Brownstown hurling club have been yearning for some new talent to emerge from their underage ranks over the last few years and finally it looks to be about to happen following their success in the minor Division 3 championship final.

A lot of work has gone into the underage scene in Archerstown over the last few years and it looks as if it is beginning to pay dividends given the wealth of talent that is coming through the ranks.
Ok, success may be hard to come by on a regular basis, but the fact that the club is fielding in all grades is a triumph in itself, given the fact this is a rural club and so many others in similar surroundings are failing to do.
One of the strong points within the club is the amount of people willing to help out with the various teams and while more help is always welcome, the many individuals involved deserve great credit for the work they are doing.
It is now 18 years since Brownstown last won the senior hurling championship and quite frankly it will be at least another few years before they are challenging for the top honour again.
The standard of club hurling in Westmeath is possibly at its highest ever (although some of the older generation will disagree) and the fact is that Brownstown have been left behind. The intermediate championship beckons once again in 2011, but where better to blood some new players for the future.
In fairness, most of the lads that are coming through the ranks sampled senior championship hurling last year, which should stand to them in the second tier.
The minor success was very important for the club and although it was only a third tier competition, it gave these lads a taste of success as they prepare for the adult ranks.
Already the likes of Niall Leonard, James Moore, Ross Daly, Conor Foley and Emmett Cuneen are almost certainties to be on the intermediate team this year.
They were the backbone of the minor side that defeated Crookedwood and Southern Gaels to claim the minor title and all five lined out at some stage in the senior championship in 2010.
On average, most clubs would only get two or three players coming through each year, but all going well and as long as other sports do not dictate, Brownstown's conveyor belt of youth looks set to continue for another couple of years at least.
Following closely behind the five boys mentioned are the likes of Jack Clancy, Harry Keane, Jamie Fitzsimons, Sean Smith and Paddy Reilly as well as Conor Rice and Conor Shaw, all of whom look set for a bright future in the blue jersey.
Brownstown are a work in progress at the moment, and although it may be a slow process, they are heading in the right direction. A lot of hard work is needed and nothing can be taken for granted.
As stated other sports could play a part in their destiny as this younger generation includes talented golfers, soccer and rugby players, but it is up to the club to ensure that these youngsters enjoy their hurling.
Following the relative success of staying in the senior ranks and the performances produced during the 2009 campaign; there were high hopes that Brownstown could retain their top level status for another year at least.
However, a culmination of a number of factors meant that was not the case and from the start of the year, there was a sense of worry in the club.
The draw for the championship saw Brownstown play St Oliver Plunkett's in the opening round and there was a genuine belief that a win could be recorded against the town team, who on their day are one of the best sides in the county, but are prone to having on off day as well.
Nonetheless, the Archerstown Blues met them when they were at their best and inflicted one of the heaviest senior championship defeats ever suffered by Brownstown.
It was a crushing blow to all involved, but the reality was the work had not been done beforehand and that was not down to the management team of Eugene Dolan and Tommy Smith, the blame laid firmly in the hands of the players.
To compete in the senior championship, the effort and determination has to be at least twice that of competing in the intermediate campaign.
Following the defeat to Plunketts, the losers' group comprised of Raharney, St Brigid's, Ringtown and Brownstown.
Raharney were obviously favourites to come out of the group but there was a real battle for second place as the three remaining teams all felt they could progress to the quarterfinal.
The Deelsiders were Browntown's first opponents in the group stages and this was a real David v. Goliath clash, but on this occasion 'David' hadn't a prayer as Raharney ran out comfortable victors.
The defeat was expected, but the manner of the defeat wasn't. Heads dropped early on and you just can't afford to do this against a quality side like Raharney, who went on to perform so admirably in the Leinster club championship.
Amazingly, the format of the championship meant that if Brownstown won their last two group games then a place in the quarterfinals would be secured.
St Brigid's were the next opponents and this was a do or die game for both teams. The sides last met in the 2008 IHC final and a late pointed free by Johnny McGuinness earned the blues their second intermediate title in three years and once again, the senior clash was a tight affair, and it was Brownstown who came out on top yet again by the narrowest of margins, 0-11 to 1-7.
This set up an intriguing clash against Ringtown and the situation was win and progress to the quarterfinals; lose and be relegated to the intermediate ranks for 2011.
Both sides have had similar luck in recent years and clashes between them have always been tight. Brownstown started the better on this occasion and they looked to have the upper hand for most of the first half, but when Ringtown scored their only goal midway through the second half, they took control of the game and there was no way back for their opponents.
Four points separated the sides at the final whistle and a return to the intermediate ranks after a two-year stay awaited Brownstown. It was a disappointing end to the year, but the fact of the matter is that you get what you put into it and the effort put in by the players wasn't near good enough.
Heading into this year's campaign, Brownstown will be favourites to lift the intermediate title and rightly so as they do have the most talented hurlers at that level. However, they have no given right to win the championship without the putting in the right effort and giving the required commitment and if that is not done, then a prolonged stay in the second tier is guaranteed.
Hopefully, the new generation coming through can breathe life into the side and if they do then this sleeping giant may just be slowly awakened once again! 
 
 
Tweet

Most Read Stories