St. Mary's, Rochfortbridge achieved what so many teams have failed to do by winning the intermediate football championship a year after they were relegated from the senior ranks. Here, we look back on a successful season for Colm Gavin's charges. Just a year after they endured the heartbreak of relegation, St. Mary's, Rochfortbridge made an instant return to the senior ranks last November when they defeated surprise-packets Bunbrosna to capture the intermediate football championship crown. Following their relegation at the hands of neighbours Tyrrellspass in 2003, many doubted St. Mary's ability and desire to bounce back. But under the guidance of Colm Gavin, they emerged a new force last season with an unbeaten championship campaign culminating in a 3-5 to 1-8 victory over Bunbrosna in the final. "Last year we let down a lot of people because we are a big club and want to stay senior," said St. Mary's captain Ian Cunningham in his victory speech. "Today is a dream come true for me personally, but it's vital that we consolidate senior status and give the younger lads coming through a chance to play senior football." A key factor in St. Mary's success was the availability of their three county stars Damien Healy, David Mitchell and Damien Gavin for the majority of the season. In previous years, county team commitments meant that the trio weren't always able to give the full commitment to the club. Indeed, serious injuries to Mitchell (broken leg) and Healy (dislocated knee) undoubtedly contributed to their relegation in 2003. St. Mary's made a sluggish start to last year's championship campaign and were made to fight all the way by newly-promoted Milltown in their opening group game before eventually securing a 2-9 to 1-10 victory. That was in early May and like every other club in the county, St. Mary's didn't see action again until the end of August owing to Westmeath's extended championship run. They made it two wins from two when overcoming neighbours Milltownpass by 0-10 to 1-5 in a hard-fought encounter at Tyrrellspass. Milltownpass led by 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval but with Mitchell and Gavin in top form at midfield, the Rochfortbridge men went on to dominate the second half and made sure of victory with late points from Alvin Mitchell, David Cleary and Michael Geraghty. St. Mary's also trailed by the minimum margin at half-time in their third round clash with Ballinagore, but again showed a big improvement after the changeover to run out 1-12 to 1-7 winners. The green and whites' only blip came in their fourth group match when they were held to a 0-9 each draw by Bunbrosna in what was a dress rehearsal for the final. Bun' led by 0-4 to 0-2 after 23 minutes but unanswered points from Ian Cunningham, Damien Gavin and Michael Geraghty saw St. Mary's in front at the break. On the restart, St. Mary's opened up a 0-7 to 0-5 lead but Bun' had restored parity before substitute David O'Mahony looked to have won it for the 'Bridge when he pointed in injury-time. However, there was still time for Peter Tormey to salvage an equalizer for Bunbrosna. Rosemount, who were many people's favourites for outright success, were St. Mary's next opponents. Colm Gavin's charges led by 0-6 to 0-5 at the half-way stage, but it wasn't until after the restart that they took the game by the scruff of the neck when quick points from Cunningham and Kenneth Berry were followed by an Alan Gavin goal in the 42nd minute. Then, after a lengthy stoppage caused by an injury to full forward David Cleary, St. Mary's wrapped up an impressive 2-9 to 0-8 victory with a late goal from Cunningham. St. Mary's assured themselves of top place in the group and qualification for the semi-finals when they accounted for Mullingar Shamrocks' second string by 0-10 to 0-5 at Tyrrellspass. As in most of their previous matches, the 'Bridge didn't show their teeth until the second half after labouring somewhat in the opening period. St. Mary's renewed acquaintances with Rosemount in the semi-final at Cusack Park and after a tremendous battle, Colm Gavin's side prevailed on a 0-9 to 0-8 scoreline. Rosemount held an early 0-2 to 0-1 lead before St. Mary's cut loose with a flurry of points from O'Mahony, Berry, Cunningham, Eamonn Gallagher and Alan Gavin helping them to a commanding 0-8 to 0-3 advantage at the break. The 'Bridge could have put the result beyond doubt early in the second half but they were unnerved by four bad wides. Sensing this, Rosemount staged a determined fightback which saw them score five points without reply to level proceedings. But just when it seemed that the game was heading for a replay, Ian Cunningham registered St. Mary's only point of the half to give them a dramatic victory. Against a youthful Bunbrosna in the final at Cusack Park on November 13, three first half goals ultimately decided the issue as St. Mary's raised the Peter Geraghty Cup for the first time since 1995. Two of them were scored by wing forward Dave O'Mahony, while team captain Cunnigham accounted for the other. O'Mahony gave the 'Bridge a dream start when he punched home at the near post. The sides swapped a brace of points each - Aidan Finnan and Peter Tormey for Bunbrosna, Cunningham and Damien Gavin for Mary's - before O'Mahony punched his second goal on 22 minutes after connecting with Kenneth Berry's line ball. At 2-2 to 0-2, Colm Gavin's charges were well in control and they set about extending their advantage in first half injury-time. First Damien Gavin pointed and then Cunningham benefited from David Mitchell's good work to finish past goalkeeper Damien McCormack for a third St. Mary's goal and deliver a hammerblow to Bunbrosna's hopes. Ten points, 3-3 to 0-2, to the good at the break, the green and whites looked home and hosed. But Bunbrosna refused to throw in the towel and just as Rosemount had done in the semi-final, they staged a spirited comeback. A 40th minute goal from Padraig Tighe brought them to within four points of St. Mary's but, crucially, they failed to scored again until the final minute of normal time, by which stage Rochfortbridge had restored a five-point cushion thanks to a third point from play by Damien Gavin. Late points from Tormey and Finnan reduced the gap to three, but that was as close as they came to foiling the 'Bridge men. The challenge now for St. Mary's is to survive their first season back in the senior ranks and build from there. A number of their key players are pushing on in years, but with Rochfortbridge having recently experienced a major population boom, there is no reason why they can't make their presence felt in the top flight in the years ahead. The St. Mary's team which claimed intermediate championship honours was: Declan Hogan; Alvin Mitchell, Ken Delaney, Adam Nolan; Damien Healy, Eamonn Gallagher, Larry Poynton; Damien Gavin, David Mitchell; Kenneth Berry, Ian Bradley, Dave O'Mahony; Barry Pierce, Ian Cunningham, Derek Mulligan. Subs used: John McNamara, David Cleary and Kenneth Gunning. Tweet

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