Alas and alack, it's been a decade of decline for Stabannon Parnells and 2010 saw the club continue in the same vein. These are disappointing days indeed for this proud unit and Martin King isn't about to gloss over the stark severity of the situation. The long-serving centre half back insists that a drastic change in the collective mindset of the players is required before the former kingpins of Wee County football can turn any corners.

Each time Stabannon seem to have fallen as low as they possibly can, they conspire to plummet a little further. The decline has been gradual rather than dramatic, but that doesn't make it any less disconcerting. Things went from bad to worse in 2010 as the mid-county club finished near the bottom of Division Three and made little or no impact in the JFC. These statistics state very clearly that Stabannon are now one of the weakest teams in Louth … and Martin King doesn't try to pretend otherwise:
"The mood in the clubhouse wouldn't be too positive. Over the last few years the club has slipped a bit further each year, going from where we were ten years ago to where we are now - second or third from bottom of the junior league. That's not a nice place to be but unfortunately that's the way things have slid over the last few years.
"The feeling in the club at the start of each new year is that we have hit rock bottom and can't go any further, but then we always manage to go a little further each year. It's got to the stage where we almost literally can't go any lower.
"It's a bad situation, no doubt about it, but we have to try to regroup and get things together again. The players have to commit themselves to what needs to be done. Unfortunately, as in many clubs, football is now a long way down the list of priorities. It's not even the second priority anymore; it's third or fourth.
"There was a time in Stabannon when football came first. If there was a wedding, lads didn't drink or they left early and nobody missed training. Of course, there was always a social aspect to it too, but when it came to the time to knuckle down, they did it. But times have changed and that's no longer the case."
Ironically, the saving grace is that Stabannon have toppled so far down the rankings that things can seemingly only get better. "The only positive is that we can't fall much further and at some stage this group of players has to recognise the reality of the situation and give more commitment. It can change and hopefully that'll be the case next year. You need to have a collective mindset and then things can change very quickly."
Is the club struggling numbers-wise? "Numbers are low and you're always struggling if you have players injured or suspended or on holidays, which will always be the case at various stages during the year. Things are tight. We train with a group of 14 or 15 most nights and that goes up to 25 for the championship, which makes you wonder why you can't have those lads all year…"
Stabannon were in Group Four of the 2010 Louth JFC, a section which also contained St Nicholas, Lannleire and Wolfe Tones. They lost to the Nicks by 1-10 to 0-7 in their opener and then fell to a 1-12 to 1-6 defeat to Lannleire at Knockbridge before closing their programme with a 2-11 to 0-7 win over the Tones in a largely-meaningless Thursday-night encounter at Dunleer.
The championship side on duty against St Nicholas was: Wayne Lynch; Alan Lynch, Paudie Lynch, Cathal Halpenny; Cathal Sweeney, Martin King, Eanna McCartney; Aonghus Giggins (0-1), Bernard Lynch; Shane Sweeney, Niall Cluskey (0-1), Thomas McBride (0-5); Sean Byrne, Liam Butterly, Anto Byrne. Sub: Ian Quinn for A Lynch.
Gerry Reynolds acted as team manager, with Pat Lynch and Paddy McCarthy as selectors. At different stages during the year, former club and intercounty stalwarts David Reilly and Bernie Murray came in to lend a hand at training sessions. "When lads aren't turning out in numbers to train under those guys, that tells you something in itself," Martin notes.
"But we'll regroup over the winter and try to pull lads together. You have to look forward to the year ahead and hope that things will change."
Are Stabannon's woes all the more frustrating considering that they were so strong as a senior force in the 1990s? "That's so long ago now that it doesn't have any great bearing on things. It's been ten years since we were in a county final and we are so far removed from that now that it's irrelevant. Bar a couple of players, this is a brand new team, facing new challenges.
"We have to forget about the past. Maybe there was a feeling that we were too good to sink this low, but the league table doesn't lie and finishing 34th or 35th in the county is poor. The players need to look at themselves and work harder. There's no point glossing over it. We're in a bad position and the sooner that reality sinks in the better. We have great men working in the club and hopefully for their sakes the players will want to start turning things around."
As a player, Martin King has experienced just about everything there is to experience with Stabannon. He broke onto the first team towards the tail-end of their golden era, winning a Cardinal O'Donnell Cup in 2008 and a senior championship in '99. The following year, the Parnells were beaten in the SFC final but won the winter league. Since then, it has been a tale of steady decline, with a step taken backwards each year, culminating in demotion to the JFC and Division Three.
At 35, he's hoping the body holds out and allows him to play for a few more years, and admits that winning some silverware with the current crop would be as sweet as anything he's previously experienced in the Stabannon colours:
"I've tasted a bit of everything with Stabannon but I have thoroughly enjoyed playing football with them. You are playing with a bunch of lads with whom you have a great sense of camaraderie and it would be nice to win any medal with them. It doesn't matter whether it's junior, intermediate or senior. You just want to be competitive on the field and unfortunately Stabannon haven't managed that recently. It's not nice when you aren't competing. I suppose you'd think about giving it up every now and then and it's inevitable that we all have to retire sometime. But I've been playing since I was eight and I don't know what else I'd do with myself. So I'll keep going for as long as they want me."

Back to back championship titles - a first for Stabannon ladies 

Never before have back to back senior championship titles been won in Stabannon and it was the Ladies who took the honours in the mid Louth parish in 2010.   
Stabannon Ladies set out in 2010 to build on their first senior title from 2009.  With the same panel of players and management in place the challenge to build on their achievements of 2009 were set in place in January 2010.  A junior team was established and the club entered the Inaugural Intermediate Leinster League competition.  With the club playing in all age levels from under 12, 2010 proved to be a very busy year for the club.  However, their efforts did not go unrewarded and with the backing of Darver Castle as their main sponsor, the club captured the Leinster League title, Senior Championship title, Senior League title and Junior League title for 2010.
The journey for Stabannon Ladies began in March 2010 when the League started and they played their first game against Cooley in Cooley and Stabannon were beaten in this game, leaving a lot to be desired of the performance of the mid Louth side.  They were now on the back foot in terms of the League and went on to play Roche in where they won the game and from there went on to beat Malachis, Marys and Geraldines in the League leaving them with equal points to Cooley come the end of the League round.  The final was set up since May 2010 but was not played until 17th October 2010 when once again Cooley and Stabannon would meet in a final. 

Leinster League Champions
Along with playing in the county League, Stabannon entered the Leinster Intermediate Inaugural League and were playing more football in 2010 than they had ever played before.  This league would expose Stabannon to teams outside the county and give all the girls regular football.  The games were 13 aside.  The first round of the League was against Kinnegad which Stabannon won.  Following the comfortable win against Kinnegad and  then Rhode of Offaly  (Stabannon 2-15 Rhode 1-2) the semi final was to be a replay of the Senior Leinster semi final in 2009,  against Garrycastle of Westmeath.   However the score was to be reversed with Stabannon coming out on top with a very positive score line of Garrycastle 0-5 Stabannon 5-7, leading them to their first Leinster final on Tuesday the 22nd of June against Railyard of Kilkenny in Sarsfields pitch in Newbridge. 
With a most of Stabannon parish making the trip to Newbridge, throw in began with a well taken point from Stabannon Jenny McGuinness however it was soon followed by a point from Railyard. Scores from both teams became alternate with Stabannon on point form with Tara Lynch and Grace Rogers.  Railyard then closed the gap with yet another point but this was to be the last score from the Kilkenny side as Stabannon powered ahead with a goal from Jenny Mc Guinness and well points by Grace Lynch (1) Tara Lynch (5) Grace Rogers (1) and Danielle Sharkey (1), gave them a 12 point lead at half time.  Some support may have thought that as Stabannon had hit no wides in first half and a 12 point margin that really Stabannon were well on the road to the title but Railyard were to send a clear message that they were still firmly in contention.
The second half began with a penalty which Stabannon Goalie Nicola Barry couldn't stop.  Refusing to let Railyard fight back Jenny McGuinness closed the gap back from the goal with two well taken points. Railyard continued to fight back with two further points but the Lenister title was coming to the Wee County. Proving that they have just as strong players on the bench as on the pitch substitute Denise Moynagh was to finish Stabannon score line with a third and final goal.   The final whistle blew leading Stabannon to a 3-16 to Railyard 1-4 to their first Leinster title.
Scorers: Tara Lynch 0-8pts (3frees, 1pt from penalty), Jenny McGuiness 1-4, Grace Rogers 1-2, Denise Moynagh 1-0,  Grace Lynch 0-1 Danielle Sharkey 0-1
Stabannon Team: Nicola Barry, Michelle McArdle, Andrea Carney, Aine McGee, Ann Marie Lynch, Oonagh Giggins, Grace Lynch (Captain), Sinead McGrane, Grace Rogers, Mary Maloney, Tara Lynch, Danielle Sharkey, Jenny McGuinness. Subs used: Denise Moynagh for Mary Maloney, Deirdre Lynch for Danielle Sharkey, Siobhan Giggins for Andrea Carney, Kim Lynch for Sinead McGrane, Maria Bannon for Jenny McGuiness, Amy Malone for Grace Rodgers.
Best for Stabannon were Ann-Marie Lynch, Grace Rodgers, Tara Lynch and Jenny McGuiness while Grace Lynch was awarded the player of the match award.  

New Sponsor for Stabannon Ladies GFC
Stabannon Ladies GFC were pleased to announce the beginning of a new friendship with Darver Castle as Darver have agreed a new sponsorship deal for the mid Louth team for the next five years.  Stabannon are proud to wear the very successful name of Darver Castle on the jersey's for all their teams at both underage (under 12 and under 14), junior and senior levels.  Members of the Stabannon Ladies Committee and payers were delighted to be invited down to Darver for the official handing over of the Jerseys. Owner Aidan Carville has said that he "is delighted to support Stabannon Ladies."  Chairperson and captain Grace Lynch thanked Darver Castle for their belief and support.  

Defence of Senior
Championship Title
The question everyone was asking of Stabannon Ladies in 2010 was 'were they good enough to make it back to back titles?'  Some would say yes, others may not be quite so confident.  However with the leadership of Grace Lynch and training by Colin Rafferty and Padraig Lynch, this team was determined to go one step further in 2010 and bring back to back titles to Stabannon, something that was never done before. 
Stabannon Ladies began the defence of their senior championship title with a 1/4 final against Cooley Kickhams and this was a much anticipated game. It had memories of championship games past when Cooley were winners over the mid Louth side and this time it was hard to call the winners.  Stabannon, having been beaten by Cooley in the first round of the League earlier in the year, were concerned about meeting the peninsula side and they knew that this game would be a challenge.  The game was played in Stabannon and with a full field of supporters it didn't fail to impress with Stabannon Ladies coming out and showing a great team performance and a full time score of 1-19 to 0-2.  This led to a semi final clash against Geraldines on Sunday fifth of September and yet again the standard of football from both teams proved to provide the supporters with an uplift from the rain.  A half time lead for Stabannon of 1-13 to 0-0 was certainly no indication game that the game was over and while Stabannon were ahead they were soon to be given a sharp awaking that the Geraldines were by no means out of the championship with a return of 2-1 from the Haggerstown side.  But the flying start proved to be of Stabannon's benefit and the full time score of Stabannon 1-16  Geraldines 2-1  ensured that Stabannon stepped one game closer to retaining their senior title. 
In the final itself Stabannon were too strong for a game St Mary's as they won out by 3-11 to 1-4 at Haggardstown.
The champions trailed early on after a long range effort found its way to the Stabannon net as Mary's enjoyed a 1-3 to 0-2 lead.
Mary Maloney then goaled from the penalty spot and points from Tara Lynch, Jenny McGuinness and Aine McGee had them 1-6 to 1-3 to the good at the break.
Denise Moynagh grabbed a second goal shortly after the resumption, before the same player finished the game as a contest with her second goal of the half five minutes from time.
Stabannon (2010 SFC winners) - Nicola Barry; Siobhan Giggins, Andrea Carney, Orlagh Byrne; Aine McGee 0-1, Anne Marie Lynch, Oonagh Giggins; Grace Lynch, Grace Rogers 0-1; Sinead McGrane, Deirdre Lynch, Jenny McGuinness 0-4; Danielle Sharkey 0-1, Tara Lynch 0-3, Mary Maloney 1-0. Subs - Maria Bannon, Kim Lynch, Michelle McArdle, Roseanne Campbell, Denise Moynagh 2-0, Julie Campbell, Kelly Lynch, Carol Cluskey, Grainne Smith, Grainne Whelan, Amy Malone, Suzanne Reilly, Laura Reilly, Isobel Keenan, Stephanie Shevlin, Lisa McDonnell, Suzanne Carroll, Suzie Lynch, Rebecca Brennan, Kate Green, Niamh Greene. 
Barry on form as Stabannon clinch Junior League Title
Nicola Barry was on top form on Saturday 16th October 2010 as she played full forward for Stabannon B team and scored 4-5 to help her team clinch the Junior League title from St. Brides by seven points, 5-9 to 2-11. This was a great win for the Stabannon team as they had never won the title before.  Stabannon got off to a great start with a goal from Mary Maloney in the first five minutes of the game.  A wide by Sinead McGrane was counteracted with a point from Nicola Barry.  St. Brides went on the attack and has three consecutive wides before Niamh Cooney registered their first point.  Marie Brennan followed quickly with a point leaving only two points between the teams. Minutes later the Stabannon backs were left dismayed as the ball hit the back of the net having gone off the hands of a number of defenders.  This brought the sides level.  Julie Campbell responded well for Stabannon with a point.  Great play by Carol Cluskey in defence saw the ball passed to Julie Campbell and Amy Malone and Malone found Barry who made no mistake in hitting the back of the Brides net.  Stabannon were then guilty of a number of wides but they finished the half strong with a goal and a point from Barry. 
Stabannon started the second half strong with a point from Amy Malone followed by a point from Lisa Mc Donnell. The Brides registered two points from free just before Barry was on form again to hit the back of the net for Stabannon.  Midfielder Siobhan Giggins for Stabannon had done all the work to carry the ball up the field before finding Barry who hit the back of the net. 
With fifteen minutes to go the game was there for the taking by either side. The Brides went on the attack and Stabannon goalie Suzanne Carroll pulled off one of the best saves the game has seen this year to keep her team in the running for the title.  The Brides scored a point leaving five points between the teams and Lisa McDonald responded well for Stabannon with a point.  In the last few minutes of the game, Kelly Lynch played a great ball to Lisa McDonald who found Nicola Barry who once again found the net.  Stabannon now looked well on their way to victory as Marie Brennan scored a point for the Brides.  The final whistle blew and Stabannon were winners by seven points. 
This was a great game of football with both teams giving it their all and as Dermot Woods, Chairperson of the County Board said during his presentation that 'the real winner on the night was Ladies Football'.  It was a great win for Stabannon who only entered the Junior team for the first time this year.  The shield was presented to Sinead McGrane, Stabannon Captain by Chairperson Dermot Woods.  Sinead praised the Brides for a great game of football and she went on to thank the Management and Committee of Stabannon Ladies for ensuring the Junior team got the support it needed during the year. 
Stabannon - Suzanne Carroll, Roseanne Campbell, Orlagh Byrne, Stephanie Shevlin, Grainne Smyth, Oonagh Giggins, Carol Cluskey, Siobhan Giggins, Sinead McGrane, Lisa McDonald, Mary Maloney, Julie Campbell, Ciara Connolly, Nicola Barry, Amy Malone. Subs - Kate Greene, Grainne Whelan, Kelly Lynch, Suzanne Reilly, Isobel Keenan, Niamh Greene, Marie McLoughlin, Rebecca Brennan, Laura Reilly, Susie Lynch  

Stabannon do the double
as they win Senior League
Stabannon Ladies crowned off a busy weekend on 17th October 2010 by winning the Senior League title on Sunday last as they beat Cooley by 2-17 to 0-4 in Knockbridge.  The mid Louth side who played in the Junior League Final the night before were anxious about this game which was six days before they compete in the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship.
However, with a strong panel this year, Stabannon were able to get through both games in such a short space of time with no significant injuries. 
Stabannon got off to a good start against Cooley with  goal from corner forward Maria Bannon in the first few minutes of the game. Unfortunately just as the goal was scored Maria got injured and had to be replaced by Junior Captain Sinead McGrane. Stabannon quickly found their rhythm and with Kim Lynch finding Sinead McGrane, Sinead put the ball over the bar. Cooley immediately went on the attack and corner back for Stabannon Orlagh Byrne cleared the ball from the defence to Danielle Sharkey who passed the ball to Tara Lynch who put the ball over the bar.  Again Orlagh Byrne was on top of her game in defence and cleared the ball to Kim Lynch who found her sister Tara who put the ball over the bar.  Kim Lynch caught the ball from the Cooley kick out and she gave a great pass to Sinead McGrane who passed to Denise Moynagh who pointed.  Again from the Cooley kick out, captain Grace Lynch caught the ball and passed it to Sinead McGrane who found Jenny McGuinness who scored. Stabannon were eight points up at this stage as Cooley registered their first point.  Nicola Barry then found Bronagh McGrane from the kick out who gave a great ball to Danielle Sharkey who scored.  Tara Lynch and Denise Moynagh scored tow points for Stabannon.  Jenny McGuinness then put the ball over the bar just before the interval to leave ten points between the sides at half time. 
Cooley scored the first point of the second half from a free.  Kim Lynch was on form again in this half and she cleared the ball well from the defence and Tara Lynch was again on form and put the ball over the bar.  Stabannon went on the attack with a point from Danielle Sharkey and Tara Lynch scored a goal from a sideline ball.  Cooley responded with a point but Stabannon finished the strongest with another six points before the final whistle making them winners by nineteen points in the end.  This was a great end to a busy weekend for Stabannon and they will be delighted to have done the double this year.  They last won the League in 2008 and Captain Grace Lynch was delighted to accept the cup on behalf of the team and the club. 
Scorers for Stabannon were Tara Lynch 1-6, Maria Bannon 1-1, Danielle Sharkey 0-3, Denise Moynagh 0-2, Jenny McGuinness 0-2, Sinead McGrane 0-2, Grace Rogers 0-1
Stabannon - Nicola Barry, Michelle McArdle, Andrea Carney, Orlagh Byrne, Aine McGee, Anne Marie Lynch, Bronagh McGrane, Kim Lynch, Grace Rogers, Tara Lynch, Grace Lynch, Denise Moynagh, Maria Bannon, Jenny McGuinness, Danielle Sharkey. 

Stabannon Ladies bow out of Leinster Championship in extra time
Stabannon Ladies Leinster championship dream came to an end when they lost to St. Conleths of Laois by five points in extra time, Stabannon 0-11 St. Conleth's 1-13
The first half was a very tightly contested game with neither side giving anything away.  Within the first minute of the game St. Conleths were awarded a penalty and luckily for Stabannon it went wide.  This was followed by another wide ball for the Laois side and one for Stabannon by Danielle Sharkey.  St. Conleths were guilty of four wides before the put their first point over the bar.  This was followed in quick succession which they put over the bar.  Stabannon were two points down and it took captain Grace Lynch to move forward with the ball and put it over the bar in order to register their first score.  St. Conleths went down the other end.  The Laois side were awarded another penalty and this would surely put them in the lead as half time approached.  However, Stabannons Nicola Barry was on hand to make a fine save and keep the mid Louth side in the game.  Denise Moynagh was replaced by Kim Lynch twenty minutes into the first half.  Kim made an impact as soon as she came on to the pitch.  Good work by Mary Maloney, Grace Lynch and Jenny McGuinness found Tara Lynch who put the ball over the bar to leave just two points between the teams. Jenny McGuinness was then unlucky as her efforts dropped short and into the hands of the Laois gaolie.  McGuinness was unlucky just a minute later not to have a goal and Kim Lynch settled the mid Louth side with a point from substitute Kim Lynch to leave the sides level at half time.  Despite being level at half time Stabannon were still trying to get to grips with the game and were struggling in the full forward line. 
It was the mid Louth side who got off to the better start in the second half with a point  from Jenny McGuinness, two from Tara Lynch and one from captain Grace Lynch to lave them four points ahead twelve minutes into the second half.  St. Conleths put the ball wide but Stabannons four point lead was brought back to one point when a goal came from the Stabannon kick out.  This was quickly followed by a free which was put over the bar for St. Conleths leaving the sides level again.  Lizzie Emerson then put St. Conleths a point ahead and at the other end Jenny McGuinness was quick to even things up again.  The turning point of the game was soon to follow when after being fouled and rather than allowing the advantage, referee awarded a free to Grace Rogers for Stabannon who was almost in on goal.  Had the advantage being allowed it may have been a different day for Stabannon. They failed to convert from the free.  Kim Lynch was again in hand to keep the mid Louth side in the game and she put a point over to put them a point ahead.  Maria Bannon replaced Jenny McGuinness with five minutes to go for Stabannon.  St. Conleths then scored two points which put them a point ahead as full time drew near.  Stabannon were awarded a free in injury time which Tara Lynch put over the bar to leave the sides level at full time.  The full time score was Stabannon 0-10 to St. Conleths 1-7. 
Lisa McDonald replaced Sinead McGrane for Stabannon at the start of extra time.  Twenty minutes extra time was played, ten minutes aside in a down pour of hailstones in Clane.  It was St. Conleths who started the first half of injury time much stronger than Stabannon and they had three points up before Stabannons captain Grace Lynch brought it back to a two point game.  Bronagh McGrane replaced Oonagh Giggins in the first half of injury time.   However, St Conleths seemed mentally and physically stronger in this half and they added another three points to their tally leaving five points between the teams at the interval. The second half of extra time found Stabannon on the back foot for the full ten minutes and nothing went right for them.  Denise Moynagh replaced Maria Bannon and Sinead McGrane replaced Bronagh McGrane but despite this Stabannon could not get the scores they needed to bring the game within their reach.  As the full time whistle blew St. Conleths were winners by five points.  Stabannon gave everything in the game and it was just wasn't to be on the day but both the player and the management can be hugely proud of what they have achieved in 2010 within and outside of the county. 
Stabannon - Kim Lynch, Orlagh Byrne, Andrea Carney, Siobhan Giggins, Aine McGee, Anne Marie Lynch, Oonagh Giggins, Grace Lynch (captain), Grace Rogers, Tara Lynch,
Mary Maloney, Sinead McGrane, Danielle Sharkey, Denise Moynagh, Jenny McGuinness, Nicola Barry, Bronagh McGrane, Maria Bannon, Michelle McArdle, Julie Campbell, Amy Malone, Roseanne Campbell, Grainne Whelan, Grainne Smith,
Carol Cluskey, Kelly Lynch, Suzanne Reilly, Stephanie Shevlin, Ciara Connolly, Lisa McDonald 

Underage Success
Much of the success in Stabannon Ladies over the past two years can be attributed to the hard work and effort the club put in to the underage structures.  In 2009, Stabannon joined forces with neighbours St. Kevins at u12, u14 and u16 level.  A combination of trainers and coaches from both clubs train and manage the teams and ensure that all matches are played, giving the players at all levels an equal amount of football during the year.  In 2010, success came the way of both the players and the mentors when the under 16 team won the B Championship.  This is a first for the Stabannon/St. Kevins combination and never before have Stabannon won a title at under 16 level. Many of the players on the team were those who won u14 B and A championships with Stabannon back in 2006 and 2007.  Captained by Carol Cluskey, Stabannon/St. Kevins were strong winners over Naomh Martins when they won by 6-11 to 1-1. Captain Carol Cluskey collected the cup and Lisa McDonald was awarded player of the match.  
Scorers on the day were Isobel Keenan (1-1), Lisa McDonald (2-2), Carol Cluskey (1-2, Ciara McMahon (1-2), Alannah Dowling ( 1-1), Amy Malone (0-3) and Kayleigh VanRyan (0-1) Tweet

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