Final heartbreak but real progress all the same
December 31, 2010The club displayed great consistency throughout the entire season with a superb league campaign and a place in both junior championship and league finals. As a club they will feel bitterly disappointed at having missed out on promotion to Division 2 by a single point. Having played a thirteen game league campaign losing just two, they can justifiably feel gutted at missing out on promotion.
Many at the club felt that they had an excellent chance of securing the coveted championship title as they held a slight advantage over their opponents, Swanlinbar going into the final. The two sides had previously met in their championship group. On that occasion the east Cavan side ran out comfortable winners by 2-16 to 0-9. Indeed Munterconnaught topped the table in this group deemed by many to be the group of death.
Pitted against some of the county's strongest junior clubs in Swanlinbar, Shannon Gaels and Cornafean this young Munterconnacht team showed great character and no short supply of quality football to emerge as true contenders. On final day the club arrived at GAA headquarters Kingspan Breffni Park with high expectations of taking the honours.
While their display on the day did not provide the expected result, it did however show that they were not overawed by the occasion. Swanlinbar who only a few short seasons ago were playing their football in a much higher division seem to get it right on the day and while they ran out 0-16 to 1-8 winners they had to fight to the end to secure their five point victory.
The winners got off to the better start and held a five point half-time lead 0-10 to 0-5 but it was in the second period that the east Cavan side began to show real threat, scoring 1-3. A point from Darragh Carroll after the restart signalled a revival and within six minutes of that score an accurate pass from Brian Cullen found dangerman, Shane O'Reilly who clinically finished to the back of the Swanlinbar net. This score reduced the lead down to just one point. A valiant effort from the east Cavan side ensued but some missed opportunities allowed the West Cavan side edge further in front.
Munterconnacht battled to the end but it was not to be their day as Swanlinbar finished with a late point to secure the title. Munterconnacht, who last won the junior crown back in 1994, had high hopes of taking the title this year.
"Naturally we are very disappointed but make no mistake about it, Munterconnacht are a very young side and this is not the last you will hear of them. We have the talent and the resolve to win silverware," expained manager James Cole.
The Munterconnacht side on juty in the JFC final was: Niall McEntee, Thomas Brady, Peter Cullen, Jamie Hetherton, Tadgh Morrissey, Brendan O'Se, Terry McCabe, Shane O'Reilly (1-4), Danny Nolan, Colm Caffrey, Stephen Sheridan, Sean Nolan (0-2), Brian Cullen, John McCabe, Darragh Carroll (0-2). Sub: Stephen Keoghan for Brian Cullen.
League Final
Munterconnacht had the chance to avenge their championship final defeat just less than two weeks later when they took on the same opposition under lights at Kingspan Breffni Park. This was a game that in reality was always going to favour the junior champions as they were buoyed with their success and the prospects of taking on an Ulster campaign. While on the night Swanlinbar amassed a large final tally Munterconnacht in fairness to them never gave up the fight. Munterconnacht needed to get off to a good start to help them erase the memories of their championship defeat but it was the winners who made the better start. The championship winners began with a goal and a point in the opening minutes and by the ninth minute had registered 1-4. This whirlwind opening certainly put Munterconnacht on the back foot and facing an uphill battle. A number of great runs deep into the Swanlinbar defence failed to produce what should have been scores and allowed the winners to cushion their lead with further points at the end the other end. A gallant effort from the Munterconnacht lads failed to redress this imbalance. As the game progressed Munterconnacht had their chances and registered two great goals and had legitimate calls for a penalty turned down. The penalty incident happened as Munterconnacht were trying to stage a revival and if scored may have produced a tighter finish. No doubt Munterconnacht with their young side will once again be a force to reckon in the coming season.
When you listen to club PRO David Hughes give his summation of the club's efforts throughout the 2010 season you have little doubt that you are encountering not just a Munterconnacht supporter but a man that is both pragmatic and honest.
David is quick to point out that while they lost out to Swanlinbar in the both county junior championship and league finals they have few complaints.
"We are a young side with the average age in the very low 20s. However, many of the team that lined out in this year's final had also played in the championship final four years ago," said David. "Nine of the side that linedout on that occasion were in the 2010 line-up. I believe that we were caught flat-footed. We had previously met in the group stages of the championship and had a convincing thirteen point win over them. We were aware that that particular result was of little consequences as we lined out for the final.
"Like all finals it is down to performance on the day. We certainly did not match our talent as we failed to produce the kind of sparkling performance we had become accustomed to. While we did not perform to our best we did however make it a battle and showed great character and determination.
"We have come on in 'leaps and bounds' this year and had acquired the edge of winning difficult games and coming back from setbacks. This has to do with a great team ethic and attitude and hard work by players and management alike. No-one will feel this defeat more acutely than the players. I feel that they will certainly be stronger and more determined next year," said David.
The club PRO said he would like to pay tribute to the Executive Committee of Chairman, Noel McEnroe, Secretary, Aishling Matthews, and Treasurer, Sean Keogan.
"The executive committee have been magnificent throughout the year. In Noel McEnroe you have the embodiment of Munterconnacht. His passion and drive is infectious and rubs off on all at the club.As an administration they all have played their part in the progress of Munterconnacht," said the PRO.
Underage Football
Munterconnacht have put a great deal of effort into building up their juvenile structure. Under the guidance of an underage committee of Tommy Keogan, Chairman, Caroline Gilsenan, Secretary, Tommy Smith, Treasurer, Coaching officer, Pauric Hetherton, Childrens' Officer, Catriona Lawless and PRO Colm Matthews they have made tremendous progress.
The club cater for teams from under 6 to under 13. At under 14 level the club amalgamated with neighbours Maghera and emerged winners of the U14 Division 4 league title and lost out narrowly in the Division 3 championship. At U-16 and minor level Munterconnacht join forces with Mountnugent and Maghera.
Ladies football
The club has also made tremendous strides with the formation of a ladies football team. This has been an area in which Munterconnacht were keen to develop. Having played a number of games already this season the newly formed ladies club will be looking forward to the competitive season of 2011.
Club development
David speaks proudly of the magnificent work being carried out at the club. "We have undertaken a major development plan which is currently now nearing completion. The development provides new facilities and improvements to the existing club facilities. Overall we will have provided a running/walking track with lighting, covered spectator stand, gymnasium and handball/racquetball court. These new facilities will provide the entire community with access for both in indoor and outdoor training and be of benefit to all for many years to come. Many of the new developsments are currently in use," said a proud club PRO.
He pointed out that the club were badly need of new facilities for the everyday functioning of the club. The need for enlarging changing rooms, toilets, meeting and storage rooms was a necessity. This new development was the first such development since 1988. It was also needed as the community has grown one hundred per cent since 2000 and this alone was a major influencing factor.
Knocktemple National School enrolment has doubled from 71 to over 160 since 1997. "With such a growth spurt in the local population it was vital that we as a club should provide facilities that were not just modern but also safe and open to all," said the club PRO.
David went on to say: "The new development was funded through a generous National Lottery Grant and through a five year community funding project. When the development is completed we will also have access to GAA funding which will help offset the final financial outlay."
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