Shandonagh dice with disaster
April 30, 2010Following their impressive 0-13 to 0-7 victory over Maryland in the delayed 2009 Intermediate Cup final last April, there were many who were predicting a big year for Shandonagh.
Sadly for the Kilpatrick-based club, it didn't turn out like that as they endured a nightmare championship campaign which almost resulted in relegation to the junior ranks. They only avoided the drop by virtue of an emphatic 1-14 to 0-5 win over Milltownpass.
"Going junior would have been unthinkable," says Alan Hickey, who formed a new midfield partnership with county star David Duffy last year.
"After winning the Intermediate Cup and beating Ballymore in the first round of the championship, we seemed to be shaping up fairly well. But then we suddenly hit a bad patch - losing our next four games - and that left us facing a relegation playoff against Milltownpass.
"I think it was only then that it dawned on us just how serious a situation we were in. We were in a do-or-die situation and in fairness to the lads, they trained fierce hard for that game and thankfully it paid off for us in the end."
Corner forward on the last Westmeath team to win a Leinster minor championship in 2000 and a younger brother of 1995 All-Ireland minor winning full back Kevin, Alan admits that last year's performances weren't acceptable for a team that had designs on lifting the Peter Geragthy Cup.
"We didn't do ourselves justice at all, so we definitely have a point to prove this year," he explains.
"We contested an intermediate final in 2007 and we want to get back up to that level of performance again. Ironically, our league form was very good last year and we won all our games up until the final one against Maryland which cost us promotion to Division 1.
"I think a big factor in our poor championship form was the loss of Mickey Boyle through injury. Mickey did his cruciate ligament in the Intermediate Cup final and missed the entire championship as a result. He is a very important player for us and we badly missed his scoring power."
Under the management of Edgeworthstown man John Smyth, who led Bunbrosna to an intermediate title in 2006, Shandonagh opened their championship campaign with a resounding 1-11 to 0-6 victory over Ballymore at a rain-soaked Tubberclair. It was anyone's game at half-time with Shandonagh just two points ahead, 0-6 to 0-4, but they completely outplayed their opponents in the second period to run out comfortable winners.
With the Duffy-Hickey midfield partnership excelling, Shandonagh played their best football in the final quarter when they cut loose with some fine scores and an insurance goal from substitute John Maher.
Shandonagh's season began to unravel when they lost their second outing to champions-elect Tubberclair by 0-10 to 1-12 in Athlone's Pairc Chiarain. The Sky Blues trailed by three points at the interval, but their task became a lot more difficult when Francis Spollen swooped for a goal just 15 seconds after the restart to give Tubberclair a six-point cushion.
Shandonagh got to within four points on a couple of occasions, but they lacked the necessary scoring power to turn it around.
Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall inflicted a second defeat on Shandonagh at Lakepoint Park. John Smyth's charges led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, and with wind advantage to come, they looked to be in a strong position. But Finea, who had missed a first half penalty, took control following the dismissal of Roy Smyth on a second yellow card 12 minutes from the end, sealing a 1-9 to 0-6 victory thanks to a fortuitous goal from substitute Eric Sullivan in the dying moments.
Relegation suddenly became an issue for Shandonagh when they lost their fourth round encounter to Rosemount by 0-11 to 2-11. Rosemount full forward David Tone bagged two goals in quick succession to help his side to a 2-6 to 0-4 interval lead. On the restart, Shandonagh missed a great chance to get themselves back into contention when Damien Moran was denied by a brilliant save by Rosemount 'keeper Eoin Carberry. From the counterattack, Rosemount scored a point through Danny Fielding to completely drain Shandonagh's confidence.
Shandonagh's championship campaign went from bad to worse when they suffered their fourth successive defeat at the hands of Ballinagore. There were shades of the 2007 intermediate final, which Shandonagh lost to the same opposition, in the opening quarter when the Kilpatrick-based outfit hit nine wides in the opening quarter alone. Despite their wastefulness, they still led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time and seemed poised for victory when they extended their advantage to 0-10 to 0-6 midway through the second half.
However, the loss of David Duffy through injury late in the first half was already taking its toll and when Ballinagore raised their game in the final quarter, Shandonagh had no answer as they crashed to a 0-12 to 0-14 defeat, making a relegation playoff against Milltownpass a reality.
The playoff took place at Lakepoint Park in September and even without the influential Duffy, Shandonagh had far too much for an understrength Milltownpass team who seemed resigned to their fate before the throw-in. A ninth-minute Andy Fox goal gave Shandonagh a dream start and while their lead was just five points at the interval, 1-5 to 0-3, they were well on top in most sectors.
Following the changes of ends, they put their limited opponents to the sword when outscoring them by 0-9 to 0-2 with Alan Hickey finishing with a personal tally of 0-6.
In a bid to revive their fortunes this year, Shandonagh have turned to St. Mary's CBS, Mullingar teacher Niall O'Brien, who has replaced John Smyth as manager. Frank Conway and Robbie O'Connor have been installed as his selectors, while Kevin Hickey will act as physical trainer.
"Niall trained Kilcavan to win a Laois junior championship a few years ago and also brought them to an intermediate final. He has also been involved with many St. Mary's teams down the years. Training sessions have been well attended so far, so the signs are encouraging," says Alan, who is likely to revert to his customary corner forward role this season.
"Obviously, we're hoping to do a lot better than last year, but we're not looking past Kilbeggan in the first round. That's our only focus at the moment."
He continues: "Tommy Byrne, who is a promising young goalkeeper, has joined us from Tyrrellspass and Philip McCabe has also joined us from Loughnavalley. They should prove to be useful additions to the squad."
Like most clubs, Shandonagh have been working hard at underage level and last year their under 14s went to the county semi-final where they were beaten by Caulry. The under 12s also acquitted themselves well, while Barry McWade and John Hughes were key members of the St. Patrick's team (an amalgamation of Shandonagh, Ballynacargy and Millmore Gaels) which failed narrowly in their bid to win a three-in-a-row of minor 'premier' championships.
Corner forward McWade scored the winning point in St. Patrick's 1-8 to 1-7 semi-final win over Mullingar Shamrocks, but disappointment followed when they lost the county final to Clann Bhraonain by 0-8 to 1-8.
"We have good underage structures in place. We had a very talented under 14 team last year which was managed by John Gordon, Paul Scully and Mick Kenny. There are huge numbers down in the pitch every Saturday morning for coaching and that bodes well for the future," Hickey concludes.
The Shandonagh team which defeated Milltownpass to retain their IFC status was: Damien Fox; Kevin Duffy, James Kiernan, Stephen Ronan; Paddy Duffy, Kevin Hickey, Danny Foster; Alan Hickey, Declan Barry; Kevin Boyle, Andy Fox, Tommy Barry; Philip Smyth, John Maher, Damien Moran. Subs used: Barry McQuaid and Christy Coyne. Tweet
