After a horrendous 2002, Maryland showed a welcome return to form last year. But there was still considerable disappointment when they missed out on an intermediate final appearance according to promising midfielder David Reynolds. While they have yet to rid themselves of their underachievers' tag, Maryland's much-improved form last year suggests that their long-held ambition to achieve senior status may shortly be realised. Decimated by injuries and emigration in 2002, the Drumraney men were never at the races and hit an all-time low when they were forced to concede a championship walkover to south county rivals Tang. But with practically everyone back on board last year, they showed a major improvement and could count themselves unlucky not to have finished the season with some silverware on the sideboard. "Overall, it was a good year," says up-and-coming midfielder David Reynolds. "After the previous year, things could only get better and thankfully they did. We were much more competitive and qualified for the knock-out stages of the championship without too much bother. "After beating Milltownpass in the quarter-final, we felt that we could go the whole way, but Rosemount then put paid to our hopes in the semi-final. While it was very disappointing, we could take consolation from the fact that we won six championship matches out of nine which wasn't bad going," he adds. Under the management of Richie Browne snr, Maryland began their intermediate championship campaign just as they ended it with a defeat to Rosemount. Maryland's margin of defeat was five points, 0-8 to 0-13, but they were not without their chances and should have put more scores on the board. Maryland bounced back to defeat eventual winners Ballymore by 3-7 to 1-7 in what was arguably their best performance of the year. The blue and whites laid the foundations for their victory in the first half when goals from Stephen Martin and Tom Browne helped them to a 2-4 to 0-3 interval lead. On the restart, Ronan Moran, Tom Browne, David Martin and Ricky Browne tagged on points before the latter put the result beyond doubt when he slotted home a penalty. Incidentally, it was Maryland's first championship win over their near-neighbours in 10 years. A late scoring burst enabled Maryland to overcome Caulry by 1-13 to 1-7 in their next outing and that was followed by a 2-8 to 0-10 victory over Mullingar Shamrocks on July 1. Against Shamrocks, Maryland trailed by two points early on, but a Ronan Moran goal had them perched on a 1-6 to 0-6 lead at the break. In the second half, a Thomas Browne goal was sandwiched between points from David Martin and Vinnie Browne. Shamrocks hit four unanswered points in the closing stages, but Maryland still emerged as comfortable winners. Maryland took another step towards the knock-out stages when they defeated Ballinagore by 1-11 to 0-7 six days later. The Drumraney men led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the interval thanks to a goal from David Martin. On the resumption, David Martin, Ronan Moran, Damien Reynolds and Stephen Martin tagged on points to leave Maryland seven clear at the finish. Richie Browne's charges secured their place in the quarter-finals when they edged out Kilbeggan Shamrocks by 2-8 to 1-10 at Moate on July 19. There was little between the sides throughout, but even Maryland supporters would acknowledge that PJ Ward's sending off for dissent midway through the second half didn't help Kilbeggan's cause. Maryland were still in contention for a semi-final place going into their last group game against Ballynacargy, but a 1-9 to 0-15 defeat meant that they had to be content with a quarter-final spot. Pitted against Milltownpass, Maryland played some spellbinding football in the first half with points from Ricky Browne, David Martin, David Reynolds, Ollie Moran and Damien Reynolds giving them a 0-7 to 0-1 advantage at half-time. On the restart, points from Damien Reynolds and Martin extended Maryland's lead before Milltownpass rallied with three points in quick succession. However, further points from Browne and Martin sealed a 0-12 to 0-7 victory for the south county outfit. In the semi-final at Cusack Park, Maryland renewed their rivalry with Rosemount. The blue and whites started brightly with scores from James Reynolds, David Martin (two) and Ollie Moran propelling them into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead. But with Cathal Keane in fine form, Rosemount fought back to reduce the deficit to 0-5 to 0-4 at the break. Rosemount remained in the ascendancy after half-time, scoring 1-1 within five minutes of the restart to take a grip of proceedings. A David Reynolds goal kept Maryland in contention, but Rosemount hit back with points from David Keane, Danny Fox and Cathal Keane to run out 1-11 to 1-7 winners. "We were motoring nicely until we lost Rickie Browne through injury just before half-time," Reynolds recalls. "I also got injured myself and we seemed to drift out of the game in the second half. It was a disappointing way to go out of the championship because I don't think we did ourselves justice." Maryland subsequently qualified for the Intermediate Cup final, a game which they lost to holders Shandonagh by 1-12 to 1-10. David Martin gave Maryland a dream start when he scored the opening goal after five minutes, but Shandonagh stayed in touch and were just two points in arrears, 1-5 to 0-6, at the interval. Shandonagh made a whirlwind start to the second half and had established a 1-10 to 1-6 lead after 45 minutes. Maryland succeeded in reducing the deficit to two points with 10 minutes remaining, but they were unable to get any closer as Shandonagh held on for victory. Maryland's improved form was also reflected in their finish in the top half of Division 2 of the All-County League. In 2002, they only avoided the drop to Division 3 by virtue of a relegation play-off victory over Kilbeggan Shamrocks. While pleased with Maryland's progress last year, Reynolds - who is a member of this year's county under 21 panel - feels they are capable of a lot better. He suggests that they need to be more like neighbours Ballymore in their attitude to the game. "I know a lot of Maryland people won't be happy with me for saying this, but if we had an attitude like Ballymore, I'm convinced that we would win an intermediate championship. They have unbelievable heart and I think that's something we're still lacking. "We have lots of talent - seven or eight of us have played for the county at various levels - but there's still something missing. We need to be more ruthless," he says. Since the end of last season, Maryland have lost one of their most influential players, Rickie Browne, who has transferred to Shannonbridge. But Reynolds is confident that they have the strength in depth to absorb such a loss. "Rickie is a big loss, but you'd have to be encouraged by the number of young players coming through. Tommy McCormack has returned as manager and he is someone who commands enormous respect in Maryland. We made a lot of progress last year and I can see no reason why that shouldn't continue in the year ahead," he concludes. The Maryland team which contested the intermediate championship semi-final was: John Murray; Conor Farrell, John Cunningham, Noel Browne; Ronan Moran, Philip Rainey, William Smith; David Reynolds, Brian Martin; Ollie Moran, Damien Reynolds, James Reynolds; Ricky Browne, David Martin, Vinnie Browne. Subs used: Colm Moran, Tom Browne, Stephen Martin and Declan Nugent. Tweet

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