The thin line
December 30, 2009After a number of years knocking on the door, the Nicks finally landed the Junior Championship crown in 2008 to reclaim their place in the Intermediate ranks.
As a result, the Drogheda side went into the current campaign hoping the spirit and effort that propelled them to that success would stand to them in their efforts to retain their new status and challenge for promotion from Division 3
Unfortunately they didn't manage to achieve their main goal after losing to town rivals, Oliver Plunketts, in a championship relegation play-off, while they failed in their efforts to secure a place in Division 2.
On the face of it, this outcome represents a very poor season for the Nicks, but that doesn't tell the full story of a year where a couple of crucial results made a massive difference to their fortunes.
Assistant manager, Jim McQuillan, identifies three crucial games that narrowly went against the team and but for that they would be reflecting on a much different year.
"Myself and manager, Hugh Downey, have been with this team since the year 2000 and after finally winning the Junior Championship last year, we felt we could push on and compete at Intermediate level.
"We had a meeting with all the players at the start of the year and we set out two aims. Firstly, if we were being realistic, winning the Intermediate Championship was probably out of our range but our target was to stay in Intermediate football. Secondly, we were going to try to win the Division 3 league so all our football would be played in the second tier."
On the basis that neither of those objectives were achieved, Jim concedes that it was a disappointing season, but insists that with a bit more luck it could have gone their way.
"The first game to help define our season was the first league match back in April against Young Irelands. We were two points up going into injury-time when we gave away two close-in frees to allow them claim a draw and I remember saying at the time that this result would cost us the league.
"I know it was very early to be saying that but the nature of the Division 3 league is that it is very tough because to stay in contention you can't afford to drop any points. As it turned out, Young Irelands didn't drop another point and went on to win the title. We ended up losing just two games and picked up an impressive total of 19 points, but from early on we were never in the reckoning and didn't even make the play-off," said Jim.
Meanwhile, it was a similar story in the championship when they failed to capitalise on good performances and dropped points cost them dearly.
"We played very well against Geraldines in the championship and really should have won, but somehow let them back for a draw.
"The other game was against Na Piarsaigh when we were eight points down at half-time but dominated after the break and again should have won. We ended up losing by a point against a team that probably should have gone on to win the title. If we had picked up those three points then we wouldn't have found ourselves in the play-offs.
"As a result it is very disappointing but we just have to take it on the chin and get on with it, but the reality is that we were very close to having a good season," explained Jim.
Another factor that hampered their efforts was losing a number of experienced players that were vital to the victory in 2008, as Jim points out.
"We had Eddie Carr come in from the Plunketts but he missed out through injury, while Mark Smith and Darren Thornton were unavailable. Added to that was the fact that Carter brothers were absent for much of the year with Johnny and Brian injured, while Aidan only came back near the end.
"While we had some very good players to come in, it is hard to replace the experience those players have and that would have been a crucial factor in those important games. When you are working off a small panel of 23 or 24, it is hard when you lose so many players."
The sense of disappointment for the management team is magnified by the fact that they had decided this would be their last year at the helm, and McQuillan would have loved to step down with the club still in the Intermediate grade.
"I started out with Hugh in 2000 and we had Eddie Gilmartin with us at the start. This year we had Des McDonnell and Brian Pentony as selectors, Eugene Smith the medical man, and Diarmuid McCarthy as the trainer, and everyone put in a great effort so it is very hard to leave the set-up having gone back down."
However, although Jim is aware how difficult it is to bounce back after relegation, he knows the club have the determination and the talent to ensure the good times return to Rathmullen.
"The Nicks are a club known for playing attractive football but also for fighting hard for everything they have gained. That spirit won the championship for us last year and hopefully it will help us get back up again in the near future.
"The Junior grade is a tough one to escape from but hopefully with a new man at the helm next year, bringing in a fresh voice, we can go places. We still have a good squad with some quality players so there is plenty to work with."
Added to this is the fact that St Nicholas have been working hard at underage level in recent years and with young talent coming through, Jim believes the target should not simply be Intermediate football, but ultimately Senior football for the club.
"In terms of numbers, our underage section has never been as healthy. The likes of Hugh Downey has put in great work and there are great structures in place so things are looking promising in that regard.
"I have no doubt that with the size of the population on this side of the river in Drogheda and only two clubs, there should be at least one playing senior football and hopefully that will be us.
"There is a lot of work happening off the field at the moment and the club is in a very healthy position, so I have no doubt that we will continue to progress and bounce back from this year's disappointment in the not too distant future." Tweet
