Shandonagh made history last year when they reached the intermediate football final for the first time, but there was deep disappointment at the Kilpatrick-based club's failure to perform on the big day. However, new secretary Mark Gordon is confident that they will make amends in the coming year. The mantle of favourites seemed to rest heavily on the shoulders of the Shandonagh players in their intermediate football championship final defeat to Ballinagore at Cusack Park on October 28 last. Appearing in their first final, Shandonagh were strongly fancied to secure a place in the senior ranks for the first time following their hugely impressive defeat of Maryland in the semi-final, but the occasion seemed to unnerve them and their shocking total of 23 wides ultimately proved their undoing. "It was frustrating to lose in the manner that we did; if we had taken even half of our chances we would have won," Shandonagh's new secretary Mark Gordon ruefully reflects. "Some supporters might have got a bit carried away after the big win we had over Maryland in the semi-final, and maybe this got through to some of the players. But it's all part of the learning curve and we have to move on. They say you have to lose one before you can win one and hopefully that will ring true for us in the coming year." Mark, whose father Mick has been involved with Shandonagh for many years and is a well-known referee, prefers to concentrate on the positives of 2007. These include the team's excellent recovery from a first round defeat to Tang to qualify for the semi-finals as group winners, and their feat in reaching the final after many years of trying. "Our biggest achievement was reaching the intermediate final for the first time in our history," he says. "We lost semi-finals in 2003, 2004 and 2005, so it was a big step for us last year to finally get over that hurdle. Before that, we responded to a first round defeat to Tang by winning four games on the trot and going through to the semi-final as group winners. You'd have to be encouraged by these things going into a new campaign." Shandonagh have been among the favourites to lift the Peter Geraghty Memorial Cup in recent years, but you would never have believed this was so judging by their 1-8 to 2-11 opening round defeat to Tang at Moate's Hogan Park last May. Tang led by 2-5 to 0-3 at half-time, but the fact that they had played with the aid of a strong wind led many to believe it would be a lot closer in the second half. But despite the tonic of a Mickey Boyle goal at the start of the half, Shandonagh's performance never rose above the mediocre and they could have few complaints about the outcome. Shandonagh's new manager Billy Flanagan, who took over the reins from Dublin legend Tommy Carr, knew his side would have to recover quickly if they were to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages. And whatever was said by the Milltownpass man after the first round defeat obviously had a major affect on the players who responded in the best possible fashion with an emphatic 2-22 to 0-4 victory over St. Mary's. The navy and sky blues showed a ruthless streak that had rarely been seen from them before as they tore their lacklustre opponents to pieces. The writing was on the wall for St. Mary's from as early as the 17th minute when Andy Fox sent an unstoppable shot to the net to ease Shandonagh into a 1-5 to 0-2 lead. With Alan Hickey in fine from both frees and open play and Philip Smyth adding a second goal, Shandonagh went on to lead by 2-14 to 0-3 at half-time, and there was no way back for a demoralised Rochfortbridge team after that. Shandonagh chalked up their second win when they accounted for Moate All-Whites by 3-6 to 2-5 in a hard-fought encounter at Ballymore. The winners led by 1-3 to 0-2 at the end of a dour first half after goalkeeper Damien Fox saved a Ger Heavin penalty, and full forward Enda Kincaid bundled home the opening goal. Following the resumption, Moate won a second penalty and this time Heavin made no mistake. And when substitute Peter Tuohy pounced for the All-Whites' second goal with 18 minutes remaining, Shandonagh suddenly found themselves 1-4 to 2-4 in arrears. But showing real character, they hit back with a brace of goals from half forward Roy Smyth to take a 3-4 to 2-4 lead with 10 minutes remaining, and two further points from Smyth made certain of the win. Shandonagh continued their winning ways with a 0-15 to 0-12 victory over Caulry in their first visit of the year to Cusack Park. With Hickey and Smyth in impressive form up front, Billy Flanagan's charges held a slender 0-8 to 0-7 lead at the interval and they increased their advantage in the second half, thanks largely to the brilliance of corner forward Hickey. Shandonagh secured a safe passage through to the semi-finals when they overcame Kilbeggan Shamrocks by 1-12 to 1-4 in their final group match at Ballinagore. The sides were level on 0-5 to 1-2 at half-time, but the switch of Colin Galligan from corner forward to midfield for the second half paid rich dividends for the Kilpatrick side who pulled away for a comfortable win, with Mickey Boyle getting the goal. Billy Flanagan's men had a five-week lay-off before they squared up to Maryland in the semi-final at Cusack Park. After losing the 2006 decider to Bunbronsa after a replay in 2006, Maryland were anxious to go one better, but they proved no match for an inspired Shandonagh team. After a keenly contested opening quarter, Shandonagh made a decisive breakthrough when Andy Fox drilled home the opening goal in the 17th minute. With David Duffy on top at midfield, Shandonagh opened up a big lead before an Eoin Farrell goal left Maryland six points adrift, 1-4 to 1-10, at the interval. The game was ended as a contest 13 minutes into the second half when Enda Kincaid finished to the net after Andy Fox's initial effort had been blocked. Such was Shandonagh's dominance that Maryland were forced to replace star players Richie Browne and David Martin before the final quarter. By contrast, the final turned out to be a nightmare for Shandonagh who, despite dominating possession and creating the vast majority of scoring chances, crashed to a 0-6 to 0-9 defeat. In a game dictated by the wet and windy conditions, Ballinagore displayed a far greater level of economy and work-rate. They made the better start and enjoyed a 0-5 to 0-3 lead at the interval thanks to points from Thomas McDaniel, Eoin Miller and Michael Ennis. Points from Enda Kincaid and Alan Hickey tied up the scoring at 0-5 apiece within moments of the resumption, but crucially Ballinagore were never headed and they responded with a great point from centre forward and former Tyrrellspass player Dan Gavin. Danny Foster restored parity for Shandonagh but after Michael Boyle and Andy Fox had both missed chances to put them ahead, Michael Ennis made it 0-7 to 0-6 in favour of the Ballinagore men. As Shandonagh became increasingly frustrated at their poor finishing, Ballinagore sensed that it was going to be their day and two points from David Deegan in the final nine minutes ensured them of an historic success. There was some consolation for Shandonagh who had nine players involved with the St. Patrick's team that defeated Clann Braonain by 2-8 to 2-6 to retain their minor championship crown in the final which was played immediately after the intermediate decider. Paddy Keena, Stephen Ronan, Tommy Barry and Damien Moran started the final (the latter two also saw action in the intermediate final), while Kevin Boyle, John Hughes, Christy Coyne, Richie Kavanagh and Robbie Allen were among the substitutes. Meanwhile, Mark Gordon's older brother John trained the side along with the Millmore Gaels duo of John McNeill and Mick Eivers. St. Patrick's, who are a combination of Shandonagh, Millmore Gaels and Ballynacargy, had recorded earlier wins over Shannon Gaels, Caulry/Castledaly and Mullingar Shamrocks before shading a thrilling final. Clann Braonain were looking good for victory when they led by 2-4 to 1-3 at half-time, but the holders came storming back in the second half to clinch victory with John Gilligan's 40th minute goal proving to be the decisive score. "We have some very talented young players coming through and our minor board chairman Eddie Robinson and secretary John Menton deserve great credit for the work they're doing," Mark says. Billy Flanagan will once again don the bainestoir's bib in 2008, but there has been a change to his backroom team which will see Eddie Tynan replacing Gavin Dooley as selector. John Smyth continues as Flanagan's second selector, as does Padraig Lynn as physical trainer. "We know we have a team good enough to win the intermediate championship and hopefully we'll be able to prove that this year," Gordon concludes. Shandonagh lined out as follows in the IFC final: Damien Fox; John Rushe, John Maher, James Kiernan; Thomas Barry, Kevin Hickey (captain), Declan Barry; David Duffy, Seamus Killian; Andrew Fox, Michael Boyle, Enda Kincaid; Colin Galligan, Alan Hickey, Danny Foster. Subs used: Padraig Lynn, Philip Smyth and Damien Moran. Tweet

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