After dicing with relegation in 2005, Milltownpass showed a big improvement last year to reach the knock-out stages of the intermediate football championship. But as team captain Emmet Brennan points out, no-one in the club will feel contented until senior status has been attained. Despite showing an improvement on their 2005 form when they only avoided relegation to the junior ranks by virtue of a play-off victory over Milltown, Milltownpass were disappointed not to have mounted a more serious challenge for intermediate football championship honours last year. A controversial quarter-final defeat to Moate All-Whites means more than a quarter of a century has now passed since Milltownpass last lifted the Peter Geraghty Cup. The club was a force to be reckoned with at senior level in the mid-1980s, memorably capturing both the Feis Cup and the senior league title in 1984, and reaching the senior championship semi-final the following year. But since rejoining the intermediate ranks, the club has been constantly frustrated in its efforts to regain its top flight status. Last year, Milltownpass could only look on as two of the teams they had beaten earlier in the year - Bunbrosna and Maryland - battled it out in the championship decider, with Bun eventually prevailing after a replay. "We were the only team to beat Bun last year (in the league) and we also beat Maryland in the championship, so we know we are good enough to win an intermediate championship," says Milltownpass attacker Emmet Brennan. "We improved last year but we were still disappointed at the end of it all. With the exception of 2005, we've been there or thereabouts in the intermediate championship. We're capable of beating any team on our day, but we're not consistent enough. We haven't been committed enough either and a bigger effort will need to be put in at training if we are to be successful." Managed once again last year by former county player Jim Whelehan, Milltownpass opened their championship campaign with a dramatic victory over Kilbeggan Shamrocks at Cusack Park. Deep into injury-time, the 'Pass made one final attack which culminated in Emmet Brennan slotting home the winning goal to break Kilbeggan's hearts. Despite enjoying the better of the first half exchanges, Milltownpass only led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the interval. Kilbeggan had centre forward Emmet Dalton red-carded early in the second half and the signs looked good for Milltown when they surged three points clear. But as so often proves to be the case, the 14 men rallied to lead by two points entering stoppage-time. However, Milltownpass wouldn't lie down and Brennan gave them a memorable 1-10 to 0-12 victory with virtually the last kick of the game. Jim Whelehan's charges maintained their unbeaten start to the championship when drawing 0-11 apiece with Tang at Castletown-Geoghegan. The game was effectively a shoot-out between respective free-takers Emmet Brennan and Robert English who scored 0-12 between them. David Wright looked to have given Milltownpass the win when he put them in front with time almost up, but Tang salvaged a draw thanks to a last-gasp free from county senior football selector Paul Conway. Milltownpass' third round clash with Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall also had a dramatic finale, but this time the black and whites finished on the wrong end of a 0-8 to 0-11 defeat. Just when it seemed they were destined for another draw, the 'Pass conceded three late points to suffer their first defeat of the championship. The teams were level at half-time and the tit-for-tat nature continued for the third quarter. But after Andy Devine gave them a 0-8 to 0-7 lead, Milltownpass seemed to lose their way. Ryan Plunkett levelled before the same player, Alan Brady and Eric Sullivan added further scores to give Finea the win. Milltownpass put that disappointment behind them when they produced a great performance to beat high-flying Maryland by 1-8 to 0-6 at Cusack Park. Maryland, who were bidding for their fourth win on the trot, were completely outplayed by a determined Milltownpass side for whom Emmet Brennan stole the show with 1-2 in the last 12 minutes. Milltown led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break, but had fallen behind by the end of the third quarter. Brennan then took centre stage by fisting the only goal and adding two points to put his side four clear. Wing back Joey Loran sealed the victory with a cracking point three minutes from time. The black and whites were brought back down to earth when losing 0-4 to 0-9 to Ballymore in their next outing at Moate's Hogan Park. Despite trailing by three points at the break, Milltownpass looked to be in a strong position as they had played against a strong breeze. But they conspired to trouble the scoreboard operator just once in the second half as they rolled over to a much hungrier Ballymore in what was a dour and sometimes ill-tempered affair. With two wins, two defeats and one draw to their credit, Milltownpass needed to beat Rosemount in their final group match to reach the knock-out stages. And they didn't disappoint, emerging as 1-12 to 0-12 winners and sending their illustrious opponents down to the junior ranks for the first time since 1928. Milltown laid the foundations for their victory in the opening quarter when they stormed into a 1-4 to 0-0 lead. Early points from Emmet Brennan, Dermot Faulker (two) and Andy Devine were followed by a 13th minute goal from the in-form Faulkner. Cathal Keane eventually opened Rosemount's account in the 15th minute and they had reduced Milltown's lead to three points, 0-5 to 1-5, at half-time. A brace of pointed frees from Brennan saw Milltownpass lead 1-8 to 0-6 within six minutes of the restart. But Rosemount then registered four unanswered points to leave just the minimum in it. Crucially, Milltownpass went two points clear through substitute Kevin Kelly and after Cathal Keane had replied for Rosemount, Joey Loran and Brennan landed late scores to send Milltownpass through. Jim Whelehan's men returned to Cusack Park on September 16 for what proved to be a controversial quarter-final joust with Moate All-Whites. Moate ran out 0-15 to 1-4 winners, but the result would surely have been different if Milltownpass hadn't been reduced to 13 men early in the second half. Midfielder Shane Donoghue was sent off on two yellow cards after just 17 minutes, and he was followed to the sideline by centre forward and 1999 All-Ireland under 21 winner Kevin Burke within minutes of the restart. Moate were sitting pretty on a 0-8 to 0-3 interval lead and they had extended their advantage to 0-10 to 0-4 before Milltownpass were thrown a lifeline when Brennan blasted a close-in free to the roof of the net in the 43rd minute. However, it proved to be his side's final score on a day they will want to forget. "I thought the two sendings off were harsh decisions, especially the first one," the talented full forward recalls. "It was an awful way to end the year because I think we could have won if we hadn't had the two boys sent off. Hopefully, we'll be able to put things right this year." After three years at the helm, Jim Whelehan recently stepped down as manager and has since been replaced by Tyrrellspass man Vinny Hoey. During his tenure, Whelehan blooded a host of up-and-coming players, and Brennan expects them to come more to the fore this year. "You'd have to be pleased with the progress of the young lads. Andy Devine, who is on this year's county under 21 panel, has become a key player for us over the past couple of years and you also have the likes of Fintan Reilly, Noel Reilly and Kevin Reid coming through. "All of those lads were on the starting team last year and the experience they gained should stand them in good stead for this year." Championship silverware also eluded Milltownpass at underage level in 2006, but the year wasn't without its highlights. The under 8 and under 10 teams, which were both managed by Ger Whelehan, Michael Riggs and Maurice Duncan, won blitz competitions in Milltownpass and Rochfortbridge, and their achievements must augur well for the future of the club. Tweet

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