The 2006 campaign will be one that the Cullion club and in particular their intermediate hurlers will want to put behind them, while the focus this year will be to make a serious challenge for championship honours and make a return to the senior ranks. At the start of last year's campaign, Cullion would have been seen as one of the favourites for the intermediate title, especially as they had reached the final the previous year, only to be defeated by neighbours Crookedwood. Cullion have some of the most talented hurlers in the county at their disposal and the likes of the Galvin brothers Robbie and Philip, Frank Shaw and Mark Keane to name just a few would easily get their place on any club team in Westmeath. However, time has played its part as the major part of the squad head into the twilight of their careers and club secretary Philip Galvin revealed that there has been a big push at underage level in order to safeguard the future of the club. The club's location means that they have always been battling with the likes of St Oliver Plunkett's, Crookedwood and Clonkill for the services of underage talent. But Philip revealed that the opening of a new national school adjacent to the club grounds should see Cullion benefit at underage level and ultimately at senior also. "The Gael Scoil was opened last September and there are two classes in it so far, but it is hoped that a third will be opened next year and that should bring more children into the area. "There has been a big drive at underage level in the last few years and the most of that is down to Gerry Gillen, who has done great work with the youngsters," said Philip. "We need more people like him, who are willing to give a fair bit of dedication to looking after the underage teams. The current intermediate side is not getting any younger and we need to be bringing lads through on a more regular basis, because that is something that we haven't been doing for a while now," he added. "The underage structure is the most important part of the club at present and it is something that has to be catered for. Hopefully, it will really take off over the next few years." It is fair to say that due to their small catchment area, the Cullion club will always have a problem with numbers, but the introduction of the new national school and more houses being built in the area gives the club great hope for the future. The maroons have been a successful club picking up silverware on a regular basis particularly at intermediate level, while their crowning glory came when they reached the senior hurling final in 2001 and although the game ended in defeat to Clonkill and their was no fairytale ending for the championship minnows, it was certainly a proud moment for this small club. Amazingly, the Mullingar-border club only managed one win in the entire championship campaign, albeit against favourites Delvin and a resounding victory it was for the Cullion men. They opened their campaign with a tough tie against Brownstown, but having beaten the blues in the previous year's semi final, hopes were high that there could be a repeat performance on the cards. "We had started the year fairly well and had won a few league games. It was a very disappointing performance against Brownstown and we never really got going at all," he revealed. Cullion soon got their championship campaign back on track when in their next outing they faced another contender for the title in the form of Delvin. "The lads played really well against Delvin and we certainly deserved to win that match. It was without doubt our best performance of the year and it was thought that we could go on from there, but that was not to be the case. "Cullion played St Brigid's in the next match and everything was going ok in the first half and we were level at half time. However, they have a younger side than us and it showed in the second half when they pulled away from us, while we seemed to tire near the end." A further defeat to Turin meant that Cullion had to win their last match against Southern Gaels to qualify for the semi finals of the championship. The South Westmeath side were underdogs going into the match and Cullion were fancied to advance to the knockout stages, but it was not to be as the Athlone based side came out on top. "I think we started the year too early. We were playing really well early on, but as the year went on, we got worse and worse. That is why we are not starting this campaign too early." Philip is confident that with the right determination and focus, Cullion can once again reach the senior ranks, even though the intermediate campaign will be one of the toughest ever. County champions of two years ago, Castlepollard will be aiming to make a quick return to the top flight, while Clonkill's second string will also pose a threat to any team in the grade. The likes of Delvin, Turin and St Brigid's have all came close in recent years and will be eager to go that step further in 2007. Nonetheless Philip is confident that Cullion still possess the ability to regain the intermediate title, especially as the side has seen a number of younger players come through. "I'm convinced that if we put in the effort, than we have a great chance of winning the championship, no matter who is in the grade. There are a number of sides who can win it, but there is no reason why it shouldn't be us," he stressed. "There are a few young lads coming through this year and the likes of Tomas Gillen and Damien Golden have impressed. That is what we need and hopefully a few more can come through during the year." There is no doubting that if Cullion do put in the proper focus than they can win the intermediate championship and regain their senior status. The club continue to defy the odds and keep battling away on an annual basis. Who knows 2007 could well be their year. Tweet

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