They fired blanks in the championship and never quite got going in the league, but St Patricks did capture one of the three County Board trophies available to senior clubs in 2002, making history with a superlative ACC Cup campaign. While St Patricks' performances in the Louth Senior Football Championship came as a huge disappointment to all concerned, it is worth remembering that 2002 was nonetheless a successful year for the Lordship men. By virtue of their dramatic defeat of Mattock Rangers on Sunday April 28th, the north county men captured their first ever ACC Cup - quite an achievement in itself. Though some would undoubtedly scoff at this feat, they might be better advised to take a look at the facts. Okay, the Lordship men have yet to take the Holy Grail - but let's remember it's still only a few years since they annexed the previously-elusive Cardinal O'Donnell Cup for the first time in the club's history. And now they've clinched the ACC Cup - another significant 'first'. Winning senior trophies is a new experience for the club - but it's something they're becoming quite adept at! Five years ago, the Pats had yet to win a senior County Board trophy, now they've won two of the three on offer. This represents progress in every sense of the word. The world and its uncle knows that Martin McQuillan's team didn't live up to expectations in the premier competition in the season just passed. But let us not forget that they still clinched one of the Wee County's major prizes and, in so doing, enjoyed more success than most Louth clubs in '02. Cardinal O'Donnell Cup, ACC Cup . . . two out of three ain't bad. And on the evidence of the impressive displays witnessed en route to the subsidiary league title in spring 2002, the Pats are not too far away from completing the full set. Perhaps not in the ideal order but, hey, good things are worth waiting for. Joe Ward, watch out... Path through Section B Very wet weather severely disrupted the opening day of the 2002 club season in Louth, which was originally scheduled for the final weekend of February. The ACC Cup was hit and St Patricks' proposed first-round clash with Naomh Mairtin was one of ten fixtures to fall prey to the inclement conditions that forgettable weekend. The match did finally go ahead in Lordship the following weekend and the home side - aided by a haul of six points from Padraig Devane - recovered from a slender half-time deficit to reign supreme on a scoreline of 0-14 to 1-5. Rather aptly, on St Patrick's Day weekend, the Pats travelled to Tallanstown to scalp Glyde Rangers. Again they trailed at the break; once more they prevailed, this time by 1-10 to 0-5. Darren Kirwan was the scorer-in-chief with five points and midfielder Eamon Carroll netted the goal. The Pats emerged from Section B with a 100% record when they defeated Stabannon Parnells in a Lordship thriller by 1-10 to 0-11 to book their spot in the Last Four. The Lordship side (who were 0-5 to 0-3 adrift at the break) won the match with an astonishing late surge. Trailing by five points with only ten minutes left, they were thrown a lifeline by Padraig Devane's goal. They then clawed back to parity before two late, late points from Devane assured them a famous victory and a place in the knock-out stages. Semi-final There was a short break in proceedings before the semi-final double-header was held at Dowdallshill on Sunday April 21st. St Patricks were first up, against Clan Na Gael, and they went about their business in a methodical, no-nonsense fashion, clinically booking a place in the decider. Indeed, the Pats were full value for their 1-15 to 2-8 success . . . a scoreline that in no way flattered them. Padraig Devane - who enjoyed an excellent campaign - set them on their way with an early goal and the Lordship men promptly amassed a sizeable lead. Despite a late flurry of scores from the Clans towards the short whistle, St Patricks still took a commanding 1-9 to 1-3 advantage into the break. Pats were always on top and it was no surprise when frustrated Clans were reduced to fourteen men at the three-quarters stage. If the match wasn't already over as a contest at that stage, it was then. Despite the concession of a second goal, the green and whites held out for a comprehensive win. Karl White contributed 0-5 of their tally while full forward Darren Kirwan chipped in with four points. Midfielders Adrian Donoghue and Eamon Carroll also impressed (each adding a point) while corner forward Damien Connor and corner backs Paudie Mallon and Seamus Savage also caught the eye. Meanwhile, in the other semi-final, Mattock Rangers proved too strong for Cooley Kickhams. Final: St Patricks 2-5, Mattock Rangers 1-6 The Pats had to overcome appalling conditions as well as a determined challenge from beaten 2001 SFC finalists Mattock in the ACC Cup final at The Grove, Castlebellingham on Sunday evening, April 28th. In the process, the Lordship men gained a measure of retribution upon the side that had eliminated them at the semi-final stage of the previous season's premier competition. The platform for victory was provided by early goals in each half, courtesy of Karl White and Darren Kirwan. But Mattock, who twice trailed by six points, made a gallant attempt to get back into the match and the Pats - none more so than goalkeeper Sean Connor - had to be at their vigilant best to keep them at bay. The winners displayed much greater economy in front of the posts, but still only led by 1-2 to 0-2 at the interval, after having played with a maelstrom at their backs. Eamon Carroll opened the scoring with a third-minute point before - in the tenth minute - Karl White bulged the net for his side's first goal. The half forward gathered possession from Ray Murphy before placing a precise shot to the corner of the net with his instep. It was a crucial score, its consequence magnified by the fact that a similar effort from Mattock's Robbie Brennan had rebounded off the post at the opposite end moments earlier. Mattock could only manage a brace of points in the first half, both arriving in a three-minute spell at the midway point. As the conditions began to take hold, scores were at a premium and the only flag raised in the second quarter was to mark a 25th-minute point from White. Pats introduced Sean White during the interval and it was to prove an inspired switch. Six minutes into the second half, White was a central player in the intricate move that culminated in Kirwan sending a rasper to the roof of the net to give his team a clear two-goal advantage. The green and whites looked tidier playing against the wind and White came agonisingly close to registering their third goal of the afternoon only to see his delicate lob come back off the crossbar. A 40th minute goal from Gerry Hanratty brought Mattock right back into it but St Patricks responded like true champions with three unanswered points from substitute Johnny Keenan, James Hynes and Padraig Devane, the latter pair both intelligently opting to punch over from close range. This gave Pats a six-point cushion once more and, while Mattock got the final four scores of the match, it was a lead they never looked likely to surrender. After the final whistle, there were scenes of jubilation amongst the St Patricks ranks as winning captain Seamus Savage accepted the ACC Cup from County Board Chairman Paddy McMahon. History had been made. Unfortunately, the Pats never reached those same heights again in '02. While that may have disappointed some, winning their first ever ACC Cup was just a little bit special. St Patricks, 2002 ACC Cup winners: Sean Connor; Damien White, David Loughran, Seamus Savage; Johnny Holland, Paudie Mallon, Raymond Finnegan; Adrian Donoghue, Eamon Carroll (0-1); Padraig Devane (0-1), James Hynes (0-1), Karl White (1-1); Damien Connor, Darren Kirwan (1-0), Ray Murphy. Subs: Sean White, Johnny Keenan (0-1), Shane Hynes, Eamon Breen. Valley Rangers are minor champions for second time Valley Rangers won their second Louth minor football championship when they defeated Na Piarsaigh in a closely contested final in Ardee on Sunday September 15th 2002. By virtue of a 0-8 to 0-7 defeat of their old rivals (the sides also met in U14 and U16 finals) at Pairc Mhuire, the Lordship youngsters claimed the Fr Larry Murphy Cup for the first time since 1990. In a low-scoring 2002 Louth MFC final, there was never much between the sides. Indeed, Na Piarsaigh and Valley Rangers were level on three occasions. At no stage in proceedings did Valley Rangers trail. A replay looked to be on the cards when the Dundalk club equalised six minutes from time, but Rangers corner forward Brian Murnaghan became the hero of the day when he tapped over the winning point shortly afterwards. They were forced to live off their nerves in injury time as Na Piarsaigh recorded three wides but held out for a deserved victory in the end. Scores proved hard to come by from the off and it was Valley corner back Rory O'Hagan who set the tone when soloing forward brilliantly before hitting wide. The Lordship lads took the lead in the 4th minute through Brian Fealy's free before captain Paddy Keenan landed a massive free from his hands - from the middle of the field - to make it 0-2 to 0-0. Na Piarsaigh had already missed the target five times before finally opening their account courtesy of Michael O'Kane in the 21st minute. Four minutes later, Na Piarsaigh drew level through a Simon Kelly free. There was time for one more score before the short whistle, Valley Rangers' inspirational midfielder Kevin Breen firing over the score that gave the winners a 0-3 to 0-2 interval advantage. Another Kelly free drew Na Piarsaigh level again on the restart but back-to-back points from Murnaghan and Man of the Match Breen saw Valley Rangers once more open up a two-point lead with 36 minutes played. Vincent Loughran then came within inches of scoring the game's only goal after being set up by Fealy and Na Piarsaigh's Eamonn Mulvenna swapped points with Keenan. Simon O'Shaughnessy was unfortunate when his 40th-minute chip dropped just wide of the losers' goal. Two more points were scored before the game crawled into its final ten minutes, Kelly and Fealy doing the honours. At this stage, it was anybody's game. Valley Rangers led by 0-7 to 0-5. Kelly landed two frees for Na Piarsaigh to put the cat well and truly amongst the pigeons but Murnaghan stepped up with the winning score on the 56th minute . . . less than 60 seconds after the Piarsaighs had gained parity. Murnaghan gathered possession straight in front of the posts and went for goal only to see his fierce shot fly marginally over the bar. No matter, it was the final score of the game and guaranteed Valley Rangers a famous victory. Na Piarsaigh squandered enough chances to not only equalise but to win the game in the dying minutes. It was clearly a time for calm heads and they appeared to press the panic button. Over the hour, Valley Rangers made the most of the opportunities that presented themselves and, thus, were full value for their famous win. There were scenes of wild celebration after the final whistle before Louth Minor board Chairman Tomas O'hEochaidh presented the Fr Larry Murphy Cup to jubilant winning captain Patrick Keenan. Alongside Kevin Breen, Keenan formed a superb midfield pairing which was influential throughout and also contributed four points - exactly half of Valley Rangers' tally! It was hardly a major surprise when both Valley Rangers plotted their way to the traditional SFC final curtain-raiser. And the 2002 MFC decider was as eagerly-awaited as any the under 18 grade has ever produced: in 1998 the same teams met in the county U14 A final (0-8 to 2-1) and Na Piarsaigh edged it; two years later, Valley Rangers exacted revenge in the U16 final (2-15 to 3-4). There was certainly a lot to play for, with Na Piarsaigh gunning for their first ever minor crown and Valley Rangers is search of their second. Both teams fielded players from the Dundalk Schools team that won the Leinster Senior colleges title and were also represented on the Louth All-Ireland Vocational Colleges B championship winning team. Valley Rangers' all-conquering Louth Minor Football Championship winning Class of 2002 was managed by Christy Connor, Padraig O'Connor and Vin O'Hare. En route to the final they disposed of the Mattock combination and Cill Choirle/Naomh Malachi before thumping Oliver Plunketts in the semi-final, 3-14 to 0-8. They went into the September 15th final as favourites and justified that tag. Valley Rangers, 2002 Louth Minor Football Champions: Robert Arthurs; Rory O'Hagan, Dessie Finnegan, Liam Oliver; Owen Zamboglou, Jamie O'Hare, Shaun O'Connor; Kevin Breen, Patrick Keenan; Brian Fealy, Vincent Loughran, Evan White; Brian Murnaghan, Donal O'Connor, Simon O'Shaughnessy. Subs: Stephen McDonald (49), Sean Cumiskey (58). Valley Rangers was formed in 1954 as the underage wing of the St Patricks club. Their impressive Minor Board Roll of Honour now reads: U13 championship - 1997 U14 B championship - 1982 U14 championship - 1988 U16 B championship - 1998 U16 championship - 1988, 1990, 2000 Minor league Div 2 - 1998 Minor league Div 1 - 1992, 2001 Minor championship - 1990, 2002 Tweet

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