The vagaries of sport are perpetual, but when Shandonagh look back on the 2008 season they will wonder how a team which came so close to winning the intermediate football championship the previous year failed to make the knock-out stages. By Damien Maher. Only just pipped by Ballinagore in '07, the Kilpatrick-based club had serious ambitions and seemed to be well on course for a quarter-final berth until losing their way in the final two group matches. In the end, they finished level on points with Tang in Division 2, but missed out on a qualification spot on score difference. Previously Shandonagh had come agonisingly close, losing in three semi-finals, before narrowly failing in 2007. However, their pursuit of that elusive intermediate title continues and they'll be giving it everything once again in the coming year. They have secured the services of experienced Edgeworthstown man, John Smyth, to manage the intermediate footballers and the club is hoping that the former Bunbrosna supremo, who's very well respected, can provide the added inspiration to push them over the finish line. Club Chairman, Ollie Reilly, is calling for a renewed effort in order to achieve the breakthrough. "John Smyth will bring a huge level of experience and new ideas. Our players know they will have to respond to that. It was bitterly disappointing to miss out on the knock-out stages of the intermediate championship last year, but we now have to focus on the challenge ahead and there is a determination to make the breakthrough sooner rather than later," Ollie told Maroon and White. The '08 intermediate football championship began in May and Shandonagh's first outing was against Milltownpass. It turned out to be a tough challenge, but in the end, Shandonagh had two points to spare over their physically strong opponents, winning by 2-8 to 1-9. First half goals from county midfielder, David Duffy and corner forward, Kevin Boyle provided the platform for this spirited victory and it was viewed as a pretty ideal start to Shandonagh's campaign. Round two saw them clash with Ballynacargy at Cusack Park. On a dreadful evening for football, players had to contend with relentless rain and the concession of two goals, one in either half, had Shandonagh in real trouble. They trailed by a point (0-5 to 1-3) at half time and lost Enda Kincaid with a serious leg injury in the second half, an injury which resulted in a lengthy stoppage to wait for an ambulance to arrive, leading to both teams heading for shelter. However, there was a happy ending here as Shandonagh once more proved their mettle and a spectacular goal by substitute, Mick Mercer secured a draw. Indeed, the blues could have won but for the concession of a late point, but overall, they were in a strong position after two rounds. Shandonagh's third championship outing saw them pitted against Rosemount and this resulted in a narrow win for the Kilpatrick outfit. Once again it was their determined finish that made all the difference as late points from Damien Fox and Declan Barry ensured a 0-11 to 0-10 victory. At half time, Shandonagh led by 0-6 to 0-3 and despite some poor shooting, looked in a good position. They maintained that three point lead well into the second half, but were pushed all the way before grinding out an important win. With two wins and a draw under their belt, Shandonagh were in a strong position for qualification, but they suffered a serious setback when succumbing to a heavy defeat against Tubberclair in the fourth round, at Tang. Ironically, they led by 1-6 to 0-7 at half time, following a beautifully taken goal by Damian Moran, but proceeded to collapse after the interval. Tubberclair were at their best, it must be said, but Shandonagh faded badly and a late David Duffy goal provided little more than consolation. Their final group game now took on an entirely different complexion. It was another south Westmeath outfit, Tang, which provided the opposition and at half time in Cusack Park, Shandonagh trailed by three points (0-3 to 0-6). It was clear at this stage that they faced a real test of resolve as nothing less than a draw was required to take them through to the quarter-final. Shandonagh appeared to have timed their surge to perfection when Kevin Boyle pounced for a goal with 14 minutes remaining, after some excellent approach play. The concession of a second goal entering the last 10 minutes gave Tang the initiative once more, though, and despite late scoring opportunities, Shandonagh were a point adrift when the final whistle sounded (2-9 to 1-10), bringing a most dramatic championship game to an end. Their premature exit disappointed them and Shandonagh took time to reflect. Billy Flanagan, who had managed the team for two years has been replaced and the club have pinned their hopes on a new man. However, Ollie Reilly believes the championship will be as tough as ever in the year ahead. "We had aimed to at very least make the quarter-final and we were gutted to loose out on score difference, but this intermediate championship is a very tight competition. There are five or six teams any year that can win it and this year's championship is no exception, with the likes of Tubberclair, Ballynacargy, Ballinagore and Castletown-Finea all determined to win it," said Ollie. Elsewhere, the underage scene remains as busy as ever for the club. Eddie Moran, Chairman of the Underage Committee, said there's a great structure in place and praised the work of the various mentors. "We have at least two mentors with every team and they're very committed to the task. It's vital for the club's future that we continue to work hard in this area," he said. The main highlight was the excellent performance of the club's minor footballers, who qualified for the Division 2 league final against Bunbrosna. They had performed exceptionally well, winning all their league games up to the final, but were defeated by a stronger and fitter Bunbrosna side. At under 12 level, the team competed very well also and, after a successful league campaign, defeated Milltownpass in the final under St. Loman's GAA Club's impressive floodlights. The under 14 team competed well with players who are still eligible for a couple of years to come, while the under 16 side made a promising start, before encountering stronger opposition. Overall, though, it was a quite an enjoyable year on the underage scene. The year ahead for Shandonagh will be focused around making a renewed drive to win the intermediate championship and continuing their excellent work with underage teams. They are fortunate to have developed one of the finest grounds in the county, but their desire to land the Peter Geraghty Cup has not waned. "The longer it goes without winning the intermediate championship, the more difficult it will become. We have been in three semi-finals and one final and the time is right to finally go one step further this year. John Smyth has already led Bunbrosna to an intermediate title and I believe he can do the same with Shandonagh, if he gets the response from the players. We're looking forward to a good year," concluded Ollie Reilly. Shandonagh land Intermediate Cup Shandonagh sent out a warning to their rivals on April 5 by defeating last year's intermediate champions Maryland 0-13 to 0-7 in the delayed 2008 Intermediate Cup final. The manner of Shandonagh's victory would suggest that they will be leading contenders for Peter Geraghty Cup honours later this year. Conditions in Drumraney were ideal for football, and despite conceding the opening score, the visitors soon took control to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 after 15 minutes. Further scores from Damien Moran, Danny Foster, Alan Hickey and Michael Boyle handed them a 0-9 to 0-2 lead at the break. With their new-look midfield partnership of David Duffy and Alan Hickey excelling, Shandonagh never looked like losing their grip on proceedings in the second half with a brace of late points from team captain Hickey sealing the win. Shandonagh's Intermediate Cup winning team was: Damien Fox; Declan Barry, Kevin Hickey, Stephen Ronan; Paddy Duffy, Jimmy Kiernan, Tommy Barry; David Duffy, Alan Hickey; Philip Smyth, Andrew Fox, Danny Foster; Kevin Boyle, Michael Boyle, Damien Moran. Subs used: Rory Smyth and Christy Coyne. Tweet

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