Hunterstown Rovers' 2004 intermediate championship bid appeared on track when they finished top of Group B and qualified for the semi-final stage of the competition. However, a narrow defeat to O'Raghallaighs at Dunleer on Sunday September 12 put paid to their promotion prospects for another year. Still, there's a decent crop of young talent emerging in the club at present and the Rovers should reclaim their senior status (again!) sooner rather than later. Alas, the Rovers' return did not materialise in 2004. Hunterstown saved their best form for the championship (as has become customary) and were mightily impressive in negotiating the group phase of the premier competition (after a somewhat shaky start). By winning three or their four games in an extremely competitive Group B section, the Red & Whites took their place in the knockout phase of the 2004 IFC. As table-toppers, they earned an automatic semi-final berth. Herein, they faced O'Raghallaighs, who, like Hunterstown, have garnered a reputation for themselves as championship specialists. Sure enough, a close encounter developed and Rovers could consider themselves most unfortunate to exit the championship by the narrowest of margins, 0-9 to 0-8. Their brave championship challenge (which comprised five very close matches) appeared to run out of steam at the vital moment and they lost to an injury-time point after being outscored by five points to one in the final quarter. As their league form had been on the unpredictable side of erratic, their chances of promotion via that channel had long since disappeared in a puff of smoke. Languishing near the foot of Division 2A, Hunterstown were forced to accept that they had missed the boat. They would have to wait at least another twelve months for a return to the top table. In the meantime, there was the unglamorous task of avoiding relegation to Division 2B to be tended to… Survival went right down to the last game of the season and Rovers assured themselves of another year in Division 2A with a six point defeat of Naomh Fionnbarra. They finished their league campaign with twelve points from twelve games, in joint-third place. Above them, runners-up Oliver Plunketts gained promotion to senior football with just 14 points. Hunterstown's opening game in the 2004 intermediate championship was against Na Piarsaigh at Dunleer on May 22, ending in a disappointing 1-9 to 0-10 defeat, despite a spirited fight back from Rovers, who trailed by five points at one stage in the second half. Backs to the wall, Hunterstown then knuckled down to win their remaining three preliminary phase matches and finish top of the group. They had a Bye is Round Two but got their first win at Dowdallshill's expense, 2-8 to 0-11 at Tallanstown on July 4. Paddy Matthews scored a wondergoal on the stroke of half time and Paul Carrie netted the other major for the winners. Fast forward seven days to July 11 and another narrow victory, this time over Sean McDermotts, 2-9 to 1-10. More than a month passed before Hunterstown played their final match in Group B but the lay-off did them no harm whatsoever as they overcame Sean O'Mahonys in a high-scoring encounter at Dowdallshill, 0-18 to 1-12. After trailing by a point at the break (0-7 to 0-6), Rovers dominated the second half, with Paddy Matthews and John Levins firing four points apiece in that period. Thus, Hunterstown finished top of Group B on six points. All their group games had been uncannily close - they lost their first outing by two points and then recorded successive wins by margins of three, two and three points respectively. The semi-final would be the most closely contested game of all. Unfortunately it was O'Raghallaighs who got the odd point out of 17… The 2004 Louth IFC semi-final at Dunleer on the second Sunday of September was played in atrocious conditions and both teams had to grapple with the elements as well as with one another. Playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, Hunterstown managed only four points (John Levins, Paddy Meade, Paddy Matthews (2)), while conceding three. They also recorded eight costly wides during that ill-fated opening half-hour. However, Hunterstown outscored the Drogheda side by three points (Paul Carrie, Matthews, Levins) to one upon the resumption to lead by three at the end of the third quarter (0-7 to 0-4). But O'Raghallaighs got the next four scores to take a late lead. A Matthews free drew Rovers level on the stroke of full time and it looked to all the world as though a replay would be required to separate the teams. Agonisingly for the losers, however, the Hoops struck an injury time winner and Hunterstown's season was good as over. Niall Lynch has given twelve years' service to Hunterstown Rovers on the field of play. During that time, he's witnessed his fair share of ups and downs. Taking stock of the events of '04, Niall concedes: "It was a poor enough year. I think it was probably a lack of experience in the team that cost us in the end. There are possibly too many young lads coming in at the one time and, while it's good to blood the young lads, maybe we could've had a few more of the older lads in there to provide leadership." Looking at things from a positive viewpoint, Niall thinks that another year in intermediate won't do any harm, as it could prove the best level for the younger players to find their feet: "It's probably a good thing that we didn't go senior this year because I'm not sure if the team is ready for that yet. There's no point moving up and being on the receiving end of heavy beatings from the stronger teams, particularly in the championship. "The lads will develop better at intermediate level. Even after one more year of intermediate football, I think Hunterstown Rovers could go forward with a good strong team, with that bit more experience and confidence. Some of the lads went straight into the first team last year without even playing junior football and it was a big step-up. It was probably asking a bit too much off them, but they'll be better able to deal with the pressure next year." Niall himself was unable to give his customary commitment in 2004, as he has taken over a shop in Tullyallen. Even though he is one of the more 'established' players whose place on the team came under threat, he admits that it's a good thing to see new players emerging: "It's great to see young lads coming through. You need a mix. Young lads give teams vitality and the older fellas can provide strength and experience. It's very hard to get the mix right, though." Tommy Kirk, Gerry Reaburn and Peter Landy managed the team. Training started back in January: "It was difficult for some lads to give the necessary commitment," Niall recalls. "I was distracted by the business myself and I know some of the other lads had distractions with work and family, so it was hard to get everybody out. To an extent, the management had their hand forced and they had little option but to throw the young lads in." Though traditionally Rovers have yo-yoed chaotically between senior and intermediate levels, Niall has been fortunate enough to play quite a bit of senior football with the club. He was centre half back on the Hunterstown side that last threatened to consolidate senior status. The club was senior from 1993 'til '97 (having won the '93 IFC) but slipped back down before winning the Seamus Flood Cup (intermediate championship) again in 1999. In 2002, Niall captained the team that once more stepped up to the top table by winning the all-county Division Two league (Toner Cup). The club's resources are scant, however, and yet again their stay in the top flight proved short-lived. Despite the trials they've been through, Hunterstown's spirit remains unbroken: "I've had great years with Hunterstown and have always enjoyed playing the football," says Niall. "There's a great social aspect to it. It's not just about medals. It's about craic too, and there's a great bond in the club. "I think the present team has a bright future. Some of these lads need two or three more years and then we'll see the best of them. Paddy Matthews is a great player and there are plenty more coming along. Dessie Levins has been a tremendous servant to the club. If every player gave as much commitment as Dessie, we'd win the senior championship every year!" How can we expect Hunterstown to fare in 2005? "With a bit of effort, they could go well in the league. The championship will be there and anything can happen on the day, but I think it would be a better idea to concentrate on the league, to get a bit of consistency into the team." Tweet

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