Since returning to the junior ranks in 2001 after one year in the intermediate grade, St Pauls could be described as the
nearly men of the championship, given their record over the last 10 years.

Three final appearances, five semi final spots and twice failing to emerge from the group stages paints a picture that is all too familiar to those involved in the club.
Last year was no different as St Paul's reached the penultimate stages of the junior championship but once again their efforts fell short as eventual champions Milltownpass took the honours.
The 2010 captain was Paul Gilsenan and the experienced midfielder reflects on the last decade and gives an insight into the mindset of the club.
Paul's performances in 2009 earned him a call up to the extended Westmeath panel last year along with his cousin Philip, which was a massive honour for the Meath-border club.
Hopes were high that the disappointment of the 2009 county final defeat could be put behind them, but Paul admits it was a tall order to fulfill.
"For the 2009 campaign we were under the guidance of Cormac Davey and Gavin Dooley. At the outset of the year it was clear a fresh approach was needed and it was agreed amongst the panel that an improved effort was required. The training attendance vastly improved, as did the fitness and then the results, cumulating in the county final against the old nemesis Caulry. It has to be said the combined effort of the panel during 2009, with regards to commitment, drive and motivation outweighed that of previous few years," said Paul.
"However, to lose another county final was bad for the club but the manner of the defeat after putting in the work we did for the year definitely took its toll mentally which overflowed into the 2010 campaign. Having not won a final since 1999 we wondered would it ever happen and this definitely was a contributing factor in the efforts during last year.
"It was clear at the outset of 2010 that the same hunger and appetite was not as prevalent when compared to the previous year and it showed immediately with the poor showing in the league, while stuttering through the group stage of the championship. One wonders if the same effort and commitment that brought us to the 2009 final was put in every year where would we stand."
As one of the senior members of the squad, Paul has been part of the set up since 1999 (apart from missing 12 months through emigration in 2008) and he confessed to never imagining how their campaigns would turn out ever since.
"The reality of the last ten or so years is quite the contrary to what was expected after winning the 1999 championship. That winning team in '99 had approximately eight or nine starting players under the age of 20, which is the best any team could hope for when building for the future, especially with the potential of that panel.
"After that championship win we all honestly thought that we could initially gain a foothold in the intermediate ranks and then begin competing for intermediate championships on a regular basis and even beyond. However we were relegated back to the junior ranks following the win in 99 and eleven years have passed. After five junior championship semi finals and three county final defeats, we are still without a championship medal since then, the reality is without doubt in stark contrast to what was envisaged."
The disappointment of the championship was aligned to that of the league performances as one win in nine games meant that St Pauls were relegated to division 4 for this year's campaign and this is a situation that doesn't sit well with Paul.
"This is without doubt a setback to the club. As mentioned already, with the new found work ethic, attitude and motivation in 2009, we began a winning run of games culminating in being in the shake up for promotion from division 3.
"With the higher standard of football we saw, namely by playing Moate, St Marys (defeating both), Ballinagore (losing narrowly) and Castletown Finea, we improved as a team ourselves. Winning definitely breathes confidence but by beating the likes of those who were competing for intermediate titles it brings added confidence and belief to the team which helps the club as a whole, especially in preparation for the championship.
"By going down to division 4 we won't be coming up against strong teams like those at the top of division 3, and as a result we won't get the same benefit from the games. However it is up to us to ensure we set the standard in division 4; get promotion this year and get back to playing that level again in division 3."
Despite the negativity within the club at present, Paul is confident that with the right attitude, there is no reason why they can't go one step further than in previous years.
"As each year passes the belief is always there that this year is the one for the breakthrough but it will all come down to how the panel applies itself from the start of the campaign. A renewed effort is underway to lay down the necessary foundations for the year ahead.
"However any new training programme or new manager needs to be combined with the correct application of the players as one does not work without the other. This year sees Kilbeggan drop down to the junior grade. Also standing in the way is Milltown but the belief is that every team are beatable on a given day."
As a rural club, numbers are always are problem, but Paul revealed that the emigration factor that has hit so many other clubs has not been too harsh to St Paul's yet.
"The club is somewhat fortunate with regards emigration. This year sees the loss of Ollie Mulvaney and Gareth Nolan, after losing Gary Gilsenan in 2009, all having to emigrate for employment. This compares favorably to some other clubs in Westmeath who have lost a lot more players and some junior clubs are wondering if they can even field teams going forward.
"However, as the current set up for the year is being put in place, it is vital that the correct attitude and work rate is shown consistently from the start of the year. If this is the case, then hopefully a junior championship win beckons for the club."
Having spent so long in the junior grade, there is a fear that the step up to the intermediate championship could be too much for the Clonmellon outfit, but Paul disagrees and points to their division 3 league performances last year to back up his claim.
"Without doubt it would be tough at intermediate level but I think we are more than capable of holding our own, only if our attitude and commitment were in the right place and the willingness to put in the work was there.
"After having so many years of failing to progress out of the junior ranks the hunger to stay up at intermediate level would definitely be there, and no more so than from the senior members of the panel. As seen in the 2009 division 3 league campaign we always seem to raise our game and be extra motivated for the so called stronger teams, finishing right in the shake up for promotion amongst a number of intermediate teams. This shows when the heads were in the right place that we actually can compete and I think the same would be true of going up intermediate."
The players' attitude has been questioned by many within the club especially in recent years and judging by results rightly so, but all issues are set to be addressed this year.
"It is widely accepted that more of an effort and commitment is required by all members of the panel. Complacency definitely tends to set in at the junior grade after reaching at least the semi-final grade or beyond eight times in 10 years.
"When appearing in the knock out stages in Cusack Park year in year out is commonplace, teams can get into somewhat of a comfort zone with regards the preparation and work ethic during the year.
"Granted we have been unlucky on one or two occasions but it is vital that we get out of that comfort zone, put in that extra effort and bring the club forward once and for all."
Paul acknowledges the fact that with each year passing, another chance of glory has slipped and even though at 29, he has still a good few years ahead of him in the blue jersey, success is not guaranteed in the foreseeable future.
"As outlined above, first and foremost the club needs to win the junior championship and this is the main aim. When a club is in the doldrums with regards silverware as much as ourselves and with each year passing still without a championship, it tends to stifle the belief amongst the panel that we can actually finish the year on that winning note.
"I think if we won a championship within the next couple of years it would definitely kick-start the club. Without doubt it would create the motivation and interest levels needed to bring the club forward not only for the current panel but for the underage players coming through to aim to be a part of."
The club has a relatively strong underage structure in place and the hope is that a number of these can be brought through to adult level in the next few years. The work is certainly being done with the kids, but like all rural clubs, numbers at some grades are tight, but the main aim is to keep the structure in place. Tweet

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