The bad news is that Maghera MacFinns endured a difficult 2004. The good news is that an improvement seems probable. Though they failed to make an impression in either Division Three or the junior championship during the year gone by, Maghera are wiser from the experience as they face into the fresh challenges of '05. Maghera learned a lot from 2004. They learned that they must improve if they're to compete for major silverware and also that they must introduce a greater level of consistency to their play. Everybody knows that, on their day, the Meath border outfit are a match for most junior/Division Three outfits in the Breffni County. The challenge facing the MacFinns in '05 is to have less 'off days' and to deliver the goods on a more regular basis. To this end, team stalwart Fergus McHugh believes the Blue & Blacks must begin with a more concerted effort in the league: "Lack of consistency is our downfall and this was the case again in 2004. If we concentrate on our league games and try harder from the start of the season, then maybe we can establish a platform to build upon. I think it's important that we try to win our league games, and take them more seriously. If we can get on a winning streak, it'll increase the confidence of the team and we can take it from there. Winning games is the best preparation possible. If we take the league more seriously, we should be in better shape come championship time." In the 2004 junior football championship, the MacFinns started brightly with a creditable 2-8 to 1-11 draw against Shannon Gaels. However, they were unable to maintain that level of performance and lost in their next three outings, against Sherlock (3-18 to 1-7), Templeport (2-11 to 2-6) and Kildallan (1-17 to 0-5). In Division Three, they didn't fare much better. From twelve league outings, Maghera managed only two wins, drawing three times and losing seven games. They finished the campaign on seven points, two off the bottom of the table. Reflecting on the year, Fergus concedes: "We're disappointed that we didn't do better. We finished very low on the league table and didn't do that well in the championship either. We'll be losing one or two players again this year and it's going to be difficult. When you're down at the bottom, nothing seems to go according to plan." Maghera had a new trainer in Niall Lynch, who was installed early in '04. "He did a great job. Things went really well at the start of the year, but then Niall had to leave for various reasons and numbers began to fall, which was a pity. Things went downhill from there." In the championship, Maghera looked at times as though they were capable of carving out victories but couldn't get across the winning line. "We could have won a couple of games but it didn't go our way," Niall reflects. "We weren't able to finish teams off once we got into a winning position. In the league game against Butlersbridge, for example, we did well and were only a couple of points behind at half time but weren't able to keep it going in the second half. It's a pity, because we're a really good team when we're playing well, but we need to find more consistency." One of the problems facing a club like Maghera is that they draw from a very small pool of players - BEFORE emigration takes its toll! With players moving to Dublin, the United States and even Australia, it's difficult to hold things together. And don't forget there's also a senior club right on their doorstep… Every year, things start well, but then numbers begin to dwindle. In 2005, the new management team hopes to buck this trend. Jim McHugh (Fergus' dad) is the new manager. What's his target for the year? "It's hard to know at this stage because some of the lads intend to go to Australia and we'll be missing some of our better players at stages during the year. But we're certainly hoping to do better than we did last year. We're not expecting to win the championship out, but we're hoping to start a rebuilding process, which will hopefully bear fruit in two or three years." Jim continues: "In junior football, there are a few teams out ahead of the pack, but after that there's not much between the rest of the teams. We have to try to get a few more wins under our belt than we did last year. Maghera haven't won a junior championship since 1953 and it was 50 years before that, so it's not very often we get a stream of talent coming through together. I'm not saying it's going to be 50 years again, but we have to be prepared to put a lot of work in. "The main thing is to keep the young people interested, to get them focussed on improving their standards and to give them something to aim for. "Teams always go out to win and Maghera are no different to any other team in that respect. I'm hoping to get full commitment from the lads, because it's very hard to win games without that. If we can get them motivated and interested in keeping themselves in shape, that'll be a good starting point." Fergus, meanwhile, is under no illusions as to the size of the task at hand. There's not going to be a quick fix for Maghera - the only chance they have is a gradual remedy. Things won't just click into place by accident. "We're just going to have to start at the bottom and work our way up," he admits. "It's all about consistency. We have to take every game seriously and if we get into a winning habit, then we'll take it from there." What does Fergus believe would be a realistic target for the season ahead? "I think the knockout stage of the league is a realistic goal. In the championship, anything can happen on the day, but we really have to start focusing on getting it right in the league first and foremost. We can't afford to treat the league as a Mickey Mouse competition. It provides a perfect opportunity to get into a winning habit and Maghera have to try to take advantage." Lurgan lap it up! It's not only the population around Virginia that's mushrooming these days. Just one look at where the underage titles went in Cavan in 2004 would tell you that the Lurgan brigade are producing some right good young 'uns. It's difficult to top a hat-trick but when that achievement is recorded in the toughest environment, it's an even more noteworthy achievement. For their part, the hard-working mentors at Lurgan experienced a real dream year in 2004 with county titles reaped at premier levels at under 12, under 16 and minor grades. In each case the title was won with panache and no little skill - no more so than in the case of the club's all-conquering Under 12 Roinn A crew who careered to an impressive 4-4 to 3-2 victory over Bailieboro in the final last June. As things transpired, the Lurgan lads kept their best wine 'till last to leave their opponents punch drunk and out of the winning frame. Two goals in the final three minutes by the Virginia-based side did the damage at Kingspan/Breffni Park. Earlier a goal by James Bradley and a neat point by Adam O'Connell inside the first five minutes got the green and whites off to a flyer. Lurgan still led by the 18th minute thanks, in part, to a Shane Reilly point and a tremendous interception by 'keeper Kevin Mulvanny. In truth, the Lurgan defence had to be on top of their game as the second quarter gathered pace. But, right on cue, the winners-elect hit back with interest in the 24th minute when Darren Lynch dribbled past an advancing defender before slipping the ball under the Bailieboro 'keeper and into the net to give his side a 2-2 to 1-2 lead at half-time. Things got even better for Lurgan four minutes after the restart when James Bradley converted a free to leave his side four points to the good. That lead was subsequently reduced in the 12th minute to the minimum when the Shamrocks found the net. Another Bailieboro goal some six minutes later visibly rocked Lurgan as they trailed, 2-3 to 3-2, for the first time in the match. Sensing that the match was possibly slipping away from them, Lurgan dug deep and went back on the offensive and a James Bradley point was a timely boost. Lurgan kept up the pressure and they succeeded in hitting the jackpot in the 23rd minute when Brian Traynor kicked the ball to the net soccer style, from point blank range after the Bailieboro defence had failed to clear a lofted free from James Bradley. Like true champions, Lurgan proceeded to go for the jugular and a lofted free by the aforementioned Bradley from nearly 20 metres floated high and true into the Bailieboro net. Young Bradley's effort proved to be the proverbial killer blow despite some consistent pressure from the Bailieboro attack thereafter. True grit was the name of the game for Lurgan and they weren't to be denied the spoils. The triumphant Lurgan team, and scorers, was as follows: Kevin Mulvanny; Alan Tracey, Conor Clowes, Cian Wogan; Colm Lynch, Enda Farrelly, Cormac O'Connell; Ronan Smith, Darren Lynch (1-0); Damian Brady, Adam O'Connell (0-1), Richard Foley; Brian Traynor (1-0), James Bradley (2-3), Killian Tracey. Impressive Under 16s Meanwhile once again it was goals that counted as a brace of majors inside the opening three minutes of the second half proved to be the decisive scores as Lurgan careered to an impressive 7-13 to 1-6 victory over a battling Baileboro side in a one-sided Under 16 Division One Championship final at Kingspan/Breffni Park. As evidenced by their massive 25 point winning margin Lurgan were simply a class apart. The winners-elect were the more accomplished side by a distance over the hour and managed to comfortably embellish their burgeoning underage pedigree with a polished, thoroughly professional performance which Bailieboro just couldn't match. Lurgan led from pillar to post and dictated the pace of the game almost without interruption. The green and whites were bettered only in a couple of five minute spells by their opponents. Lurgan were comfortability itself in leading at the interval by 1-8 to 0-5 even if they weren't exactly home and hosed by that juncture. However once Vincent McCabe and team captain James Lynch crashed home goals two and three minutes into the second half respectively, the writing was well and truly on the wall. In truth it was like almost everything the well-drilled Lurgan lads did on the day turned to gold. The losers-elect found themselves under pressure from the opening whistle and after going three points in front in as many minutes must have guessed that it wasn't going to be their day when, in their first concerted attack in the 5th minute Damien O'Reilly's goal effort was saved by Lurgan 'keeper Robert Tynan. Lurgan posted notice of their intention when, in the 8th minute, Raymond Farrelly powered through the centre of the Bailieboro defence before rattling the net with an excellent shot. The highly-skilled and cohesive Lurgan side scarcely needed Farrelly's leg-up as they proceeded to dictate the pace against an increasingly backpeddling Bailieboro side which was losing out at midfield, coming under enormous pressure from an advancing Lurgan half-back line and being outgunned by an eager-beaver half-forward line. Despite playing against a stiffening breeze, Lurgan's cause became increasingly rosy as they stormed into a 1-7 to 0-2 lead with just 20 minutes played. The determined Reds worked hard to keep in touch and they succeeded in cutting the deficit to a manageable six points with a smart goal. But that was as good as it got for the chasing team as Lurgan set about, and successfully, wrapped up the spoils with a blitzgreig start to the second half. Bailieboro were left shell-shocked by Lurgan's double whammy - Lynch's piledriver being particularly sweet for the Virginia-based crew and devastating to Bailieboro's hopes of an unlikely revival. Those hopes were extuinquished in no uncertain manner in the 6th minute when Stephen Sheridan's cross 'cum centre went all the way to the Bailieboro net for the coup de gras. The Shamrocks were positive to the end but that in itself helped Lurgan's cause as they threatened, and were invariably successful in hitting their opponents on the counter-attack. In this respect, James Lynch was the perfect foil to a fast, skilful and opportunistic Lurgan attack who were virtually spoiled for possession all day by an all-conquering midfield and adventurous defence. Lynch had many lieutenants and the supreme dominance of messrs. Sheridan and Monaghan at midfield ensured that Bailieboro's defence were under siege on a constant basis as Lurgan powered through the middle. Like great champions, Lurgan proceeded to consolidate their huge advantage by opening their shoulders and playing with the confidence and composure that comes with having an unassailable lead. Those who did Lurgan proud on county final day were: Robert Tynan; Damien Barkey, James McEnroe, Terry McCabe; Stephen Taffe, Michael O'Reilly, Darren Monaghan; Stephen Sheridan (1-1, one free), Stephen Monaghan (1-6, one free); Mark Hetherton, Raymond Farrelly (2-1), Vincent McCabe (1-1); Shane O'Reilly (0-1), James Lynch (1-3), Paul Queally. Subs; Dermot Reilly for Shane O'Reilly; Anthony Heery for Terry McCabe; John Cole for Paul Quealy; Hugh O'Connell for Damien Barkey; Killian Lynch (1-0) for Mark Hetherton. Major win for minors Meanwhile, late July proved to be another red letter period for the Lurgan camp as a vintage display of teamwork replete with some ace examples of quality finishing hallmarked Lurgan's decisive 0-15 to 0-5 victory over Castlerahan in the Minor League Division One final at Kingspan/Breffni Park. Lurgan were consistency itself as they led from the 2nd minute courtesy of a Stephen Monaghan point right through to the 64th minute when sub. James Lynch flashed over a classy point which was typical of his team's professional performance over the hour-plus. The first quarter especially was a frenetic, see-saw affair but both teams struggled to compose themselves and find some fluidity in their play. It was a stop-start opening moiety all told, with the game crying out for the players to hold up the ball at times and calm the situation down a bit in the face of what was a 100 mile an hour tempo. Gradually things did settled down on the restart and even allowing for the creeping gulf which emerged between the sides, the discipline of both sides held good for the remainder of the match. Both teams were jet-propelled in the opening quarter but in terms of taking their scores, Lurgan were by far the more efficient and accurate. Indeed, Lurgan's superiority in front of goals was fairly reflected in their 0-4 to 0-0 lead which they conjured up inside the opening 13 minutes with, pointedly, four different players accounting for those points. Lurgan seemed the more confident, self-assured side right from the off and they remained on the forefoot with their solidity at the back and their edge at midfield being augmented by the threat with the twin strikeforce of Rock and Keating in the full-forward line in particular. Castlerahan looked ill at ease in constantly chasing the game but a point in the 28th minute hinted at a mini-revival. However Lurgan kept their shape and refused to give their opponents a window of opportunity. Instead the would-be winners ploughed forward with gusto to to land over two points in the last couple of minute before the interval, via the boots of Stephen Monaghan and Martin Rock. Leading by 0-7 to 0-2 at half-time, Lurgan quickly went about consolidating their advantage with Anton O'Reilly pointing inside two minutes. And then the green and whites showed a confidence and an assuredness to extend their lead to seven points one minute later when a move initiated by Joseph Hopkins was carried on by Danny Nolan and Anton O'Reilly for Martin Rock to fire over at his ease. Lurgan's grip on the exchanges continued and a dream crossfield pass by Stephen Monaghan found Danny Nolan who fed Stephen Sheridan who duly popped over his side's 11th point. Slowly but surely Castlerahan began to gain more possession and a brace of points cut Lurgan's lead to a more manageable seven points. True to form though, Lurgan hit back almost immediately with Stephen Monaghan pointing after Castlerahan 'keeper Brian Coleman did well to parry a close-range effort at goal by Martin Rock in the 15th minute. Castlerahan bravely pushed forward to the very end but their goose was well and truly cooked after Lurgan netminder Shane Mulvanny brilliantly saved, with his left foot, a low goalbound shot by Cian Mackey. The cavalcade to Virginia could begin. Hats off then to the talented Lurgan minor crew who triumphed in the final: Shane Mulvanny; Michael O'Reilly, Emmet Daly, Dwane Lynch; Joe Hopkins, Andrew Brady, Shane Gaffney; Anton O'Reilly (0-1), Luke Mulvey; Ronan O'Reilly, Danny Nolan, Stephen Sheridan (0-4); Michael Keating (0-2), Stephen Monaghan (0-4), Martin Rock (0-3). Sub; James Lynch (0-1) for Ronan O'Reilly; Robert Tynan for Luke Mulvey. Tweet

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