An extended run in the intermediate football championship is what Milltownpass desired, but 2005 provided another sharp contrast between their league and championship form. An inspired performance from dashing corner forward, Andy Devine helped them survive a relegation joust with Milltown, but it will rank as another frustrating year for the Division 1 outfit. By Damian Maher Manager Jim Whelehan was part of the last Milltownpass side to win the intermediate title in 1981 and is yearning to take his beloved club back to the senior grade. Some fine displays in the league helped Milltownpass preserve their Division 1 status, and Whelehan is hopeful that playing top-flight football can inspire a better run in the championship this year. It won't be easy, though, because the race for the Peter Geraghty Cup is really hotting up with 12 very evenly matched teams set to do battle, but the emergence of some quality players from the minor grade is another boost for Milltownpass. Amalgamated with neighbours St. Mary's Rochfortbridge, they reached the U16 (Division 3) final, but lost to Millmore Gaels in a controversial match. Meanwhile, at the time of writing, their minors have qualified for the League Division 2 final against Bunbrosna. "Without question the big disappointment was our championship form," admits Jim Whelehan. "We played well to beat Bunbrosna, but three losses on the trot against Kilbeggan Shamrocks, Milltown and Tang left us fighting for survival. "It was a tough Division and we had three very difficult games to start with. Maryland played us when they had a full strength team and if they hadn't lost players to America, could have been a real force in the championship, while Rosemount and Bunbrosna are two of the leading teams in intermediate football. "Thankfully we produced one of our better displays to beat Milltown in that relegation play-off and this year we are keen to get to the knock-out stages of the championship. It will be tough, but we simply have to have an extended run." Milltownpass' championship campaign began with a difficult assignment against a Maryland team making steady progress. They never really hit top form and suffered a 10 points reversal, 0-6 to 3-7, leaving them under early pressure. Things didn't get any easier as the previous year's semi-finalists Rosemount awaited in round two. Milltownpass again looked shaky and, at the final whistle, were seven points adrift of the southerners (1-13 to 0-9). Things were getting serious. The third round took Milltownpass to Cusack Park for a tilt with the 2004 intermediate finalists Bunbrosna. Now short regular centre back Kevin Burke through suspension, Whelehan's men were facing a crisis. However, they met the challenge head on and produced an eye-catching display to record a deserved two-point win, 1-9 to 1-7. The performance of the Milltownpass half back line was particularly impressive and, suddenly, they were back in the race for qualification. Things were really going according to plan against Kilbeggan Shamrocks in round four, as Milltownpass held a four points lead heading into the final seven minutes. However, Kilbeggan scored a breakaway goal and emerged with a crucial five points win, 2-12 to 2-7, putting 'Pass under pressure again. In round five they faced Milltown Rathconrath. It was a game Milltownpass really expected to win, but they were scrappy and conceded a crucial goal in a two-point defeat (1-7 to 0-8). A win in their final group game was imperative in order to avoid the dreaded scenario of a fight for survival. Whelehan's charges travelled to Moate to face Tang and their poor form continued. Tang looked the hungrier side in a dour game and emerged with a two-point victory (1-7 to 1-5), leaving Milltownpass facing a relegation battle. They travelled to Ballinagore for a second clash with Milltown and, with Andy Devine wreaking havoc in the opposing defence, emerged with an emphatic victory. Elusive corner forward Devine scored 1-5 in a man of the match display and Whelehan's men breathed a huge sigh of relief as they won by 11 points (1-14 to 0-6). But it was a position Milltownpass never imagined they'd find themselves in. "It all went wrong for us the first time we played Milltown," reflects Whelehan. "I'm not making excuses, but there were seven lads, who all work in Leo Wrights, heading off on holidays that weekend and their minds weren't on football. "I felt if we'd beaten Milltown the first day we could have qualified. That's how tight the group was. Having said that, while we felt ours was the toughest side of the draw, the two eventual finalists came from the other division, so it shows how competitive the championship is. "We had played very well against Bunbrosna in an earlier round and then looked in a strong position against Kilbeggan, when we led by four points with about seven minutes left. However, we conceded the ball while on the attack and Kilbeggan broke to score a crucial goal, and we never recovered." Whelehan remains at the helm for a third year in 2006. He's confident of a better run and feels that the appointment of former footballer, Joe Grennan as a selector is a positive step. Grennan was part of the double winning junior and intermediate championship side in 1981 and '82. "I'm really looking forward to working with him," said Whelehan. "He has a vast knowledge of the game, having won a Leinster colleges title with Carmelite back in the early 1980's, and has great ideas. He has a great relationship with the players too." Eamon Gorman will join Whelehan and Grennan on the management team. The general consensus was that playing in Divison 1 of the league would really benefit Milltownpass and they had some very encouraging displays. They defeated neighbours St. Mary's Rochfortbridge and Castledaly and produced an excellent display to draw with Garrycastle, at a time when the southerners had qualified for the senior championship final. They also qualified for the semi-final of the intermediate cup, where they succumbed to Kilbeggan Shamrocks. That form failed to carry through to the championship, but they remain upbeat in Milltownpass. Henry Norton is returning to the club as P.R.O. this year, while Joe Gorman is Chairman and Dermot Gorman is staying on as Secretary. And Whelehan is confident that the younger players filtering through from minor can help make a difference. "Players like Noel O'Reilly, Gavin Carey, Stephen Treacy, Fintan O'Reilly and Gary Brady are ready to join the panel and they have great potential," he enthused. "It's 1981 since our last intermediate success, so our main aim will be to put that right this year." The Milltownpass team which defeated Milltown in the intermediate championship relegation play-off was: Paul Brady; Fintan Reilly, Stephen Burke, Joey Gorman; Joey Loran, Kevin Burke, Seamus Faulkner; Adriel Farrell (0-1), Shane Donoghue (0-1); Kevin Kelly, Emmet Brennan (0-1), Darragh O'Connor (0-1); Andy Devine (1-5), Dermot Faulkner, David Wright (0-5, 3f). Subs: Ciaran Wright for K Kelly (51 mins), Dessie Gorman for D Faulkner (inj. 60 mins), Gary Brady for P Brady (60 mins), David Maguire for D O'Connor (61 mins), Gavin Carey for D Faulkner (61 mins). The Milltownpass/St. Mary's U16 side which lost by a point (0-8 to 0-7) to Millmore Gaels in the U16 (Division 3) championship final was: James Leogue; Gary Nolan, Seamus Kinsella, Mark Kelly; Liam Hogan Darren Ryan, Andy Cunningham; Noel O'Reilly, Ger Keegan; David Devine, Stephen Treacy, Gavin Carey; Ian Kenny, Kevin Morgan, Aidan Fallon. Subs: Jonathan Mahoney, Eoin Gorman. Tweet

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