Maghera spirit undaunted
December 31, 2010A look at the magnificent facilities at the club bear ample evidence of a people with purpose, belief and the will to succeed. The parting of ways at juvenile level a few seasons past saw Maghera having to start their own nursery as Ramor United decided to go it alone.
Many felt that with a small pick Maghera would suffer unduly due to this separation. While it may not have been an easy process the famous Maghera MacFinn 'will to win' has already begun to pay dividends. With coaching sessions for juveniles from U6 to U14 the club has taken a long term view and with the recent good run of their U14 squad it would seem to have been a wise choice.
With the break-up of the powerful underage structure that was Lurgan, Maghera was not found wanting as they began the process of formulating their own nursery and one which would allow players from the area to form and forge their identity with the MacFinns.
The club's U14 side made tremendous strides by winning the league Division 4 and reaching the final of the Division 3 Championship. These achievements even for an established club nursery would be proof of years of excellent underage coaching. However, when you consider that this kind of success has been achieved in just a few short years, it shows the resolve and dedication of the people of Maghera.
When you talk to their chairman, Jason Fitzsimons, you are left in no doubt that they are indeed a club on the move. Jason is quick to point out that while they may have had some setbacks, the determination to progress is stronger than ever. Jason is in an ideal position to assess his club as he is deeply involved in both strands of club 'life' as chairman and midfield player on the senior team.
"While we may not have set the football world alight at senior level we have nevertheless never failed to compete. The players at the club have always tried their best and still continue to give tremendous commitment," explained Jason. "As a player, I know the commitment they give and while the results may not have gone our way the players have never failed to field a team in any league or championship campaign.
"We are a very small parish surrounded by a number of other clubs mainly Munterconnaught and Ramor United while our other neighbours are clubs on the Meath border. We work from a very small panel with just twenty players.
"At the end of the 2009 season we lost one of our star forwards who was sidelined for the entire 2010 season. This setback was further compounded early on in the season when we lost our goalkeeper, (broken arm), fullback (cruciate) and midfielder (boken ankle). We also had two players in the USA, so in all we were working from a very depleted squad. We were down to just nineteen players for the championship and this took its toll on us. It was not that the players were not committed as we had some travelling from as far away as Cork, it was rather down to the poor luck through injury," said the player chairman.
"With such a problematic season through loss of players with injury and emigration we are looking forward to incoming 2011 when we will have a full quota of players at our disposal. The players are returning from their sojourn abroad and we will have all our injured players back on stream. I feel that with a full hand to choose from we will certainly not be in the position we found ourselves in 2010 and will pose a threat to many of the teams in our division."
Jason was keen to draw attention to the great work being put in by the team manager, Brian Galvin. "Brian is a native of Clare and living in the area. He has taken over the reigns at Maghera and is a superb manager," said the club chairman.
"His enthusiasm and commitment was unflappable throughout the entire year and his spirit rubbed off on the squad. Despite the diminishing availability of players Brian always attended training with an enthusiasm that kept the squad going. Indeed, the spirit of the "Mac Finns" is evident in Galvin household as his wife, Regina is the club secretary."
Jason said that while they club may have their setbacks they have nevertheless made tremendous progress in other areas.
"When you look at what we as a club have achieved over the past few seasons at underage level since going it alone it is not only remarkable but positively encouraging for the club. This magnificent work at underage level is down solely to the work of the juvenile committee. The commitment from the juveniles' executive committee of chairman, Philip Yore, Secretary, Orla Brady and Treasurer Cathriona McConnell has helped foster and maintain this positive momentum. There is a great coaching structure for underage football at the club and we are very fortunate to have some great people available working at underage level. The success of this coaching initiative is clearly seen each Saturday morning with the club grounds packed with enthusiastic youngsters," said the Chairman.
"We also have taken our juvenile coaching to another level with players being provided with game time even out of season with teams travelling to other counties to play challenge games. I feel this type of approach is providing us with an extra edge when it comes to competition," said Jason.
"At underage level all of our teams are competing and doing well but pride of place in 2010 must go to the under 14 squad who reached and won their league and, despite being put into a higher division for their championship, reached the final and could be deemed very unlucky not have taken this title also. It was a tremendous achievement for the club and one of which we are extremely proud of. Credit must go to the U14 squad and to their management of Joe Lynch, Shane McHugh, Joe Hanley and Martin Reilly," said a proud chairman.
"We also have a great executive committee who are very hard working and never flinch in the face of adversity. In Regina Galvin we have an excellent secretary who handles all the administration side of the club while Patrick Potter has proved to be a great treasurer. Our PRO Pat Hayes has always projected the positive side of the club which is a great boost to us. As a team they all work well together and have the aspirations of the club firmly fixed in their sights," said Jason.
U14s show stamp of winners
The first signs of resurgence at the MacFinns has been manifested through the success of their U14 side. A superb run in the Division 4 league saw them reach the final where they took on a fancied Drumalee.
In an exciting contest they paid little heed to the script and were full value for their victory over their more fancied rivials. This victory propelled them into the Division 3 of the championship and despite having to compete at a higher level they were not found wanting. A superb run in the championship saw them make it into the final where they met Butlersbridge.
The excitement of the MacFinns young hopefuls taking centre stage at the county's premier ground, Kingspan Breffni Park was infectious throughout the entire club. Pride and hope travelled with the MacFinns as they made their way to the county ground to take on a fancied Butlersbridge side.
The game proved to be a stunning and exciting encounter. While the Bridge opened in lively fashion it was the MacFinns who reaped the greater benefit as they raced into an eight point lead 0-11 to 2-13.
Maghera opened their final debut in nervous fashion but settled well after the first ten minutes. Trailing by three points the MacFinns opened their account with a well taken point from Sean Hendrick. Under pressure in this opening quarter Maghera found themselves 0-7 to 0-1 adrift after fourteen minutes. A determined effort was called for and this was achieved with inspirational leadership from Seand Hendrick and Niall Yore.
A positive response by the famous 'blue and black' saw the Bridge's lead reduced to a mere two points 0-5 to 0-7. Further points from the Bridge looked likely to see them finish the half with a five point lead but this was not to be the case as once again the inspiring Sean Hendrick raced through the Bridge defence before crashing his shot to the back of the net. This left just two points between the sides at half-time 1-5 to 0-10.
Maghera started the second half in commanding fashion and two well struck points from Niall Yore had the sides back on level terms. This gave the MacFinn youngsters confidence and for the next twenty minutes held the upperhand and registered 1-6 to their opponents one point. With the game entering into the final ten minutes Maghera held a 2-11 to 0-11 lead and looked destined to be crowned champions. Credit to the Bridge they did not roll over and began to fight back. Two late goals just as the game seemed to fading away from the Bridge left the MacFinn side shell-shocked and no time to respond.
It was a cruel blose for the Maghera side as they had dominated and played well for most of the game. No doubt this side will learn from this disappointment and be back to grace many more finals in the coming years.
Ongoing development
Maghera as a club has never remained static and the infrastructure at their grounds is evident to that. The chairman said that development at the grounds is always a work in progress and this season is no different than others.
"We are currently installing lighting on the Astro pitch. This will provide us with the ability to undertake our winter training on a surface that will not be affected by the adverse weather conditions. It will allows to rest our main playing surface during the wet winter months," said Jason.
A lot of this development work has been the result of fund-raising work carried out on a permanent basis.
"We have also been very lucky to have had a number of very generous sponsors in A. W. Ennis, McEvoy's Spar Shop and Jim Brady. Their generosity is greatly appreciated by the club," said the chairman.
"When we talk about the club it would be wrong not to mention one of the club's greatest stalwarts, Dan Daly. Dan is epitomy of the Mac Finns. His consistent work and dedication to Maghera, I feel, deserves mention. He is a great worker in providing much needed finance through lotto sales. His willingness to be always available as an umpire or linesman when needed and his undying support for the club is quite inspirational. His knowledge of the rules of the association is sought by those far and wide who are in search of clarifcation on a 'point of adminstrative law'. To us Dan represents the real "Maghera MacFinns", said the club chairman. Tweet
