a pick-me-up and they got it when they overcame neighbours Crookedwood 1-14 to 1-9 in their opening game of the losers' group. Corner forward Niall Kilcoyne was in sparkling form, scoring 0-8 from play in a brilliant individual display. Ringtown settled quickest thanks to two early points from Martin Burke before the 'Wood got back on level terms. There was nothing to separate the sides until the 29th minute when Niall Kilcoyne made a decisive burst before setting up his brother Darren for the opening goal, which gave Ringtown a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at half-time. Within minutes of the restart, however, Crookedwood had edged in front for the first time thanks to an Adam Mitchell goal. But Ringtown responded with six points in succession from Niall and Darren Kilcoyne, Martin Burke and Johnny Hardiman to lead 1-11 to 1-6. The 'Wood tried hard to get themselves back in contention, but with Kilcoyne in unstoppable form, they were unable to close the gap. Ringtown were brought crashing back down to earth when they succumbed to St. Oliver Plunkett's by 1-7 to 2-15 in their next outing. After a competitive opening 20 minutes, Eddie Casey's charges finished the first half strongly to go into the break leading 0-11 to 0-5. The losers were given real hope when Niall Kilcoyne netted nine minutes into the second half and they were still within five points with 10 minutes remaining. But the concession of two goals in the closing stages ensured St. Oliver Plunkett's of a flattering win. Ringtown's final round clash with Castlepollard at Lakepoint Park was a winner-takes-all affair. But despite producing their best performance of the season, the Whitehall-based side exited the championship on a 2-13 to 1-17 scoreline. With Stephen Bardon, Kevin Gavigan and Donal Devine all on target, 'Pollard were quickly into the stride and went on to lead by 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time. Two points from Martin Cunningham and another from Niall Kilcoyne had reduced the deficit to the minimum by the 41st minute before Andrew Dermody's goal gave 'Pollard some breathing space. But Ringtown came storming back with a goal of their own from Colin Murtagh and when substitute Billy Murphy forced home a second with five minutes remaining, the margin was down to just two points. In a dramatic finale, Ringtown were awarded a free about 30 metres out and goalkeeper Pat Burke came up the field to take it. But his attempt for a match-winning goal was deflected over the crossbar by John Paul Murray and 'Pollard held on for the narrowest of victories. In conclusion, Gerry says: "We have been steadily improving at senior level over the past few years, but realistically it could take another three or four years for us to be serious contenders. The important thing is to keep working away with the underage and producing the next generation of players." Ringtown's under 14 championship winning team was: Brendan O'Donnell; Colin Melia, Shane Craig, Barry Reynolds; Conor O'Grady, David Stell, Conor Mallon; Anthony McGivney, Emmet Corrigan; Ian Kilcoyne, Conor Mulligan, Kieran Mallon; Anthony Nea, Adam O'Keeffe, Scott Hynes. The Ringtown team which lost narrowly to Castlepollard in the SHC was: Pat Burke; Jeffrey Nea, Tossie Brady, Frankie Boyhan; Dermot Cafferty, Eanna Doolin, Daire Doolin; Johnny Hardiman, Christy Fanning; Darren Kilcoyne, Niall Kilcoyne, Colin Murtagh; Martin Burke, John Paul Creggy, Martin Cunningham. Subs used: Gerry Goldrick, Keith Melia and Billy Murphy. Tweet

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